A driver flies under the finish line sign during a practice prior to Saturday’s Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in Southwick. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – It was a bittersweet weekend in Southwick for motocross fans.
The final Lucas Oil National Pro Championship took place at the legendary track – the only sand track on the championship tour – after a 35-year run at Moto-X 338.
Longtime racer Kevin Bishop of Team Justice Racing said “there was a lot of sadness” yesterday as the final event took place.
Race promoters Diane and Ralph Pittello announced their retirement just weeks before the last national event. There were cheers and tears for the couple, who received a plaque from Lucas Oil noting that Moto-X 338 was the fourth longest running round for the championship.
In a statement released by MX Pro Sports Racing, Diane Pittello said they decided to retire when they were unable to negotiate terms with landowner American Legion Post 338.
The Legion responded with its own statement that the announcement came as a complete surprise and they were trying to keep the track open next year. The Pittello’s will remain the promoters of the track through this October.
Bishop said Team Justice has received a verbal commitment of support from the Legion should it be able to run next year.
“We’re hoping they find another promoter or… run it themselves.” said Bishop.
Bishop added that he hopes the Pittellos enjoy retirement after so many years of pouring their hearts into Moto-X338.
The track is known as the toughest sandbox in America. A rarity, the sand track can be difficult to maneuver.
“You can go out there at 10 a.m. and it’s nice and smooth, then go back on the track an hour later and it’s completely different.” Said Bishop, “The sand moves and that makes it interesting.”
According to MX Pro, during its illustrious tenure as a fixture on the championship schedule, Moto-X 338 has been the site of many of the sport’s most memorable moments while also producing two of the sport’s greatest heroes in John Dowd and Doug Henry, who each called New England home. Since hosting it’s first Lucas Oil Pro Motocross National in 1976, a total of 38 different riders have stood atop the podium in the 450 Class, 250 Class, or 500cc division. Additionally, within those winners, five different countries are represented, making Moto-X 338 a globally diverse venue that has challenged riders from all over the world
Bishop, a Southwick Police Officer, said the last national event “went well.”
“There were few incidents.” he said, “It was a good race.”
Police Chief David Ricardi said there were more than 15,000 people at the track Saturday. There were no major incidents, however, there were what Ricardi called “immature drinkers” causing disturbances and one man was set to be summoned for animal cruelty for leaving a dog in his vehicle.
“For the amount of people, it was an orderly crowd,” said Ricardi. “The people were sad that they can’t return next year for the event.”
