NW Cup 2026: Round 1 Port Angeles

We’re back. And there’s no better place to start than Dry Hill.

After a long, wet PNW offseason, the NW Cup crew rolled back into Dry Hill in Port Angeles, Washington to kick off the 2026 season — and as always, it felt like coming home. Fire pits burning, shuttle trucks running, a mix of local racers and World Cup talent in the pits, and that familiar group of Northwest riders and families ready to get the season started.

Mother Nature kept things interesting all weekend. Friday brought dry, fast conditions for practice, giving everyone a chance to get up to speed early. Saturday flipped the script with steady rain that challenged both riders and track conditions. By Sunday, though, everything came together — classic Dry Hill dirt: tacky, consistent, and fast. The kind of conditions that reward commitment but still keep you on your toes.

With 551 racers on course, the energy was high from top to bottom. From the youngest U7 riders all the way to the Pro field, competition was tight across the board. Many classes were decided by tenths of a second — and in one case, down to the thousandth. It’s a clear sign of just how deep and competitive the field has become.

And if there was any doubt about the health of racing in the PNW, look no further than the Cat 2 40–49 field — the largest class of the weekend. The “Dad class” showed up in force, proving that the passion for racing runs deep (and doesn’t fade with age).

At the end of the day, everyone was chasing the same things: a fast run, a clean race, bragging rights… and of course, that coveted NW Cup pint glass (with a little extra cash on the line for the Pros).

Now for what everyone really wants to know… did you make the write-up?