RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan is, by any measure, the most important single day on the Pro Motocross calendar. Held every Fourth of July, RedBud draws crowds of 50,000 or more — the largest attendance of any round — and the combination of holiday energy, spectacular racing terrain, and sheer spectacle makes it the event that defines the outdoor season.
The Track
RedBud is a flowing, rhythmic track built on Michigan soil that produces some of the best racing conditions in the country. The signature feature is the massive LaRocco's Leap — a jump named after former champion Mike LaRocco that sends riders soaring over a hundred feet through the air at the crest of a hill, with the crowd packed on the hillside below. It is one of the most photographed moments in the entire sport, every single year.
The track features a mix of high-speed sections and technical rhythm areas, with Michigan's loamy soil producing excellent traction and deep, predictable ruts. The conditions at RedBud are generally considered ideal — not too hard, not too soft, with ruts that develop cleanly and hold their shape through both motos.
"There is no day in motocross like RedBud on the Fourth of July. Nothing comes close. Not even close."
— Moto, Moto Track GuideThe Holiday Factor
Racing on the Fourth of July changes everything. Families who would not otherwise attend a motocross event show up for RedBud as part of their holiday weekend. Fireworks, American flags, and the particular intensity of a holiday crowd create an atmosphere that riders describe as uniquely motivating. RedBud wins feel different because RedBud is different.