Copper Classic Press Release
The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona (TRS) was founded in 2004 and is a 501(c)3 club that promotes safe and responsible off-highway motorcycle recreation through action and education. We are a chartered club with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and we work with local, state and national Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) organizations along with the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land management and Arizona State Parks and Trails Off-Highway Vehicle Program.
Each year the Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association (AMRA) promotes Arizona’s premier off-road motorcycle championship series intent on providing high quality, fun and safe off-road racing for the whole family. In addition to racing, AMRA and TRS promote non-competitive events and fundraisers that contribute to the health of the sport of off-road motorcycle riding.
The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona will be hosting, and supported by the AMA and AMRA, the 17th running of the San Manuel Copper Classic motorcycle race on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
TRS is a 501(c)(3), and money raised from this event will be given-back directly to the San Manuel Community through donations to the local School District and Fire Department. Last year TRS donated $3,780 to the San Manuel School District and $1,000 to the San Manuel Fire Department. TRS hopes to increase our donation amounts this year.
Since inception, TRS has donated over $27,280 to the San Manuel School District and Fire Department. Attendees and spectators for this event number close to 700 and come from throughout Arizona. This large event has even attracted the Pinal County Office of Tourism as they are now a regular donator via a grant to the Copper Classic. Many participants and spectators patronize local restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, and fuel stations when in town.
The San Manuel High School sports teams also participate and benefit from the event by providing food and beverage service at the event to raise money for their individual sports teams.
TRS appreciates all the support we receive from the local community in putting on this race. In fact, this race is the favorite of many of the racers who participate in the statewide AMRA racing series. It is a racer favorite because of the great staging area accommodations provided by the school, the closeness of the town and the local merchants who welcome racers and spectators alike on race weekend.
As in past years, the Copper Classic will be staged at the old Gardner Middle School ball fields and parking areas at the end of Avenue D and Erickson Streets.
Preparations for the event begin in earnest on Thursday, March 9th. Racing begins on Saturday March 11th, starting with Mini races at 8:30AM. The Big Bike racing will be starting around the Noon hour. Please pay attention to and honor the road closure barriers and safety cones in and around Avenue D and Erickson Streets during these hours.
