After being closed for more than a year, Pima Motorsports Park officially will reopen this weekend.
The county reduced the park from 640 acres to 200 for the expansion of a shooting range, and new operators have taken over, cleaned up the park and redesigned the 88-acre track.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the East Side park. Racing for motocross bikes, ATVs and 50cc bikes will start at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The park was shut down last summer because of safety concerns.
Motorsports fan Kathleen Gamble has been clear in her desire to see the park reopened. Gamble's 13-year-old son, Ryan, died in a crash at the park on Dec. 19, 2004.
He rode over a triple jump and was attempting to land when he flew over the motorcycle's handlebars and landed on his head. He was wearing the required safety gear.
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A 14-year-old boy also was critically injured in a crash in February 2005 at the park.
"It's the only place in Tucson where the off-road people have to ride," Gamble said. "I know the new operators. They're good guys and they'll do a good job.
"They've strengthened the guidelines and rules for minors. They have to watch a training video and get an ID card. The safety issue has improved."
Gamble has organized a memorial for Ryan, and during Sunday's race, she will thank those who have supported the family. She also hopes to raise $10,000 for a college scholarship fund.
Gamble and her husband, Ronald, will raffle off a Sikk Bike, baked goods, gift certificates and jerseys signed by professional racers to raise money for the Ryan Gamble Scholarship Fund.
Last year, Kathleen Gamble raised $10,000, which went to six Flowing Wells High School seniors. The inaugural memorial was held at Speedworld in Surprise, outside of Phoenix, while the Pima Motorsports Park was closed. About 1,500 attended and 500 riders raced at the event.
Because Pima Motorsports Park has reopened, "it was fitting to have it where Ryan passed away," Gamble said.
"This was his track," she said. "People will be there who were there for him. It's a way to say thank you to them for being there for us."
Practice will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Practice will start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday before racing in as many as 41 classes begins at 10 a.m.
Richard Barner and Kirk Rysdam now will operate the track. They spent two months cleaning up the park and redesigning the 1.2-mile track, replacing all of the double and triple jumps with table top jumps and making the track safer, Barner said.
The first ride day was Sept. 22. Three races have taken place.
"The landings are safer," Barner said. "Riders don't have to worry about going over something. Motocross is not so much about jumping. It's also about accelerating, braking, cornering. This track tests all different skills."
If you go
● What: Ryan Gamble Memorial
● Where: Pima Motorsports Park, 11700 South Harrison Road
● Riders' info: To ride at the park, individuals must buy a $10 identification card and watch a safety video.
● Registration: Signups will be held Saturday and Sunday at the park.
● Cost: $25 to ride Saturday, $10 to watch Sunday, $30 to race Sunday.
● Online: pimamotorsportspark.com
