Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Clouds drift past Champion Motor Speedway's motocross track Tuesday afternoon. Speedway officials are going before the Carson City Planning Commission to expand hours at the track.
Local motocross enthusiasts may get a little more time to watch and practice the sport at the Champion Motor Speedway in Carson City this year.
Track owner Larry Burton is asking city officials to approve later operating hours for Friday and a longer season for the motocross operator, allowing families who work to be able to attend events.
The expanded hours and season will make it worthwhile for the operator, Nevada Motocross Development, to continue offering the sport at the track, said manager Les Kynett.
"The dates that were given last year were just too restrictive for the motocross operator," Kynett said. "When (the operator) took the operation last year, it was under an amended schedule. He thought perhaps he might be able to make that work, but he sees it's just not working."
On April 28, Carson City planning commissioners are scheduled to discuss allowing the location to operate an expanded race schedule. The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m.
Instead of ending Oct. 31, the facility would be open until Nov. 15, and be able to operate Fridays from 4-11 p.m.. instead of noon-8 p.m.
Weekend hours would end one hour early at 7 p.m. Operators are asking for an extended practice schedule through Dec. 31, reducing the weekday practice schedule from two days per week to one day and expand the weekday practice time from 1-8 p.m. Other times will be expanded if the application is passed.
Five Friday night events are scheduled this season, with a sixth night in the works, said operator Ty Erquiaga. The amateur motocross racing is open to riders from 4 years old and older who range in skill from basic to professional freestyle X-game riders.
"We're really fortunate in this area to have a group of really good pro riders," Erquiaga said.
Auto racing will operate its usual season this year, Kynett said. Sunday is opening day for auto racing, with gates opening at 11 a.m. and will feature all local divisions interested.
Two years ago residents protested the expansion of uses at the speedway, including motocross and kart racing.
Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
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