Hogback Hill Motocross

Hogback Hill Motocross is the Palmyra Racing Association's home track, and the club has been running motocross on this same property on Hogback Hill Road since 1962. That makes it the oldest not for profit club of its kind in the country still operating out of its original location.

Three separate riding areas share the ground. The main motocross track covers 35 acres and runs about 3 miles of natural terrain, with an underground watering system for dust and 14 jumps ranging from 20 to 110 feet, including doubles, triples and plenty of tabletops. Piggyback Hill is a dedicated 50cc track built for 4 to 11 year olds, with its own starting gate, pee wee sized obstacles and a supercross inspired over and under hill, sat close to the spectators but well away from the ruts on the big track. The woods loop runs 3 to 5 miles depending on the time of year, one direction only, with steep uphills, near vertical downhills and single track that stays greasy long after the moto track has dried out.

This is a private club, so day to day riding is members only. The gates open to the public on MX event weekends, and that is when most riders get on the property. Each weekend runs the same way: an optional open practice on Saturday, then racing on Sunday. Practice sign-ups are 8 AM to 10 AM, riding starts at 10 AM, and riders go out with their ranked class over multiple rotations, at $35 cash. Sunday sign-up is 7 AM to 9 AM, the riders meeting is at 8:15 AM, practice starts at 8:30 AM and racing starts at 9:30 AM.

MX classes run under Empire State Motocross, and every racer needs either a full year or a one event AMA membership. Race entry is cash: $25 for 50cc, $30 per class for Expert, and $35, then $30, then $25 for a first, second and third class. Cards are taken at registration only and carry a merchant fee, and no personal checks are accepted at the gate or at registration. American and Canadian currency are both accepted, with an extra $5 on Canadian currency, though that surcharge does not apply at King of the Hill.

Admission is $15 cash per person with non-racing kids 7 and under free. Everyone signs a waiver on the way in and wears a wristband for the whole weekend. Gates open Friday 5 PM to 11 PM, Saturday 7 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday at 7 AM. Roll in outside those hours and there is overnight parking at the public lot on the corner of Route 31 and Galloway Road.

Staying over is free on race weekends, but there are no hookups of any kind and no showers on site. You do get flush bathrooms with sinks plus porta johns, food in the pavilion during practice and racing, food trucks from 4 PM on Saturday evening, spare parts and tire vendors in the pits, a bike wash station, and limited bleacher seating alongside the covered pavilion. Racing is simulcast on FM, so check the station at the gate or the tower. Quiet hours on event weekends run 11 PM to 7 AM with generators off.

Pit vehicles have to be registered at the tower at $10 each, and the rules there are enforced: a valid driver's license, 16 or older, helmet on, no driving after dark, no double riding, and 5 MPH in first gear only. Anything with a throttle counts, including STACYCs and e-bikes. Friendly dogs are welcome on a leash and in sight.

Worth planning for if you are towing: rigs over 5 tons are asked to skip the GPS route and come in on Route 21 North off Route 31, then North Creek Road, South Creek Road, right on Vault Road and left onto Hogback Hill Road. Smaller vehicles and spectators can take Route 31 east to Galloway Road and turn right when they hit Hogback Hill Road.

The woods loop also hosts the closing round of the Western New York Hare Scramble Series, and club membership applications open every year from September 1 through January 31.