The Red Bud Nationals will celebrate 40 years this weekend in Buchanan. (Leader photo/Provided)

BUCHANAN — The world’s top motocross racers will converge Saturday on southwestern Michigan’s Red Bud MX for the 40th running of the Red Bull Red Bud National.

The Red Bud National is round seven of the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro National MX Series.

The undisputed King of Extreme Sports, motocross combines elite athletic ability with awe-inspiring endurance and boundless courage as the racers rip across (and, at times, high above) Michigan’s rolling countryside in the utmost test of man and machine on Red Bud’s rugged 1.5 mile dirt course. Drawing tens of thousands of fans each year to hallowed grounds along the St. Joseph River, Red Bud’s famous call-to-arms “Rrrreeeddd Buuuddd!” chant rings out across Berrien County as reveling motorsports fans whoop it up for their favorite racers.

Known throughout the motorcycle industry as “America’s Motocross Track,” Red Bud’s played host the AMA Lucas Oil Motocross Championships since 1973. Its premier dirt/sand/clay/loam mix is a favorite of the racers worldwide, a section of which is sculpted to create the world’s biggest professional motocross jump — LaRocco’s Leap — which launches the racers skyward some 40 feet and through the air nearly half the length of a football field.

Locally, Dewitt’s Nick Wey is one of the top Michigan professional racers set to compete at Red Bud, along with Holly’s Broc Tickle and Rochester’s Nico Izzi, giving Red Bud a local flare for the fans.

Gates will open at 6 a.m. with opening ceremonies scheduled to begin at noon.

Tickets are $40 for anyone 12 and older and $20 for kids 11 and under.

For more information go to www.redbudmx.com.