Best Moto Areas in Illinois

jridout12
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jridout12 11/1/2022 10:35am
11/1/2022 10:35am
Mick 22 wrote:
Sandy Oaks MX on the banks of the Mississippi was/is/? the toughest track I have ever been on. Probably is presently a parking lot?
vdrsnk04 wrote:
Nope, it’s a blast to ride. Us locals ride it almost all the way through most winters. The sand just doesn’t freeze like dirt.
Is this sandy oaks by keithsburg? I'm from Iowa and always looking for new places to ride. Might have to come check it out. Is it a track? or is it just a river bottom sandpit type place?
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Ramrod
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Ramrod 11/1/2022 10:46am
11/1/2022 10:46am
Wisconsin and upper Illinois sound awesome, any top level pro riders come out of that area?

Is the fairgrounds track in Woodstock still going?
Bruce372
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Bruce372 11/1/2022 11:27am
11/1/2022 11:27am
If Buffalo is reopening that is really cool. The main track was a little hard packed, but rhe sand track out the back was really good. They have so much space there, you could build a national quality facility and still have room for a massive Enduro loop.
davis224
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davis224 11/1/2022 11:34am
11/1/2022 11:34am
Ramrod wrote:
Wisconsin and upper Illinois sound awesome, any top level pro riders come out of that area?

Is the fairgrounds track in Woodstock still going?
Sexton, Barnett, Tommy Hoffmaster, probably several more I'm not remembering
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Moto520
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Moto520 11/1/2022 11:48am
11/1/2022 11:48am
MontyMX815 wrote:
Hey everyone, Currently live out in Montana but there is a chance I could end up in Illinois in the near future (Near Chicago). What can...
Hey everyone,

Currently live out in Montana but there is a chance I could end up in Illinois in the near future (Near Chicago). What can I expect from the moto scene in that state?

Where are some of the best areas for the MX scene?

Mostly trails, mostly tracks, or what type of riding is most common?

Thanks!
If you do make it to Illinois.....let some of us know and we will take you under our wing as needed.
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Ramrod
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Ramrod 11/1/2022 12:00pm
11/1/2022 12:00pm
Ramrod wrote:
Wisconsin and upper Illinois sound awesome, any top level pro riders come out of that area?

Is the fairgrounds track in Woodstock still going?
davis224 wrote:
Sexton, Barnett, Tommy Hoffmaster, probably several more I'm not remembering
That's right, thanks for the reply.

How about specifically Wisconsin?
Munson'd
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Munson'd 11/1/2022 12:16pm
11/1/2022 12:16pm
Ramrod wrote:
Wisconsin and upper Illinois sound awesome, any top level pro riders come out of that area?

Is the fairgrounds track in Woodstock still going?
davis224 wrote:
Sexton, Barnett, Tommy Hoffmaster, probably several more I'm not remembering
Ramrod wrote:
That's right, thanks for the reply.

How about specifically Wisconsin?
Nathan Laporte, Hunter Sayles, Bryce Backus. Probably forgetting a few, sorry fellas.
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Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/1/2022 12:27pm
11/1/2022 12:27pm
Stay in Bozeman and don't leave...ever.
Payup_199
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Payup_199 11/1/2022 12:34pm
11/1/2022 12:34pm
Ramrod wrote:
Wisconsin and upper Illinois sound awesome, any top level pro riders come out of that area?

Is the fairgrounds track in Woodstock still going?
davis224 wrote:
Sexton, Barnett, Tommy Hoffmaster, probably several more I'm not remembering
Ramrod wrote:
That's right, thanks for the reply.

How about specifically Wisconsin?
Carter Biese, Chad Johnson (AX legend), Kody Kamm, Ross Martin
4
WowWowWubzy
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WowWowWubzy 11/1/2022 1:12pm
11/1/2022 1:12pm
In TX now, but Fredbud near Jolietish was an awesome deep sand track. I heard Fred Nette had a bad get off, not sure if it is still in operation. Anyone know? Fred was a great guy, rode Loretta's in fairly recent years.
2
Ed_C29
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Ed_C29 11/1/2022 3:36pm
11/1/2022 3:36pm
A lot of great places to ride in northern Illinois. Sunset ridge is my favorite, but many other good options like Mt carroll, Joliet, And Byron. Used to ride ki tracks when that was open but unfortunately is no longer, was nice and rutty. I’m in Wisconsin and there’s a ton of hidden gems mid state if you want to travel a couple hours.
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Moto520
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Moto520 11/1/2022 4:33pm
11/1/2022 4:33pm
Strong district for the AMA. Most 90% of the races are AMA district 17 races so they do a great job of keeping track of points and all that. One of the guys earlier mentioned “Fred Bud.” That is a sand track in northern, IL. Holy crap is that track rough…..years of riding with minor grooming in sand. I rode there when the Covid deal hit and places weren’t open yet. We always want more tracks but gotta count our blessings. We have 2 indoor tracks within 2 hours of Chicago and another 5 hours away. I sound like a commercial for Illinois but all is not perfect. It gets holy Jesus cold.
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vdrsnk04
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vdrsnk04 11/2/2022 7:33am
11/2/2022 7:33am
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is really cool. He just loves the place, says he goes out every morning and shapes and grooms it just cause he loves doing it!
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vdrsnk04
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vdrsnk04 11/2/2022 7:36am
11/2/2022 7:36am
Mick 22 wrote:
Sandy Oaks MX on the banks of the Mississippi was/is/? the toughest track I have ever been on. Probably is presently a parking lot?
vdrsnk04 wrote:
Nope, it’s a blast to ride. Us locals ride it almost all the way through most winters. The sand just doesn’t freeze like dirt.
jridout12 wrote:
Is this sandy oaks by keithsburg? I'm from Iowa and always looking for new places to ride. Might have to come check it out. Is it...
Is this sandy oaks by keithsburg? I'm from Iowa and always looking for new places to ride. Might have to come check it out. Is it a track? or is it just a river bottom sandpit type place?
Yep by Keithsburg. There is a race there in a couple weeks for the AMA district 17 hare scramble series. They do have a motocross track too with no major jumps but huge deep whoops throughout it and some big bowl type corners. It’s not groomed it’s just a massive workout to ride it. Stu Baylor comes and rides it in fall some years as well if you know him from GNCC.
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Mick 22
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Mick 22 11/2/2022 7:57am
11/2/2022 7:57am
I was pretty fast on a 125 back in the day, but at Sandy Oaks, the faster you try to go, the slower you went.

3
MX Culture
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MX Culture 11/3/2022 9:04am
11/3/2022 9:04am
Layton wrote:
It’s still there and still open.
MX Culture wrote:
Wrong, it is closed and sold. Wardy sold that and got Buffalo Range back in exchange. He made a fb post about it. One of my...
Wrong, it is closed and sold.
Wardy sold that and got Buffalo Range back in exchange. He made a fb post about it.
One of my favorite places to ride of all time, but I'm not sure how it will be after sitting for about 20 years.
Great news for the Ottawa/Peru area.
wardy wrote:
whoa not so fast there DD.

those rumors are abundant.

We will be at FVOR 1.0 next year. Smile
Omg. I’m sorry Wardy!
Someone showed me/read me the post as we were driving down the road.
I am stoked for Buffalo re-opening. As someone above said, that sand track down in the pit is amazing. I can’t wait to ride that again.
JWW85
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JWW85 11/3/2022 9:12am
11/3/2022 9:12am
Mick 22 wrote:
I was pretty fast on a 125 back in the day, but at Sandy Oaks, the faster you try to go, the slower you went.

God, i hated that place! My dad would take me there a few times in the winter when I was on 80s/125s. Completely different riding style needed for sure
JWW85
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JWW85 11/3/2022 9:23am
11/3/2022 9:23am
downonmonday wrote:
We are spoiled here in Illinois. I live in the middle of Byron, MC, and Sunset.
dfr136 wrote:
we are pretty lucky with the amount and quality of tracks, even losing some good ones over the years like Ki and us51.
Losing US51 was a bummer, but so was Crossroads, South Central, and the Edge.

I know it's on the south end of the state, but Euro Raceway is fun and Indian Hills opened back up in DuQuoin.
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moto804
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moto804 11/3/2022 11:43am
11/3/2022 11:43am
MX Culture wrote:
Wrong, it is closed and sold. Wardy sold that and got Buffalo Range back in exchange. He made a fb post about it. One of my...
Wrong, it is closed and sold.
Wardy sold that and got Buffalo Range back in exchange. He made a fb post about it.
One of my favorite places to ride of all time, but I'm not sure how it will be after sitting for about 20 years.
Great news for the Ottawa/Peru area.
wardy wrote:
whoa not so fast there DD.

those rumors are abundant.

We will be at FVOR 1.0 next year. Smile
MX Culture wrote:
Omg. I’m sorry Wardy! Someone showed me/read me the post as we were driving down the road. I am stoked for Buffalo re-opening. As someone above...
Omg. I’m sorry Wardy!
Someone showed me/read me the post as we were driving down the road.
I am stoked for Buffalo re-opening. As someone above said, that sand track down in the pit is amazing. I can’t wait to ride that again.
So - Buffalo reopening is really a thing?

Where can I find out more details?
1
Lillefty27
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Lillefty27 11/3/2022 11:57am
11/3/2022 11:57am
There are many sand/loam tracks around here. Sunset Ridge, RedBud, Leisure Time MX (a true hidden gem imo). Yea man, lots of good tracks within a 1-2 hour radius of Chicagoland. The only thing that sucks around here is dogone Winter stops us from riding for nearly 6 months!
2
Lillefty27
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Lillefty27 11/3/2022 11:58am
11/3/2022 11:58am
vdrsnk04 wrote:
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is...
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is really cool. He just loves the place, says he goes out every morning and shapes and grooms it just cause he loves doing it!
How have I never heard of this place!? Do you have a Facebook link for their page?
2
R VanKamp77
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R VanKamp77 11/3/2022 12:09pm
11/3/2022 12:09pm
vdrsnk04 wrote:
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is...
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is really cool. He just loves the place, says he goes out every morning and shapes and grooms it just cause he loves doing it!
Lillefty27 wrote:
How have I never heard of this place!? Do you have a Facebook link for their page?
That sounds awesome, really hope to hear about this one even though its hours away.

Is anyone located super far south in IL? I don't think I've seen any mention for RideOrganic MX in alton IL either. Pretty nice place. little pricey, cool place though. I enjoyed it alot.
1
davis224
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davis224 11/3/2022 2:04pm
11/3/2022 2:04pm
vdrsnk04 wrote:
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is...
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is really cool. He just loves the place, says he goes out every morning and shapes and grooms it just cause he loves doing it!
Lillefty27 wrote:
How have I never heard of this place!? Do you have a Facebook link for their page?
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057462999421

Located just outside of Chandlerville
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davis224
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davis224 11/3/2022 2:06pm
11/3/2022 2:06pm
vdrsnk04 wrote:
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is...
There’s is also Midwest motocross which is an all sand motocross track it’s by Peoria, IL. The old guy that owns it and runs it is really cool. He just loves the place, says he goes out every morning and shapes and grooms it just cause he loves doing it!
Lillefty27 wrote:
How have I never heard of this place!? Do you have a Facebook link for their page?
R VanKamp77 wrote:
That sounds awesome, really hope to hear about this one even though its hours away. Is anyone located super far south in IL? I don't think...
That sounds awesome, really hope to hear about this one even though its hours away.

Is anyone located super far south in IL? I don't think I've seen any mention for RideOrganic MX in alton IL either. Pretty nice place. little pricey, cool place though. I enjoyed it alot.
I've heard great things about Ride Organic, Archview is flat, but great as well.
2
WowWowWubzy
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WowWowWubzy 11/4/2022 2:24pm
11/4/2022 2:24pm
moto804 wrote:
So - Buffalo reopening is really a thing?

Where can I find out more details?
I heard that when it closed it was sold to a mining company that needed the silica sand. All I know, so if for some reason it will reopen as an mx track, it may look quite different. Again, just a "heard it from a guy" when it closed. Sand pit was EPIC! Broke a rear wheel there.
profeshenal125 11/8/2022 7:15pm
11/8/2022 7:15pm
I delivered to Dwight lastnight.went threw the area of the hot iL. Tracks. Then drove to Romeoville slept 3 hrs at a trl drop lot some euro dispatch calls and says I,ll give you 100 to deliver to Joliet. I said 100 bucks that’s nothing etc. another guys calling etc so I go to Joliet 1/2 asleep. Hv to rush to make the apt. Then get a diff trl and rush to Alsip. I don’t drive stupid but there’s a lot of last min get there asap in Chicago Land. . Checked 2 trls in the shop, etc. traffic was a bit crazy today. Tri st 294 const cars hitting barrels flying into other split lane then there hitting cars and barrels . Chicago driving is great entertainment keeps ya on your toes.
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Lillefty27
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Lillefty27 11/9/2022 5:08am
11/9/2022 5:08am
moto804 wrote:
So - Buffalo reopening is really a thing?

Where can I find out more details?
WowWowWubzy wrote:
I heard that when it closed it was sold to a mining company that needed the silica sand. All I know, so if for some reason...
I heard that when it closed it was sold to a mining company that needed the silica sand. All I know, so if for some reason it will reopen as an mx track, it may look quite different. Again, just a "heard it from a guy" when it closed. Sand pit was EPIC! Broke a rear wheel there.
I was so young when Buffalo Ridge was still around, so I couldn't really enjoy that sand pit on my little bike. I do remember them having the big track, a peewee track, and then a third sort of pit bike track with a huge hill in the woods. And that massive oval out back! It was so much fun mobbing around on our TTR90's, Ahh good times. That place opening up again would be nostalgia for me
MX558
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MX558 4/10/2024 7:00pm
4/10/2024 7:00pm
dfr136 wrote:
Byron Motosports Park MC Motopark Sunset Ridge Joliet mx Stadium racing at Mendota fairgrounds Muddy waters mx Megatrax-Indoor Fox Valley off road Rocky glenn off road...
Byron Motosports Park
MC Motopark
Sunset Ridge
Joliet mx
Stadium racing at Mendota fairgrounds
Muddy waters mx
Megatrax-Indoor
Fox Valley off road
Rocky glenn off road
Atkinson motosports park
Lincoln trail
B-52 hangar mx- Indoor
south fork dirt riders
archview mx

Indiana
LTMX
Motoland

I live 30 miles from Chicago, theres always somewhere to ride, I know I'm missing some. Lots of places to ride here and district 17 is a pretty strong district. Theres multiple clubs that put on enduros and dual sports in Illinois and right over the border in Indiana. For good trail riding I drive up to Michigan for the weekend.

What he said , we are blessed with tracks here 

stevesesko
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stevesesko 4/10/2024 7:29pm
4/10/2024 7:29pm Edited Date/Time 4/10/2024 7:30pm
wardy wrote:
whoa not so fast there DD.

those rumors are abundant.

We will be at FVOR 1.0 next year. Smile
MX Culture wrote:
Omg. I’m sorry Wardy! Someone showed me/read me the post as we were driving down the road. I am stoked for Buffalo re-opening. As someone above...
Omg. I’m sorry Wardy!
Someone showed me/read me the post as we were driving down the road.
I am stoked for Buffalo re-opening. As someone above said, that sand track down in the pit is amazing. I can’t wait to ride that again.
moto804 wrote:
So - Buffalo reopening is really a thing?

Where can I find out more details?

 where can I find info on buffalo range?

midwestmoto 4/10/2024 7:32pm
4/10/2024 7:32pm Edited Date/Time 4/10/2024 7:36pm

Midwest Illinois is awesome. I have several tracks within an hour from me

 

Tracks within one hour of my location:

Muddy waters - East Moline 

Tri City - Coal Valley 

Galesburg Mc - Galesburg 

Sunset Ridge - Walnut

MC Motopark - Mt Carrol

Megacross - Mendota

Megatrax (Indoor) - Mendota 

MXLand - Morrison (Cory Snows Track. Bret Cue rides here) 

Brushy Ridge - Astoria

 

Tracks within 2 hours

Byron Motorsports Park - Byron 

DCMX Tracks - Dallas City

 

For the most part, every other track is within a 3 hour drive. 

 

We truly are blessed, and everything is AMA. It was always foreign to me to hear about other states having non AMA sanctioned events. 

 

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