Jillian Fortner previews AMA EnduroCross dirt-bike racing at the Redmond Fairgrounds

(Update: adding video, comments from EnduroCross racers)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes County Fairgrounds will host the fifth round of the 2024 AMA EnduroCross Championship Series this weekend. The event features some of the fastest dirt bikes and riders from around the world.

"They're going to be racing over logs, rock, big tanks - just anything we could throw at them." said Todd Hammock, the event promoter.

Workers spent all Friday setting up the track. Hammock says the course requires roughly 1,500 yards of dirt, four to five loads of rock, and about 100 logs.

"It's bigger than the other ones." said EnduroCross racer Tim Apolle. "The interior is bigger, so the track is usually longer -- so longer tap times."

Apolle says he's excited to be back in Redmond for this year's championship series. He began his journey on two wheels in Germany and now races alongside the world's top competitors.

Many of his family and friends are cheering him on from halfway across the globe.

"It's live on TV, so some watch at night, or three in the morning. It's like a nine-hour time difference," Apolle said. "Lots of people watching and sending messages and good luck, so that's great."

The event is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. in the First Interstate Bank Center. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $35. The website says prices increase by $5 on the day of the event.