BARK RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – This weekend, off-road racers from across the country are competing in the Upper Peninsula at the Bark River International Raceway.
Racers hit the track to kick off The Island Resort & Casino Off-Road Rumble in the U.P. on Friday, one day earlier than usual.
“The extra day was added due to a rainout day at a previous venue in Crandon, Wisconsin,” explained Race Director Scott Kwarciany. “Now we have three full days of racing—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—and it really has made it so that we have a great full house here and a great weekend.”
Drivers come from far and wide to compete in a variety of classes.
“It’s very rare that you can get such a high-quality racing event so close to home, right here in the U.P.,” Kwarciany said. “We’re going to have a full slate of sportsmen and professional off-road racers. We’ll be doing racing from probably 10:00 in the morning until 6:00 at night each day.”
The 1.5-mile closed loop track creates opportunities for high jumps and close calls around the curves.
“Bark River International Raceway is probably one of the most technical tracks on the series,” Kwarciany said. “It really tests driving skills, so it’s really not about who has the best car but who is the best driver.”
Proceeds from the weekend will go to the Bark River Lions Club, which supports local charities.
“We are the world’s largest service organization,” said Kwarciany, who also serves as the U.P. Lions District Governor. “It’s important to know that our fans who come here, when they support us, they are supporting those community organizations, just in a different way.”
After 48 years, Kwarciany says the Off-Road Rumble in the U.P. continues to draw large crowds who are enthusiastic about good causes and good racing.
“Bark River International Raceway was voted ‘fan-favorite track of the year’ for the last three years,” he said. “Families love coming here; it’s part of their heritage. For a lot of people, this is their summer event. We’re proud to support that and make it affordable for families to come here and enjoy time with each other, their friends, and racing.”
Admission is available at the gate for $35 per day or $50 for the weekend. Children ages 9 and younger will be admitted for free. The Bark River International Raceway is located at 3731 D Road. Click here for the full schedule of events at the 48th annual Off-Road Rumble in the U.P.
