Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Dirt bike season kicks off March 26
ODESSA – The Stumpjumpers Motorcycle Club will tune up for the 2022 season with the Frostbite Grand Prix on Saturday, March 26, and the White Knuckle Grand Prix on Sunday, March 27.
“We’re hoping to have more than 400 riders,” organizer and volunteer R.J. Tonsgard of Northport said Wednesday. “But you never know with the way fuel prices are going up.”
According to Tonsgard, more than 400 turned out for the Frostbite last year. But many spectators left early because of a storm that rolled in before the start of the White Knuckle.
“Racers come from all over Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Canada and Montana,” he said, noting racers and their families are appreciative of the support they receive from the Odessa community.
“The FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) helps us run the gate,” he said. “And all the stores stock up with supplies for the people we bring in.”
Registration for the dirt bike races – Rounds 2 and 3 of the Northwest Motorcycle Association Off-Road Series – opens at 7 a.m. each day at the race site just off state Highway 21, south of town. (Look for signs marking the race site.)
On Saturday, March 26, the Frostbite short course race starts at 9:30 a.m. and the long course race at noon.
A fireworks show is planned for Saturday night.
Racing continues Sunday, March 27, with the White Knuckle long course race set for 9 a.m. and short course event at 12:30 p.m.
Race times are subject to change without notice. So, race officials suggest arriving early.
Several classes are planned for each course.
Long course classes include AA, Open and B, Veteran A and B, Senior-A and Women’s Expert.
Short course classes include Open C, Women’s C, 15 and younger, Senior B and C, Veteran’s C, Masters, Sportsmen, and Super Senior A and B.
There is a fee to attend; camping is available.
Only dirt bikes are allowed on the trails; no ORVs allowed.
“We like to keep it single-track,” Tonsgard said, noting it helps prevent damage to the environment.
“This is a family event; bring the kids,” he said. “It would be nice to see a bunch of people show up; we have good spectator areas.”
Desert 100
The Grand Prix races are a precursor to the Stumpjumpers premier event, the Desert 100.
After a two-year hiatus, the Desert 100 returns April 2 and 3 for its 50th anniversary of motorcycle racing.
The event includes family, ironman and adventure/dual sport poker runs. There will also be a mini-race, the beginner ladies ride and the premier race, the Desert 100.
This year’s main event – the Desert 100 – features multiple classes and skill levels.
Classes include open, 250cc and less than 200 cc. Age-based classes are 15 and younger, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and older than 80.
Other classes include the Women’s 100-mile, Women’s 50-Mile, Adventure, Vintage and Team.
A children’s race is planned for Saturday, April 2, and will included classes for 8 and younger, 9-10 and 11-12.
Desert 100 racers come from all over the country, Tonsgard said, noting it’s a motorcycle community event like no other in the Pacific Northwest.
In addition to racing, a few instructors usually attend to teach youngsters some basic riding techniques and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce traditionally sponsors a beer garden.
“We really appreciate Odessa,” Tonsgard said.
Nitrous and methane
The events in Odessa kick off the start of the motorcycle racing season around Eastern Washington.
One of the largest events east of the Cascades, the Washington Nitro Nationals, is slated for May 6-8 at the Rattlesnake Ridge ORV Park, at the intersection of state Highways 241 and 24, near Vernita Bridge.
Formerly known as the Northwest Nitro Nationals, the Washington Nitro Nationals features methane and nitrous-oxide powered dirt bikes racing up a 3,000 hillside overlooking the Columbia River.
The event that has been shuttered for two years due to coronavirus mandates will be Rounds 1 and 2 of the NAHA Pro Hillclimb Series this season.
Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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