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Motocross returns to Pemberton

Local riders in field for Green River MX Fall Classic

The Green River Riding Club is revving up for this weekend’s second annual MX Fall Classic, the third event in the CMA’ s Golden Harvest Series.

There’s a $1,000 prize purse up for grabs for the top riders in the A Class, as well as medals and trophies for every category. Organizers are expecting approximately 100 riders, including kids, women, and amateur and pro men.

"We’ve been busy the last couple of weeks working on the track to get it in shape for the racing, so it should ride really well," said Shaun Greenaway, who handles communications for the Green River Riding Club.

"We’ve spent a lot longer than that trying to build excitement for it. We’ve got posters up around town, and we’ve sent a mailer around to all CMA members who race, as well as an e-mail blast. We’re hoping to get a good turnout of riders and spectators, and make this into more of a motorcrosss festival."

KTM and Yamaha will be displaying bikes and ATVs at the event, while local sponsors kicked in to make sure the race had the biggest prize purse of the series. The top male in the A category will win $275, or about three times as much as the next biggest event.

The additions of other sponsors, like Fox Racing Shox and Acerbis, will also mean more and better prizes in the lower categories.

Despite the bigger profile, Greenaway says a lot of the emphasis will be on beginners and amateurs, especially in the youth categories. "There’s going to be a lot of people in the field who have never raced before, but are coming out because the event is really casual and low pressure, and it’s less intimidating than some of the big races."

There will be a few pros to watch for in the field on Sunday. Colton Faciotti, fresh off a win in the Montreal Supercross, will be in Whistler, along with 17-year-old Kyle Beaton of Surrey, one of the top young riders in Canada. Junior Shane Wiebe, whose parents own a place in Whistler and who was the big surprise at a contest held in Pemberton earlier this year, has also continued to impress and could be a threat on his home course.

Adam Robarts of Burnaby, another rider who has had good results in Pemberton, will also be in the field, along with Justin Patjas of Garibaldi Highlands.

Greenaway himself will likely be racing and has modest hopes for a strong result, despite the fact he’s having surgery on his hand shortly after the race to repair a bone that keeps breaking. This summer, despite the hand and the torrential rains that led to tornadoes, Greenaway managed two top-10 results at the nationals in Ontario.

For spectators, the cost is $5 for parking and admission, and there will be bleachers and a concession stand. There are also vantage points around the track where people can stand and watch the race.

Saturday is the practice day. Gates will open at 9 a.m. and the course will be open for practice from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Sunday, the gates will open at 8 a.m. for registration, and the riders meeting will take place at 9:15 a.m., followed by a practice at 9:30 a.m. The first heats get underway at 10:30 a.m. Dress for the weather, the competition will run rain or shine.