Location: RedBud in Buchanan, MI
One winter nearly forty years ago, Valparaiso, Indiana's Gene Ritchie took a trip to Buchanan for a snowmobile race. He rode around the property, imagining that a great motocross track could be carved into the hills and fields. When that property came up for sale in 1972, Ritchie pursued his dream of creating a national-caliber motocross track. He and his wife, Nancy, found some willing partners and purchased the property. The Ritchies, the Pattersons, and the Millers built their dream track and began holding races in 1973.
RedBud held its first AMA Motocross National in 1974, and it was won by another local motocross star, Hadley, Michigan's Mike Hartwig. The facility also hosted Trans-AMA races each fall, often featuring battles between the world's best rider at the time, Roger DeCoster, and America's best, Bob "Hurricane" Hannah.
Within a few years, the original partners moved on and the Ritchie family relocated to Michigan to become full-time motocross promoters. Gene opened a bike shop, Red Bud Cycle, selling Bultacos and Maicos near the track entrance. The shop mechanic, a local teenage MX racer, became the centerpiece of the Friday night MX intermission shows; that teen was the late "Wheelie King", Doug Domokos, who went on to set world records and wow fans around the globe with his wheelie shows and spectacular stunts.
Other stars emerged from the RedBud amateur races, too, most notably the Bomber, Mark Barnett from nearby Bridgeview, Illinois, Michigan's five-time Women's National Champ Lisa (Akin) Wagner (now on staff at RedBud!), six-time AMA MX and SX Champ Jeff Stanton and of course, "the Rock", Mike LaRocco.
FEATURE VENUE EVENTS
- Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
- Loretta Lynn's AMA Amateur National Regional and Qualifiers
- ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Pro Motocross Championship
- Great Lakes Motocross Amateur Series events
- The Annual Grass Track Fall Classic
2009 AMA MOTOCROSS WINNERS
- 450 class: Josh Grant (JGR Toyota Yamaha)
- 250 class: Jake Weimer (Monster Energy Kawasaki)
AMENITIES
- Grandstand Seating
- Covered VIP Viewing Areas with live PA feed, live timing and scoring, live race footage, private restrooms, and catering
- Open Air Festival Seating
- Infield Track Viewing via Three Track Tunnels
- Handicap viewing area
- Shaded Picnic Areas
- Onsite Free & VIP paid Parking
- Motorcycle Parking
- Handicap Parking
- Easy entry/Exit
- Large interactive Sponsor Village
- Event Simulcast on FM Radio
- Food and Soft Drink Concessions
- Air Conditioned Restroom facilities
- Flushing Restroom facilities
- Baby Changing Station
- Onsite Camping
- Potable water for tank Camper filling
- RV septic pump service
- Night-time motocross track
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Small, friendly pets are permitted in the family camping area in air conditioned RVs only. Pets must stay in the RV and may not leave campsite. No pets permitted in tent camping area or in day parking lots.
- Gates closed Midnight to 6am daily - please plan accordingly
- Water is available throughout the pro pits to fill tanks, but no hookups
- Water is available in the spectator camping areas to fill, but no hookups. If a water source is not convenient, you can also use the clean water fill truck that services the camping area throughout the weekend.
- RV septic tank pump truck services the spectator and pit camping areas throughout the weekend.
- Flush restroom trailers are available during the day and closed overnight.
TICKETS
TRACK ADDRESS, SHIPPING & CONTACT INFORMATION
RedBud MX
13638 N. Redbud Trail
Buchanan, MI 49017
269-695-6405
www.redbudmx.com
For GPS, use "13638 Redbud Trail North"
Amy Ritchie, Director
info@redbudmx.com
269-591-1164
DIRECTIONS TO TRACK
From Chicago (& West): Take the I-94 East thru Indiana - Take exit 4 A in Michigan (US-12 East) - Go about 18 miles to a stoplight, turn left on Red Bud Trail - Main track entrance (for spectators) is about 5 miles on the left hand side - Look for signs to the pro pit entrance about a ½ mile before the spectator entrance.
From Ohio (& Southwest): Toll road (80) to exit 72 in Indiana (South Bend West exit) - Go North on US-31 to exit 3 in Michigan (US 12 West) - Turn left and go approx. 2 miles to the first stoplight - Turn right on Red Bud Trail - Main track entrance (for spectators) is about 5 miles on the left hand side - Look for signs to the pro pit entrance about a ½ mile before the spectator entrance.
From Detroit (& Northeast): I-94 West to exit 30 (Benton Harbor) - Turn left off exit ramp and go about 1 mile to US-31 South - Go to exit 13 (Snow Rd.) and turn right off exit ramp - Go to the first stop sign and turn left onto Red Bud Trail - Main track entrance (for spectators) is about 5 miles on the left hand side - Look for signs to the pro pit entrance about a ½ mile before the spectator entrance.
From Indy (& South): US-31 North Almost to South Bend - Take the US-31 bypass North just before getting into South Bend - Go to exit 3 in Michigan. - Turn left and go approx. 2 miles to the first stoplight - Turn right on Red Bud Trail. - Main track entrance (for spectators) is about 5 miles on the left hand side - Look for signs to the pro pit entrance about a ½ mile before the spectator entrance.
WHERE TO STAY
South Bend, IN (12 miles southeast of track): The hotels on 933, formerly Bus. US 31/33 North, are all located near 80/90 (toll road) exit # 77.
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- Hampton Inn: 574-277-9373 *Ask for the RedBud Rate*
- Signature Inn: 574/277-3211 *Ask for the RedBud Rate*
- Comfort Suites: 574/272-150
- Days Inn: 574/277-0510
- Ramada Inn: 574/272-5220
- Holiday Inn: 574/272-6600
- Knights Inn: 574/277-2960
- Motel 6: 574/272-7072
- Quality Inn: 574/288-3800 Lincolnway west off US 31 bypass; across from South Bend Regional Airport
- Super 8: 574/243-0200 Cleveland Rd. exit off US 31 bypass; 2 miles from South Bend Regional Airport
Stevensville, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, MI area (15 mi north of track)
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- Baymont Inn & Suites: 269/428-9111 I-94, exit 23
- Hampton Inn: 269/429-2700 I-94, exit 23
- Comfort Suites: 269/428-4888 I-94, exit 23
- Park Inn: 269/429-3218 I-94, exit 23
- Candlewood Suites: 269/428-4400 I-94, exit 23
- Lake Breeze Inn: 269/925-3234 I-94 exit 28
- Days Inn: 269/925-7021 I-94 exit 28, M-139
- Ramada Inn: 269/927-1172 I-94 exit 28, M-139
- Comfort Inn: 269/925-1880 I-94 exit 29, Mall Drive
- Holiday Inn Express: 269/927-4599 I-94 exit 29
- Marriott Courtyard: 269/925-3000 I-94 exit 29, Mall Drive
- Motel 6: 269/925-5100 I-94 exit 29, Pipestone Rd.
WEATHER
AIRPORT
South Bend Regional (SBN):
25 minutes north of the track (Eastern time zone)
Chicago O-Hare (ORD):
2 hours northeast of the track (Central time zone)
Chicago Midway (MDW):
2 hours northeast of the track (Central time zone)
HOSPITALS
Lakeland Niles: Niles, MI - Exit track to the south (turn right out main gate - Gate C). - Turn left at the 2nd traffic light in town onto Front St., also called Niles-Buchanan Rd. - Road goes over a bridge over RR tracks. - 2nd light after that bridge, hospital is on the left.
Lakeland St. Joseph: St. Joseph, MI - Exit track to the north (turn left out main gate - Gate C). - 6.5 miles to the end of Redbud Trail - turn left onto M139/US31. - Continue approx. 9 miles (less than a mile past I-94 hwy entrance) - Turn left at traffic light at Napier Ave. - Hospital is on the left after you cross the river.
South Bend Memorial: South Bend, IN - Exit track to the south (turn right out main gate - Gate C). - 5 miles to US 12 - turn left. - Take US31 south to the first exit - Cleveland Rd. - Turn left onto Cleveland Rd. - Go thru 6 or 7 traffic lights and turn right onto 933/Bus. 31 South (Comfort Inn/Starbucks/Steak N Shake on the left at this intersection - toll road overpass on the right). - Go through several traffic lights. - Hospital is on the right, 2 blocks after you cross the river.
Onsite First Aid Location:
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- Ambulance located near the night track during camping hours and night track racing.
- Ambulance located inside Gate 1 during amateur practice and races on the pro track.
- Go to the RedBud information tent outside the finish line tunnels during the pro race on Saturday.
- Hours: stays on the property from Thursday morning through Sunday afternoon.
THINGS TO DO
- Notre Dame University - South Bend, IN (20 miles from track)
- Lake Michigan beaches - St. Joseph, MI, New Buffalo, MI and several points in between. Approx. 30 minutes from the track. Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, MI has plenty of parking.
- Warren Dunes info: www.michigan.org/travel/detail
- There are several wineries in SW Michigan. In fact, there's a Southwest Michigan Wine Trail! Tabor Hill is our favorite and the closest to the track (about 15 minutes). Check out: www.swmighigan.org/wineries and www.taborhill.com.
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