Which National to attend?

lumpy790
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York, SC US
5/18/2026 7:57pm
Meister wrote:

Steel City..

 

Wait, nvm.

 

Troy.

 

Shit, nvm.

 

High points fun. 

Broom Tioga ahhh that downhill!!!

1
AMDnutt
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Fort Wayne, IN US
5/18/2026 7:59pm

Ironman (Crawfordsville, IN) is great, lots of shade and good viewing. Easy in to Indianapolis airport with an hours drive to the track. Plenty of places to stay in Indy and lots of good food.

Red Bud on the 4th of July weekend is always great, it has tamed down a bit over the years (I started going in early 80's when it was WILD!)

High point has good views but not much shade, harder to get to from airport....

1
disbanded
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Evergreen, CO US
5/18/2026 8:47pm

Lakewood because Colorado

1
429 Sterling
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Boston, MA US
5/18/2026 9:11pm
Also cast my vote for southwick. It’s less than a 2 hour drive from Boston and the easiest track to drive into. Rent a car and...

Also cast my vote for southwick. It’s less than a 2 hour drive from Boston and the easiest track to drive into. Rent a car and make it a fun weekend going to the track and exploring the city.

runic121 wrote:
Having a beer at the American Legion is pretty cool. And, full disclosure, I've only been to Southwick like five times.Only once to ride, thank goodness, that...

Having a beer at the American Legion is pretty cool. 

And, full disclosure, I've only been to Southwick like five times.

Only once to ride, thank goodness, that didn't go poorly, but it didn't go well.

But yeah, no, don't mean offense to the locals...

But no. It's pretty much last on the list.

Not easily accessed from other parts of the world, and the sightlines are really not great.

On the other coast, Washougal is something else... recommended... but more for the ambiance of the mountains and the Columbia River area. Not the best place to watch a race unfold.

Half the race, sure. Can't see the other. 

Lakewood and Budds deliver the ambiance, totally different, crisp mountain air vs. muggy brutal crucible of the arena type heat... and the view of nearly the entire track at either.

And yeah, as someone noted above, crabcakes. You know, at Budds. But it can be a hot mo fo. 

I’ve only ridden southwick once on a practice day and it went pretty damn bad for me. Just makes me appreciate how talented the pros are that ride it.

The Shop

Press516
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Gilbert, AZ US
Fantasy
5/18/2026 9:56pm

Red Bud and Lakewood are my 2 favorites.  But Ironman and Washougal are next for me.

I’ll be retired in 2028 and my wife and I are going to grab the grandkids when they get out of school and jump in the RV and do every National until I have to put them on a plane to go back and get ready for school.  

6
Moto Nomad
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5/18/2026 11:37pm

Dude, any of them. If you love motocross you love going to a Nat, period! I was raised on Budds Creek, which is awesome, but my current fave is Hangtown! Going there this weekend with my nine-year-old daughter. 

2
shane509
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Lumberton, MS US
5/19/2026 4:22am

Awesome, thanks for all the replies! Just had our first baby in January and took him to Bham sx, I doubt we will make something this year but want to start planning for next year. 

2
JBlain619
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Severna Park, MD US
5/19/2026 6:19am
30minmotos wrote:
The viewing at budds is unreal. Air bnb is possible anywhere. dc close by which has plenty of touristy stuff to do. I believe there are...

The viewing at budds is unreal. Air bnb is possible anywhere. dc close by which has plenty of touristy stuff to do. I believe there are some beach state parks that are driving distance as well. There’s water on either side that far down in Md.

lumpy790 wrote:

and great crab restaurants ! 

Eh...I wouldn't eat at Captain Billy's for a while due to that sewage spill. 

JBlain619
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5/19/2026 6:23am
insertinfo wrote:
I bought tickets for Budds Creek, since i will be visiting the area in August! First time i'm going over there, coming from Italy. Let me...

I bought tickets for Budds Creek, since i will be visiting the area in August! First time i'm going over there, coming from Italy. Let me know if any of you will be there... also what are the best spots?

JBecker 72 wrote:
My favorite spots are top of the hill past the club house right next to the step down triple, and the whole island area between Big...

My favorite spots are top of the hill past the club house right next to the step down triple, and the whole island area between Big Gulp and the run up to Henry Hill. Both spots have huge oak trees to provide great shade and you can see the whole track pretty much from either spot. 

Bring way more water than you think you will need.

This 100%! Definitely bring an umbrella, it will help with shade when you walk around as well as if a pop up thunderstorm happens.

1
freeh
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West Jordan, UT US
5/19/2026 7:51am

Red Bud. Pretty amazing atmosphere over the 4th of July weekend.

1
JBlain619
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5/19/2026 8:27am
disbanded wrote:

Lakewood because Colorado

Going to Lakewood for the first time this year.

5/19/2026 9:51am
Snoqualmie wrote:
Southwick.Easy flight into Hartford, CN. Lots of hotels, etc. It's as "Americana" as you can get: American Legion lodge; colonial era homes; small track area lots...

Southwick.

Easy flight into Hartford, CN. Lots of hotels, etc. 

It's as "Americana" as you can get: American Legion lodge; colonial era homes; small track area lots of shade and viewing options; lots of moto history...

P.S. Hangtown has the possibility of being really hot with no shade.

30minmotos wrote:

Eh. Southwick viewing is horrible. Any good spots are stacked 4 deep with people, and can generally only see 1 or 2 turns at most.

Yea they really sold out where their “VIP” and “Preferred viewing” tickets. Damn shame. 

Nairb#70
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5/19/2026 11:45am
Snoqualmie wrote:
Southwick.Easy flight into Hartford, CN. Lots of hotels, etc. It's as "Americana" as you can get: American Legion lodge; colonial era homes; small track area lots...

Southwick.

Easy flight into Hartford, CN. Lots of hotels, etc. 

It's as "Americana" as you can get: American Legion lodge; colonial era homes; small track area lots of shade and viewing options; lots of moto history...

P.S. Hangtown has the possibility of being really hot with no shade.

30minmotos wrote:

Eh. Southwick viewing is horrible. Any good spots are stacked 4 deep with people, and can generally only see 1 or 2 turns at most.

Yea they really sold out where their “VIP” and “Preferred viewing” tickets. Damn shame. 

The key to good spectating at Southwick is to keep moving. You can circle the whole track now and see everything. Just follow the fence.

2
1
lumpy790
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York, SC US
5/19/2026 4:23pm
30minmotos wrote:
The viewing at budds is unreal. Air bnb is possible anywhere. dc close by which has plenty of touristy stuff to do. I believe there are...

The viewing at budds is unreal. Air bnb is possible anywhere. dc close by which has plenty of touristy stuff to do. I believe there are some beach state parks that are driving distance as well. There’s water on either side that far down in Md.

lumpy790 wrote:

and great crab restaurants ! 

JBlain619 wrote:

Eh...I wouldn't eat at Captain Billy's for a while due to that sewage spill. 

I like captain Lenards in Mechanicsville 

lumpy790
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Location
York, SC US
5/19/2026 4:24pm
insertinfo wrote:
I bought tickets for Budds Creek, since i will be visiting the area in August! First time i'm going over there, coming from Italy. Let me...

I bought tickets for Budds Creek, since i will be visiting the area in August! First time i'm going over there, coming from Italy. Let me know if any of you will be there... also what are the best spots?

JBecker 72 wrote:
My favorite spots are top of the hill past the club house right next to the step down triple, and the whole island area between Big...

My favorite spots are top of the hill past the club house right next to the step down triple, and the whole island area between Big Gulp and the run up to Henry Hill. Both spots have huge oak trees to provide great shade and you can see the whole track pretty much from either spot. 

Bring way more water than you think you will need.

JBlain619 wrote:

This 100%! Definitely bring an umbrella, it will help with shade when you walk around as well as if a pop up thunderstorm happens.

😂 5 o’clock 

disbanded
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Evergreen, CO US
1 day ago
disbanded wrote:

Lakewood because Colorado

JBlain619 wrote:

Going to Lakewood for the first time this year.

Good times guaranteed!  Do you have any other plans around the area?

Bow977
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1/19/2021
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Bakersfield, CA US
Fantasy
1 day ago

This year Fox feels like A1

1 day ago

Coenen Bros are racing Thunder Valley this year. See you gents there.

1
1 day ago

Yea they really sold out where their “VIP” and “Preferred viewing” tickets. Damn shame. 

This is why I opted out on Southwick this year. I’ve always wanted to go as it is one of the few I haven’t been to. But when I was looking at the multiple different VIP sections I was out. I don’t mind paying for a VIP spot but it appears they took all the good viewing areas and make you pick one and stay there all day. I like to watch from different spots and I’m not paying for multiple VIP access. 

jasonv43
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10273
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4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA US
1 day ago

If you can spend the money. Get the VIP package for Budds Creek. Great location on the track with awesome viewing. There is covered seating with tables and chairs and bleachers as well. Food, snacks, water is included as well. And a program.

IMG 0824 4
 

1
1 day ago

     As mentioned, UNADILLA, the history of the sport is important, and no other track comes close ! 

NV825
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2160
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8/26/2006
Location
Carson City, NV US
1 day ago

If you can tolerate watching them race on what looks like the moon, Pala/Fox Raceway would score really high on the hype meter as the first round of the year (most likely), and really high on the family trip part with everything San Diego has to offer (beaches, zoos, Legoland, etc.).

Regardless of where you go, you'll probably want to splurge on VIP tickets so you know you have a covered area to escape any heat or rain with a 1.5 year old.

1

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