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Glen Helen is epic. That’s a man’s track right there. Gotta be the gnarliest track ever on the circuit.
Other...Glen Helen! Especially when it was on opening weekend.
My thoughts exactly. If you are willing to walk up the hill... Washougal has great site lines. If you are only willing to walk on flat ground... your viewing points will be limited.
I’ve never been there before so I don’t have much of a opinion on it . Seems like a cool track but extremely difficult to watch live . Also Redbud isn’t the best place to watch a race either hard to see more than a few sections at a time.
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I am biased, because it’s my home track, but Hangtown is great for spectators. There’s multiple viewing spots where you can easily see 90% of the track. It’s also pretty easy to get in and out of. If only it wasn’t so dry and tree-less
Been to Red Bud 3 times, Hangtown 3 times, Thunder Valley 2 times and Glen Helen.
Ran the qualifier at Hangtown in ‘80 with OShow…. I’m mid pack being pushed way wide. Also in 81, just missed qualifying with a last lap water pump failure…. I want to like Hangtown, just can’t.
Red Bud on 4th of July weekend so you can watch Deegs waive the Stars And Stripes on the podium and give half of Vital PTSD 😊
Otherwise, GH on opening day. I don't think I missed any one of those... i don't think i ever had a bad time at an outdoor race, always fun.
Although I’m not sure I’d ever want to attend it because of how insanely packed it always is and I almost always have something going on during 4th of July Weekend, Red Bud is always awesome and hard to bet against. The prime track. The fans. If you think about it, fans you usually don’t hear much on an MX broadcast. But you do at Red Bud, loud and clear. I’ve attended Spring Creek more than 10 times and Budds Creek once and Thunder Valley once. Of those I really enjoyed Budds Creek because there’s just so much to do in the DC area. We made it a week and a half long trip and capped it off with Budds Creek. Spring Creek is just wayyy out in the boonies but it’s pure moto because of that and that’s awesome in its own way.
All of them. Plus several that aren't with us anymore -- Steel City, Broom-Tioga, Glen Helen of course, Elsinore... and can't quite bring myself to mention Freestone in the same sentence as the others. Sorry Texas. Great state. Not a national caliber track.
Millville, can't say it's underrated, but for sure, it's pretty much right up top. Great track, good viewing.
Both Bud and Budds, gotta do that if you've got a bucket list -- though I'd give the nod to crab in that bucket, IFYKYK. But yeah. Currently? Thunder Valley probably. If you're just hopping in, flight style, to spectate.
Washougal is difficult. I don't mind, personally, being stuck in traffic for hours if need be on the way in. You can see over the edge the Columbia from some spots. Beautiful. Leaving, you can't. And you wanna know the trick. Ask a local. It's tricky, but it's good. That race all in has its own ambiance, so it's definitely a contender.
Likewise, Southwick and Unadilla are historic locales that are a long ways from anywhere, relatively speaking. YMMV.
And if you're retracing history, Hangtown has it, sort of. Doesn't get any love, but you can see a lot of the track from several vantage points.
That's as a spectator. As a rider, Millville and Budds Creek hands down. Honorable mention to blue groove Red Bud from the turn of the century.
Oh. Troy? Ohio should have a national. Can't say I miss that place. Racing or watching. Gawdallmighty if I wanted that kind of humidity in my life I could have just stayed home in Florida back then.
And finally, put me down with those who miss Memorial Day High Point and Labor Day Steel City sort of bookending the series, and the summer. Delmont was a great track. From the stands, or from behind the gate. Or partying in Jonesy's front yard. RIP
Yeah I've only been to washougal a handful of times because I live in the Portland area. I stopped going because of the traffic and sheer amount of people. Gets crazier every year.
I have been to Millville, Freestone, Thunder Valley and Red Bud for MXON. Millville is the best of all of them. Best viewing, creek, elevation you just can't beat it.
I think you are thinking of Memorial Day weekend. That's what High Point was usually on, when Budds was Father's Day. It was a lot crazier back then. And Steel City was Labor Day and almost always the final round, from what I remember.
That was so awesome for this area. Growing up and going to those 2 Nationals every year was amazing. I liked both tracks and thought they were up there with the best rounds.
Personally, yes, RedBud has the best atmosphere. However, my favorite all around round is Washougal. Great atmosphere, scenic as hell, pretty good viewing, the overall surrounding area is awesome. Love the pits under the trees too. Plus it’s so fun/challenging to shoot photos.
Least favorite round, the one in my backyard, Pala. I loath shooting that round and the viewing is meh.
Hangtown has some spots where you can see 90% of the track but the rest of it is just kinda okay for me.
Ironman is pretty unique in layout and surroundings, I quite like it.
Unadilla is the worst travel ever coming from West coast, but I love the layout / shooting it.
My personal order of the current schedule
1. Washougal
2. Ironman
3. Millville
4. Redbud
5. High Point
6. Thunder Valley
7. Unadilla
8. Budds Creek
9. Southwick
10. Hangtown (I might be numb to this round since I’ve been to it almost as many times as Glen Helen for Nationals)
11. Pala (while I don’t love it, it’s still so much better than Elsinore and Tooele, Utah were)
@ML512
Thanks for that. Just told the wife we need to hit Washougal this year.
We do have a plan to hit all rounds in the same year (RV and fly) after we retire.
Don’t get me wrong Pala is the A1 of outdoors. But the camping and atmosphere there is just horrible. If you’d like to prove me wrong and you’re there come stop by for a drink and show me your way. I’ll be there Friday 930am.
I've been to Nationals/GP's at High Point, Steel City, Unadilla, Broome-Tioga, Southwick, Lake Sugar Tree and Budds Creek.
A lot of good racing at all of them, but there is nothing like grass, Unadilla and the smell of Castrol R in the old days.
Head back to camp finish your beers and head home Sunday morning, that’s what we always did atleast
they still do on friday night
Pit Row
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