Motocross Tracks- The Nationals
The Nationals, the most prestigious off-road motocross racing series in the US, is about to enter their 49th year! The AMA outdoor motocross nationals are considered the toughest events in motocross, with 45 minutes of intense bar to bar racing.
Generally kicking off in Racho Cordova, California, the series takes place in 11 different states from May through August, and features a large variety of race tracks to challenge some of the best riders in the sport. From the dryer western tracks, deep clay soil out east, to the sandy Southwick or WW Ranch, racers will be faced with a huge mix of surfaces and conditions leading up to the closing rounds.
Here’s a quick look at the 12 tracks that the most talented riders compete at:
(Note: Due to Covid-19, Hangtown Motorcross Classic has been cancelled this year, and the schedule is constantly being updated. For more information on race dates visit promotocross.com.)
Location: Prairie City OHV Park- Rancho Cordova, CA
This event was established in 1974 and is the 1stround in the Lucas Oil MX Championships. It’s the only round sponsored by a motorcycle club “The Dirt Diggers North MC”
Fun fact: it’s the oldest Pro MX race (since 1968, which is also when it was originally founded) in the US.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirtDiggersNorth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hangtownmx/
Location: Fox Raceway- Pala, CA
Formerly Pala Raceway, this track was used in 2010 and 2011, but because of a disagreement between track owners of Glen Helen and the MX Sports group, there were no races held here until 2019. In the 8 years in between, it was used as a regular practice, testing, and training track. There are 6 MX tracks on site from beginner to pro-level, so nearly anyone at any riding ability can ride Fox Raceway.
Fun fact: Hosted the 1st “Jeff Emig’s Learn to Moto Center”, where riders can learn from a former motocross and supercross champion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foxraceway/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxraceway/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pala_Raceway
#FoxRacewayMX
Location: Thunder Valley Motocross Park- Lakewood, CO
It was established in 2005 (though founded in 1999). They hosted their 1st AMA Pro MX National on July 5, 2005
Fun fact: The first few years the race was held in the daytime, but the combination of altitude and summer heat made it physically difficult for racers and mechanics, and even caused the bike fuel to literally boil. In 2008 they held the 1st night race and continued to do this for several seasons. Like 2019, the 2020 event will be held during daytime!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TVMX.net/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thundervalleymx/
Location: WW Ranch Motocross Park- Jacksonville, FL
Though established in 2005, they didn’t host their 1st AMA race until 2019. Facility owned & operated by “Junior” Scarborough and family who turned the family farm into their life-long dream of turning it into the track.
Fun fact: They have hosted Ride for a Reason for 4 years - riders bring a toy or imperishable food items instead of paying practice fees - everything that is collected is donated to those less fortunate in our community.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWMotocrossPark/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwmotox/
Location: High Point Raceway- Mount Morris, PA
Established in 1976 (1st pro race 1977), 2020 marks their 44th Annual Race. Held over Father’s Day weekend, it’s one of the best tracks to get a full view from many great vantage points, and some consider viewing at High Point is like live “moto theater”.
Fun fact: They hosted the 1st ever AMA National Hare Scramble in 1979, and eventually held similar GNCC events there starting in 1987
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highpointmx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highpointmx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighPointMX
Location: The Wick 338- Southwick, MA
Known as “The Wick” it joined the AMA Motocross Nationals in 1976, but the first race at the track was technically in 1972 and was a NESC race to benefit the town’s charities and has donated thousands of dollars to causes and schools close by.
Fun fact: The track was originally carved out of the woods behind the American Legion Post 338 by legion members that were also the fathers of NESC racers.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewick338motocross/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewick338mx/
Location: RedBud MX- Buchanan, MI
After hosting its first race in 1973, it joined the AMA Nationals in 1974 and boasts the largest attendance of any MX Race each year. Red Bud also hosts ATV National Motocross Championships and AHRMA National Vintage Motocross.
Fun fact: The track has the biggest jump, the infamous “LaRocco’s Leap”, named after local legend Mike LaRocco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redbudmx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redbudmx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedBudmx
Location: Spring Creek MX Park- Millville, MN
Established in 1983, they made recent improvements including VIP Suites, increased spectator viewing and live timing & scoring
Fun fact: The facility used to be a working farm, but the early-spring floods from the snow melting in the valleys made this land difficult to cultivate, so in 1967 it became a motorcycle hillclimb spot.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringCreekMotocrossPark/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCMXpark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scmxpark/
Location: Washougal MX Park- Washougal, WA
First opened in 1970, it was removed from Nationals in 1987, but returned in 1988. Nearly 100% track viewing from many vantage points and is considered the most scenic circuit in the entire sport.
Fun fact: It is only one of three natural terrain raceways in the entire country.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashougalMXPK/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/washougalmxpk/
Location: Unadilla MX- New Berlin, NY
Before first opening in 1969 it was a former dairy farm and was laid out to be European in nature. It is also a 2ndGeneration family-owned track. They have hosted Pro MX Nationals for the past 17 years.
Fun fact: It is the first US track to host the MX des Nations in 1987, which was won by the US team of Bob Hannah (125cc), Rick Johnson (250cc), and Jeff Ward (500cc).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unadilla/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unadillamx/
Location: Budds Creek Raceway- Mechanicsville, MD
Began hosting AMA MX Championships in 1989. The layout is ideal for spectators because its natural terrain track sits in a valley.
Fun fact: You can rent the BC Motocross track to enjoy with your family and friends!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuddsCreek/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BuddsCreekMX
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddscreekmx/
Location: Ironman Raceway- Crawfordsville, IN
Established in 2014, the event has grown from just a race to nearly a full industry trade show, with some of the largest attendance for the series. Also the site for GNCC racing, the Ironman facility is large and challenging, but with some of the best accommodations. The motocross track offers some of the biggest and steepest combinations of jumps and hills, including Godzilla, a massive uphill jump.
Fun fact: Ironman is named after the late GNCC ATV Champion Bob “Ironman” Sloan, who passed away in 1994.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironmanraceway/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IronmanRaceway
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironmanmx/
