Posts
1123
Joined
12/18/2006
Location
Brooklyn, NY
US
Fantasy
4282nd
Edited Date/Time
1/25/2012 2:29am
All right, it's a long shot, but here are some reasons why it would be a great venue.
1) The track is located near several major metropolitan areas, the closest being New York City and Philadelphia. Both are within less than a one hour drive.
2) Excellent facility. Englishtown (Old Bridge Township) Raceway Park remains one of the most professionally run and cleanest looking motocross facilities I have ever been to, and this includes most of the AMA National track.
3) Track layout. While the track has some excellent features and superb soil, it also has plenty of space for expansion within the infield, or possible extension beyond the fence in the back section of the track.
4) Potential viewing. The track has long had a bleacher section near the scoring tower, but with a possible crowd of 30,000 or more, additional bleacher sections could be added around the entirety of the track. The facility is mostly flat, with a very slight upgrade heading towards the back section. Bleachers could provide excellent viewing around the track.
The compact but ample facility would provide a supercross like atmosphere that presents a more impressive air of professionalism than most outdoor motocross facilities.
5) Infield. There are plenty of places on the track where tunnels could be added to allow infield spectator viewing for the motos.
6) Excellent pit area. Flat and spacious enough to allow for plenty 18-wheelers. If this was not enough space, the pits could be moved over near the practice track, with parking in that area plus by the drag strip.
Like I said, it's a long shot, and I'm sure there are already some tracks bidding on the USGP round, but I think Englishtown's central location, track, and facility would make for an excellent event.
1) The track is located near several major metropolitan areas, the closest being New York City and Philadelphia. Both are within less than a one hour drive.
2) Excellent facility. Englishtown (Old Bridge Township) Raceway Park remains one of the most professionally run and cleanest looking motocross facilities I have ever been to, and this includes most of the AMA National track.
3) Track layout. While the track has some excellent features and superb soil, it also has plenty of space for expansion within the infield, or possible extension beyond the fence in the back section of the track.
4) Potential viewing. The track has long had a bleacher section near the scoring tower, but with a possible crowd of 30,000 or more, additional bleacher sections could be added around the entirety of the track. The facility is mostly flat, with a very slight upgrade heading towards the back section. Bleachers could provide excellent viewing around the track.
The compact but ample facility would provide a supercross like atmosphere that presents a more impressive air of professionalism than most outdoor motocross facilities.
5) Infield. There are plenty of places on the track where tunnels could be added to allow infield spectator viewing for the motos.
6) Excellent pit area. Flat and spacious enough to allow for plenty 18-wheelers. If this was not enough space, the pits could be moved over near the practice track, with parking in that area plus by the drag strip.
Like I said, it's a long shot, and I'm sure there are already some tracks bidding on the USGP round, but I think Englishtown's central location, track, and facility would make for an excellent event.
Sounds like a good proposal.
Rebuttals, please? Aside from being in New Jersey
JJ
The Shop
I actually could not tell you what the lap times are like, I never really paid attention on that track because I was either racing or having to much fun on practice days. However, if you look at this year's MXoN at Donington Park, the lap times were not that long, and aside from the one massive finish line table-top and a few tiny slopes, the facility was pretty flat, if not for the man-made obstacles. When South Africa hosted GPs at Sun City, that facility was completely flat and not very big, but offered some decent spectating. Same goes for Lierop and Vaalkensward.
babba boey- Youthstream and the GPs have sponsors that could help foot some of the bill, plus bring in Monster or Red Bull or another big company with deep pockets, and I think that could go a long way. The promise of good TV coverage would only add to the benefit of hosting a race like this.
Raceway Park has an excellent crew that I know would be up for the task as long the benefit out-weighed the costs, which is always the challenge. Get some input from some top guys, like Lawrence, Carsten, RC, or Everts, and they could have an excellent race.
BTW- I no longer live in NJ but it is still by far my favorite place to ride and race, even though I only get to do it once a year at best.
I think lap times are way too short.
But from what Ive read about the fim it would seem like they would consider it based on the fact it is facility, and closest to several international airports.
I say budds, or Dilla! Natural terrain, and great spectating.
It would be cool if they could combine both sides of the property as one track
Go big Blue!
Davey Coombs and High Point.
Pick which 2.
Pit Row
there are many tracks that can kick ass. there are only a few regions that can kick ass. NJ ain't one of em.
As far as the venue, don't you think it would be nice to show the rest of the world that motocross in America doesn't just consist of SoCal, the 12 National tracks, and Loretta Lynn's? Open up a new place that has proven its worth...spread the wealth. Just trying to think outside of the very small MX box.
I believe the last time the US hosted one was in 1999 at Budds Creek, which Kevin Windham won. But it had a poor turn out and with both fans and riders. Motocross has grown by leaps and bounds since then, the World GPs and the Nationals have far better sponsorship and media recognition (well, the Nationals will finally this year thanks to MX Sports) and the final round of the World Championship needs a venue that will be easily accessible, and draw both US riders along with the riders that will be battling for a championship.
Think of this race as a prelude to next year's MXoN, as it will occur only a few weeks afterward. It could really show which series has the better riders overall. As Englishtown is a track that has never hosted a national, all of the racers would be on an even playing field for the most part (save for the few laps the Kawi guys take there every year for their demo at the KROC and J-Law, who grew up riding there).
I hope you're saying that to try to make a point, or reinforce your opinion that Etown would not be a good pick (I've never been there, so I can't really judge). But, Starwest, Perris, Elsinore, etc etc - all those local SoCal tracks you always hear and read about, are really pathetic in the grand scheme of American Motocross.
I was floored when I saw and rode those tracks (as in unbelievably disappointed). Flat ground = boring. So boring. I've been to "backyard" tracks in the rolling hills of the Midwest (matter of fact two of them off the top of my head turned into AMA-sanctioned venues) that would embarrass most West coast facilities. But beside the point - carry on.
Why worry about which track should host the proposed 2009 USGP?
Luongo isn't worrying about the track, all he cares about is his $250,000 sanction fee and a foothold in America. Don't forget that the FIM gave the MX des to a flat field in California a few years ago. It didn't have any amenities except that someone was willing to write a check. When it fell through, they got someone in Italy to write another check.
FYI:
Luongo had nothing to do with the Comp Park fiasco.
FIM didn't give that MXdN to a flat field in Cali, that was Dorna. Dorna is no FIM and is no Luongo. Dorna does MotoGP and almost screwed up MX GP's and sold it back to Luongo(Youthsteam).
Post a reply to: 2009 USGP - Englishtown NJ