McMinnville’s Stephen Ward, 37, will be one of an estimated 160 entrants competing in this weekend’s Northwest Gold Cup/Rotax MAX Sprint Race Series at Yamhill County Fairgrounds.
Photo courtesy
Stacy Ward

McMinnville’s Jayden Ward, 13, will join his father, Stephen, in this weekend’s racing at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds.
Photo courtesy
Stacy Ward

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Fireworks big and small are on the minds of many this weekend. But, for those looking for something to do in those hours before it gets dark, the Yamhill County Fairgrounds and the Portland Karting Association will host the annual running of the Northwest Gold Cup/Rotax MAX Sprint Race Series on Saturday and Sunday.

It’s unknown just how many entrants will compete over the weekend, but organizers anticipate 160 or more, with each team bringing along as many as three support personnel.

“One of the reasons that McMinnville attracts so many racers out of the Gold Cup Series is that the Portland Karting Association really has some of the best drivers around,” said the PKA’s Roger Freeborn, one of the people charged with running the event. “Some have gone on to bigger and better things, and the chance of this Gold Cup race is there to compete against the best in the Northwest without having to travel all the way to Boise or Vancouver — you can do it right here in your own back yard.”

Teams from Oregon, Washington, Vancouver, California, Idaho and possibly Utah are expected. Teams will begin arriving in McMinnville on Thursday to set up in the pits and the course will be open Friday for drivers to test their karts. There will be short morning practices on Saturday and Sunday as well, with qualifying, heats and feature racing set to start each day at 11 a.m.

There are a variety of classes that will be represented over the weekend, divided by engine package and the driver’s age. (Drivers as young as five are able to compete and the older drivers can top out at speeds exceeding 90 mph.)

Among the racers entered are Stephen and Jayden Ward of McMinnville. The father-son racers are certainly familiar with the course — Stephen and his wife, Stacy, volunteer at the track most weekends.

“This will be our first Gold Cup and we’re very excited,” Stacy said. “I’ve gotta help start all the boys and make sure they’re up and get the grid ready to go. I’m definitely consumed with making sure everybody’s where they need to be and I’m going to be checking tire pressure, clutch pressure ... I’ll get pretty busy. It gets a little hectic, but it’s fun. And by the time we get home at night, we’re definitely going to sleep well.”

Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10. Stacy Ward added that for any business interested in advertising at the track, that opportunity is also available for either the event itself or year-round.

Portland Karting is also accepting donations for its safety barrier fund. For information, contact Freeborn at (503) 805-0583.

“It’ll be great entertainment,” Freeborn said. “They’ll be bumping and grinding. And whoever starts first isn’t necessarily going to finish there.”

For more information about Portland Karting or this weekend’s event, visit www.portlandkarting.com.