Worldwide racing in Washougal

Motorcycle riders and fans from around the world will celebrate 45 years of racing this week at Washougal Motocross Park.

Spokesperson Brian Barnes said this milestone would not be possible without the Huffman family, and their dedication since purchasing the track in 1995.

The park has been open since 1971. Besides 1987, Washougal has hosted a round of the pro motocross series every year since 1980.

“I’ve been to every national,” Barnes said. “Every year, it just gets bigger and better. We are welcoming more riders and fans from all over the world to Washougal.”

Saturday’s ninth round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will take on a different shape. After winning the last seven Washougal national titles, Ryan Dungey is out of action with a cracked vertebrae. He suffered the injury at the Thunder Valley National in Lakewood, Colorado, June 4, and will miss the remainder of the outdoor season.

Ken Roczen, a Suzuki rider out of Germany, leads the 450 class with 387 points. Eli Tomac, a Kawasaki rider from Cortez, Colorado, is in second place with 332 points.

Tomac won both motos at the Southwick National July 9, but Roczen regained the top spot at the Spring Creek National Saturday, in Millville, Minnesota.

“Roczen is the one everybody is determined to beat,” Barnes said. “The 250 class will be wide open.”

Cooper Webb, a Yamaha rider out of Newport, North Carolina, leads the 250 class with 337 points.

Jeremy Martin, a Yamaha rider from Millville, got to within 38 points of Webb in the series standings by winning the Spring Creek National on his hometown track Saturday. Webb looks to increase his advantage in Washougal, where he won the 250 class title in 2015.