MXGP Opener in Argentina = flat track?!

CPR
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1/28/2025 3:07am
Elliot wrote:
T22

Looks wicked!

1/28/2025 3:21am Edited Date/Time 1/28/2025 3:36am
zehn wrote:

How many of the legendary GP tracks do they still race at vs. these parking lot tracks?

MXGP definitely have their share of lousy man-made flat tracks (Turkey and China) but they also have some wonderful tracks: Ernee, St. John, Matterly, Trentino, Lommel, Lugo, Kegums, Portugal just to name a few are nice. 

And by the way, the absolute worst tracks I've ever seen are the flat, soulless POS tracks Feld runs the SMX series on.

2
1/28/2025 3:22am
lostboy819 wrote:

The track layout makes no diffrence anymore, its all about being close to a large populated area so  they can draw paying spectators

Like supercross 

1
1/28/2025 3:26am
mxbmx wrote:
As an Aussie I was stoked to finally see a round for next year after such a long time. Plenty of great tracks in Oz but...

As an Aussie I was stoked to finally see a round for next year after such a long time. Plenty of great tracks in Oz but they're making a parking lot track at a car racing circuit. I admittedly don't know all the info but from what I can tell, it's not a permanent track? (Hopefully someone here can correct me or inform better). I understand the reasons behind having the round in NT but damn I really hope they don't mess this up, such a waste if it's a joke track 

Bearuno wrote:
From what I've read, it will be a permanent track at The Hidden Valley circuit, which is, apparently, only around 11ks from the center of Darwin.I...

From what I've read, it will be a permanent track at The Hidden Valley circuit, which is, apparently, only around 11ks from the center of Darwin.

I saw an interview with a NT / Darwin Big Wig, that said they've a sloped section there they are intending to build the track on, and it would remain as part of the Motorsports Complex. Which, I would think, would be a great  boon to the MX racing community up there.

I've never been to Hidden Valley, and only Darwin itself, years ago before it existed. So, I have no idea if it's all true - a sloped build area, or if it will remain for Locals use.

I'm a bit unhappy with it being so far away from Anything - hell, it appears it will be more expensive, overall, for me, and most Australians,  to go to the Darwin MXGP than it is for me to go to the 2 Indonesian GPs that I've gone to a fair few times now. 

But, it's a 'model' that so many sports have had for years now - 'selling' an event to a local Govt, or Business Group, - whoever will stump up the money, basically. 

I wish we could have got it in Sydney - Eastern Creek / Sydney Motorsports Park would have been perfect - on the South side, the Hill and natural spectating bowl, a great MX track could be made,   with the existing great facilities there, in the near geographical center of Sydney, with SO Much else to see and do . And,  so easy for locals, and any Interstate or OS visitor's to get to, as well as the Teams. Properly Promoted, it could have been a real success, to have here in OZ for many years to come. Despite the years that the Darwin event is supposedly committed to, if it's Not a financial success for the City / State, it will disappear, well before the contracted time, and then it Will be another few decades before it Ever gets back to OZ.

As an aside, I think the Indo GPs next year, go back to the one 'pop up' track on an old airstrip, and that Great  one in Sumbawa , on the Island of West Nusa Tenggara. , after last years 'double header' at the the Airstrip. That, Sumbawa, is a  fantastic track, but, the usual d**kheads, who could not have not watched it there, will regard it as a flat, parking lot track....

I've bought some 3 day tickets for the Darwin MXGP already, if only to support it, as that time of year I'm usually working OS. If I can actually get to it, I might just include a bit of typical NT Tourism - you know, Kakadu etc. 

 

The Sumbawa tracks looks like one of the better tracks I've seen. Great terrain, elevation etc

1

The Shop

1/28/2025 3:29am
EuroGuy39 wrote:
MXGP of Patagonia was one of the best tracks on the whole calendar, so why not replace it with a shitty flat man made piece of...

MXGP of Patagonia was one of the best tracks on the whole calendar, so why not replace it with a shitty flat man made piece of crap? Good job MXGP, once again.

The owner of the land is no longer willing to host a race. Development i believe 

Bearuno
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1/28/2025 3:43am Edited Date/Time 1/28/2025 3:45am

The Patagonian MXGP track was Certainly in a beautiful area, and setting, but, it was 90% flat ground. other than the section going up about 20/30 meters from the base ground : the Right hander into the trees. The rest, even the 'rolling' jumps, were built up dirt. About only one, was a natural 'hump'. 

Do have a Good look, those that think it was Uphill and Down Dale : 

https://youtu.be/efUfShPXdHw?t=162 

There was a wanker (here?) who wrote that that RH corner under the trees was a hundred feet high up a hill - a vivid imagination, or, just plain f**witedness, with no real idea of the track? I went to the Neuquen Argentinian MXGP twice,  in 2016 and 2023  - I know the track. And, where it was, was Bloody Beautiful - it's not hard to see why it has been developed into, I think, High end, Lakeside / Adjacent properties. 

It was a picturesque  track, in a wonderful area, but pretty much man made - and, made well. With rather unique, but treacherous, soil. 

It looks like there is more 'slope'  ( though, sweet FA of it ) to the area the new track is set on, but it sure doesn't look to be a pretty place. In a / beside a Theme Park ? - Brazil had an MXGP event at such a location, if I recall correctly? So, I'll Not bitch about the new track, until I see it race.

3
zehn
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1/28/2025 1:26pm
zehn wrote:

How many of the legendary GP tracks do they still race at vs. these parking lot tracks?

MXGP definitely have their share of lousy man-made flat tracks (Turkey and China) but they also have some wonderful tracks: Ernee, St. John, Matterly, Trentino, Lommel...

MXGP definitely have their share of lousy man-made flat tracks (Turkey and China) but they also have some wonderful tracks: Ernee, St. John, Matterly, Trentino, Lommel, Lugo, Kegums, Portugal just to name a few are nice. 

And by the way, the absolute worst tracks I've ever seen are the flat, soulless POS tracks Feld runs the SMX series on.

I think you’re inferring from my question a statement that I didn’t make

Elliot
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1/30/2025 9:34pm

Looks like a bog standard parking lot track so far.

 

T1T2
dj78
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1/30/2025 10:51pm
soyMotero wrote:
The land where the GP was held was sold to make vacation homes, sad, because it was one of the best motocross tracks in the world...

The land where the GP was held was sold to make vacation homes, sad, because it was one of the best motocross tracks in the world and a fan and rider favorite, not only that, despite being on a remote location, a lot of spectators used to go, it was one of the most attended GPs of the Year.

I think that if Luongo is willing to invest (something that he won't do) you can build a good racetrack in a flat área, look at Fox Raceway, its the worst track on the AMA Calendar but it isn't that bad.

Farewell Patagonia Race track, you will be missed.

Drone-3 0

 

shortty761 wrote:
That is so fucking sad. What the hell is wrong with this world. Hey this looks nice, let’s build a bunch of homes on it. Destroy...

That is so fucking sad. What the hell is wrong with this world. Hey this looks nice, let’s build a bunch of homes on it. Destroy nature for $$$. So tired of it.

So its better use beautiful part of nature to Motocross racing once a year but vacation homes in nature are destroying same area? 

Anyway flat spots can come out great tracks when you have time and equipment to do it right like Redsand MX park in Spain. Problem with one off GP tracks is lack of material, time to build, material never settles and cost plus they are putting high banners around track so you will see just one corner at time. 

Shaft721
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1/31/2025 6:12am

Can't believe everyone argues that this is the best MX series in the world. What a joke MXGP has become.

Yes there are good riders there, but more and more will continue to come to the US.

Shit show of a series. 

1
Flatliner
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1/31/2025 1:48pm

I loved the old Argentina track!   Dirk looked amazing.... such a shame.

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zehn
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1/31/2025 1:50pm
Elliot wrote:
Looks like a bog standard parking lot track so far. 

Looks like a bog standard parking lot track so far.

 

T1T2

Ah yes, the absolute pinnacle of motocross racing 

1
1/31/2025 2:29pm

Looks like Lake Elsinore. What a shame. 

mx617
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1/31/2025 3:22pm

Wasn't the old track really hard to get to? I thought it was way out in the middle of nowhere? 

KurtJ99
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1/31/2025 4:51pm

Another black eye for MXGP.

dinger212 wrote:

A black for our sport. This shit is happening everywhere in the world. Damn that track looked amazing 

If the land was sold for whatever it is not MXGP's fault, just a loss. 

A shame really, like mulletman I had it on my bucket list when I retire in a few years. Lesson learned. Go now before it - whatever it is - is gone. 

1
JustMX
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2/1/2025 6:09am

Some of the blame for the shift to man-made tracks in convenient areas should be placed on teams and ticket buyers. 

postcard worthy tracks often do not have infrastructure people complain is lacking out in the sticks.

team haulers and tv trucks are not going to drive miles on poor quality narrow roads.

They love the paddocks and other facilities available when tracks are built at existing motorsports facilities.

American teams are even pressuring mx sports to have tracks pave the pro pit areas for the nationals.

Now consider Spectators.

Internet/wifi availability, and I would guess in some developing countries, access to mass transit would be an important consideration.

What happens when people have to sit in line because they want to wait until an hour before racing to show up? You get the bitching we see every year after the pala round... But seriously, it takes good infrastructure to help things go smoothly.

Ticket buyers also want a place to stay so there better be a bunch of motels within 30 minutes, and I would think that is even more important to the MXGPs because they are a multiple day events.

There is a big reason that the shift in MX in general is going to locations over track quality.

It is the reason that SMX rounds are going to Zmax instead of Gatorback or Monster Mountain.

It is the reason that there are built-right-before tracks in MXGP.

It is the same reason fast food has taken over and amazon has gotten so big.

It is convenience over quality.

 

1

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