MESQUITE, Nevada — Champions, amateurs and fans alike assembled at the third annual Mesquite Off-Road Weekend to take part in and observe the thrilling motocross competitions and showcases that transpired over the 3-day event which took place Friday through Sunday.
Big motocross names as well as amateurs took to the tracks to take part in classes, racing, stunts and freestyle competitions in the warm Nevada winter.
Fans were able to watch world-class riders exhibit unbelievable skills and abilities on Friday at the Exhibition Show and Saturday night at the Beyond Pro Championship Race.
The victor of the Beyond Pro race for the third year in a row was veteran motocross pro, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, who was awarded $20,000 with his first place title. Coming in at a close second was Mike Brown, with Brett Cue in third.
“This is a fun event for me where it kind of brings back my roots of racing, but with the freestyle ramps I get to combine my two worlds,” Bartram said.
The Beyond Pro race was created specifically for Mesquite Off-Road Weekend. It’s format is one-of-a-kind in the fact that it contains elements of both Freestyle Motocross and EnduroCross racing.
“This whole layout’s cool, the atmosphere is fun and it’s just in a cool place,” Pro rider and winner of the Best Whip contest, Brett Cue, said.
Ranging in age from 5 to 55, amateur racers of all ages and genders competed throughout the weekend, Public Relations Representative Brain Halbert said.
Dustin Vasquez, 22, who raced in the amateur class, said he was excited to try his hand at the unique course.
“Doing EnduroCross for the first time, (I) never really had the opportunity to experience it,” Vasquez said. “So it’s pretty cool to run over that and give it a shot.”
While the event is still somewhat in it’s infancy, it has amassed large success in it’s three short years of existence.
“This was the biggest turnout we’ve ever had for the event,” Andre Carrier, president and chief operating officer of Eureka Casino Resort, said. “Thousands and thousands of people came out.”
Carrier attributes the success in part to the weather, with day temperatures reaching high 70s, but also to the field of renowned competitors.
On Friday evening, fans had the opportunity to meet and greet the pro riders at Eureka’s Town Square, where autographs were signed and pictures taken.
“It was cool to get to meet some of the fans,” Cue said. “They don’t usually get the opportunity to do that very often. It was cool, a lot of people came out.”
Racers from all over the country travelled to Mesquite for the event, coming from as far as Oklahoma, Wyoming, Oregon and Ohio.
The Mesquite Off-Road Weekend is a family-friendly event sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association.
Resources
- Mesquite Off-Road Weekend
- View all class results here
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