Sunset Ridge MX

Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, IL is one of the most respected amateur motocross facilities in the Midwest, a 25+ year family-owned landmark in north-central Illinois that hosts both the AMA Loretta Lynn's Amateur National Qualifier and the NMA Ponca City Qualifier, plus rounds of the Illini Super Series. The 1.6-mile main track combines natural rolling Illinois farmland terrain with professionally designed man-made obstacles, making it one of the most technically interesting layouts in the Midwest, with the kind of jump and rhythm variety that prepares amateur racers for what they'll see at the national level. There's also a dedicated pee-wee track for the youngest riders. The Sunset Ridge Motocross School operates on-site and has trained generations of Midwest racers, the kind of family-run operation where the same coaches who taught the parents are now coaching the kids. The facility's reputation has spread well beyond Illinois: serious amateur racers from across Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and beyond travel here for the qualifying events. North-central Illinois about 90 minutes west of Chicago and 90 minutes north of the Quad Cities, easy access from I-80. (815) 379-9534. If you're an amateur racer in the Midwest who's serious about earning your way to Loretta Lynn's, Sunset Ridge is one of the venues you'll need to know.