VOLUME 58 ISSUE 13 MARCH 30, 2021 P39
cases each and every year thanks
to its impeccable scenery, truly
unique and challenging layout,
and one-of-a-kind home crowd.
The Huffmans obtained owner-
ship of the track in the 1990's
and Ralph, his wife Carolyn, and
son Ryan have spearheaded the
operations ever since.
While the Washougal National
is the crown jewel of motorsports
events in the Pacific Northwest,
it's the booming amateur moto-
cross scene that has truly helped
foster the legacy of Washougal
MX Park and represents the
four decades of dedication by
the Huffman family. For moto-
cross enthusiasts throughout
the region, Washougal is hal-
lowed ground. It is a symbol of
everything they love about the
sport. On weekends throughout
the year riders will come by the
hundreds to set up camp and
take advantage of the opportu-
nity to sprint up Horsepower Hill
and weave in and out of the trees
that surround the track. It's one
of the most unique and captivat-
ing experiences the sport has
to offer, and none of it would be
possible without Ralph Huffman's
willingness to make his dream a
reality all those years ago.
"Ralph was cut from the same
cloth as my dad, Dave Coombs,
Sr., Gene Ritchie at RedBud, and
Ward Robinson at Unadilla," add-
ed Coombs. "They each shared
a love for the sport that was so
strong that it became bigger than
them. It drove them to dream big
and create an environment where
the mutual love of motocross
could be celebrated by everyone.
They wanted to create something
their communities would be proud
of, that motocross enthusiasts
would seek to journey to, and that
the world would recognize as the
pinnacle of the sport. It's not a
surprise that this shared passion
was passed down to future gen-
erations and became the family
business for all of us. Ralph Huff-
man will be greatly missed, but his
impact on the sport will never be
forgotten."
Huffman is survived by his
wife, Carolyn, nine children, and
more than 30 grandchildren and
great grandchildren.
With Huffman's passing, the
2021 Washougal National will
carry added significance in cel-
ebration of his legacy. The event
will take place on Saturday, July
24.
CN
You can thank
Huffman for
preserving one of
the most scenic
motocross tracks
on the circuit.
