After more than a twenty-year absence, the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross series returns to the Sunshine State in 2019. Ironically, over that same period, a majority of the professional motocross riders racing the national series have moved within 100 miles of the premier motocross track at WW Ranch. Living, training and riding in South Georgia or north Florida has definitely become a year round way of life for dozens of the nation's top riders as well as hundreds of aspiring amateur racers. For decades, Gatorback Park to the west of Gainesville FL had hosted the American Motorcycle Association's outdoor national point's race. Unfortunately, conflicts in AMA and track schedules as well as ongoing safety concerns at the Gatorback track left series promoters searching for another venue.
WW Ranch, which is located about thirty minutes west of Jacksonville FL, entered the global motocross scene last year after hosting the final round of the FIM MXGP season. The U.S. MXGP enjoyed a resounding success and will now bring the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship back to the state of Florida for the first time since 1997. The president of MX Sports Pro Racing Davey Coombs had nothing but praise for the million-dollar facility that received rave reviews from both American and European riders alike following last year's GP. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry commented on the exposure that hosting a nationally televised motocross event brings to the River City. The economic impact of last season's MXGP was estimated at $2 million for the greater Jacksonville area.
Developer and WW Ranch owner Wayne Scarborough Jr. was quick to thank his team of Ty Petway, Airstream Ventures and Visit Jacksonville for all the hard work and dedicated effort that has been required for showcasing our area during the AMA event broadcast, which will be televised on NBC network. The Lucas Oil AMA Florida National is the fifth points race of the season with the gates set to drop on June 22, 2019, with Pro practice on Friday and amateur motocross classes scheduled for Sunday. For 2019, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing will be decided over 12 rounds of races that span outdoor tracks in over 11 states. Click here for information regarding ticket packages, vendor applications, parking and camping as well as directions to WW Ranch.
