WASHOUGAL — The Washougal MX National is special on the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship series because of all the amateur riders who get to compete on the same track in the days prior to the big motos on Saturday.
Make that usually get to compete.
The rain Thursday morning at the park put a quick end to amateur racing for the day. Track officials rescheduled Thursday’s races to Sunday.
By 4:15 p.m., the track was in the process of drying, and officials expected to continue with Friday’s amateur schedule.
“We very much appreciate our amateur riders, but the National takes precedent over the amateur event,” said Brian Barnes, the spokesman for the Washougal MX Park.
More than 900 amateurs had signed up for Thursday and Friday racing. Those scheduled to race Thursday who will not be able to race Sunday will be given refunds, Barnes said.
“Everybody has been very supportive. They understand the weather and the importance of the National.”
The AMA motos on Saturday will go on rain or shine, but officials did not want the track to be ripped up in messy, muddy conditions prior to the National.
Thursday’s practice session began as scheduled at 7 a.m. Amateur racing began at 9:05 a.m., but it quickly became apparent that it was too sloppy to continue. Racing was suspended by 9:40 a.m.
The Washougal MX National begins at 1 p.m. Saturday with the first moto of the 450 Class.
