Northwest Automotive Press Association upcoming events

Manufacturer Registration For NWAPA Mudfest 2026 (5 May 2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year competition, better known as Mudfest, is set for May 5–7, 2026.

We're looking forward to your participation!

Please read the following information carefully before registering.

There are significant changes this year, but by popular demand, we’re returning to Washington’s scenic Kitsap Peninsula and The Ridge Motorsports Park for both on- and off-road evaluations. Accommodations remain at the idyllic Alderbrook Resort & Spa on Hood Canal.

NWAPA has negotiated reduced lodging rates of $259 per night for premium courtyard-facing rooms. Booking details are below. Event meals and snacks are included.

The vehicle entry fee remains $2,200 per vehicle. Mudfest offers a terrific opportunity to connect and ride along with our members — many of whom produce for high-profile outlets, including three NACTOY jurists. All NWAPA attendees are required to drive and score each vehicle. Our organization actively encourages content creation at NWAPA events, and our new website includes a dedicated section that makes it easy to gather links to member coverage.

We have dramatically reduced sponsorship costs.

Many sponsorship packages now include a dedicated vehicle walkaround with NWAPA members to help maximize value.

NWAPA is non-profit. We channel our inner Scrooge McDuck — minus the swimming pool of gold coins — to keep costs as low as possible. However, Mudfest is expensive to stage, and vehicle entry fees alone do not cover expenses. Your sponsorship support helps ensure the future and continued quality of this event.

Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis so sign up early… and often.

Registration

This new website should make registration payment much simpler. It allows for credit card payment and billing by invoice. The system has been tested, but as with any new platform, if something goes sideways, contact me ASAP.

Please remember to submit your membership dues as well.

Have questions? Tom Voelk is your guy.
Email: nwapa.president.tv@gmail.com
Phone: 206-931-5793

Location details and a tentative schedule are below. See you at Mudfest 2026!

Sincerely, Tom Voelk

NWAPA President
nwapa.president.tv@gmail.com
206-931-5793

Lodging

Alderbrook Resort & Spa
7101 E State Route 106
Union, WA 98592
(360) 898-2200
Alderbrookresort.com

Booking Your Room at Alderbrook Resort

Click the “Book Now” button in the upper right corner.
Enter arrival and departure dates: May 5–May 7.
Click the drop-down arrow under “Add Special Code.”
Under “Group,” enter code 40Y9X9 (note: the second character is a zero), then click “Apply.”
All available contracted room types will display with the inclusive nightly rate (group rate plus resort fee).
Click “Show Rates” and “Unit Details” for a breakdown of the inclusive nightly rate.
Guests arriving earlier or departing later than the contracted dates must call Alderbrook Reservations directly at (360) 898-2145.

Tentative Agenda

Tuesday, May 5

Please arrive by 3:00 p.m.
Executive Meeting — 3:30 p.m.
Membership Meeting — 4:30 p.m.
Cocktails — 5:30 p.m.
Dinner — 7:00 p.m. at Alderbrook Resort

Wednesday, May 6

Group breakfast at Alderbrook Resort — 7:00–8:00 a.m.
On-pavement testing at The Ridge Motorsports Park
Lunch at The Ridge
Continued on-pavement testing, open evaluation, and content creation
Complete Day One ballot before returning to Alderbrook
Cocktails and dinner at Alderbrook Resort

Thursday, May 7

Group breakfast at Alderbrook Resort — 7:00–8:00 a.m.
Off-road testing at The Ridge Motorsports Park
Hotel checkout (bags may be left with the Bell Desk if needed)
Lunch at The Ridge
Continued off-road testing
Complete Day Two ballot prior to individual departures

Mudfest allows NWAPA member journalists to evaluate vehicles on closed courses in controlled environments. Ultimately, Mudfest is a competition: following testing, journalists vote to determine category winners and select the overall NWAPA Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

Event photography will be provided to participating journalists and manufacturers.

Additional logistical information and schedule updates will be shared as needed.

Journalist Registration For NWAPA Mudfest 2026 (5 May 2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The Northwest Automotive Press Association board is proud to announce that Mudfest 2026 — NWAPA’s Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year drive event — is set for May 5–7, 2026, in Shelton, Washington. Our signature annual event is designed for members to get time with the latest vehicles, produce content and interface with manufacture’s representatives.

Please read this info thoroughly before scrolling down to register.

We’re planning another significant program featuring important new vehicles, including Scout Motors, which is scheduled to bring a prototype vehicle for content generation. We’re returning to Washington’s scenic Kitsap Peninsula and The Ridge Motorsports Park for both on- and off-road evaluations.

The cost for media members to participate in Mudfest is $75 per journalist. Accommodations will be at the idyllic Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal. Registration includes complimentary meals and lodging. Once you register, NWAPA will make your accommodation reservations — no need to contact the resort directly.

Only invitees who have paid their dues and Mudfest registration fees may attend. Please, no visitors, spouses, or guests who are not actively involved in the event’s production. Assistants, photographers, and camera operators are not permitted to participate in driving or scoring, and their rooms will not be covered unless they are active NWAPA members in good standing.

IMPORTANT

NWAPA and its members are well respected, and Mudfest is a lot of fun. However, in these days of shrinking automakers budgets, our organization must raise the bar. Treat Mudfest like any professional automotive program.

It is critical that participants produce content and submit links to NWAPA. Manufacturers’ representatives need proof of performance to justify the expense of participation to their executives. Please arrive with a plan to generate stories. Failure to meet these expectations may result in restrictions on attending future NWAPA events.

Every participating journalist must:

Arrive on time
Obey the set rules and drive to abilities and changing conditions
Stay for both testing days
Drive every vehicle, on both on and off-road courses
Complete scoring after both on- and off-road assessments by the end of each day

Journalist attendance is limited to 21 members to ensure adequate evaluation time for each vehicle. If you are not among the first 21 to register, or if you have a history of not following protocol or producing content, your name will be placed on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

To attend, you must be a current NWAPA member with annual dues paid. If your membership is not current, we will contact you. You will not be added to the attendee list until your 2026 dues are paid.

Event Locations

Alderbrook Resort
7101 E State Route 106
Union, WA 98592
(360) 898-2200
AlderbrookResort.com

The Ridge Motorsports Park
1060 Eells Hill Rd
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427-7223
ridgemotorsportspark.com

Tentative Agenda

Tuesday, May 5

Please arrive by 3:00 p.m.
Executive meeting: 3:30 p.m.
Membership meeting: 4:30 p.m.
Cocktails: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m. at Alderbrook Resort

Wednesday, May 6

Group breakfast at Alderbrook Resort: 7:00–8:00 a.m.
On-pavement testing at The Ridge Motorsports Park
Lunch at The Ridge Motorsports Park
Continued on-pavement testing, open evaluation, and content creation
Complete Day 1 ballot before returning to Alderbrook
Cocktails and dinner at Alderbrook Resort

Thursday, May 7

Group breakfast at Alderbrook Resort: 7:00–8:00 a.m.
Off-road testing at The Ridge Motorsports Park
Hotel checkout (bags may be left with the bell desk if needed)
Lunch at The Ridge Motorsports Park
Continued off-road testing
Complete Day 2 ballot before individual departures

Mudfest 2026 allows NWAPA member journalists to review vehicles on closed courses in controlled conditions. Ultimately, Mudfest is a competition. Following testing, journalists vote to determine the best vehicle in each category and select an overall winner for the NWAPA Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year award.

Event photography will be provided to participating journalists after the event.

Additional logistical information and schedule updates will be shared as needed.

We look forward to seeing you in May.

Sincerely,
Tom Voelk
NWAPA President