BARK RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – This weekend, an Upper Peninsula tradition is celebrating 50 years of good times for a good cause.
Friday through Sunday, the Bark River International Raceway is hosting the annual Island Resort & Casino Off-Road Rumble in the U.P. Racers from across the country are tackling the 1.5-mile dirt loop, which is one of the racing circuit’s premier technical tracks, according to Race Director Scott Kwarciany.
“Back when it was brand new in 1976, it was a five-mile track, and they had to make 20 laps,” Kwarciany said. “It was originally called The U.P. Off-Road 100, and that’s how the raceway was born. Now, it’s much more spectator-friendly, and it has become a 200- to 300-acre facility at this point.”
Throughout the weekend, between 15,000 and 18,000 people are expected to walk through the gates. The raceway is owned by the Bark River Lions Club, so all proceeds from the weekend will be used to support charitable causes.
“As a community service organization, our motto is, ‘We Serve,'” said Kwarciany. “Anytime you can take a nonprofit organization and do something for 50 years, it means a lot, especially when it comes to a fundraiser which really grew up from the grassroots and has become this amazing event that we have here now. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors—The Island Resort & Casino and Race Driven—or the volunteers in the Bark River community. This really is a community event.”
Admission is $35 per day or $55 for the weekend. Kids ages 9 and under are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased upon entry or in advance at barkriveroffroad.com.
