Festivities Abound as Legendary RedBud MX Celebrates its 50th Anniversary at FMF RedBud National

Retro-Themed Event Set to Kick Off Independence Day Weekend

MORGANTOWN, WV – June 23, 2023 – (Motor Sports NEwsWire) – With the first month of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, complete, the industry will shift its focus to one of the most storied traditions in American motocross, the Independence Day holiday and RedBud MX. Always one of the focal points of the summer season, this year’s FMF RedBud National, presented by INTENSE Cycles, will carry even more significance as the iconic Michigan venue celebrates its 50th anniversary and five memorable decades of moto on Saturday, July 1. To commemorate this landmark moment in RedBud’s history, the National will feature a retro theme, which will serve as one of the finishing touches of a weekend loaded with festivities both on and off the track.

“Few events embody the history, fanfare, excitement, and overall sense of passion that defines the Pro Motocross Championship more than the RedBud National,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “While its position on the calendar around 4th of July certainly adds a layer of enthusiasm, the raucous crowd, near-perfect summer weather, and one of the most renowned track layouts on the planet define the sense of Americana that surrounds this captivating series. RedBud’s indelible legacy coincides with that of the championship, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary one year ago, and we look forward to reveling in a half century of world class racing on these hallowed grounds. The Ritchie family has been a pillar of American motocross since its inception and this celebration is as much about their contributions to the sport as the event itself.”

Kicking off the weekend on Thursday, June 29, will be amateur practice, followed by the start of amateur racing on Friday, June 30. The eve of the National will also offer a sneak peek of Saturday’s action through “Media Day,” with an exclusive riding session featuring some of the championship’s biggest names and a contingent of local pros. Friday will also signify the first gathering of the 2023 MX Sports Pro Racing Scouting Moto Combine, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, which will provide a showcase of the country’s top amateur prospects poised to make the transition to the pro ranks. Night-time festivities on Friday will consist of amateur racing at RedBud’s night track and a fireworks display to bring the evening to a close.

Following the action of the National on Saturday, amateur racing will continue under the lights at the night track, followed by another fireworks display. The weekend will draw to a close on Sunday, July 2, with a full slate of amateur racing on the same pro track the stars of American motocross waged battle on the day before.

No landmark celebration would be complete without the presence of some of the biggest names of motocross’ past. Local legends like six-time AMA National Champion Jeff Stanton, LaRocco’s Leap namesake Mike LaRocco, and Larry Witmer will be joined by pride of Michigan riders like Todd DeHoop and Nick Wey, while “The Bomber” himself, Mark Barnett, a two-time winner of the RedBud National, will make his first appearance at the track since his last race at “America’s Motocross Track” during the 1985 season. All of these riders cut their teeth at RedBud, from their mini-bike days all the way through the pro ranks, and became giants amongst this incredibly passionate and influential region of enthusiasts. Not to be outdone, a who’s who of fellow racing icons will join the celebration, including Roger DeCoster, Broc Glover, Gunnar Lindstrom and Johnny O’Mara, in addition to recent stars like Trey Canard and Ryan Dungey. Rick Walsworth, the actual poster boy of the first RedBud National in 1974 will be in attendance, as will the 500cc winner from that inaugural event, Mike Hartwig.

Photos courtesy Racer X Archives

Fittingly, title sponsorship of the 2023 RedBud National will come from a fellow motocross pioneer celebrating 50 years, FMF Racing. The Southern California based manufacturer of high-performance exhaust systems has become one of the sport’s most iconic brands and serves as the “Official Exhaust” of the Pro Motocross Championship. FMF’s “Power of Fun” celebration will span the entire summer, but will no doubt culminate with its sponsorship of RedBud’s milestone event.

The FMF RedBud National, presented by INTENSE Cycles, will commence on
Saturday, July 1, as Round 5 of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship.
Photo: Align Media

Additional details surrounding all the festivities scheduled for RedBud’s 50th anniversary celebration, in addition to tickets to the RedBud National, can be found by visiting the track’s website at www.RedBudMX.com.

For those unable to join the festivities in person, coverage from RedBud will be streamed live exclusively on Peacock. Things get underway with Race Day Live, presented by MotoSport.com, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET, followed by uninterrupted race coverage of each pair of 250 Class and 450 Class motos, beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

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• Instagram: @promotocross
• Twitter: @ProMotocross
• YouTube: AmericanMotocross

Available for download for both Apple and Android devices is the official Pro Motocross App. Fans of American motocross can have access to the world’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle racing series right at their fingertips on their mobile devices. Developed by AMA Pro Racing, the Pro Motocross App provides users with the most important information surrounding the Pro Motocross Championship, from series news to schedule and ticket information, as well as broadcast schedule details and live timing & scoring. Download it now via the App Store or Google Play.

MX Sports Pro Racing

MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s premier motocross racing series – the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. MX Sports Pro Racing is an industry leader in off-road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators.

Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com for more information.

Pro Motocross Championship

The Pro Motocross Championship features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of seven competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the Pro Motocross Championship.

More information can be found at www.ProMotocross.com.

SuperMotocross World Championship

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final.

Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. It serves as the sanctioning body of the Pro Motocross Championship.

Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

NBC Sports

NBC Sports connects people to the moments that matter most and serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company presents premier content across linear platforms NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, as well numerous digital sites, including Peacock. It also consists of NBC Sports Next, a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within its three groups: Youth & Recreational Sports, Golf, and Betting & Gaming. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, Big Ten Conference, NASCAR. INDYCAR. PGA TOUR. Notre Dame The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLB, Tour de France. Roland-Garros, and many more.

Peacock

Peacock’s expansive programming features live sports coverage including Sunday Night Football, Premier League, MLB Sunday Leadoff, NASCAR, INDYCAR, Notre Dame Football, golf, Olympic sports, horse racing, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel which streams Peacock Original Brother from Another and staples like The Dan Patrick Show and Pro Football Talk Live.

Source: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc. 

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