Round eight of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, also round 25 of the SuperMotocross season, takes to the tree-lined surroundings of Washougal MX Park for this year’s “Military Appreciation Race”. The 45th running of the FLY Racing Washougal National Presented by Peterson CAT takes place this Saturday, July 25.
“In just a few short years the already rich legacy of Washougal MX Park has added a new layer as the host of our annual Military Appreciation Race,” said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “This special event has become one of the highlights of the summer campaign and second-generation organizer Ryan Huffman has fully embraced the opportunity to celebrate our veterans. Visually, this is arguably our most captivating round of the championship, but it is also one of the toughest for our athletes. High speeds, a challenging racing surface, and an abundance of shadows combine to force riders to toe a fine line over the course of two motos. The race has also become a showcase for our partners at FLY Racing and Western Power Sports (WPS), who call the Pacific Northwest home and take full advantage of this event to showcase their incredible products that have become one of the most popular choices in the paddock and amongst our most well-known racers.”
Washougal MX Park has been a cornerstone of the Pro Motocross Championship since 1980, providing a scenic summer spectacle for one of the most densely populated regions of motocross fans in the country. The Pacific Northwest has long been a hub for the sport and Washougal has played a significant role in its popularity, with the National serving as the longest running professional motorsports event in the region. The track’s stunning setting, hiding in plain sight amongst an evergreen forest, cloaks a truly daunting track layout that is trickier than it looks. At its foundation is a deceptively slick racing surface that has hardened over decades of racing but looks lush with its rich dark color. It forces riders to be disciplined with their throttle control and resist the urge to push beyond the grip limits of the track. That’s easier said than done on Washougal’s flowing layout, with the thrilling Horsepower Hill as its centerpiece and the infamous whoops that lead to the finish line. Moreover, the multiple transitions into light and darkness throughout the shadow-lined circuit add another complex layer that can easily catch any racer off guard. It’s fitting that a track so majestic is also one of the most formidable in the championship.
Since 2023, the Washougal National has doubled as the “Military Appreciation Race,” providing a unique opportunity for the series, teams and athletes, and passionate race fans to show their gratitude for the men and women of the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line in service of the country and all that it stands for. As always, military themed livery will adorn the paddock, with special graphics on the motorcycles and military inspired designs on the race gear worn by the athletes. Additionally, Washougal MX Park will partner with the Veteran MX Foundation to provide a bucket list trip to the National for one of its members – Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Janell Brown, of New Hampshire. Brown also serves as a New Hampshire State Trooper, where her values of selfless service, resilience, leadership, and mentorship have helped her become a noble and distinguished leader in both the military and law enforcement. She’s been a motocross enthusiast since the age of four and has been a member of Vet MX since 2020, serving as an ambassador and championship-winning competitor.
Throughout race weekend, the Warrior Moto class will compete as part of the amateur program complementing the National and will be anchored by a “Branch Battle,” where racers representing each branch of the Armed Forces will go head-to-head to crown a champion. The winning group will be presented with the Branch Battle trophy on Friday afternoon. Also carrying a significant presence over the weekend will be the HunterSeven Foundation, a groundbreaking non-profit organization that will provide free onsite cancer screenings for veterans, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. local time on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. local time on Saturday.
