Area 51 Motorcross

Area 51 Motocross is a motocross facility in Batavia, New York, sitting roughly between Buffalo and Rochester in the core of the Western New York riding scene. Running since 2003 and billed as the region's premier track, it is a genuine destination, with three distinct layouts plus miles of woods trails on the property at 3323 Harloff Road.

The variety is the draw. The Main Track runs about two miles with off-camber turns, rhythm sections, and a full spread of jumps. The VET Track is built for beginner bikes from 65cc up and riders 30 and over, with doubles, tabletops, triples, rollers, and step-ups to progress on. And the Dunlop Nightcross Track is the feature layout for Saturday night racing under the lights, which gives Area 51 something most local tracks cannot offer. There is a large pit area, running restrooms, and camping on race weekends.

The place runs on a membership model for ride days, with Platinum racer memberships and Gold non-racer options, plus public Wednesday practices in the evening for 10 dollars. The season runs roughly April through early November, weather permitting, and the track is tied into the Empire State MX sanctioned race series. Member ride days are not groomed or flagged the way race days are, so know what you are showing up for. See area51motocross.com for membership pricing, the race and Nightcross schedule, and public practice dates, and confirm the day before you make the tow. Saturday-night Nightcross under the lights is the signature here, and it is the kind of show that turns a race weekend into an event.