What region is most in need of new tracks ?

1/15/2024 12:43pm
Indiana.  They don’t have a track (with the exception of Crawfordsville, which is only open for the national and a qualifier) within an hour and a...

Indiana.  They don’t have a track (with the exception of Crawfordsville, which is only open for the national and a qualifier) within an hour and a half of Indianapolis.

TBO wrote:

Motoland!

Motoland is 2.5 hours north of Indianapolis.  We actually have a few tracks in the 2-3 hour range, but nothing closer.

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1/15/2024 1:08pm
What quality of track are we talking about?  Not every track on the same quality level, most are minimumly thrown together, barely maintained, and are out...

What quality of track are we talking about?  Not every track on the same quality level, most are minimumly thrown together, barely maintained, and are out of business before you know it.  Nothing wrong with tracks like that, I have ridden dozens of those, but they are not necessarily going to attract more people to the sport.

What I think is needed are more quality tracks, near population areas, with investment behind them to create a little staying power.  I think Texas desperately needs a top quality track, something that can host promotocross event.  Ideally inside the "Texas triangle" preferably in the hill country. 

motomojo wrote:
Great idea. Now go buy some land and build that quaility track. Building and maintaining a moto x track is quite the job in it's self...

Great idea. Now go buy some land and build that quaility track.

Building and maintaining a moto x track is quite the job in it's self add in all the legal hurdles it's expensive, time consuming and you might lose your shirt. At best you will break even.

Also you need you be far enough away from residential complaints (4 strokes are loud and the sound carries a long distance) but less than an hour from the population center. Very few will drive more than that consistantly.

 

Ideally to build a track like this it would have to be part of an existing entity, such as an existing race track, airport, or other commercial area.  For example, COTA has a massive amount of property that spreads way beyond their road racing track, they could build an world class MX track right next to existing infrastructure and it wouldn't really cost them much, sound wouldn't be an issue either.

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motomojo
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1/15/2024 1:22pm
Ideally to build a track like this it would have to be part of an existing entity, such as an existing race track, airport, or other...

Ideally to build a track like this it would have to be part of an existing entity, such as an existing race track, airport, or other commercial area.  For example, COTA has a massive amount of property that spreads way beyond their road racing track, they could build an world class MX track right next to existing infrastructure and it wouldn't really cost them much, sound wouldn't be an issue either.

Then why have they not if it will be so lucrative?

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ZinAZ
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1/15/2024 1:26pm

arizona we used to have 7 now we have two..you can ride year round

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gharmon
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1/15/2024 1:44pm
scottb. wrote:

the Eastern Sierra, Ca. needs a track

captmoto wrote:

Not enough riders to support a track. Too many tree huggers.

What area is considered eastern Sierra? I'm out here working in Merced and there doesn't appear to be much here in the form of tracks.

I thought all the tree huggers where closer to the big cities? I'm from Alabama so forgive my lack of local landscapes/demographics. Lol

gharmon
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1/15/2024 1:47pm
ZinAZ wrote:

arizona we used to have 7 now we have two..you can ride year round

I agree. I was working in casa grande for almost a year and luckily motoland is there. I rode their several times. I went to canyonland once a acp once also. AZ definitely needs more tracks. The weather is great almost all year long.  State is too big for only 2 tracks (3 if you count mesquite). 

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motomojo
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1/15/2024 1:48pm
ZinAZ wrote:

arizona we used to have 7 now we have two..you can ride year round

Sucked losing speedworld and canyon best tracks with elevation changes and nice layouts. I remember racing canyon back in the 70's.

There are at least two nice private tracks one up by kingman and another somewhere around globe.

gharmon
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1/15/2024 2:06pm
I’m not sure but my region is pretty stacked. From Baton Rouge we have over 10 tracks within 4 hours. 6 of those being within two...

I’m not sure but my region is pretty stacked. From Baton Rouge we have over 10 tracks within 4 hours. 6 of those being within two hours. 4 under an hour. Of those only two or three are what I’d consider major tracks but places to ride are abundant. 

I live on ga/al line and I guess we are lucky. There is 4 with an hour, probably 10 within 2 hours. I guess we all complain sometimes but in reality we have it pretty good.

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Nairb#70
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1/15/2024 4:46pm

Everywhere in the USA!

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sandtrack315
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1/15/2024 5:28pm
vtnewb wrote:
Vermont is a dry spot - but its under a 2hr drive from where I am in Central VT to ADK MX and Paradox MX in...

Vermont is a dry spot - but its under a 2hr drive from where I am in Central VT to ADK MX and Paradox MX in NY and MX101, NHMX, and Sandbox MX in NH. Not great but eh. A kids track called Canaan MX is much closer and can be fun too.

That’s not a bad life. 

FGR01
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1/15/2024 5:32pm
ZinAZ wrote:

arizona we used to have 7 now we have two..you can ride year round

gharmon wrote:
I agree. I was working in casa grande for almost a year and luckily motoland is there. I rode their several times. I went to canyonland...

I agree. I was working in casa grande for almost a year and luckily motoland is there. I rode their several times. I went to canyonland once a acp once also. AZ definitely needs more tracks. The weather is great almost all year long.  State is too big for only 2 tracks (3 if you count mesquite). 

One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear riders say "Canyon??? What???  I live in East Phx.. canyon is north Phoenix.. way too far!!!"  Or "Motoland???  OMG that's 'way down south!!" when it's 1hr south of Phoenix.  We have our club track, Nomads, in Sierra Vista but people from Phoenix will never drive that far (3 hrs) and Phoenix is where 75% of the state lives.  So, basically, they want it on "their side of 'the valley'" or it's too far.

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1/15/2024 6:21pm
I do not live in AZ but I know from other threads on here that they’re lacking in the track department. I lived there briefly about...

I do not live in AZ but I know from other threads on here that they’re lacking in the track department. I lived there briefly about 6 years ago and the only track I went to was ACP but mostly rode trails as I could ride out of my garage to the trailhead. 

IMG 8109.jpeg?VersionId=Kndll5SevN5y6WcStay on the single track or you’ll clip a cacti!

(Morristown, AZ)

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gharmon
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1/15/2024 6:24pm
ZinAZ wrote:

arizona we used to have 7 now we have two..you can ride year round

gharmon wrote:
I agree. I was working in casa grande for almost a year and luckily motoland is there. I rode their several times. I went to canyonland...

I agree. I was working in casa grande for almost a year and luckily motoland is there. I rode their several times. I went to canyonland once a acp once also. AZ definitely needs more tracks. The weather is great almost all year long.  State is too big for only 2 tracks (3 if you count mesquite). 

FGR01 wrote:
One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear...

One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear riders say "Canyon??? What???  I live in East Phx.. canyon is north Phoenix.. way too far!!!"  Or "Motoland???  OMG that's 'way down south!!" when it's 1hr south of Phoenix.  We have our club track, Nomads, in Sierra Vista but people from Phoenix will never drive that far (3 hrs) and Phoenix is where 75% of the state lives.  So, basically, they want it on "their side of 'the valley'" or it's too far.

Yeah, for sure that's true.  Luckily I was in casa grande and the track was four miles from my camper. But I also made the 1.5 hour trips to canyon and acp. I liked all of them but motoland was for sure the one I rode mostly.   I don't mind a drive but not everyone is like that. And Az is huge. The mesquite track in NW AZ is what a 5-6 drive? I don't remember the nomads place when I was out there ( Sept '21- July '22). On the way home we spent a few days down around tombstone, Sierra Vista, Bisbee area. I would loved trying it out.

Like I mentioned in an above post. They're 4 good tracks less than an hour from me and 10 within 2 hours. All good tracks with good, varing soil but people will still says they wished tracks where not so far away. Alabama is small in comparison to Az so I don't get it. I guess you have to go see something to appreciate what you have. 

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dsoll703
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1/15/2024 6:42pm Edited Date/Time 1/15/2024 6:42pm
I’m not sure but my region is pretty stacked. From Baton Rouge we have over 10 tracks within 4 hours. 6 of those being within two...

I’m not sure but my region is pretty stacked. From Baton Rouge we have over 10 tracks within 4 hours. 6 of those being within two hours. 4 under an hour. Of those only two or three are what I’d consider major tracks but places to ride are abundant. 

gharmon wrote:
I live on ga/al line and I guess we are lucky. There is 4 with an hour, probably 10 within 2 hours. I guess we all...

I live on ga/al line and I guess we are lucky. There is 4 with an hour, probably 10 within 2 hours. I guess we all complain sometimes but in reality we have it pretty good.

I’m in North Georgia. I was thinking it sucks to have to drive a couple of hours, but I do have many choices within those two hours. Not to mention the practice track 20 mins down the road.

I feel for you guys. One thing you can’t question is ya’lls love for the sport driving so long to get track time.

PNWMXer
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1/15/2024 6:53pm Edited Date/Time 1/15/2024 6:55pm

Another vote for Western WA. We have a huge riding population with very few options for trails or tracks within a reasonable distance of the major population centers. 
 

We used to have MXGP (Monroe), Jolly Rogers (SeaTac), SIR (yes, Pacific Raceways exists still but in my opinion nowhere near what it was), Hannegan (like SIR, still there but a shell of its former self), etc. Also used to have a decent practice area (116th St/Donna’s/Exit 202) in Marysville that got turned into access for a Casino. Nothing special but great for a weekday/off weekend/winter ride. 
 

For me, other than Hannegan, I’m 2-4hrs each way to get track time. 

motomojo
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1/15/2024 6:55pm
FGR01 wrote:
One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear...

One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear riders say "Canyon??? What???  I live in East Phx.. canyon is north Phoenix.. way too far!!!"  Or "Motoland???  OMG that's 'way down south!!" when it's 1hr south of Phoenix.  We have our club track, Nomads, in Sierra Vista but people from Phoenix will never drive that far (3 hrs) and Phoenix is where 75% of the state lives.  So, basically, they want it on "their side of 'the valley'" or it's too far.

Indeed and phx is growing so ACP the one track in phx days may be numbered as residential communities extend west.

I'm fortunate i have a track about 200 yards from my house so i'm spoiled but i remember living in gilbert and driving over an hour out to speedworld or canyon or down to the track in eloy i forget the name all closed now.

 

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gharmon
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1/15/2024 7:04pm
FGR01 wrote:
One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear...

One of the issues in AZ is it is a huge state but riders don't want to drive far.    I crack up when I hear riders say "Canyon??? What???  I live in East Phx.. canyon is north Phoenix.. way too far!!!"  Or "Motoland???  OMG that's 'way down south!!" when it's 1hr south of Phoenix.  We have our club track, Nomads, in Sierra Vista but people from Phoenix will never drive that far (3 hrs) and Phoenix is where 75% of the state lives.  So, basically, they want it on "their side of 'the valley'" or it's too far.

motomojo wrote:
Indeed and phx is growing so ACP the one track in phx days may be numbered as residential communities extend west. I'm fortunate i have a...

Indeed and phx is growing so ACP the one track in phx days may be numbered as residential communities extend west.

I'm fortunate i have a track about 200 yards from my house so i'm spoiled but i remember living in gilbert and driving over an hour out to speedworld or canyon or down to the track in eloy i forget the name all closed now.

 

Shit I would have thought that acp location right next door to that huge ass prison would keep it safe. Who TF in their right mind wants a prison looking out the front door? 

motomojo
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1/15/2024 7:23pm
gharmon wrote:
Shit I would have thought that acp location right next door to that huge ass prison would keep it safe. Who TF in their right mind...

Shit I would have thought that acp location right next door to that huge ass prison would keep it safe. Who TF in their right mind wants a prison looking out the front door? 

I moved away before ACP opened and didn't know that. That may be it's saving grace and very good if it is. It would be sad to lose it.

 

FGR01
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1/15/2024 7:36pm
gharmon wrote:
Shit I would have thought that acp location right next door to that huge ass prison would keep it safe. Who TF in their right mind...

Shit I would have thought that acp location right next door to that huge ass prison would keep it safe. Who TF in their right mind wants a prison looking out the front door? 

motomojo wrote:
I moved away before ACP opened and didn't know that. That may be it's saving grace and very good if it is. It would be sad...

I moved away before ACP opened and didn't know that. That may be it's saving grace and very good if it is. It would be sad to lose it.

 

Yeah, ACP has the huge prison and also the giant landfill right next to it.  And it's pretty far out there past Buckeye.  Probably not in any real imminent threat of encroachment.  There's also some huge cattle operations about 10 miles south that stink up the whole area.. haha.  Both ET and Canyon closed because they were on State land leases and the state declined to renew them.  Motoland and ACP are on private property so better off in that way.  

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davis224
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1/16/2024 6:12am

The region that is within an hour of my house. 2 tracks within 2 hours that don't prep that often. Northern and Southern IL have a decent amount of tracks, but central IL is fairly barren besides the odd private track here and there.

captmoto
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1/16/2024 9:30am Edited Date/Time 1/16/2024 9:32am
gharmon wrote:
What area is considered eastern Sierra? I'm out here working in Merced and there doesn't appear to be much here in the form of tracks. I...

What area is considered eastern Sierra? I'm out here working in Merced and there doesn't appear to be much here in the form of tracks.

I thought all the tree huggers where closer to the big cities? I'm from Alabama so forgive my lack of local landscapes/demographics. Lol

Eastern Sierra is up and over the mountains. If you went all the way through Yosemite to the Eastern Portal you would be there. I think it is 120 into Lee Vining. The main N/S route is Hwy. 395. 

captmoto
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1/16/2024 9:36am Edited Date/Time 1/16/2024 9:48am

The first problem is real estate is worth too much to use as an MX track. Second issue is local noise, dust and environmental issues. Passion and dreams rarely override government bureaucracy. The third issue is insurance is really expensive. 

We've lost 4 tracks here in SoCal in the last 5 or so years. Competitive Edge just seems to be sitting unused. Sunrise in Adelanto seems to be a private or some kind of test track. Milestone was leveled and became a truck/trailer parking lot. State Fair MX was shut down and I'm really not sure why and don't know what sits on the property now. 

mx900
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davistld01 wrote:

Missouri

North Missouri needs Memphis and Kahoka back open!!

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gharmon
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1/16/2024 9:47am
gharmon wrote:
What area is considered eastern Sierra? I'm out here working in Merced and there doesn't appear to be much here in the form of tracks. I...

What area is considered eastern Sierra? I'm out here working in Merced and there doesn't appear to be much here in the form of tracks.

I thought all the tree huggers where closer to the big cities? I'm from Alabama so forgive my lack of local landscapes/demographics. Lol

captmoto wrote:
Eastern Sierra is up and over the mountains. If you went all the way through Yosemite to the Eastern Portal you would be there. I think...

Eastern Sierra is up and over the mountains. If you went all the way through Yosemite to the Eastern Portal you would be there. I think it is 120 into Lee Vining. The main N/S route is Hwy. 395. 

Oh okay. Like mammoth area. Haven't been yet but plan to go skiing there before we leave for home. It's about the only area in California I haven't checked out in the year we been here working. Thanks for the info

captmoto
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1/16/2024 9:51am
gharmon wrote:
Oh okay. Like mammoth area. Haven't been yet but plan to go skiing there before we leave for home. It's about the only area in California...

Oh okay. Like mammoth area. Haven't been yet but plan to go skiing there before we leave for home. It's about the only area in California I haven't checked out in the year we been here working. Thanks for the info

Exactly. I don't know the snow conditions but 120 usually closes until late June or early July. 

gharmon
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1/16/2024 9:56am
gharmon wrote:
Oh okay. Like mammoth area. Haven't been yet but plan to go skiing there before we leave for home. It's about the only area in California...

Oh okay. Like mammoth area. Haven't been yet but plan to go skiing there before we leave for home. It's about the only area in California I haven't checked out in the year we been here working. Thanks for the info

captmoto wrote:

Exactly. I don't know the snow conditions but 120 usually closes until late June or early July. 

Oh yeah for sure we have to drive around. Makes it hard not to just ski in Tahoe (since that's the closest route for us. But we have done that before.  Wished we could have been here during summer. Being from back east always reading about the mammoth race in the mags seemed cool. Would love to have caught that while out here. Maybe one day

1/16/2024 10:11am

Atlanta/Athens area in Georgia. We lost so many good tracks over the past 10-15 years.. Bremen, ICR, Loganville "X Track", Lanier Raceway. Only one left is Scrubin' Dirt in Monroe. If that ever goes away we're hosed as far as nearby-ish tracks

1/16/2024 10:12am
ZinAZ wrote:

arizona we used to have 7 now we have two..you can ride year round

What are the 2 tracks?

gharmon
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1/16/2024 10:51am
Atlanta/Athens area in Georgia. We lost so many good tracks over the past 10-15 years.. Bremen, ICR, Loganville "X Track", Lanier Raceway. Only one left is...

Atlanta/Athens area in Georgia. We lost so many good tracks over the past 10-15 years.. Bremen, ICR, Loganville "X Track", Lanier Raceway. Only one left is Scrubin' Dirt in Monroe. If that ever goes away we're hosed as far as nearby-ish tracks

Georgia has lost a bunch everywhere except south ga. It's doing just fine as long as you got the money to pay to go live there.  

Central ga used to have several. My boys used to race hillbilly hills, Coyote run, icr, echeconnee, aonia, mxcc, bremen, Calhoun, silver dollar, etc. One by one the have disappeared for the most part. 

Growing up my boys raced the Georgia scene almost exclusively although we live in Alabama (on the state line).  We even had a good track three miles from my house that hosted regionals. First time I ever saw barcia in person and later a young savatgy would show up on the scene (big cedar in Valley, Al right off 85 just into Alabama). Mtf crew came often.

Now, my grandson almost exclusively races Alabama series now. Weird the way it all changed. I remember living on the old ga-mx board back in the early to mid 2000's. 

Georgia definitely could use more.

I been hearing about something up around dahlonega right? I was at Big Springs ( Roanoke, Al) talking to a guy a few months ago and he was talking about a track there or at least he was riding there. Maybe it's more like durhamtown/ktm world (the track name escapes me atm Cedartown area).

2

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