Niarada lands major sponsor for motocross races

Raceway receives $62,850 from Kawasaki in contingency money for its Spring, Fall series

Starting Sunday, green will be the color of choice for some motocross riders at the Niarada MX Raceway, which is located 50 miles south of Kalispell.

The MDK Motorsports WestMont Spring Series, which begins its sixth season at the raceway, will have $62,850 in contingency money available this year, thanks to a program offered by Kawasaki Team Green.

The Spring Series in Niarada has a total of six races, with four designed as Kawasaki Team Green events. The first one is Sunday. The other three are March 30, April 5 and May 24.

Niarada will host the first three contingency races. The last one will be in Plains, at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.

Two more contingency races will take place in the Fall Series. Those race dates will be announced later.

Motocross riders who have registered online at Kawasaki.com, and who compete on any of Kawasaki's green-colored motocross bikes (2007 and newer) are eligible for contingency money.

Those registering will receive a Visa debit card. The money they earn at every contingency race will automatically be loaded onto the card.

Riders finishing in the top five places in the Gold Level (125A, 250A, 125Pro and 250Pro) will receive, in order, $300, $200, $100, $75 and $50.

Payouts for the top five spots in the Silver Award Level (80A, 80B, Supermini, 215B, 250B, 30A, 30B, 40A and 40B) will pocket $250, $150, $100, $50 and $25.

For the Copper Award Level (60A, 60B, 80C, 125C, 250C, women) it's $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25.

The skill level designations are: A (advanced), B (intermediate) and C (junior, or beginner).

"Rather than paying out of our pocket all the time, you are getting something back, which is nice," Beau Fast, owner of Fastoys in Kalispell said. "It's still new to the area."

Fastoys is a Kawasaki dealer.

Fast said there has been a lot of interest in two Kawasaki motocross bikes - the KX Sport 450, which sells for $7,199, and the KX Sport 250, $6,199 - for the upcoming season.

"I don't know if it will bring in any new people to the sport," Fast said. "It might. It will bring brand awareness to Kawasaki."

Julie and Mike Brubaker, the owners and operators of the raceway near Niarada, were instrumental in getting Kawasaki to provide financial support for their motocross series.

"This is the first year Kawasaki has come to Montana (with the contingency program)," Julie Brubaker said. "They really responded. It's very exciting."

Brubaker said they always get a lot of financial support from local dealers across western Montana and from private mechanic shops.

The Brubakers inquired about Kawasaki Team Green last year, pitching the state's demographics and solid ridership as reasons the big corporation should take a closer look at motocross in the Treasure State. The Brubakers did not ask for a specific amount of money.

According to the Kawasaki Web site, it is the leader in motocross and off-road contingency postings, with more than $14 million.

"We're really excited for the season," Julie Brubaker said. "Really looking forward to the spring when everyone can get on their bikes. Because of the Kawasaki contingency, there will be a lot of green bikes out there."

The Spring and Fall series races draw 150-200 riders. They range in age from 4 to 60-plus.

The Brubakers have been involved in motocross for many years. Mike raced competitively for 30 years.

Bailey Brubaker, 12, competes in mini-women and the women's class on an 85CC motocross bike. She's working on jumping up to 250CC this year.

Kali Brubaker, 6, rides in the 50CC class. She will compete without training wheels this year.

The Niarada complex has three tracks - one for practice, the main track and a PeeWee track.

"We have put on events all over the valley for years," Julie Brubaker said. "We just decided to get out of the valley and build a track (on 80 acres).

"It's out in the middle of nowhere. The locals have supported it."

Niarada will host a High Country Motocross Association sanctioned points race on May 10-11. HCMA also will make stops in Hungry Horse next month, and Plains on July 19-20.

Niarada MX Raceway will host the first Rocky Mountain Old Timers motocross on May 3-4. That event is for riders over 40 years of age in master, expert, amateur and novice classes.

Julie Brubaker said information on Niarada MX Raceway is available at NiaradaMX.info, although she warns the Web site is "still under construction."

MDK Motorsports

WestMont Spring Series

Race Dates

x-March 16 at Niarada

x-March 30 at Niarada

x-April 5 at Niarada

April 6 in Plains at Sanders County Fairgrounds

x-May 24 in Plains

June 15 in Libby at the MillPond MX Track

x-Kawasaki Team Green contingency money races