It’s been a long time coming. There has been a tremendous amount of work and many man hours put in by numerous people, but the new White Ridge MX Park Track—located in Blue Ridge and only a 15-minute drive from Whitecourt—is open for riders and races.
On August 21 and 22, Round 8 of the Canadian Motorsport Racing Corporation provincial racing series is being held in Whitecourt, and has young riders very excited. Trevor Motkoski, the president of the Whitecourt Motocross Association, said that this will be an opportunity for the 70 riders that are members of the Whitecourt Motocross Club to witness 400 ranked calibre riders competing.
“It is great for the kids to be involved with other, older racers that prove to be great role models,” said Motkoski. “The kids (will) get to mingle with racers that compete at a national level in Canada and the USA . . . we have seen provincial champions from our club every year (too). This is a big accomplishment.”
Motkoski said that the community of Whitecourt has received tremendous support from Woodlands County and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD). In fact, SRD donated $63,000, which was used to buy equipment for the motocross track.
In addition, Motkoski said that this track will make it easier for kids to get involved in motocross as they will be able to practice in their hometown.
“It is a lot easier to practice and stay involved in the sport when you can go to a track that is nearby,” said Motkoski. “In the past we have struggled with having to travel an hour plus just to go practice. Now the kids can go out after school and (this track is) drawing riders from other communities as well.”
Robert King, the former president of the Whitecourt Motocross Association, said that the track is a great addition to Whitecourt and challenges the riders that practice on it.
“It is more on the technical side,” said King. “It is not for a beginner rider, but the kids have to learn to ride it, so that is what makes them better riders. It is the jumps and turns that make it so technical.”