THE WORLD’S MOST COMPETITIVE OFF ROAD MOTORCYCLE RACING SERIES IS MAKING ITS LONG AWAITED RETURN TO ACRISURE STADIUM. BUT BEFORE THAT, ONE LOCAL COMPETITOR IS MAKING A PIT STOP AT HIS ALMA MATER. IT’S CRAZY JUST EVEN DRIVING UP HERE, I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS REAL. IT’S A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR HOPEWELL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE J.R. SAULNIER, AND JUST COMMIT TO IT. YOU KNOW, SOME GUYS WILL GIVE UP BECAUSE IT’S HARD OR AT A LOW POINT IN THEIR LIFE. JUST MOVE FORWARD. THE 25 YEAR OLD IS BACK IN TOWN SPEAKING TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS. BUT THIS ISN’T ALL FOR FUN. THE PROFESSIONAL RACER IS HERE TO COMPETE AND WIN. AS SUPERCROSS RETURNS TO THE STEEL CITY, THIS WHOLE SEASON, I WAS LIKE, I WANT TO BE HEALTHY AND AT LEAST WANT TO GET TO PITTSBURGH. AND NOW BEING HERE, IT’S LIKE IT FEELS SO HOME TO ME AND LIKE, IT’S LIKE ALL THE STRESS, LIKE, CAME OFF MY CHEST. YOU KNOW? I DIDN’T EVEN THINK I WOULD EVER GET THIS FAR. THE LAST TIME THE EVENT HAPPENED HERE, IT WAS STILL THREE RIVERS STADIUM. 1983 WAS THE YEAR, AND BROC GLOVER WAS THE BIG WINNER. IT’S SUCH A STORIED SPORTS TOWN. I MEAN, HOW CAN YOU NOT? THE STEELERS AND ALL THE CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM THE PIRATES. EVERYBODY ON THAT. THE FACT WE HAVEN’T BEEN RACED AND HAVEN’T RACED SUPERCROSS HERE SINCE 1983, IT’S ALMOST DUMBFOUNDING, TO BE HONEST, BECAUSE WE VISIT PRETTY MUCH EVERY TOP SPORTS MARKET. GLOVER IS THRILLED TO BE BACK IN THE BURG, AND WHILE A LOT HAS CHANGED IN THE PAST 42 YEARS, SOME THINGS REMAIN THE SAME. LIKE THE GRIT, DETERMINATION AND DRIVE THAT’S REQUIRED TO COMPETE AT THE TOP LEVEL. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE THE MENTALITY, YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE A STRONG MENTALITY TO DO IT. AND IF YOU WANT TO BE THE TOP 1% OF SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO GIVE YOUR LIFE TO IT. FO
Advertisement
Pittsburgh hosts first supercross event since 1983, featuring hometown competitor
JR Saunier returned to his alma mater, Hopewell High School, to speak to students on Thursday
Lily Coleman
Reporter
The world's most competitive off-road motorcycle racing series is making its long-awaited return to Pittsburgh this weekend. Acrisure Stadium has been transformed to host Round 15 of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship. But before the races begin on Saturday, one local competitor made a pit stop at his alma mater. Thursday was a full circle moment for Brian 'JR' Saunier. The Hempfield graduate spent the morning speaking to current Hempfield High School students ahead of this weekend's races. "It's crazy, even driving up here didn't feel real," Saunier, 25, said. Saunier grew up in Beaver County, attending Hopewell High School, where he played hockey, until he found the sport of professional riding and supercross. He traded in his skates for wheels, and life has never been the same. He balanced school, completing his degree through a cyber program, while training full time to become a professional athlete. "This whole season, I was like, I want to be healthy, at least want to get to Pittsburgh. And now being here, it's like, feels so home to me," Saunier said. "All of the stress, like, came off, like, my chest. I didn't think I would ever get this far."The last time the event was held in Pittsburgh was 1983. The event was held at Three Rivers Stadium and Broc Glover took home the top prize. "It's such a storied sports town," said Glover, who is back in town for this weekend's event. "The Steelers and all the championships, Pirates and everybody... The fact we haven't raced supercross in this city since 1983... It's almost dumbfounding, to be honest." Gates are scheduled to open on Saturday at noon for practice and qualifying runs. The open ceremonies are set to begin at 6:30 p.m., with races officially underway by 7 p.m. on Saturday evening.A link to purchase tickets can be found here.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
The world's most competitive off-road motorcycle racing series is making its long-awaited return to Pittsburgh this weekend.
Acrisure Stadium has been transformed to host Round 15 of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship. But before the races begin on Saturday, one local competitor made a pit stop at his alma mater.
Advertisement
Thursday was a full circle moment for Brian 'JR' Saunier. The Hempfield graduate spent the morning speaking to current Hempfield High School students ahead of this weekend's races.
"It's crazy, even driving up here didn't feel real," Saunier, 25, said.
Saunier grew up in Beaver County, attending Hopewell High School, where he played hockey, until he found the sport of professional riding and supercross. He traded in his skates for wheels, and life has never been the same.
He balanced school, completing his degree through a cyber program, while training full time to become a professional athlete.
"This whole season, I was like, I want to be healthy, at least want to get to Pittsburgh. And now being here, it's like, feels so home to me," Saunier said. "All of the stress, like, came off, like, my chest. I didn't think I would ever get this far."
The last time the event was held in Pittsburgh was 1983. The event was held at Three Rivers Stadium and Broc Glover took home the top prize.
"It's such a storied sports town," said Glover, who is back in town for this weekend's event. "The Steelers and all the championships, Pirates and everybody... The fact we haven't raced supercross in this city since 1983... It's almost dumbfounding, to be honest."
Gates are scheduled to open on Saturday at noon for practice and qualifying runs. The open ceremonies are set to begin at 6:30 p.m., with races officially underway by 7 p.m. on Saturday evening.
A link to purchase tickets can be found here.
