Revy Riders Dirtbike Club is revving up for the return of the BC Motocross Championships this May 17 and 18, which is expected to bring hundreds of bikers to Revelstoke's national-level race track.
It's the third year Revelstoke will host a leg of this provincial competition for cross-country motorcyclists, following 2023 and 2024, as Round 3 of Future Moto West's championships rolls into town on the May long weekend.
Revy Riders director Chris Dodds said this event, coupled with seven other rounds happening in Kelowna, Quesnel, Pemberton, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and Agassiz from April to September, unites riders across Western Canada on some of its best race tracks.
"We have a national-level motocross track there," he said, referring to Revelstoke's venue and Revy Riders' home near "Sledhalla" at the top of Westside Road. "Our track is one of the best tracks in the (championship) circuit. It's a really unique track with the elevational changes and the dirt there."
Dodds said it takes two minutes on average to lap the course.
At this year's event, "we should have anywhere from 400 to 500 total entries," he said, noting last year drew more than 500.
Each year, riders flock in from not just around the mainland, but also Vancouver Island, Alberta and even Saskatchewan — about 800 kilometres from Revelstoke by road.
Part of the wide appeal for these championship events, Dodds explained, is how inclusive they are of all ages. Event categories start at "super mini" for tykes as young as four, and change gear up to "vet riding" for ages 50 and older.
Above them all, the pro-class competitions stir the most excitement as the best motocross riders in the province face off in clouds of dust, sweat and tears.
Some half-dozen local riders of Revelstoke's own will also be competing, including star athlete Tanner Sessa and Dodds' own sons Luke, 13, and Liam, 17, who will be racing pro class.
Dodds noted Revy Riders benefits both from the event's publicity and from the funds it makes off Future Moto West renting the circuit for the weekend. He also said local support from Cooper Equipment Rentals, Downie Timber and others has helped finance and supply this year's races in Revelstoke.
Spectators are welcome to head over to Westside Road to tune into the action Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18. Entry costs $20 per person at the gate for the full weekend. Food trucks will be on site.
Revy Riders has a dedicated membership of about 80 bikers and offers both day and season passes for its track. Learn more at revyriders.ca/membership.
