Loretta Lynn MX is the largest and most prestigious amateur motocross race in the world. It’s the pinnacle of amateur motocross. The holy grail of amateur dirt bike racing.
Riders train all year for this event. They compete at the highest levels for months, just to try to qualify for Loretta Lynn MX.
With all kinds of different backgrounds, riders and their families travel to Loretta Lynn’s MX the first week of August each year from all over the world.
For many, racing Loretta’s is their biggest motocross racing goal. Sure, some have aspirations of going pro, but for those who don’t, or can’t, Loretta Lynn MX is the next best thing.
In fact, many of the world’s best professional motocross riders came through Loretta Lynn’s amateur national in the early days of their career.
In this article, I am going to break down what Loretta Lynn MX is, how to qualify, the 2023 schedule, and the national classes.
If you’re at all interested in Loretta Lynn MX, take about 10 minutes and watch the video below… you won’t regret it.
How to qualify for Loretta Lynn MX
To qualify for the Loretta Lynn Amateur Motocross National Championship, also known as the Loretta Lynn’s MX National, you must first qualify at a designated Loretta Lynn Area Qualifier (AQ). These are held at motocross tracks throughout the country from March through June.
To enter an Area Qualifier, you must be a member of AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and have a valid AMA racing license at the time of your events. You must also meet the age, skill, and bike requirements for the classes you’re going to race in.
If you’re able to qualify at an Area Qualifier, you will then move on to the Regional Qualifier.
What makes the Area and Regional Qualifiers different is that the Area Qualifiers generally have 6-8 races in each region and each event takes the top 9 (except the Northwest and Mid-West regions take the top 15, and the Southwest region takes the top 12).
That means if you don’t finish in the top 9, 12, or 15 at an area qualifier, you can go to the next area qualifier, usually the next weekend or two, and try to qualify again.
For the Regional Qualifiers, you only get one shot, and they only take the top 6 (top 4 for the Northwest, Mid-West, and Southwest regions). There is only one Regional per region.
You can race in more than one Region, but you only have one shot at the Regional Qualifier per region.
If you’re one of the top 40 in the country in your class(es), by qualifying through the Area and Regional Qualifiers, you’ll receive an invitation to compete in the prestigious Loretta Lynn’s MX National.
Also, at Area Qualifiers, all the classes compete at the same event. Youths, amateurs, and vets all race at the same events. However, for Regional Qualifiers, the Youth classes and Amateur classes are split up into two different events.
Here is a summary of how to qualify for Loretta Lynn MX:
Become a member of AMA (American Motorcycle Association).
You can become a member online on the AMA’s website. AMA memberships are required to compete in Loretta Lynn-related events.
Attend and qualify at an Area Qualifier.
Area Qualifiers are the first round of qualifying for Loretta Lynn’s. Finish in the top 9, 12, or 15, depending on your region, and you move on to the Regional Qualifier.
Attend and qualify at a Regional Qualifier.
This is the final qualifying round before making it to Loretta’s. Finish in the top 4 or 6, depending on your region, and you made it to The Ranch!
Race Loretta Lynn’s MX!
You did it. You made. You’re one of the top 40 fastest guys in your class!
Loretta Lynn MX Qualifiers
Here is the current schedule for the Loretta Lynn MX Qualifiers:
Northeast Area Qualifiers
- March 11-12, 2023 at Birch Creek Motorsports Park in Sutherlin, VA
- March 25-26, 2023 at Tomahawk MX in Hedgesville, WV
- April 1-2, 2023 at Doublin Gap MX in Shippensburg, PA
- April 8-9, 2023 at The Wick 338 in Southwick, MA
- April 22-23 at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, PA
- April 29-30 at Pleasure Valley Raceway in Seward, PA
- May 6-7, 2023 at Walden Motocross in Wallkill, NY
- May 13-14, 2023 at Pagoda MX in Birdsboro, PA
Northeast Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR REGIONAL: June 9-11, 2023 at Budds Creek in Mechanicsville, MD
- YOUTH REGIONAL: June 23-25, 2023 at Unadilla MX in New Berlin, NY
Southeast Area Qualifiers
- February 18-19, 2023 at Diamond Back MX in Newberry, FL
- February 25-26, 2023 at South of the Border MX in Hamer, SC
- March 25-26, 2023 at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, GA
- April 1-2 at Monster Mountain MX Park in Tallassee, AL
- April 22-23, 2023 at North Carolina Motorsports Park in Henderson, NC
- April 29-30, 2023 at Echeconnee MX in Lizella, GA
- May 6-7, 2023 at Lazy River MX in Dalton, GA
- May 13-14, 2023 at Lake Sugar Tree Motosports Park in Axton, VA
Southeast Regional Qualifiers
- YOUTH REGIONAL: May 26-28, 2023 at Muddy Creek in Blountville, TN
- AMATEUR REGIONAL: June 2-4, 2023 at Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua, FL
Mid-East Area Qualifiers
- March 18-19, 2023 at Fast Farms MX Park in Altamont, TN
- March 25-26, 2023 at Motoland in Kingsbury, IN
- April 1-2, 2023 at Log Road MX in Bronson, MI
- April 15-16, 2023 at Wildcat Creek MX in Rossville, IN
- April 22-23, 2023 at ChilliTown MX in Chillicothe, OH
- April 29-30, 2023 at Dutch Sports Park in Bloomingdale, MI
- May 6-7, 2023 at Briarcliff MX in Nashport, OH
- May 13-14, 2023 at Echo Valley MX in Sebree, KY
Mid-East Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR REGIONAL: June 2-4, 2023 at RedBud MX in Buchanan, MI
- YOUTH REGIONAL: June 9-11, 2023 at Baja Acres in Millington, MI
North Central Area Qualifiers
- April 1-2, 2023 at Archview MX Park in Washington Park, IL
- April 15-16, 2023 at Riverside Raceway in Winterset, IA
- April 22-23, 2023 at Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, IL
- April 29-30, 2023 at Byron Motorsports Park in Byron, IL
- May 6-7, 2023 at Motozone in Tigerton, WI
- May 13-14, 2023 at Bar 2 Bar MX in Maize, KS
- May 13-14, 2023 at Little Falls Raceway in Little Falls, MN
- May 20-21, 2023 at Indian Hills MX Park in DuQuoin, IL
North Central Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR REGIONAL: June 9-11, 2023 at Spring Creek in Millville, MN
- YOUTH REGIONAL: June 16-18, 2023 at Lincoln Trail Motorsports in Casey, IL
South Central Area Qualifiers
- February 18-19, 2023 at Wildwood MX Park in Kentwood, LA
- March 4-5, 2023 at Bowers MX in Amarillo, TX
- March 25-26, 2023 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, CO
- April 1-2, 2023 at Desoto Motorsports Park in Grand Cane, LA
- April 8-9, 2023 at 3 Palms Action Sports Park in Conroe, TX
- April 15-16, 2023 at Oak Hill Raceway in Alvord, TX
- April 29-30, 2023 at Swan MX Raceway Park in Tyler, TX
- May 6-7, 2023 at Reynard Raceway in Wellston, OK
South Central Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR REGIONAL: May 26-28, 2023 at Freestone Raceway in Wortham, TX
- YOUTH REGIONAL: June 23-25, 2023 at Ponca City in Ponca City, OK
Northwest Area Qualifiers
- February 26, 2023 at Riverfront MX Park in Marysville, CA
- March 19, 2023 at Bunker Hill in Delta, UT*
- April 15-16, 2023 at Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex in West Richland, WA
- April 22, 2023 at DT-1 MX Park in Tulare, CA
- April 29-30, 2023 at Skyline MX Park in Kuna, ID
Northwest Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR/YOUTH REGIONAL (Combined): May 26-28, 2023 at Washougal MX Park in Washougal, WA
Midwest Area Qualifiers
- February 18, 2023 at Mesquite Motocross Park in Littlefield, AZ*
- February 25, 2023 at Riverfront MX Park in Marysville, CA
- March 18, 2023 at Bunker Hill in Delta, UT*
*There is a Midwest Area Qualifier at Bunker Hill on March 18, then there is a Northwest Area Qualifier on March 19 at the same track. The Regional Qualifiers for these two regions aren’t on the same date, either. This makes it super easy for you to try to qualify in two regions.
Midwest Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR/YOUTH REGIONAL (Combined): June 9-11, 2023 at Prairie City OHV in Rancho Cordova, CA
Southwest Area Qualifiers
- February 12, 2023 at Arizona Cycle Park in Buckeye, AZ
- February 19, 2023 at Mesquite Motocross Park in Littlefield, AZ*
- March 25, 2023 at Oatfield Raceway in Turlock, CA
- April 2, 2023 at Porterville OHV Park in Porterville, CA
- May 13, 2023 at Fox Raceway in Pala, CA
- May 20-21 at Moriarty MX in Moriarty, NM
*There is a Midwest Area Qualifier at Mesquite Motocross Park on February 18, then there is a Southwest Area Qualifier on February 19 at the same track. If you race the Bunker Hill weekend and this Mesquite Motocross Park weekend, you can cover three regions in two weekends. The Regional Qualifiers for these three regions aren’t on the same dates, either. This makes it super easy for you to try to qualify in three regions.
Southwest Regional Qualifiers
- AMATEUR/YOUTH REGIONAL (Combined): June 2-4, 2023 at Fox Raceway in Pala, CA
Loretta Lynn MX National Championship
There is only one. One Loretta Lynn MX National Championship, and it is July 31st through August 5, 2023, in Hurricane Mills, TN.
You can find Loretta Lynn MX results from past years here. You can find Past year’s Area and Regional Qualifier results here, and you can watch Loretta Lynn’s live timing and scoring.
I will be racing three regions this year trying to qualify for the big race at The Ranch. I’ll be racing the Northeast, Southeast, and South Central regions.
Loretta Lynn MX Classes
Below are the official 2023 Loretta Lynn MX classes. The first table shows the classes that attend the Amateur Regional Qualifier and the second table shows the classes that attend the Youth Regional Qualifier.
| Class No. | Class | Displacement | AQ Race Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Pro Sport | 122-Open cc | Sunday |
| 2 | 250 Pro Sport | 122-250cc | Saturday |
| 3 | WMX | 122-250cc Must be 14 to race 250cc Min. Wheels: Front 21″; Rear 18″ | Sunday |
| 4 | 250 B | 122-250cc | Sunday |
| 5 | 250 B Limited | 122-250cc | Saturday |
| 6 | 250 C | 122-250cc | Sunday |
| 7 | 250 C Limited | 122-250cc | Saturday |
| 8 | 250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited | 122-250cc Must be 14 to race 250cc | Saturday |
| 9 | 450 B | 122-Open cc | Sunday |
| 10 | 450 B Limited | 122-Open cc | Saturday |
| 11 | 450 C | 122-Open cc | Sunday |
| 12 | 125 C | 122-125cc | Saturday |
| 13 | *Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C | 122-250cc Must be 14 to race 250cc | Sunday |
| 14 | **College (18-24) (Sportsman) | 122-Open cc | Saturday |
| 15 | Junior (25+) | 122-Open cc | Sunday |
| 16 | **Vet (30+) Sportsman | 122-Open cc | Saturday |
| 17 | Senior (40+) | 122-Open cc | Sunday |
| 18 | **Senior (45+) (Sportsman) | 122-Open cc | Saturday |
| 19 | Masters (50+) | 122-Open cc | Sunday |
| Class No. | Class | Displacement | AQ Race Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | ***Micro-E (4-7) Limited | 1kWh Battery Energy | Saturday |
| 21 | ***Micro 1 (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited | 0-51cc 2-Stroke | Saturday |
| 22 | ***Micro 2 (4-6) Limited | 0-51cc | Sunday |
| 23 | ***Micro 3 (7-8) Limited | 0-51cc | Saturday |
| 24 | 65cc (7-9) Limited | 59-65cc | Saturday |
| 25 | 65cc (7-9) | 59-65cc | Sunday |
| 26 | 65cc (10-11) Limited | 59-65cc | Saturday |
| 27 | 65cc (10-11) | 59-65cc | Sunday |
| 28 | 85cc (10-12) Limited | 79-85cc | Saturday |
| 29 | 85cc (10-12) | 79-85cc | Sunday |
| 30 | Mini Sr 1 (12-14) | 79-85cc 2-Stk/75-150cc 4-Stk Max. Wheels: Front 17″; Rear 16″ Max. Wheelbase: 51″ | Saturday |
| 31 | Mini Sr 2 (13-15) | 79-85cc 2-Stk/75-150cc 4-Strk Max. Wheels: Front 17″; Rear 16″ Max. Wheelbase: 51″ | Sunday |
| 32 | Supermini 1 (12-15) | 79-112cc 2-Stk/75-150cc 4-Stk Max. Wheels: Front 19″; Rear 16″ | Saturday |
| 33 | Supermini 2 (13-16) | 79-112cc 2-Stk/75-150cc 4-Stk Max. Wheels: Front 19″; Rear 16″ | Sunday |
| 34 | 125 Jr. (12-17) B/C | 122-125cc 2-Stroke | Sunday |
| 35 | Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C | 86-125cc 2-Stroke/75-150cc 4-Stroke Min. Wheels: Front 19″; Rear 16″ | Saturday |
| 36 | Girls (11-16) | 79-112cc 2-Stk/75-150cc 4-Stk Max. Wheels: Front 19″; Rear 16″ Must be 12 to ride Supermini | Sunday |
Frequently Asked Questions About Loretta Lynn MX
To qualify for Loretta Lynn’s MX National, you must first have an active AMA membership/license, qualify through an Area Qualifier, then a Regional Qualifier.
The Loretta Lynn’s MX National is held in late-July, early-August at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
Yes, the Loretta Lynn’s MX National is typically streamed live on the RacerTV website and app.
Yes, tickets can be purchased on the Loretta Lynn Ranch website.
Yes, the ranch has a campground with water and electrical hookups available for a fee. Tent camping is also allowed.
Yes, the ranch has a variety of food and vending options available on-site.
Yes, you are allowed to bring your own mechanic to work on your motorcycle at the event. However, they must have a valid AMA mechanic’s license and pass a background check before being granted access to the pit area.
Yes, Loretta Lynn’s racetrack is called Loretta Lynn Ranch, sometimes known as “The Ranch,” in Hurricane Mills, TN.
Loretta Lynn’s dirt bike track is in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
