By Dominic Santina, Contributing Writer
Photography by Niklus Chester
As we approach the second half of the summer, the action around Northern Power Race Park only continues to get hotter. The second season of summer events at the park has continued to build the action.
This summer, the park has added an official points-paying series to its schedule. After a few test events last year, the Side-by-Side races have been made into a championship circuit. The season will conclude with a big weekend at NPRP on August 28-30.
“We’re excited about our SXS state championship weekend. It is a three-day event with practice Friday, the final round of short course on Saturday, and an enduro race on Sunday. We will be open for racer and spectator camping that weekend, and we will also have a variety of food vendors and other activities during the weekend,” said NPRP Director Rene Maier.
As the park starts to prepare for the big weekend, four drivers are looking to claim their first championships.
Emily Blake has won all three main events at NPRP this summer in the Women’s division. However, she holds a slim four-point lead over Alaina Daniels in the standings. The division has featured five full-time drivers, while nine drivers have appeared in the class over the summer.
Blake has also proven that she is not just one to beat in the Women’s division. She also currently holds down the lead in the Sportsman division as well. Blake holds a six-point lead over Martin Hendler in a field that has 14 entries on the season.
In the other two divisions, Blair Miller holds the points lead in both Pro NA and Pro Turbo. Miller holds a lead of six and five points, respectively, over Kyle Bassett and Matt Henning. The Pro NA division has seen 11 entries line up this season, while the Pro Turbo has had 17 entries on the starting line.
The summers and winters are starting to look similar around NPRP. They have a main series to focus on and a trial event that has taken off to levels never predicted. In the winter, Snocross is the series of focus; however, Ditchbangers have exploded to the point that they have become a points-paying series over the last two seasons. The Park had to expand the schedule for them. That very well could be the case for the Pit bike races. While Side by Side racing has taken precedence, the pit bike and pit quad races have become the fun alternative.
While not a points-paying series, it has the potential of reaching the levels of ditchbanger races. While the riders have had fun competing in three races on the mini motocross track at NPRP this season. They are getting ready for a big conclusion to the season. They will make the trip to the fairgrounds in Traverse City to compete as a grandstand event at the Northwestern Michigan Fair.
“We’re excited to bring NPRP Pit Bike races to the fair. It is the perfect fair event, as they provide plenty of entertainment and are a fun event to compete in, said Maier.
The fair will be a great opportunity for the races to get some eyes on the park and see what the action is really about. The riders will have a stadium feel for their final race of the season, as they compete in front of the fairgoers. •
