National Races

The Classics (Note: If the race hasn’t been on the amateur schedule for at least 15 years, then it’s not in this list).

MOTOCROSS - MOTORCYCLE

Spring Classic

The Spring Classic has been a part of the amateur national racing scene for nearly 25 years. It’s always the first big race of the year, and it’s the first opportunity for everyone to check out the competition after the January 1st move-up date (when riders must advance because of age or skill). The race started out at the now closed Lake Whitney facility in Texas, but has recently moved to the Mill Creek MX facility just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

Dates: March 3-9, 2013

Location: Pell City, AL USA

Start: Dirt with an uphill left-hander

Dirt: Clay

For details: http://www.rpmsportsonline.com/

 

GNC Finals at Oak Hill

This race started out at the historic Mosier Valley track back in the 1970s and has since moved to the Oak Hill facility when Mosier closed. The Oak Hill facility is a great track and it is run professionally. The GNC rules are generally the same as AMA rules when it comes to age classification, however, this race also runs an Open class and a Mod class for the 50cc riders. Mod rules allow up to a 60cc displacement with wheel size staying the same as stock class rules allow. This offers a nice opportunity for the 50cc-only racer to get a lot of track time over the course of the week. 

Dates: March 13-17, 2013

Location: Denton, TX USA

Start: Concrete leading to a downhill left-hander

Dirt: Clay with sand mix

For Details: http://www.oakhillmx.com/

 

World Mini Grand Prix

This race is the grandfather of all amateur national events. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the World Mini. Initially promoted at the long-closed Indian Dunes track in southern California, this race has been held at a few different venues in the Western USA. In the 1980s, the race was moved to Las Vegas, and two years ago, the track changed once again to Mesquite Nevada (about 90 miles up the road). By all accounts, the Mesquite track is a great facility with nice dirt and some elevation changes. Count on at least one day of blowing dust! Both 50 Mod, & Super Peewee classes available.

Dates: April 8-13, 2013

Location: Mesquite MX - Mesquite, NV USA

Start: Concrete, flat, dogleg left then a sharp left hander

Dirt: Fairly hard packed and rocky

For Details: http://www.nmamx.com/

 

NMA Grand Nationals

For nearly forty years, this race was held at the Ponca City motocross track right within the city limits of this motocross-made famous town. Rumor has it that this year the race is moving to a new location (still within the state of Oklahoma). While the size and history of this race is second to none, there have been questions recently regarding how well the race is run - particularly with respect to track maintenance. Let’s hope that the new location will prove to inspire a new level of track prep and care for the customer.

Dates: July 21-27, 2013

Location: Oklahoma Motorsports Complex - Norman, OK USA

Start: ?

Dirt: ?

For Details: http://www.nmamx.com/

 

Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Championships

Over the past thirty years, this race has developed into the most prestigious amateur motocross event on the planet. Only 42 kids per class qualify for the race through a series of grueling area and regional qualifiers. Roughly one in 25 qualifiers make it to ‘The Show’, so just being able to line up at the starting gate is a huge accomplishment. Each year, this race is held in the first week of August at Loretta Lynn’s ranch about an hour west of Nashville. The weather is hot, the track is always well prepared, and since this is the only motocross race of the year at this facility, there is no ‘home track’ advantage for any rider.

Dates: July 29 - August 3, 2013

Location: Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch - Hurricane Mills, TN USA

Start: Dirt

Dirt: Sticky Clay with lots of sand added over the past few years

For Details: http://mxsports.com/

 

Winter National Olympics (or Mini Os as everyone calls it)

The name ‘Olympics’ was derived back in the 1970s when in order to win the Olympiad, racers had to finish at the top of several different disciplines. In the beginning, there was Motocross, Cross Country, Flat Track, and Supercross. Today, only the Supercross and Motocross races persist, but that doesn’t lessen the importance of this incredible race held each year over the week of Thanksgiving. Racers from all over the world converge to test their mettle against the best tracks and the best competition, and with two separate opportunities crammed into the course of one week, it’s worth the trip!

Dates: 23-30, 2013

Location: Gatorback Cycle Park – Gainesville, FL USA

Start: Dirt (same gate for SX and MX)

Dirt: Hard pack Clay

For Details: http://unlimitedsportsmx.com/

 

MOTOCROSS - ATV

ATVA Nationals

There is only one series in the USA that matters when it comes to ATV motocross, and that is the ATVA Nationals. This ten round series zigzags across the Midwest at many of the same tracks that the pro and amateur motorcycles run on (like Red Bud, Millcreek, and Loretta Lynn’s Ranch), and it offers the very cool experience of having the pros and amateurs race on the same weekends on the same track.

Location: Across the Midwest

Start: Varies

Dirt: Varies

For Details: http://www.atvmotocross.com/

 

OFF-ROAD - MOTORCYCLE AND ATV

GNCC – East Coast

The Grand National Cross Country series is a must-do series for any off-roader from the East Coast. This thirteen-round tour covers an enormous variety of terrain from the deep sand of Florida to the tight twisted tree-lined hillsides of the upper Midwest (and there is always a motocross section or two added in). Kids typically run Saturday morning on a jam-packed weekend schedule that includes bikes, quads, amateurs, and pros. If you are looking for a compact schedule, a lot of seat time, and a professionally run series, this is it!

Location: East of the Mississippi

Start: Varies

Dirt: Varies

For Details: http://www.gnccracing.com/

 

WORCS – West Coast

Much like the GNCC series east of the Mississippi, the WORCS series attracts great riders and great facilities on the West Coast. This series offers separate weekend schedules for bikes and ATVs, and the tracks vary from motocross conditions, such as Glen Helen MX, to more desert-like conditions at venues like Buffalo Bills in Prim, Nevada. WORCS also take special care of the kids with special events like bowling and scavenger hunts.

Location: Southwest

Start: Varies

Dirt: Varies

For Details: http://www.worcsracing.com/

 

 

 

Updated: March 3, 2013