Crowd size now and crowd size then

early
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early 5/26/2019 2:51pm
5/26/2019 2:51pm
honda907 wrote:
I go to H Point, but that crowd isn't the crowd of the early 80's. Not even close. The experience isn't there either, just like Unadilla...
I go to H Point, but that crowd isn't the crowd of the early 80's. Not even close. The experience isn't there either, just like Unadilla lost it. No more nightlife, no more " the other side sucks", just not much of an experience and something to talk about at work, to friends, etc. the following week to make people think they missed a great event.

I listen to Pulp MX on long drives for years. Mathis said that the viewing numbers are "crap". Nobody is watching on the TV, but maybe the app has good numbers. I don't know. I know MX is following the path of flat track racing and GNCC and offroad seems to be the "New MX". It is becoming huge.

Watching Indy 500, people pack that place. I never have gone, but it must be an experience to go to the brickyard since they are sure packed there.
I was at the first, second, and last MotoGP race at Indy. The crowd was the smallest at the last one, many many times smaller than the crowd at the 500 today and MotoGP is the most popular motorcycle racing series in the world.
plowboy
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plowboy 5/26/2019 3:04pm
5/26/2019 3:04pm
Motodave15 wrote:
California Crowds should be taken with a heavy grain of salt...Other states and locations definitely pull out the real ones.
GuyB wrote:
You're not wrong. Late-arriving, and early departure is the order of the day for CA fans.
Life in the fast lane.
Excaliburbmx
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Excaliburbmx 5/26/2019 3:11pm
5/26/2019 3:11pm
Look at nascar 10-15 years ago and now it’s more than half missing.
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coastlinecascot 5/26/2019 5:10pm
5/26/2019 5:10pm
Pala isn't worth it to watch a race for the trouble. Glen Helen been to 2 nationals. Worth it. Even dealing with the 215 traffic.
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brocster
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brocster 5/26/2019 5:23pm
5/26/2019 5:23pm
coastlinecascot wrote:
I live 15 miles away and wanted to go. Just Not worth the crazy traffic jams.
Spergen wrote:
15 miles and you were put off by the traffic jams ! With the US one day format I would of got my cycle out. Christ...
15 miles and you were put off by the traffic jams ! With the US one day format I would of got my cycle out. Christ I would of even gone on a space hopper to not mis that so close ! ?
coastlinecascot wrote:
Apparently you weren't there during the last pala national and have zero clue what kind of cluster fuck it was.
Think it was on Racerxill in racerhead on Friday that they mentioned they fixed the traffic issue.

I was at home watching on goldpass and said to myself WTF am I doing this is in my back yard (sort of) and at 10:40 a.m. I left for PALA 60 miles away. Took my lumps as I missed half of the first 250 moto due to traffic on 5 south, not 76 east. Would have been foolish for me not to go. I have been to every major event in Socal in the last year and to miss this would have just been dumb.

Not sure what the crowd was like last time but I can say that this was the first national that I have been to where you could be on the fence on the entire outside and about 70% of the infield. Thats a lot of fence. The crowd may have looked small but I think its because it was spread out along the fences with the bulk of the people on the hill area.

I have been to Glen Helen and it seems like more attend but I think its mostly because there is less fencline and viewing area on both the infield and outside especially with the hills.

I’ll say again, traffic in or out was a non issue. I walked the pits after the podium then walked to my truck and drove out. 10 minutes in alternating lanes to get on the 76 then smooth sailing.

Note to self: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet...
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KennyT
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KennyT 5/26/2019 6:55pm
5/26/2019 6:55pm
Spergen wrote:
15 miles and you were put off by the traffic jams ! With the US one day format I would of got my cycle out. Christ...
15 miles and you were put off by the traffic jams ! With the US one day format I would of got my cycle out. Christ I would of even gone on a space hopper to not mis that so close ! ?
coastlinecascot wrote:
Apparently you weren't there during the last pala national and have zero clue what kind of cluster fuck it was.
brocster wrote:
Think it was on Racerxill in racerhead on Friday that they mentioned they fixed the traffic issue. I was at home watching on goldpass and said...
Think it was on Racerxill in racerhead on Friday that they mentioned they fixed the traffic issue.

I was at home watching on goldpass and said to myself WTF am I doing this is in my back yard (sort of) and at 10:40 a.m. I left for PALA 60 miles away. Took my lumps as I missed half of the first 250 moto due to traffic on 5 south, not 76 east. Would have been foolish for me not to go. I have been to every major event in Socal in the last year and to miss this would have just been dumb.

Not sure what the crowd was like last time but I can say that this was the first national that I have been to where you could be on the fence on the entire outside and about 70% of the infield. Thats a lot of fence. The crowd may have looked small but I think its because it was spread out along the fences with the bulk of the people on the hill area.

I have been to Glen Helen and it seems like more attend but I think its mostly because there is less fencline and viewing area on both the infield and outside especially with the hills.

I’ll say again, traffic in or out was a non issue. I walked the pits after the podium then walked to my truck and drove out. 10 minutes in alternating lanes to get on the 76 then smooth sailing.

Note to self: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet...
The traffic heading South on I-5 was much worse than heading into Pala. One of the easiest to get into/out of on the schedule.
Adam43
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Adam43 5/26/2019 7:10pm
5/26/2019 7:10pm
coastlinecascot wrote:
Pala isn't worth it to watch a race for the trouble. Glen Helen been to 2 nationals. Worth it. Even dealing with the 215 traffic.
Yes, it's important to realize that MX Sports brought this on themselves by playing tough with Glen Helen.

No doubt they are difficult to deal with - but they are the only venue that can ensure a good draw in Southern California.

This type of experiment (Pala/Elsinore Nationals) has already been run over the past decade. Everyone involved would have done well to remember the results.
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Thor34103
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Thor34103 5/26/2019 7:51pm
5/26/2019 7:51pm
tiddlermx23 wrote:
BRING BACK SUNDAY MOTOCROSS! My money hasn't gone to pro moto for 5 of the last 7 years simply because I and many millions of other...
BRING BACK SUNDAY MOTOCROSS! My money hasn't gone to pro moto for 5 of the last 7 years simply because I and many millions of other Americans have to work the 6th day of the week. If Highpoint was on a Sunday this year regardless of my future vacation plans I would still attend regardless. Nevertheless I will be at work father's day Saturday with 15 other guys who didn't spend their money that day to watch the race.
I agree with you 100 percent Professional outdoor MX belongs on Sunday so industry people at the local level like parts guys and sales guys at your local dealership could attend.
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Thor34103
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Thor34103 5/26/2019 7:55pm
5/26/2019 7:55pm
Adam43 wrote:
Yes, it's important to realize that MX Sports brought this on themselves by playing tough with Glen Helen. No doubt they are difficult to deal with...
Yes, it's important to realize that MX Sports brought this on themselves by playing tough with Glen Helen.

No doubt they are difficult to deal with - but they are the only venue that can ensure a good draw in Southern California.

This type of experiment (Pala/Elsinore Nationals) has already been run over the past decade. Everyone involved would have done well to remember the results.
Can't comment on the politics but Memorial Day has been a tough weekend for Glen Helen too hstorically.
C.Worthy
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C.Worthy 5/26/2019 8:06pm
5/26/2019 8:06pm
The last Pala National wasn’t just California “traffic” it was a shit show. I got off the freeway at 1030Am and didn’t reach the front gate of the track until about 3pm only for the track entrance to be closed since there was no parking left. That’s a 7 mile 2 lane highway that took 4 and a half hours. No parking was allowed outside of the track off the highway or you would get towed or ticketed. I said F that and parked off the highway ran inside the gate and caught the last 2 motos. I told myself I’d never go back to Pala again and I think a lot of other people said the same thing. I’ve never hit that much traffic at glen helen or when it was at Elsinore. I get it, they had parking issues but it looks like it stopped a lot of people from going.
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sixtwentyeight 5/26/2019 8:08pm
5/26/2019 8:08pm
I remember leaving mt morris a few times and being directed a different way out than the way I came in. I ended up totally lost in the middle of nowhere on roads with no names. This was pre GPS days. It sucked bigtime!
coastlinecascot 5/26/2019 8:20pm
5/26/2019 8:20pm
C.Worthy wrote:
The last Pala National wasn’t just California “traffic” it was a shit show. I got off the freeway at 1030Am and didn’t reach the front gate...
The last Pala National wasn’t just California “traffic” it was a shit show. I got off the freeway at 1030Am and didn’t reach the front gate of the track until about 3pm only for the track entrance to be closed since there was no parking left. That’s a 7 mile 2 lane highway that took 4 and a half hours. No parking was allowed outside of the track off the highway or you would get towed or ticketed. I said F that and parked off the highway ran inside the gate and caught the last 2 motos. I told myself I’d never go back to Pala again and I think a lot of other people said the same thing. I’ve never hit that much traffic at glen helen or when it was at Elsinore. I get it, they had parking issues but it looks like it stopped a lot of people from going.
This is what I dealt with. This is why i told myself I would never go to pala for a race again.
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kpiper
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kpiper 5/26/2019 8:21pm
5/26/2019 8:21pm
tiddlermx23 wrote:
BRING BACK SUNDAY MOTOCROSS! My money hasn't gone to pro moto for 5 of the last 7 years simply because I and many millions of other...
BRING BACK SUNDAY MOTOCROSS! My money hasn't gone to pro moto for 5 of the last 7 years simply because I and many millions of other Americans have to work the 6th day of the week. If Highpoint was on a Sunday this year regardless of my future vacation plans I would still attend regardless. Nevertheless I will be at work father's day Saturday with 15 other guys who didn't spend their money that day to watch the race.
Thor34103 wrote:
I agree with you 100 percent Professional outdoor MX belongs on Sunday so industry people at the local level like parts guys and sales guys at...
I agree with you 100 percent Professional outdoor MX belongs on Sunday so industry people at the local level like parts guys and sales guys at your local dealership could attend.
Yes! The Nationals should be on Sunday. Come on, the movie was, "On any Sunday"!
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scott_nz 5/26/2019 8:34pm
5/26/2019 8:34pm
Spergen wrote:
15 miles and you were put off by the traffic jams ! With the US one day format I would of got my cycle out. Christ...
15 miles and you were put off by the traffic jams ! With the US one day format I would of got my cycle out. Christ I would of even gone on a space hopper to not mis that so close ! ?
JM485 wrote:
I can't even believe some of the stuff I read on here, can you imagine living 15 miles from a national and you couldn't be bothered...
I can't even believe some of the stuff I read on here, can you imagine living 15 miles from a national and you couldn't be bothered to attend?Laughing There is literally nothing like being able to see the event in person, way better than supercross could ever hope to be and a much more grass roots experience, like it should be.
mxb2 wrote:
Agreed
i have flown 14 hours each way for a weekend to see supercross as well as nationals at pala and glen helen, i cant imagine not going to a race 15 miles away,
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cbuehler767
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cbuehler767 5/26/2019 8:36pm
5/26/2019 8:36pm
coastlinecascot wrote:
Pala isn't worth it to watch a race for the trouble. Glen Helen been to 2 nationals. Worth it. Even dealing with the 215 traffic.
Adam43 wrote:
Yes, it's important to realize that MX Sports brought this on themselves by playing tough with Glen Helen. No doubt they are difficult to deal with...
Yes, it's important to realize that MX Sports brought this on themselves by playing tough with Glen Helen.

No doubt they are difficult to deal with - but they are the only venue that can ensure a good draw in Southern California.

This type of experiment (Pala/Elsinore Nationals) has already been run over the past decade. Everyone involved would have done well to remember the results.
What results would that be? Incredible racing like we got Sat?
Tonynz
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Tonynz 5/26/2019 8:48pm
5/26/2019 8:48pm
JM485 wrote:
I can't even believe some of the stuff I read on here, can you imagine living 15 miles from a national and you couldn't be bothered...
I can't even believe some of the stuff I read on here, can you imagine living 15 miles from a national and you couldn't be bothered to attend?Laughing There is literally nothing like being able to see the event in person, way better than supercross could ever hope to be and a much more grass roots experience, like it should be.
mxb2 wrote:
Agreed
scott_nz wrote:
i have flown 14 hours each way for a weekend to see supercross as well as nationals at pala and glen helen, i cant imagine not...
i have flown 14 hours each way for a weekend to see supercross as well as nationals at pala and glen helen, i cant imagine not going to a race 15 miles away,
That’s what I keep thinking, earlier this month I flew 14 hours each way, then drove Los Angles to Vegas and back to to watch SX final.
2 nights on a plane 3 nights in USA.
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KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 5/26/2019 9:53pm
5/26/2019 9:53pm
This thread shows the dangers of having chafed labia when the National is only 15 miles away.
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Muscle-Milk-KTM 5/27/2019 3:12am
5/27/2019 3:12am
Been to Matterly Basin twice & getting out was horrendous both times, 2 hours to get off the site & then an hour to get to the motorway. I could go & walk the track whilst the crowd dies down but I don’t like the idea of leaving my car in the middle of a field while others negotiate around it, bound to come back to it with scuffs & dents on it. Still plan to go next year if I can, may go VIP if I know getting out is easier.

Really wanna do a European round too, maybe Valkenswaard or St Jean d’ Angely, anyone know what the traffic is like getting out of them places?

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Spergen
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Spergen 5/27/2019 8:33am
5/27/2019 8:33am
Muscle-Milk-KTM wrote:
Been to Matterly Basin twice & getting out was horrendous both times, 2 hours to get off the site & then an hour to get to...
Been to Matterly Basin twice & getting out was horrendous both times, 2 hours to get off the site & then an hour to get to the motorway. I could go & walk the track whilst the crowd dies down but I don’t like the idea of leaving my car in the middle of a field while others negotiate around it, bound to come back to it with scuffs & dents on it. Still plan to go next year if I can, may go VIP if I know getting out is easier.

Really wanna do a European round too, maybe Valkenswaard or St Jean d’ Angely, anyone know what the traffic is like getting out of them places?
Go VIP and instead of turning right where the marshals direct you turn left directly as you leave ! You can thank me later when you have 0min cue time 😉 oh and drive to the far left of the VIP car park and go out the access point security use
Muscle-Milk-KTM 5/27/2019 8:53am
5/27/2019 8:53am
Muscle-Milk-KTM wrote:
Been to Matterly Basin twice & getting out was horrendous both times, 2 hours to get off the site & then an hour to get to...
Been to Matterly Basin twice & getting out was horrendous both times, 2 hours to get off the site & then an hour to get to the motorway. I could go & walk the track whilst the crowd dies down but I don’t like the idea of leaving my car in the middle of a field while others negotiate around it, bound to come back to it with scuffs & dents on it. Still plan to go next year if I can, may go VIP if I know getting out is easier.

Really wanna do a European round too, maybe Valkenswaard or St Jean d’ Angely, anyone know what the traffic is like getting out of them places?
Spergen wrote:
Go VIP and instead of turning right where the marshals direct you turn left directly as you leave ! You can thank me later when you...
Go VIP and instead of turning right where the marshals direct you turn left directly as you leave ! You can thank me later when you have 0min cue time 😉 oh and drive to the far left of the VIP car park and go out the access point security use
Thanks for the tip. Is VIP worth the extra money ?
coastlinecascot 5/27/2019 9:49am
5/27/2019 9:49am
KDXGarage wrote:
This thread shows the dangers of having chafed labia when the National is only 15 miles away.
So your ok with an experience of 4 hour traffic and then have some little shit head tell you "too bad we are full"? This is why pala leaves a bad taste for people who went last time.
gt80rider
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gt80rider 5/27/2019 10:10am
5/27/2019 10:10am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2019 10:11am
plowboy wrote:
I've been to MX/GP races since the '70's. The traffic has never once been a problem for me. I arrive before the gates open and just...
I've been to MX/GP races since the '70's. The traffic has never once been a problem for me. I arrive before the gates open and just bench race with folks in the lot til the craziness is over. The race is on the track...not in/out of the parking lots.

Now, if you need something to gripe about...it's the lines for food and especially water. We used to bitch about the lack of port-o-pots but most tracks have a decent handle on that nowadays. I'd gladly pay an extra $20 bucks to get a stamp on my hand that gave me unlimited water at DEDICATED "water only" kiosks that are as plentiful as the pottys. It's stupid to stand in line for 30 minutes at a food vendor when all you want is a bottle of water. Yes, I could carry my own but have you tried schlepping a case of water around Thunder Valley...lol. I vaguely remember talking to DC about this year's ago. He said food and beverage is the track operators deal, if I remember correctly. In any case, it ain't a deal breaker.
Dude raising his hand to pay 20 bucks for water....

Btw... I have a bridge near NYC that I am trying to sell... Pm me for a killer price... 😉
hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 5/27/2019 10:17am
5/27/2019 10:17am
Yeah I’m not sure what’s up with people here in CA. We have the best weather in the world and Most people my age just want to be on Facebook all day and sit in the house. Every practice track (Besides Milestone) is virtually empty every weekend and local races get very low turn out. The turnout at Pala was decent but nothing compared to Glen Helen 10-15 years ago. The price gouging for tickets/Pit Passes definitely doesn’t help but it’s not enough to keep me away from a kick-ass sunburned day of watching some great racing.
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Langhammx 5/27/2019 10:21am
5/27/2019 10:21am
Premix wrote:
The drive into Pala sucks. One main road and that’s it.
That’s actually not true. They opened a second entrance and the traffic wasn’t that bad at all this year.
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mxtech1
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mxtech1 5/27/2019 10:21am
5/27/2019 10:21am
SoCal is still the hot spot, so fans in this area get many more opportunities to watch pros ride and race during the week and practice weekends. Not as much incentive to go to a National when you get to see the pros ride, race, practice throughout the year.

Here in the midwest for example, I could hit one SX and one MX by driving about 4 hours and could possibly stretch that to 2 SX and 2 MX if I would be willing to drive 6-8 hours, but that is difficult now with the new Saturday format. But, in all reality, life is busy and would be lucky to hit 1 pro race per year. Midwest and East Coast fans come out hard for this reason.
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Rhody
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Rhody 5/27/2019 10:47am
5/27/2019 10:47am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2019 10:56am
I thought about trying to go to Hangtown, sprint cars were my priority, but with Tulare rained out, Hangtown became an option. I didn't make the effort when I saw that my options were $45 Gen. Admission and a $200 VIP. My big concern was that those $200 VIP tix occupied all of the decent viewing areas. I know last time I went to Southwick, my viewing choices weren't as good as when I went in '98. I am not hardcore moto, so when you chase away the casual fans, you are left with a smaller crowd. Also, a moto guy is going to have a hard time convincing his buddies to go along for a fun day at the track when it costs $45. Back in the day, I imagine a lot of your crowd were guys who didn't really care too much about the racing, but their moto buddy said "lets go to the races, there will be bikes, babes and beer!", and they got to go be hooligans for a day. Now you have to go sit in traffic, behave yourself, keep your shirt on, not holler at girls, and you probably can't bring in your own cooler, so you are buying $7 beers.

Oh yeah, move them to Sunday too. I'm at the dirt track on Saturdays, if you put the race on Sunday you'll get the guys who raced their cars on Saturday to watch the bikes on Sunday.
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tiddlermx23 5/27/2019 10:50am
5/27/2019 10:50am
tiddlermx23 wrote:
BRING BACK SUNDAY MOTOCROSS! My money hasn't gone to pro moto for 5 of the last 7 years simply because I and many millions of other...
BRING BACK SUNDAY MOTOCROSS! My money hasn't gone to pro moto for 5 of the last 7 years simply because I and many millions of other Americans have to work the 6th day of the week. If Highpoint was on a Sunday this year regardless of my future vacation plans I would still attend regardless. Nevertheless I will be at work father's day Saturday with 15 other guys who didn't spend their money that day to watch the race.
Thor34103 wrote:
I agree with you 100 percent Professional outdoor MX belongs on Sunday so industry people at the local level like parts guys and sales guys at...
I agree with you 100 percent Professional outdoor MX belongs on Sunday so industry people at the local level like parts guys and sales guys at your local dealership could attend.
kpiper wrote:
Yes! The Nationals should be on Sunday. Come on, the movie was, "On any Sunday"!
Which is exactly my problem. I can't compete with 15 other guys every year to be the 1 guy out of a whole shop of fans to be let go to the race. I have attended nationals since the late 80s with my grandfather until he passed on and by then I was old enough and had been going to the races with friends to carry on the tradition we shared and it's because of Saturday motocross I haven't been able to for these last few years.
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coastlinecascot 5/27/2019 1:17pm
5/27/2019 1:17pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
Yeah I’m not sure what’s up with people here in CA. We have the best weather in the world and Most people my age just want...
Yeah I’m not sure what’s up with people here in CA. We have the best weather in the world and Most people my age just want to be on Facebook all day and sit in the house. Every practice track (Besides Milestone) is virtually empty every weekend and local races get very low turn out. The turnout at Pala was decent but nothing compared to Glen Helen 10-15 years ago. The price gouging for tickets/Pit Passes definitely doesn’t help but it’s not enough to keep me away from a kick-ass sunburned day of watching some great racing.
Which tracks are empty on practice days? I ride cahuilla, pala, milestone, and perris. All busy on the most weekends.
SoCalMX70
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SoCalMX70 5/27/2019 2:28pm
5/27/2019 2:28pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
Yeah I’m not sure what’s up with people here in CA. We have the best weather in the world and Most people my age just want...
Yeah I’m not sure what’s up with people here in CA. We have the best weather in the world and Most people my age just want to be on Facebook all day and sit in the house. Every practice track (Besides Milestone) is virtually empty every weekend and local races get very low turn out. The turnout at Pala was decent but nothing compared to Glen Helen 10-15 years ago. The price gouging for tickets/Pit Passes definitely doesn’t help but it’s not enough to keep me away from a kick-ass sunburned day of watching some great racing.
coastlinecascot wrote:
Which tracks are empty on practice days? I ride cahuilla, pala, milestone, and perris. All busy on the most weekends.
His post is bullshit, that's why. What you listed, plus LACR and Glen Helen are busy too. Every weekend.
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GeorgiePorgie 5/27/2019 3:13pm
5/27/2019 3:13pm
downard254 wrote:
Never been to Mt. Morris eh?
Premix wrote:
Go to Mt. Morris every year, it’s nothing compared to Pala
My Morris used to be nut to butt. Still gets a big crowd but I don’t think the same like I was in the 90s.

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