Racing fans gather at the Bark River International Raceway this weekend

BARK RIVER, Mich. (WLUC) - Three days of off-road racing are underway as the Bark River International Raceway celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

The Island Resort & Casino Off-Road Rumble in the U.P., presented by Race-Driven Polaris of Escanaba, has fans gearing up for a weekend of high-flying, dirt flinging fun. Champ Off-Road Announcer Brent Smith is calling the races this weekend.

“As just a little kid growing up around the area and just seeing all the friends and family and the racers that built their careers through Bark River just lay it all out through all their time. And not to make 50 years I feel it’s right where it needs to be. Some of the best racing in the world and it’s right here in our hometown,” Smith said.

Smith has been racing and announcing for nearly 30 years. He says 19 classes of competition will navigate Bark River’s fast and high-flying short-course track. Pro and Sportsman divisions will be featured along with the Richard Ault Legacy Long Jump as trucks go airborne for distance and racing glory.

Race-Driven Polaris and Can-Am Public Relations Director Ben Heiting says the energy at this race is amazing.

“We’ve been coming here for eight years now, almost 10 (years). The entire racing community, they love Bark River. It’s been voted the fan favorite track four out of five years. Just small-town Bark River. We really pack the house,” Heiting says.

The weekend is filled with family entertainment including camping, food and drink vendors, live music and a fireworks show. Joan Clay is from lower Michigan and is attending the festivities for her second year.

“It’s just a beautiful place to come visit and I enjoy the atmosphere. A lot of nice people, fun crowd and go Erik Hill,” Clay says.

The Off-Road Rumble runs through this Sunday.

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