WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

SOUTHWICK — Some of the biggest names in off-road motorcycling will test their mettle at Southwick’s storied motocross track on Saturday, June 29, as the AMA Pro Motocross Championship visits the Wick 338 for the Crestview Construction Southwick National.

“The Sandbox,” as the track is affectionately known, is nestled amid the trees behind Southwick Regional School, Woodland Elementary School, the Southwick Recreation Center and American Legion Post 338, from which it gets its name. Access is from Powder Mill Road.

Gates at the motocross track open at 7 a.m., and the first bikes take to the track at 8 a.m. for practice and qualifying. After opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m., there will be four competitive races in the afternoon — two for the 450 Class, with larger displacement engines, and two for the 250 Class. Each race, called a “moto,” lasts 30 minutes plus two additional laps. Combined results will determine the overall winners in each class. The racing usually ends around 5 p.m.

Visitors to the track, and those traveling along Powder Mill and Feeding Hills roads in the morning and evening, should expect heavy traffic. Paid parking is at adjacent lots and fields owned by the school district and the town. Parking fees will support school and civic charities.

Tickets are $65 for adult general admission, $35 for ages 6-12. Tickets are available at the gate (cash only), starting at 7 a.m. on June 29. For more information, visit thewick338.com and ProMotocross.com.

Those who can’t make it to the track can watch the races from home. All four motos will be shown on NBC’s Peacock streaming service. A repeat broadcast will be shown at 2 a.m. Monday, July 1, on CNBC.

Southwick is round 5 in the 11-round motocross championship. The top riders in combined points from motocross and last winter’s supercross season will qualify for a three-round “playoff” called the SuperMotocross World Championship.

mballway@thereminder.com | + posts