20th Copper Classic coming to San Manuel on March 7, 2026. Photo by T.C. Brown
The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona (TRS) will be hosting the 20th running of the San Manuel Copper Classic motorcycle race on Saturday, March 7, 2026. This year they will be offering a new racing format called a Sprint Enduro.
TRS will receive support hosting this race from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association (AMRA). 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.
The TRS was founded in 2004 and is a 501(c)3 club that promotes safe and responsible off-highway motorcycle recreation and racing through action and education. They are a chartered club with the AMA and a member of the AMRA. TRS works with local, state, and national off-highway vehicle (OHV) organizations along with the US Forest Service, and Arizona State Parks and Trails OHV Program to improve the off-road motorcycling experience in southern Arizona.
TRS appreciates all the support it receives from Pinal County, BHP Copper, San Manuel residents, and especially from School Superintendent Julie Dale-Scott. With the support and assistance received from these organizations, this race has become a racer favorite.
Money raised from this event will be given back to the San Manuel community through donations to the local Schools Program and Fire Department. Last year TRS donated $5,000 to the San Manuel Schools Program and $2,000 to the San Manuel Fire Department. TRS hopes to maintain that donation level again this year. In fact, since 2007 TRS has donated over $47,000 to the San Manuel Schools Program and Fire Department.
The San Manuel High School sports teams also participate at the event by providing food and beverage service to raise money for their individual sport programs.
As in past years, the Copper Classic will be staged at the old Gardner Middle School campus and parking areas at the end of Avenue D and Erickson Streets.
Preparations for the event are well underway. On Thursday, March 5, set-up of the race campus will begin. Racing begins on Saturday, March 7, starting with Mini races at 8:30 a.m. 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.