Double vaxxed spectators only for Grunthal motocross races

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This article was published 26/08/2021 (1351 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Motocross racing returns to Grunthal’s GMX raceway this weekend and for fans planning to take in the fast-paced action, they must be double vaccinated.

Grunthal’s motocross track, which first opened as Grunthal Centennial Raceway in 1997 is marking 25 years of racing at the track this year, a track that has been a highly-popular fixture on the Manitoba Motocross scene for the past quarter century.

Originally designed and built by local enthusiasts Floyd Block, Eric Heese and Jim Funk, among others, the track, which underwent some improvements and upgrades a couple of years ago, continues to be run by a volunteer committee.

This weekend’s race will be held on Sunday (Aug. 29) beginning at around 8:00 a.m. and wrapping up about 5:00 p.m. with a packed schedule of races in multiple categories throughout the day.

Committee member Daryl Friesen says they are expecting and planning to have as many as 375 entries from across the province and beyond for Sunday’s racing.

Last summer, due to the severe COVID restrictions that were in place, they were only able to have 100 fans in attendance at their races in Grunthal.

Friesen says they are excited they will be able to open it up to an unlimited number of fans this weekend that can watch the races in the expansive areas surrounding the track. But there is one important proviso, all spectators must be double vaccinated. Friesen says they will have security personnel at the gate checking vaccination statuses.

These rules aren’t exclusive to Grunthal. They have been mandated by the organization that runs the races, 204 Grassroots Motocross, to enable more spectators to attend in a safe manner. They were also in effect at races earlier this month at Brandon and Zhoda.

As Friesen says about vaccinations, “We don’t make the rules, we are just trying to follow the rules and we would ask that spectators respect the volunteers that are trying to enforce the rules.

Admission at the gate is $15 person. There is no admission for the practice rounds on Saturday.

Friesen says the track is in very good condition, although oddly enough after the extremely dry conditions this summer, “we don’t really need any more rain this week.”

Additional races in September will be held Sept. 12 in Altona and then back in Grunthal on Sept. 19.