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AMRA Copper Classic Sprint Enduro Recap – Round 4 in San Manuel, Arizona

AMRA Copper Classic Sprint Enduro

Round 4 of the AMRA Racing Series brought racers to San Manuel, Arizona, for the annual AMRA Copper Classic Sprint Enduro on March 7.


Set around the grounds of an old abandoned school, the Copper Classic has become one of the most recognizable and unique race locations on the AMRA schedule. Racers look forward to this stop each year for the challenging tests, fun terrain, and the strong sense of community that surrounds AMRA events.


The day began with a chilly desert sunrise, but quickly warmed into a sunny afternoon with breezy conditions and perfect 70-degree racing temperatures, creating ideal conditions for a full day of off-road competition.

The event welcomed 258 racers, including 222 big-bike competitors and 36 mini racers, representing an 8.4% increase in race entries over last year.


Race Entry Breakdown

Participation across classes included:

  • A Class: 55 racers

  • B Class: 67 racers

  • C Class: 82 racers


The event also saw strong growth in participation, with over 100 new transponders sold. With roughly 150 racers showing up at the traditional Outlaw Enduro race, the additional transponder sales indicate that more than 100 new racers were added to the AMRA system for the event, highlighting continued growth in the series.


AMRA Copper Classic Sprint Enduro Race Format

The Copper Classic Sprint Enduro followed the traditional Sprint Enduro format, designed to challenge riders across multiple timed tests.


The course featured three independent test sections, with racers completing each test during every circuit of the race. Riders started each test with live engine starts, leaving the line 15 seconds apart, and their combined test times determined the final standings.


The course itself featured a mix of technical obstacles and classic Arizona desert terrain.

One of the standout sections was the EnduroCross obstacle area, which included logs, tractor tires, and rock features that required riders to carefully choose their lines through the technical obstacles.


Beyond the EnduroCross section, the course opened up into typical desert racing terrain, fast, dusty, and demanding. Riders navigated long stretches of open desert along with washes filled with deep sand that quickly became whooped out as the race progressed.


The course also included rocky sections and rough desert ground, creating a mix of speed and technical riding that tested both skill and endurance throughout the race.


Race Schedule

The day kicked off early as the mini racers lined up at sunrise, eager to hit the course and start the racing action.


Mini Racers

  • 8:00 AM


Big Bike Racers

  • AA / A Classes: 11:00 AM

  • B Classes: 1:00 PM

  • C Classes: 3:00 PM


Podium ceremonies followed each race group, where racers received plaque trophies and finisher pins before gathering on the AMRA podium to celebrate their finishes and capture photos with friends, family, and fellow competitors.


AA Podium Results – Copper Classic Sprint Enduro

The AA racers delivered an exciting battle throughout the day, pushing the pace across all three tests.


Top AA Finishers

🥇 Clay Hengeveld — 1st Place AA: Pro-Purse Prize: $1,000

🥈 Ashton Wilkinson — 2nd Place AA: Pro-Purse Prize: $600

🥉 Bryce Smith — 3rd Place AA: Pro-Purse Prize: $400


It was reported that Ashton Wilkinson broke his gear shifter during the final test and completed the remainder of the race stuck in second gear, making his second-place AA finish even more impressive.


Special Awards

  • Fastest Test Award: Ashton Wilkinson — $200. Sponsored by TBT Racing

  • Fastest Test #2:  Clayton Hengeveld —  $100. Sponsored by GR Financial Group

  • Fastest Test #3 Ashton Wilkinson — $100. Sponsored by GR Financial Group

  • 35 AA Winner: Nick Saia — $200. Sponsored by WFR Performance Suspension & Development

  • FluidLogic Hydration Pack Giveaway: Joe Bono took home a FluidLogic hydration pack, donated by CSA Superstore in Tucson, valued at $479.


A big thank you to TBT Racing, GR Financial Group, WFR Performance Suspension & Development, and CSA Superstore for supporting AMRA racers and contributing prizes for the event.


A Well-Run Event by Trail Riders of Southern Arizona

Racers reported that the Copper Classic Sprint Enduro was both fun and challenging, making it one of the races many riders look forward to each season.


The event was organized by Trail Riders of Southern Arizona (TRS) and ran smoothly throughout the day thanks to the club’s volunteers and AMRA staff.


A big shoutout goes to the leaders of the club who helped make the race possible:

  • Race Director: George Wysopal

  • Co-Director: Mike Perry


Highlights from the event included:

  • A well-organized and spacious tech inspection area that moved racers through quickly and efficiently

  • Smooth registration operations supported by the LiveLaps platform

  • Copper Classic race t-shirts available for racers and fans

  • Breakfast and lunch food vendors on site

  • Dry camping and plenty of day parking for racers and families


We appreciate our TITLE Sponsor AEO and Select Sponsor WFR for showing up with their vans and assisting racers so they could be in top form for the race.


We also appreciate AMRA Select Sponsor Take A Hike Foods, who were on site featuring their dry food products for racers and attendees.


By 6 PM the racing was complete, closing out a great day of competition, camaraderie, and another memorable stop on the AMRA racing series.


Smooth Registration and Race Operations

Registration and race operations ran smoothly throughout the event thanks to dedicated volunteers and improvements to the race systems.


A special thank you to Ben Trapp and Daiana Trapp, who helped the club with LiveLaps scoring and the registration process. Their weekend actually began with a breakdown on the way to the race, but despite the setback they still made it to the event and helped ensure everything ran efficiently once racers began arriving.


Their behind-the-scenes work helped keep the event organized and running smoothly throughout the day.


AMRA Officers Racing the Copper Classic

Several AMRA officers were also competing while helping support the event.

Race finishes included:

  • Sam McNeilly (Mini Steward) – 3rd in B Women

  • Daiana Trapp (Registration Officer) – 2nd in A Women

  • Phil Carlin (AMRA President) – 4th in A60+ despite a tough crash

  • Heather Cole (Secretary) – 2nd in B Women

  • Nick Fieldson (Big Bike Steward in Training) – 6th in 40+

  • Dave Fox (IT / Email Support) – 2nd in C40+


AMRA officers are the ones working behind the scenes day after day, helping ensure the race season runs smoothly and that every AMRA event is successful for racers and the community.


Live Coverage from AMRA Media

Throughout the day, live race coverage was shared across AMRA social media by Sponsorship and Media Officer Karri Owens, who roamed the race capturing photos, videos, and the energy of the event.


With over 14,000 steps logged during the day, the coverage highlighted the racers, the action, and the community that makes AMRA racing special.


Videos and picture taken at the race from Karri can be seen and dowloaded here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19NiURdwlPoct-JyFSZJovSW9Eul3lQ01?usp=sharing


Race Photography

Race-day moments from the Copper Classic Sprint Enduro were captured by Steve Thomas of Steve Thomas Photo Works, who was out on the course taking photos throughout the event.


Racers and fans can view and purchase photos from the Copper Classic here:https://stevethomasphotoworks.smugmug.com/AMRA-2026/Round-4-Copper-Classic


Be sure to check the gallery — you might just find your favorite racing moment from Round 4.


Thank You to the Copper Classic Race Sponsors

The Copper Classic Sprint Enduro would not be possible without the support of the businesses and partners who stepped up to sponsor the race.


A big thank you to the Copper Classic race sponsors:

  • Alex Miller CPA

  • AWP Safety

  • AZKKT.com

  • Explore Pinal County

  • CSA Superstore

  • GR Financial Group LLC

  • Serrano Motorsports

  • Oro Valley Automotive

  • Turn14 Distribution

  • TBT Racing

  • WFR Performance


2026 AMRA Series Sponsors

The AMRA racing series is also supported by our 2026 AMRA Series Sponsors, whose partnership helps power racing throughout the season.


AMRA Title Sponsor

AEO Powersports


AMRA Elite Sponsors

  • Jarman Insurance

  • Hengeventures Company

  • TBT Racing – Hole Shot Sponsor

  • WFR Performance – 35AA Sponsor


AMRA Select Sponsors

  • Karri Owens Designs

  • CMF Engineering

  • Max Off-Road

  • Clean Speed

  • Take A Hike Foods


AMRA Donor Sponsors

  • Kamo Realty

  • BarnumPro-Engine/Suspension

  • Freestyle Nutrition Co

  • Spanish Fly Racing

  • The Pest Control Guy



Race AMRA, Win a GasGas

Every AMRA racer is still in the hunt for something big; each AMRA member who races earns a raffle ticket toward winning the GasGas EC300, adding even more excitement to every round of the season.



Help Improve AMRA Racing

The racing may be over, but your feedback helps shape the future of AMRA events.

A post-race survey will be sent to racers. Be sure to check your inbox and take a few minutes to fill it out so we can continue improving races and building an even stronger AMRA racing community.


The 2026 AMRA Racing Series Continues!

With Round 4 in the books, the 2026 AMRA Racing Series now heads to Round 5 — the Camp Wood Enduro, where racers will once again take on the trails for another exciting chapter of the season.



 
 
 

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