Motorcross track drops flag for 1st race
Marc Buckhout ~ Managing Editor ~ 12/23/2009

North Valley off-roading enthusiasts have to watch their speed heading west on Carefree Highway.
But once they arrive at the Valley’s newest motocross track, Canyon Motocross, at 9777 West Carefree Highway, all bets are off.
For those looking to quench their need for speed the facility has three tracks for riders of all ages and ability levels.
While the track has been open for riders since September the first official race is set for Saturday.
What was formerly known as Canyon Raceway has been vacant for the last three years before Desert Hills resident Kyle Krause and a friend bought the land.
“The people that have come out here are excited about what we’ve done,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know it’s open yet, but we’ve been getting busier.”
With three different tracks including an approximately mile-long main track, a pee wee track, for those riding 85cc or less bikes, and a novice track for those just starting in the sport there’s a good ride for any enthusiast of either motorcycles or ATVs.
Krause said that he tried to be responsive to the initial review by riders.
“It was a little harder at first, but we made some changes to make it easier for all types of riders,” he said. “We mellowed out the course a little bit and that’s made a difference.”
Dennis Optebeke, who lives just outside of New River, in Phoenix, and has been riding motorcycles since he was 15 said he has been impressed with the new complex.
“I’ve been racing for 20 plus years and I got my start out here at Canyon,” he said. “I’ve been back here ever since Kyle opened the track. They’re still getting the word out about the place, but once people get out here they’ll keep coming back. The dirt out here is just great. I’ve fallen in the corners and the dirt is soft. If you wreck you aren’t going to get banged up too bad because of the work they’ve done on the track.”
Even on the more challenging main track Optebeke said a ride can be enjoyable for all levels of riders.
”I love the jumps, they’ve got some good doubles, some triples and some good downhills,” he said. “But you don’t have to do the doubles. The beginner riders can get around without having any problems.”
Krause, a rider himself, is looking forward to Saturday’s first race at the track where he expects perhaps 50 teams to show for the two-hour event.
Gates open at 7 a.m. the day of the race. Teams can have as few as two members or as many as five.
Cost for the event is $25. Spectators are also welcome.
“We’ve got the Kahuna jump, that’s at the finish line, which is probably the funnest place to watch the races from,” he said. “We’ve got a good downhill start and some nice table tops.”
The track is open from 5-10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. – noon and then from 5 – 10 p.m. Fridays, and from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Riders can purchase a variety of riding packages to suit their budget or level of interest. Admission for one day is $25, but a 10 ride package with no expiration date is $200, a six month pass with unlimited riding is $600 while an annual pass is $1,000.
“The ride package and the six month package have been pretty popular,” Krause said.
Krause explains that riders fill out forms on their initial visit at which time they are given a membership card, which works much like a credit card allowing them to save time on subsequent visits.
A variety of deals are available on the website, many aimed at juniors and families that like to ride together.
“We have some out here that are on bikes at the age of 4 or 5,” he said. “Some people come out here for just an hour or two, others are out here all day. Whatever they want to do is fine.”
For information on Canyon Motocross go to www.canyonmotocross.com.