Can someone school me on amateur day at the nationals?

bh
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bh
Trying to do some research because I would like to make a weekend out of going the one of the nationals.

Do all nationals have amateur days? Is it through mx sports or through the local track? Online signup? Format? Are they always Friday before the race?

I really would like to here some of y’all’s experience with the amateur days. I would really like to hit up southwick or red bud if at all possible this summer.

Thanks!
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 2/10/2022 5:13am
2/10/2022 5:13am
Most do. I used to do hangtown, washougal, and glen helen growing up. It’s mostly just another local race, but it is fun to stay and camp for the weekend.

I’ll be at southwick this year.
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LouisianaMotocross 2/10/2022 5:50am
2/10/2022 5:50am
bh wrote:
Trying to do some research because I would like to make a weekend out of going the one of the nationals. Do all nationals have amateur...
Trying to do some research because I would like to make a weekend out of going the one of the nationals.

Do all nationals have amateur days? Is it through mx sports or through the local track? Online signup? Format? Are they always Friday before the race?

I really would like to here some of y’all’s experience with the amateur days. I would really like to hit up southwick or red bud if at all possible this summer.

Thanks!
Most have them but not all. It's through the tracks not mx sports so the race format and sign up are track dependent. Seems like a lot of the races were on Fridays last year, but some tracks do sunday.
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bradnelson
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bradnelson 2/10/2022 5:59am
2/10/2022 5:59am
Not sure if RedBud still does this but, in the past you would have open practice Thursday. On Friday, you raced. Saturday, you watched the pros. Saturday night, you raced the smaller night track. Sunday, you raced the whole pro track.

One note, on National weekend the track was deeper than normal. If you are a C rider, you may not enjoy it so much.
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dmm698
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dmm698 2/10/2022 6:15am
2/10/2022 6:15am
I've done redbuds 1x, and unadilla probably 10 times.

Redbud has it down really well - open prac thursday, with quite a few sessions. Quick break for press day. Full 2 moto day of racing friday during the day on the majority of the main track. Friday night you can elect to do a night race if you want to sign up for that. Saturday pro national, saturday night another night race if you want. Sunday, another full day on the whole main track if you want to (2 motos per class). All use transponders.

Unadilla is a struggle fest - there is no open practice, its not on the main track but a second track. No transponders. First motos are friday. Second motos are sunday. 50+ motos between all the multiple groups of classes. Not something I'd recommend if you arent local.

Redbud is worth traveling for
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PDUB481
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PDUB481 2/10/2022 6:17am
2/10/2022 6:17am
RED BUDDDDDD Is the one to do. Thursday practice for amateurs on pro track, Friday amateur racing on pro track,
also Friday night racing on night track, Saturday Watch the pros race, Saturday night racing night track, Sunday amateur racing on full pro track.
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wildbill
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wildbill 2/10/2022 7:32am
2/10/2022 7:32am
I did Washougal a few times in 01, 02 and 03. They used the old start down in the hole. Someone crashed in the whoops and caused a Red flag as we were on the line. There was 44 of us. Two on both sides without a gate even. Everyone left their bikes running except me. I could smell the antifreeze a spewing everywhere. Once we finally got the okay, my YZ 400 was the hp king thanks to a nice cool motor. I pulled a huge holeshot, then promptly wadded and ended up in the ER. Oh well, T'was fun while it lasted. Wish I had a pic!
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bh
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bh 2/10/2022 8:22am
2/10/2022 8:22am Edited Date/Time 2/10/2022 8:22am
Thank is for the info guys I’m looking at doing redbud, looks like a super fun weekend. Anyone know what the hookup situation is with the campsites? Is there water? Also is there shower houses?

3-4 days of bike washes and showers is a lot to ask for from an rv water tank lol.
PDUB481
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PDUB481 2/10/2022 8:26am
2/10/2022 8:26am
No hook ups, but there are several places in the pit area to get endless supplies of water at no charge.
bh
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bh 2/10/2022 8:27am
2/10/2022 8:27am
bradnelson wrote:
Not sure if RedBud still does this but, in the past you would have open practice Thursday. On Friday, you raced. Saturday, you watched the pros...
Not sure if RedBud still does this but, in the past you would have open practice Thursday. On Friday, you raced. Saturday, you watched the pros. Saturday night, you raced the smaller night track. Sunday, you raced the whole pro track.

One note, on National weekend the track was deeper than normal. If you are a C rider, you may not enjoy it so much.
Yea I looked at a few GoPros, lots of ruts lol. I am a Cish rider but doesn’t look too terrible. Can’t be worse than Camp Coker Gncc though lol.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 2/10/2022 9:37am
2/10/2022 9:37am
Haven't been in years but it was cherrypicker central the last time I races one in the 90s
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Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 2/10/2022 9:52am
2/10/2022 9:52am
ive done hangtown a few times (last time was 2008) but its put on by who operates the event in this case Dirt Diggers. they run it as a sanctioned AMA event, when i was racing they were building the AM day to be as big as a Regional National like AZ Open.

It was always fun, especially on Pro day when you can look back at the track knowing you were racing on the same thing
gharmon
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gharmon 2/10/2022 10:47am
2/10/2022 10:47am
sandtrack315 wrote:
Most do. I used to do hangtown, washougal, and glen helen growing up. It’s mostly just another local race, but it is fun to stay and...
Most do. I used to do hangtown, washougal, and glen helen growing up. It’s mostly just another local race, but it is fun to stay and camp for the weekend.

I’ll be at southwick this year.
We always did the same. Practice friday, watch pros on Saturday and basically a regular weekend race back home race on Sunday. We have gone muddy creek, ww ranch and last year we made the trek up to red bud and did it. I'd like to go to millville and itonman one day, especially millville!
Red bud was different. They practiced on thursday which made it difficult. Had to drive all night then ride practice dead tired.
Red bud has race on the main track friday. Races at the bottom track on friday and sat night and main track again Sunday!! Talk about tired!!
But we have a blast doing it.
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kNewc
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kNewc 2/11/2022 2:14pm
2/11/2022 2:14pm
bradnelson wrote:
Not sure if RedBud still does this but, in the past you would have open practice Thursday. On Friday, you raced. Saturday, you watched the pros...
Not sure if RedBud still does this but, in the past you would have open practice Thursday. On Friday, you raced. Saturday, you watched the pros. Saturday night, you raced the smaller night track. Sunday, you raced the whole pro track.

One note, on National weekend the track was deeper than normal. If you are a C rider, you may not enjoy it so much.
bh wrote:
Yea I looked at a few GoPros, lots of ruts lol. I am a Cish rider but doesn’t look too terrible. Can’t be worse than Camp...
Yea I looked at a few GoPros, lots of ruts lol. I am a Cish rider but doesn’t look too terrible. Can’t be worse than Camp Coker Gncc though lol.
Have you ridden very deep loam? Red Bud is another animal when it's super deep... The videos don't do it justice at all. It's an awesome though you'll love it. It's only scary deep the first few laps, once the ruts develop it's much better.
sandman768
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sandman768 2/11/2022 3:40pm
2/11/2022 3:40pm
When they went to Saturday Nationals it ruined a lot of Am racing the weekend of the Nationals. Used to be Thursday practice, Friday & Saturday race, Saturday night, big party time and then watch Nationals on Sunday…Although Red Bud sound like they have it down good….
profeshenal125 2/11/2022 9:17pm
2/11/2022 9:17pm
sandtrack315 wrote:
Most do. I used to do hangtown, washougal, and glen helen growing up. It’s mostly just another local race, but it is fun to stay and...
Most do. I used to do hangtown, washougal, and glen helen growing up. It’s mostly just another local race, but it is fun to stay and camp for the weekend.

I’ll be at southwick this year.
gharmon wrote:
We always did the same. Practice friday, watch pros on Saturday and basically a regular weekend race back home race on Sunday. We have gone muddy...
We always did the same. Practice friday, watch pros on Saturday and basically a regular weekend race back home race on Sunday. We have gone muddy creek, ww ranch and last year we made the trek up to red bud and did it. I'd like to go to millville and itonman one day, especially millville!
Red bud was different. They practiced on thursday which made it difficult. Had to drive all night then ride practice dead tired.
Red bud has race on the main track friday. Races at the bottom track on friday and sat night and main track again Sunday!! Talk about tired!!
But we have a blast doing it.
You can race Millville twice also. Practice on the 14th race the 15th. NatL on the 16th. The 17th am day is called the pro track challenge. Same track as the NatL. The 15th would b a tamer track. If you want to race at night hit a Fair Race, Mike Brown did.
quadzrulebro 2/12/2022 7:54am
2/12/2022 7:54am Edited Date/Time 2/12/2022 7:55am
I raced Ironman last year and it was a ripoff. It was run by the family that owns the track. Since they have no experience running races (the only races they have all year with the exception of amateur day are run by MX Sports) it was a mess. It took them hours to finish practice and since it took so long, they had to cut the races back to a single moto. As I recall, it worked out to about $25 a lap. I wouldn’t recommend hitting this one.
MX114
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MX114 2/12/2022 9:40am
2/12/2022 9:40am Edited Date/Time 2/12/2022 10:23am
It’s been a handful of years but I’m sure not much has changed. For amateur days I’ve raced Unadilla 17 times, Broome 10 times, High Point 4 times, Steel City twice, Budds Creeks once. Expect the following

-Waiting in line if arriving the day before
-Hiding your beers till you get thru the gate
-Expensive fees for sign up, camping and entry
-Practice will be chaos. 100 bikes / all levels
-Short motos
-3 or 4 groups of Novice riders
-Long wait times between motos
-Lots of hungover vet riders not racing 2nd motos
-Riders from other areas dropping down a class
-People protesting come trophy time
-An argument or two by the results posting
-Generators that run all night
-Some late night hooting and hollering
-Always having a dam good time!!!!

My two best racing memories that stand out come 10 years apart at different Amateur days. It’s worth every penny though no matter what your results are!
Good luck and enjoy!


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hbdesigns913
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hbdesigns913 2/12/2022 10:30am
2/12/2022 10:30am
quadzrulebro wrote:
I raced Ironman last year and it was a ripoff. It was run by the family that owns the track. Since they have no experience running...
I raced Ironman last year and it was a ripoff. It was run by the family that owns the track. Since they have no experience running races (the only races they have all year with the exception of amateur day are run by MX Sports) it was a mess. It took them hours to finish practice and since it took so long, they had to cut the races back to a single moto. As I recall, it worked out to about $25 a lap. I wouldn’t recommend hitting this one.
I raced that also. That was painful. To their defense they had over 1000 entries. Just too many classes. Example would be all the Vet classes. You don't need A, B/C and classes in 5 years of age difference (+25,30,35,40,45,50). Its just a local race.
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profeshenal125 6/26/2025 12:24pm
6/26/2025 12:24pm
dmm698 wrote:
I've done redbuds 1x, and unadilla probably 10 times. Redbud has it down really well - open prac thursday, with quite a few sessions. Quick break...
I've done redbuds 1x, and unadilla probably 10 times.

Redbud has it down really well - open prac thursday, with quite a few sessions. Quick break for press day. Full 2 moto day of racing friday during the day on the majority of the main track. Friday night you can elect to do a night race if you want to sign up for that. Saturday pro national, saturday night another night race if you want. Sunday, another full day on the whole main track if you want to (2 motos per class). All use transponders.

Unadilla is a struggle fest - there is no open practice, its not on the main track but a second track. No transponders. First motos are friday. Second motos are sunday. 50+ motos between all the multiple groups of classes. Not something I'd recommend if you arent local.

Redbud is worth traveling for

Red Bud website says 1 moto format Friday, 2 moto Sunday.  Is 55+ a cash class ?  Who’s going ? 

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profeshenal125 6/26/2025 7:31pm
6/26/2025 7:31pm

Red Bud weather Saturday looks not so good.  Plus a smaller chance of rain Friday.  From the track to 200 mi north & east during the winter I never saw Lake effect storms so bad 200+ mikes. That’s a lot of moisture in the dirt.  I,m on the other side of Lake Michigan a lot of rain here lately.  I would be ready for a wet sand race . IMG 3599.png?VersionId=kVEHoZaU1W2Yn

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Sachmo831
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Sachmo831 6/26/2025 8:08pm
6/26/2025 8:08pm
profeshenal125 wrote:

Red Bud website says 1 moto format Friday, 2 moto Sunday.  Is 55+ a cash class ?  Who’s going ? 

Last year 2nd motos were cut on friday due to time. With press day and the combine it was like 4pm and 1st motos were just wrapping up. Thankfully half the entry cost was refunded 

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profeshenal125 6/26/2025 9:06pm
6/26/2025 9:06pm
profeshenal125 wrote:

Red Bud website says 1 moto format Friday, 2 moto Sunday.  Is 55+ a cash class ?  Who’s going ? 

Sachmo831 wrote:
Last year 2nd motos were cut on friday due to time. With press day and the combine it was like 4pm and 1st motos were just...

Last year 2nd motos were cut on friday due to time. With press day and the combine it was like 4pm and 1st motos were just wrapping up. Thankfully half the entry cost was refunded 

Probably why Fri is 1 moto now.  65.00 to race Fri or sun 28 riders 65.00= 1,820  I,ll take a piece of that action .  If 50+ or 55+ pays cash

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