Ford Brothers Racing Sunset Ridge 2022 Press Release
(Walnut, Illinois. May 29, 2022) – Located in the small northwestern Illinois town of Walnut, Sunset Ridge Mx has been a staple of the Midwest motocross community for well over two decades and a favorite stop on the ATV Motocross National Championship tour for most of that time. Sunset Ridge is a special place to so many of us, including the Ford Brothers Racing team who will always cherish the unforgettable memories made at this beautiful facility.
In 2019, Sunset Ridge saw Cody Ford become the first AMA ATV Pro Class rookie to earn an overall podium finish in nearly a decade. The eldest Ford brother’s third place overall podium finish shocked the ATV racing world, something that fans and the Ford family alike will never forget. On that very same weekend three years ago, younger brother, Bryce Ford, was amid a dominant double championship run and went four-for-four in moto victories in the series’ top amateur classes. Two seasons ago, it was Bryce’s turn to impress as an AMA ATV Pro Class rookie – and that is just what he did. Bryce led his first laps as a professional and earned 4th overall on the day, tying his career best overall finish to date. Not to be forgotten, the 2021 Sunset Ridge National was memorable as well, as the two brothers battled each other late in Moto 1 with Cody outlasting his younger brother. With so many great memories flooding their minds upon arrival, it was good vibes only for the Ford family heading into another great weekend of racing at Sunset Ridge.
Before the weekend of racing in Illinois began, it was officially announced that Bryce Ford had been named to the Team USA ATV Team that will represent our great country in the “Olympics of ATV racing” – the 2022 Quadcross of Nations located in the Czech Republic this fall. The twenty-year-old will join Chad Wienen and Joel Hetrick, the sport’s two current legends who have combined to win each of the last ten AMA ATV Pro titles, to make up the three-rider team. What an honor for Bryce and the Ford family, earning the right to compete in this prestigious race and represent out great nation has been a longtime dream for this crew. Congrats to all involved, a privilege that is very well deserved!
Riding the high of Team USA pride, the team was hoping for good vibes to continue onto the racetrack. Despite days of rain leading up to the event, the Sunset Ridge crew had prepared an immaculate track to do battle on. Qualifying came and went with both riders earning solid starting positions for Moto 1, Bryce Ford squarely in the top five and Cody Ford in the top ten. The day was perfect as Moto 1 neared, but with every lap the track was getting more and more brutal due to the wet conditions leading up to the weekend. In the opening moto of the day, Bryce and Cody would both finish how they qualified – fifth and tenth, but it’s how they got there that was most impressive. Cody clawed his way from outside the top ten and Bryce was forced to also battle his way through the pack from outside the top ten before making the pass for fifth on the final lap. Gutty effort by both riders on a tough racetrack!
In Moto 2, both made their jobs a bit easier with better starting positions and picking up exactly where they left off – Bryce in fifth and Cody in tenth. Both riders battled throughout, with Cody ultimately moving up to ninth where he would finish. During battle, Bryce suffered a crash that would put a premature end to his day. For the second consecutive year, the Ford brothers would finish ninth and tenth overall at Sunset Ridge. This time it was Cody Ford in ninth with 10-9 moto finishes and Bryce Ford in tenth by way of 5-15 moto scores. Both riders still maintain strong position in the season points standings, with Bryce locked in a tie for third and Cody in tenth with multiple riders within striking distance. Four races remain in this 2022 ATV Motocross National Championship season and all of our goals are still there for the taking!
“Cody Ford leaving Sunset [Ridge] with 9th overall. Keeping him in the top 10 spot in Pro ATVMX [points standings].” The Ford Brothers Racing team posted to their official social media accounts. “Unfortunately, a crash in Moto 2 put Bryce Ford at the back. Fortunately, no serious injuries, just a few points given away. But that’s how you learn to get better!”
As the series gets set to head to Briarcliff before a much-needed break, the entire Ford Brothers Racing team is excited to return to a facility that saw both brothers thrive one year ago. The same location that Bryce Ford clinched his top three spot in points in 2021 could be the same setting for grabbing hold of that position once again. See you at Briarcliff Motocross in Nashport, Ohio, on the weekend of June 11/12. Happy Memorial Day and thank you for your service!
