Unadilla – New Berlin, NY

In the racing world, the words Unadilla and motocross are synonymous. Motocross has been raced at the New York facility for 40 years, going back to 1969, long before the sport gained the foothold in America it enjoys today. After first gaining national attention as a premium stop on the old Trans-AMA circuit, as well as hosting a stop on the inaugural AMA Pro Motocross Championship schedule in 1972, Unadilla became home to the 250cc United States Grand Prix of motocross. From 1977 to 1992, the facility hosted this annual battle between Europe's and America's elite, crowning four world champions at the conclusion of the event. It also has the honor of being the first motocross facility in America to host the prestigious Motocross of Nations, which it did in 1987. In 1989, Unadilla returned to what is now the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship schedule.

It all began at Unadilla with Ward Robinson. Robinson had attended an event similar to trials, where competitors attempt to ride their motorcycles over the most rugged terrain imaginable. Inspired by the event, he told his wife, Peg, that he wanted to build a racetrack. He found what he thought would be the ideal location and purchased a large piece of farmland. He named it Unadilla Valley Sports Center, though today it is more widely known as simply Unadilla.

The racing began in 1969 and continued to grow when Ward contacted the AMA in order to start promoting larger races in 1970. His goal was to bring in champions from overseas and test them on his piece of U.S. soil against our American heroes. The rest is American motocross history, as such MX luminaries as Bob "Hurricane" Hannah, Roger DeCoster, David Bailey, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward, Jeff Stanton, Jeff Emig, and more graced the Unadilla grounds.

As the track grew, so did the Robinson family, as daughter Jill and son Greg were on hand for every race. "It was my job to learn all of my dad’s duties, from working on the track to maintaining the grounds and things like that," Greg explains. "It was Jill's job to be my mom’s right hand, taking care of administrative duties, organizational details, front-gate operations, etc."

The two were expected to work every summer, but since the family valued education, they were expected to balance racetrack duties with school activities. Once Jill and Greg graduated from college, they set off on their own careers, which they continue today. However, they remain instrumental in the management of the track. Today the facility features two motocross racetracks, known affectionately as “U1” and “U2.” Ward and his wife continue to run the facility today but are gradually handing over more and more responsibility to their children.

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
• Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series
• District 3 MX

2008 AMA Motocross Winners
• 450 class: James Stewart (Monster Energy Kawasaki)
• 250 class: Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki)

Special Event Features
• 450 and 250 Classes televised on SPEED
• FMF Two-Stroke Invitational
• Vintage Bike Show
• Can-Am Halftime Snowmobile Show
• Can-Am ATV & Spyder Demo Rides
• Live Band! 10 Man Push
• Friday: Racer X Fan Fest 4-7 pm, Open Pro Pits
• Friday Night: Pit Bike Race
• Amateur Motocross Racing Friday and Sunday