Watch Livestream to Cheer on Team’s Effort to Claim Sixth International Title

The 2024 U.S. team of Joel Hetrick, Brandon Hoag, Bryce Ford, and Team Captain Mark Baldwin. Photo credit: Ripitup Films

The AMA U.S. ATV Motocross Team of Bryce Ford, Joel Hetrick and Brandon Hoag has arrived in the Czech Republic to contest in the 2024 Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Quadcross of Nations this coming weekend. The trio will attempt to collect the team’s sixth title since 2017.

The team has been granted number designations by the FIM. Due to the team’s win last year, competition numbers for the team will be one, two and three. Team Manager Mark Baldwin has assigned a number to each U.S. rider, which determines the motos they will contest in.

Five-time AMA Pro ATV Motocross National Championship Series Champion Joel Hetrick, backed by Phoenix Racing Yamaha, will sport the #1 on his ATV. Jim Hardy will serve as his mechanic.

The #2 will be represented by Westland Motorsports/JH Racing/Goldspeed Tires/PEP/Musick Racing’s Brandon Hoag, and his mechanic will be Johnny Hale.

Ford Brothers Racing/FXR/SSi Decals/CST’s Bryce Ford will feature #3. Cody Ford will fill the role as his brother’s mechanic.

Five-Time AMA Pro ATV Motocross Champion Joel Hetrick will represent the team for the fifth time. Photo credit: Ripitup Films

As the reigning champions, the team will sport red numberplates on their Yamaha YFZ450R machines at the hard-pack Loketske Serpentiny circuit. The team will face more than 50 of the world’s top riders.

“We have to be strategic and work collaboratively as a team to achieve success,” said Team Manager Mark Baldwin of Baldwin Motorsports. “On U.S. soil, Hetrick, Hoag and Ford are competitors. However, they have to work as one unit for this world-class event. Each moto has one of our racers on the front row, one on the back row, and the third rider sits out. With number assignments, we have to consider the time between the 25-minute plus one-lap races. The order has an impact on our riders’ recovery time and machine prep — or possible repairs.”

Brandon Hoag will join the team for the first time overseas. Photo credit: Ripitup Films

On Saturday, each rider will have a qualifying moto where they will race against one member of each country to determine who will have best gate-pick for the following day.

On Sunday, riders will each race in two motos, with the team’s five scores combined for an overall finish position. The following includes the riders’ allotted motos, as selected by the team manager:

  • Moto 1: Hetrick and Hoag
  • Moto 2: Hoag and Ford
  • Moto 3: Hetrick and Ford

“Due to the time difference, fans will have to wake up early on Saturday, September 28 to view practice,” said Crew Chief Jody Bateman of JB Racing/88 Live to Ride. “It will start at 4:40 a.m. Eastern, and qualifying will begin at 10:25 a.m. Eastern. On Sunday, September 29, fans can watch the first race kick off at 6 a.m. Eastern.”

It will be Bryce Ford’s third time on the team for the global competition. Photo credit: Ripitup Films

Live timing can be viewed at https://www.fimsidecarcross.com/live-timing and live streaming can be purchased for $27.79 USD at https://page.inplayer.com/fimsidecarcross/

“Sponsors have significantly supported the team’s preparation, travel and onsite expenses in their journey to collect the FIM World Championship,” said Team Delegate Harv Whipple. “The United States’ top ATV racers will contest on powerful and proven machines at the world stage thanks to Yamaha’s backing.”

Current sponsors include:

Platinum – $10,000 & VIP Hospitality

  • Yamaha
  • 88 Live To Ride
  • DWT
  • SSi Decals

    Gold – $5,000

    • Phoenix Racing
    • Rock River Arms
    • Springfield Armory

    Silver – $2,500

    • Adidas Terrex
    • High Gear Success
    • HuntScapes
    • Londerville Steel
    • Rockwell

    Bronze – $1,000

    • Baldwin Motorsports
    • Binky’s Forever ATC
    • D&W Cycle Specialties
    • Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast
    • Geneseo Brewing Company
    • Impact Solutions
    • JB Racing
    • Mechanix Wear
    • PEP
    • Ripitup Films
    • Score Processing
    • TDR Motorsports
    • Westland Motorsports

      For questions regarding the team’s participation in the international event, please contact Harv Whipple at hwhipple@mchsi.com or 309-314-4879.

      Follow updates regarding the team at facebook.com/teamUSAatvmx and on instagram at @teamUSAatvmx.

      About The Team
      AMA U.S. ATV Motocross Team (formerly referred to as Team USA ATVMX) was established in 2017 by Harv Whipple. The team has fielded three riders to compete in the Quadcross of Nations and has won the title in every year that its competed. The team clinched the championship from 2017-2019 and 2022-2023. The team did not compete during 2020-2021 due to the pandemic. 

      About High Gear Success
      High Gear Consulting LLC DBA High Gear Success is a motorsports communications and marketing strategy company located in Pataskala, Ohio, that helps motorsports businesses, event organizers and riders get noticed and increase revenue. Fueled by passion, Heather Wilson, CEO, focuses strategies on engagement and awareness in order to drive results. Learn more at HighGearSuccess.com.