Attendance at Thunder Valley?

I thought it was a great race....250 and 450 class were both full of great racing action. Track was gnarly. Ruts were crazy. Glad I didn't have to ride that track. Quality entertainment for me

There was a big call for rain and cooler temps in Denver yesterday. We are getting nailed with it today. 

No Tomac and many other factory guys missing would put a big dent in attendance.

Yeah it’s insane how depleted the 450s are right now. I am happy for the guys who can get top tens and top fives right now who otherwise wouldn’t. Being as respectful to them as possible, because anyone lining up at all is an absolute bad ass and would smoke 99% of the world in an MX race, there’s some names in the top ten I’m like damn who is that?

Knowing now that motorcross and supercross events get canceled or delayed at the first sign of a little rain or lightning I probably wouldn’t have gone either, it’s not like football where they play rain or shine 

I heard they do that because the sponsors don’t want their players logos to get covered by mud on their costumes 

Attendance at most of the Nat's seems light, at least from the broadcast view.

I don't live anywhere near a national track so I don't know how much local advertising there is for the events.  I remember seeing some commercials for SX on the motel television but never anything for the Nats.  

Maybe a Denver local can say if they saw any billboards, TV or radio ads prior to the race?

They actually delay football games due to lightning...happens quite a bit

Just curious as I have not been to a National since Freestone, what are ticket prices now a days?

The fact that they'll never tell you how many paid admissions they have tells you they don't have as many as they were hoping. Heard how many people were at red but for mxon all the time. 

It looked really thin to me, too.  With both series being absolutely dominated by the brothers, you can’t blame people for not wanting to shell out hundreds of dollars to watch a race live.  I gotta be honest, I raced over the weekend and when I saw the results on my way home, I went to bed early instead of watching the replay on Peacock.  Sad to say, but I don’t see myself buying a ticket when the nationals come to town this year unless someone can challenge the Lawrence freight train.

I live about 15 minutes from the track and have been to every national at Thunder Valley. This year was definitely down on attendance. For the most part the weather was great all day but we did get a little sprinkle during the second 450 moto. I think the weather was the largest factor. We have had rain everyday for what seems like weeks and they were predicting showers in the afternoon. In Colorado it's very easy for the temperature to drop 50+ degrees in a hurry when the storms roll in. The 450 class being thin might be a small factor but I feel like outdoor MX fans are core fans and are going to the races either way. The pits were also the least crowded I've probably ever seen at this race. That being said, if you're a fan of MX watching Jett ride is special. He's a next level talent and made it look easy. My girlfriend is a casual fan but watches all the races and knows the riders. She was blown away by his riding technique. Shout out to Chiz for taking a pic with my lady (she's a Chiz fan) and giving her a signed numberplate.  

The other day I saw a clip from Hangtown 2004, they mentioned 23k or 24k fans in attendance that day. I'd be surprised if Hangtown had even close to half of that this year. Pala looked like almost no one was there. Thunder Valley looked really light. I won't be surprised if the only well attended races are RedBud and Budds Creek. The Nationals aren't what they once were.

They went up this year.  I paid $60 gen admission, $30 for a pit pass and $20 for parking, at Pala.

Very nice (your lady that is)!

The coverage on Peacock has been so good this year, there is no reason to actually go to the race!!

Good attendance numbers won't come from "core" fans.  Wive, kids, and casual folks looking for a day out are what swell the numbers.

Until they make it an enjoyable experience for the non-core fans...the numbers won't grow.

Hot, dirty, hungry, thirsty folks don't usually come back year after year.  Tell me you haven't had to make the choice between missing the racing or standing in a line, in the blazing sun, trying to get water or take a piss?  Add kids to the mix and it can get miserable pretty quick.  Some tracks are better than others but all could make it easier on the fans.

I'm a core fan...I'm going no matter what.  The only way my wife would attend is if I hog tied her and left her in the trunk of the car.

04 everyone wanted to see Stew destroy the 250f,s. Red Bud being the 4th of July will b the biggest crowd & that amateurs hv 2 days on the pro track & 1 night on the other track. Millville will b the 2nd highest in attendance. It’s by far the Best track it has everything. And 3 days for amateurs on the pro track & 2 days of racing.  I see people wanting to see Jett being that he,s extremely talented & the star now. People want to see The Next big thing a super Star. Hell I had the gym & all the hall ways packed . With people wanting to see me , say something to me, try to touch me.  Little weird Living everyone’s dream. You end up getting more power from it & dominating more.  I said it b4 it’s way ovr due for Super tracks.  200 ft wide With 40 ft berms, 200 ft step ups landing in a deep valley,etc. 

I thought the same - seemed light. 

BUT,  my goodness I had the NASCAR Sonoma race on for a bit yesterday and the stands were 1/3 to 1/2 filled. NASCAR is hurting. 

This race used to be "the largest event in Northern California" with 150,000+ back in the day. 

Reality is some nationals draw in more spectators. Thunder Valley is located in a very beautiful area but ….. Location Location Location & population population population.

When I attended the MXoN there it was obvious that the numbers were drastically lower that Budds Creek’s attendance. 

The broadcast/streaming quality, including comments, is head and shoulders better than 2022.

That could play into it, especially with threatening mountain weather.

Attendance will be down at every National this year!! 450 class is beyond depleted and took a huge hit at the Denver supercross IMO!! 

We’re seeing before our eyes a changing of the guard. A kid raising the level of our sport. Damn right I’ll be there at Spring Creek. Support our sport. 

I went and even said to a buddy there that if I hadn't had tickets prior to race day I probably would have went riding instead.  I'm glad it was cooler though because if it had be a 90 degree day that track would have stank so bad. The "dirt" was epic though.

Not sure how other tracks are in recent years, but I’ve been going to southwick since the late 90’s. I looked to go this year after skipping a few, and all the viewing spots that were available for GA, are now part of a $200+ “VIP” package. Definitely has me second guessing the trip. I know southwick has probably the worst viewing out of all the tracks, but this cut it down to 1-2 decent spots for GA viewing. 

Any pictures? 

 Core

Congrats on the hottie! Sounds like a keeper 

Everyone is spending way more on food and fuel these days. I’d say that’s 50% of the decrease in attendance.