By Roger Rael | The Raton Range
RATON — By Saturday afternoon, the normally quiet ground south of Raton will sound considerably different.
Engines, dirt, racers and spectators return to the Colfax County Event Center Sept. 19 for the sixth annual Raton Supercross, bringing competitors and families from across the region to northeastern New Mexico.
Racing activity actually begins long before spectators arrive.
Rider registration and practice are scheduled early Saturday morning, with practice and qualifying beginning around 7 a.m. Spectator gates open at 4 p.m., with official qualifying continuing through the afternoon. Opening ceremonies and the main events are scheduled to begin around 7 p.m.
The event also includes concessions, food vendors, and intermission races, including smaller bikes and other events designed to keep the crowd involved between the primary races.
But Supercross has also become something else for Raton: a regional draw.
Organizers point to the city’s location along Interstate 25 and U.S. 64/87 as a natural meeting point for competitors traveling from New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The event center also has room for racing families who camp during the weekend.
That means some of the vehicles rolling into town this weekend will carry more than motorcycles. They will carry families who need fuel, meals, lodging and supplies while they are here.
For local youngsters, however, the attraction may be considerably simpler.
It is loud. It is fast. It throws dirt.
And unlike televised motocross racing hundreds of miles away, Saturday’s action takes place in their own backyard.
The sixth annual Raton Supercross is scheduled for Saturday at the Colfax County Event Center on York Canyon Road south of Raton. Spectator gates open at 4 p.m., with opening ceremonies and main events scheduled beginning around 7 p.m.
