Herlings Throwing Some Shade

I mentioned exactly this in the race thread. That was the worst I’ve ever seen that track. 

It used to be such an awesome track and many riders favourites but whoever prepped it this weekend was awful. Overwatered and ripped too deep!

Herlings also raced MX Masters in Dreetz in germany last weekend. He mentioned in the post race interview how good the track prep was and said MXGP should take note, cause its horrible there.

All I know is that it is nice to see "The Bullet" back on form. I'm looking forward to a rematch between him and Eli in October

Lucas said something along these when interviewed by Gatedrop. I hope they fix this problem ASAP. The series gets enough shit as it is. 

Saturday the track was mega. I can't remember the last time I saw actual berms on an MXGP track. Sunday it was like they decided to treat it like a club weekend (because almsot every club treats tracks like this in the UK) and rip it 8" deep then soak the living daylights out of it. Puddles everywhere in the first mx2 race. 

I mean if we want tracks to be like this then just have the sport run from October through to March and lets all have the summer off, right now this sport has a rut obsession problem and seems to have forgotten it's supposed to be as much against nature as it is against each other. 

I thought the track looked bad for the races, reminded me of a local club meeting. 

It does my head in at club meetings as well, facebook comments all over the place "track was amazing, there's fifteen ruts on every corner". We could do a whole thread on this subject by itself... It was the same a couple weeks back at Teuschenthal and ernee.. they're supposed to be hard-pack tracks. We still produce hard-pack tyres... What the fuck are they even for any more when every track is scoop-worthy?!

They still cannot fill the gates....  Even in the heart of Europe.  The previous weekend was even worse.  250's half filled gate, it's embarrassing. 

seewer on the track.

GP needs a track supervisor or something like that where he is the mediator between the track maintenance people and a few riders to get some type of feedback.

https://youtu.be/UO9ygKqFois?si=Z-X-BrvARr5sHcDP

Would he have still made this post if he was unable to block Glenn all the way to finish like he did?

Crazy amounts of water on the track yesterday. The woops were in the state of a mud race for the first MX2 race during a hot dry weekend!

There were way more lines on Saturday but with the ripping and constant watering on Sunday it just ruined it. Constantly watering jump takes offs and landings is crazy.

I proposed this very thing to Luongo ten years ago.  Fell on deaf ears. 

You still involved in the sport over here at all Rob? 

Track prep where it's rip it and soak it like a mudder in practice is practically like an epidemic over here at the minute. 

No. 

Modern tracks frustrate me, mostly for the lack of passing opportunities and the fact that the problem could be fixed by merely changing the shape of the corners.  It’s not complicated. It just needs someone who knows what they’re doing.

However, I’ve offered to assist with track advice on numerous occasions (including with Youthstream) but I guess they know better. 

Wasn't much better on Saturday which was completely dry. The problem isn't prep. The layout changed and they took out a number of difficult corners. 

According to many track owners in the USA, it has to be ripped super deep and over watered, to form the never ending ruts….if you don’t like this method you are a “poser” and will never be a “Pro” or Loretta Lynn”s amateur national rising star…

Bummed to see the shade is not directed at Jett, Eli, Deegs, etc. We could use a bit more MXGP vs. SMX drama from the former FMOTP. 

This is what I came for too.

Seems the riders/teams didn't like the track Saturday (when there were plenty of passing opportunities). So the watering was excessive Sunday and what we got was zero passing or racing really.

Also need to consider how dry it's been in the UK this year and there's only so much water stored on side. That said, parts of the track were down to the chalk early on Saturday...

Give me some nice vet B rider prep all day. Don't rip it to China, put a reasonable amount of water, and stop adding a ton of sawdust and wood shavings. 

Well, there's some truth in that, although I take exception to the word 'poser' - we all have different objectives with our riding, and what's ideal for one won't be ideal for others.  Doesn't make anyone a 'poser' though.

if you want to compete at the national level, you absolutely 100% need to train on deep, rutted tracks.  Without it you won't become a pro or be competitive at the national level as an amateur.

I loved the hard pack of saturday, but they ruined it for all classes sunday. 

Ruts are not lines. 

A 5 metre wide track is usless if you can only use 1 metre for half the day. 

Track is too fast now, and everyone is too far away. 

They heard how Phil appreciated the track prep in their fellow canadian series and decided to apply the same method.

generally in NE Florida, most of the fast kids ride at private tracks or training facilities.  it's pretty rare to see aspiring pro's or any pro at our local tracks.  we do have a few local tracks when they are open do attract the fast guys.   I  "think" most our local tracks are catering to their regular weekend warriors who ride at their tracks more frequently.

Pax will get fast riders, Okee when open is pro caliber, WW went the facility route.  that leaves Bostwick, Waldo and NFMX who do a great job. Orlando MX a bit of a drive and was excellent as well.  Will add that PAX has started midday rut clean up which is welcomed especially on the faces.  also of note Bostwick and Waldo will see some pretty fast North East and Canadian riders during our winter/spring time....

thru the years there have been a few exceptions, Alessi would be seen often locally, AC set up at Waldo for a while, sure there are others that I may have not known etc...

All my opinion as a never fast 60+ rider,

The elements were against the track crew. They had conditions never seen in England. SUN

Says a guy that I’d bet dollars to donuts doesn’t actually race.

Elite level amateurs aren’t racing local tracks on the weekends.  Let them make the training facilities as miserable as they can.  I just want to have a good time racing on the weekends.