Pala traffic

sumdood
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San Clemente, CA US
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5/31/2026 2:09pm
Brent wrote:
I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort...

I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort when I am just watching. I live really close to the track, but over the years have learned to never show up after 6AM on race day.

Not criticizing anyone for showing up there on race day morning, but every year I hear the same complaints about a single road being difficult to get in and out of,  This race has been going on and off since 2010, and the same traffic problems getting in and out quickly happen every single year. 

the organizers can’t make a wider road,  what do you expect them to do? 

I expect them to hire Radical 👍   😉

 

6
Luxon MX
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San Diego, CA US
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5/31/2026 2:16pm
Brent wrote:
I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort...

I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort when I am just watching. I live really close to the track, but over the years have learned to never show up after 6AM on race day.

Not criticizing anyone for showing up there on race day morning, but every year I hear the same complaints about a single road being difficult to get in and out of,  This race has been going on and off since 2010, and the same traffic problems getting in and out quickly happen every single year. 

the organizers can’t make a wider road,  what do you expect them to do? 

I've been going every year for some time now and have never had an issue going in like I did yesterday. The worst it's been was a 10 minute or so delay last year. Off the 15 and onto the 76 about 9:30, in the pits by 10. 

Followed the same plan this year, and didn't get in the pits until 1 pm. That a significant difference. 

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5/31/2026 2:25pm
englishman wrote:
Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it...

Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it there. Disappointing after all these years they’ve still not figured it out. 

What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.

No one is going to sacrifice a bunch of land to build a parking lot for an event that happens once a year. 

Best way to watch Pala is at home with an ice cold beer and charcuterie board. Maybe a dip in the pool between motos. If you just torture yourself and those with you, I highly recommend making a weekend out of it and staying at one of the casinos east of the track. That way you can benefit from going East out of the track and not suffering all the way to the 15.

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3
5/31/2026 2:33pm
englishman wrote:
Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it...

Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it there. Disappointing after all these years they’ve still not figured it out. 

What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.No one is going to sacrifice a bunch...

What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.

No one is going to sacrifice a bunch of land to build a parking lot for an event that happens once a year. 

Best way to watch Pala is at home with an ice cold beer and charcuterie board. Maybe a dip in the pool between motos. If you just torture yourself and those with you, I highly recommend making a weekend out of it and staying at one of the casinos east of the track. That way you can benefit from going East out of the track and not suffering all the way to the 15.

IMG 5914 5.jpeg?VersionId=QNzNLVjgZQEcB0vZMgHWMLYg3jIH
This was 76 coming from Valley Center
6

The Shop

lumpy790
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York, SC US
5/31/2026 2:55pm
Brent wrote:
I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort...

I use common sense and experience and either stay in my motorhome at the track when I have riders racing the event or at the resort when I am just watching. I live really close to the track, but over the years have learned to never show up after 6AM on race day.

Not criticizing anyone for showing up there on race day morning, but every year I hear the same complaints about a single road being difficult to get in and out of,  This race has been going on and off since 2010, and the same traffic problems getting in and out quickly happen every single year. 

the organizers can’t make a wider road,  what do you expect them to do? 

Luxon MX wrote:
I've been going every year for some time now and have never had an issue going in like I did yesterday. The worst it's been was...

I've been going every year for some time now and have never had an issue going in like I did yesterday. The worst it's been was a 10 minute or so delay last year. Off the 15 and onto the 76 about 9:30, in the pits by 10. 

Followed the same plan this year, and didn't get in the pits until 1 pm. That a significant difference. 

I have always found that arriving at the track around 7 AM and leavening later works well.

4
1
lumpy790
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5/31/2026 2:57pm
englishman wrote:
Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it...

Not been for years but I used to park at the 15 and moped in. That would have been for the first couple they held it there. Disappointing after all these years they’ve still not figured it out. 

What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.No one is going to sacrifice a bunch...

What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.

No one is going to sacrifice a bunch of land to build a parking lot for an event that happens once a year. 

Best way to watch Pala is at home with an ice cold beer and charcuterie board. Maybe a dip in the pool between motos. If you just torture yourself and those with you, I highly recommend making a weekend out of it and staying at one of the casinos east of the track. That way you can benefit from going East out of the track and not suffering all the way to the 15.

Or going the way of the casino worked but it wasn’t a national weekend either. Isn’t that right TeamGreen?

3
sumdood
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San Clemente, CA US
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5/31/2026 3:13pm

On a positive note our grandson and the 7 year old neighbor kid we invited (who just got his first bike and was at his first MX race of any kind) had an absolute blast. Walking around for 3 hours after the race was over was just an extra added bonus for them. The neighbor kid is super enthused, it was fun to see him get to check out a bunch of stuff he wouldn’t have had we not been stuck there. Like him standing on the starting line and imagining he was in the race, throttle and clutch hands moving and everything lol  We showed him the dog house and what the guy stomps on to drop the gate. We talked  about how they qualify for gate pics and which ones are better and why. “You want be the first guy out of that corner down there” “Would you rather start from here ?, or over there” ? and then watch the wheels turn lol. “Next to the doghouse gives you a little more elbow room” etc, he was all questions it was fun. We would’ve be fine with 2 or 2 1/2 hours of extra fun instead of 4….., but whatever.😂  This wasn’t the average everyday national cluster most of us expected, it delivered so much more. We’ll adapt for next year. Oh and whatever that thing my grandson is eating ? Everything it touches gets stained blue, skin and all lol

IMG 3790 1IMG 3791.png?VersionId=Fpq.iM5IMG 3751 1.jpeg?VersionId=QVqnfCiyiGFKValv2FO43SdIMG 3757 2.jpeg?VersionId=xalK1v8i9pSZ1TgAIMG 3768 3IMG 3779 5IMG 3769 1.jpeg?VersionId=FNsRRaB28i35yvsVqkwvR.O6g3IMG 3780 2.jpeg?VersionId=BwPiNMDwiA4IMG 3773 1.jpeg?VersionId=ym5v41dSY8F.khgeCPjlh4m
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5/31/2026 3:50pm
IMG 5914 5.jpeg?VersionId=QNzNLVjgZQEcB0vZMgHWMLYg3jIH
This was 76 coming from Valley Center

Times have changed.


Best to stay home.

3
sumdood
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5/31/2026 4:10pm

Moto stoke ! IMG 3801 1

12
Ob917
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Cardiff, CA US
5/31/2026 6:11pm

I’ve never seen it so bad. But I’ll be back next year. 🤘🏻🍻🤙🏼

9
5/31/2026 6:15pm

Sure “let’s grow the sport more”.  Nah it’s perfectly fine just the way it is 

3
CalRMX
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Brea, CA US
5/31/2026 6:16pm

Glen Helen had a shitty wait in traffic too 

BS my friend, nobody EVER waited 3-4 hours to get out of Glen Helen

3
2
CalRMX
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5/31/2026 6:33pm
CalRMX wrote:

3 hours to get out

F'ing pathetic Mr Coombs, and whoever else runs this shit show.

 

Boomslang wrote:
What do you suggest they do? I mean, the road from the 15 to the track is real shit and has buggerall to do with MXSports...

What do you suggest they do? I mean, the road from the 15 to the track is real shit and has buggerall to do with MXSports of Davey.

 

Ok, evidently you weren't there

The road from the 15 is a problem sure

the REAL problem is all the people trying to merge onto Magee Road, then down too HWY 76, From the top of Magee Road (water tower) to Hwy 76 was 1-1/2 hours, with 1/1/2 hours of total standstill in the parking lot before we went up the dirt road to the Water Tower

Then another issue was the idiot f'ing LEO's on Hwy 76. They would let out vehicles from the VIP entrance (west of Magee Road) for 1-2 minutes. Stop them, and maybe let 10-20 cars thru on 76 (towards the 15) that had come from Magee Road. It took us 15 minutes stuck on the 76 before we get going properly.

-------------------

 

AND WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?????

More entrances, wider lanes into PALA, off site parking with rideshare, people with a pulse to provide traffic control, 

If MXA Sports gave a crap, something might get done. Next year somebody should take somebody from MX Sports put them thru same experience.

 

2
CalRMX
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5/31/2026 6:35pm
What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.No one is going to sacrifice a bunch...

What is there to figure out? It’s a two lane road with really only one way in and out.

No one is going to sacrifice a bunch of land to build a parking lot for an event that happens once a year. 

Best way to watch Pala is at home with an ice cold beer and charcuterie board. Maybe a dip in the pool between motos. If you just torture yourself and those with you, I highly recommend making a weekend out of it and staying at one of the casinos east of the track. That way you can benefit from going East out of the track and not suffering all the way to the 15.

Charcuterie board??

Must be one of them Honda riders

What did the ad say?

"You meet the gayest people on a Honda"😃

9
TogaSet
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5/31/2026 6:47pm

Outdoor motocross is cooler than supercross.  
Going to a watch outdoor motocross live is not cooler than going to watch supercross. 

1
2
mtbkris2
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5/31/2026 6:57pm

I was really bummed I couldn’t go, reading this makes me glad I didn’t 

3
1
Timo
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Wichita, KS US
5/31/2026 7:25pm

Sounds like a business opportunity for someone, talk them into making parking off the main road and then running several buses back and forth. $5 a person, $7.50 if they ask for a discount. 

2
Gmyersdork
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5/31/2026 7:53pm
1000001009 0
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1
sumdood
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5/31/2026 8:08pm

I'm sure there are better ways to manage and utilize the existing roads and parking.  The first thing that has to happen is the bean counter / decision makers have to care enough to do something. Think that'll happen ?        

1
Brent
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Temecula, CA US
5/31/2026 9:15pm

Remember- This track is on reservation land. Not easy to make changes to access the facility.

I don't know for sure, but the crowd was as large as I'd ever seen it there in 16 years.  A lot of hype surrounding Deegan, Prado and Jett probably got more fans than ever coming out to see Motocross.

IMHO, Moto has always been a "come early, stay late" kind of event. It's not Supercross where you arrive and leave in 4 hours from a nice stadium lot.

3
3
KennyT
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Vista, CA US
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5/31/2026 9:24pm

Some of the issues going in may have been the kids taking the money/cards. I was there before 7am and there were 2 cars ahead of me. I sat for what seemed like 3/4 minutes for the car in front of me to get paid up and moving. I asked the kid what is the advantage of the “Preferred” parking for $20 more and he could not answer. His reply was “I am not sure, I think you can park closer” 

Most sporting events have a system in place to get cars through the gate quickly. Any delay at all will back up the entrance. 

Someone suggested parking off site and bussing in to the race. That would not work…. The busses. Would be sitting for hours along with the cars. 

It can be beat by arriving early. I set my alarm for 5:30am with only a 30 min drive to Pala and I got right in. The big issue to me is I have to miss the last moto in exchange for driving out fairly quick. You should not have to plan your day to miss a 1/4 of the event. 

That being said, I’ve never had any luck getting out of Nationals quickly when I stayed for the last lap. I have been to 7-8 Washougal Nationals and have always stayed 2/3 hours after the race because it was a parking lot trying to leave right after the motos 

2
2stroked
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Ontario, CA US
5/31/2026 10:02pm

I went to Pala the first two years it was a national. After that I swore I’d never go there for a national again. After reading three pages of drama I can see that sitting in my living room 10 feet from my bathroom and fridge is the right decision.

Pala is awesome. I love having a national there. It’s great for the sport. I knew back in 2010 the logistics of getting 10,000+ people in and out there is impossible. God forbid there was an emergency. 

Best way to do Pala is stay there Friday through Sunday. $$$$

1
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA US
5/31/2026 11:13pm

Dual-Sport/ADV in and out…

That’s how I do it. 

8
sumdood
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6/1/2026 12:27am
TeamGreen wrote:

Dual-Sport/ADV in and out…

That’s how I do it. 

We usually have a crew. Could be done I suppose 😄

5 on a bike
6
1
CDA331
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Coeur D Alene, ID US
6/1/2026 1:00am
kylemenz1 wrote:
There are going to be quite a few unhappy people who paid for tickets only to be turned away because the parking lot was full. Something’s...

There are going to be quite a few unhappy people who paid for tickets only to be turned away because the parking lot was full. Something’s going to have to change for next year — or we need to get the event back to Glen Helen.

I heard a rumor today that the track may be closing down anyway to make way for a golf course. So this could be a non-issue for future national races, but it really sucks for us locals to lose the track.  I heard the announcer at the track today say “Pala Resort, Casino, and Golf Course.”  There’s no golf course so I thought it was odd. Then later heard the rumor. 

You haven’t gotten out of garbage CA yet?

5
sumdood
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6/1/2026 8:57am

Here’s a thought, what if they figured out how many people the facility can realistically handle, and then GASP, only sold that many tickets. Yeah I know, never mind.

2
mxracer666
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NE Iowa, IA US
6/1/2026 9:05am

Arrive  early on race day, stay late after the race.  Problem solved.

sumdood
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6/1/2026 9:16am
mxracer666 wrote:

Arrive  early on race day, stay late after the race.  Problem solved.

We waited 4 hours after and it was still gridlocked. That's a tough sell if you want to take family or friends. 

7
1
30minmotos
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6/1/2026 9:19am Edited Date/Time 6/1/2026 9:19am
TogaSet wrote:

Outdoor motocross is cooler than supercross.  
Going to a watch outdoor motocross live is not cooler than going to watch supercross. 

I’ve never had the problems they’re saying. I park a mile from the track entrances and walk in if I come during peak times. If I get early like usual just drive right in.


Going to any major city for sx is not better than where most Mx tracks are.


I hate cities.

4
6/1/2026 10:05am

Spring Creek GA Parking is the same deal.

Expect 1.5-2hrs to get out of the lot. You would think they would learn and get someone flagging traffic as soon as the 1st 450 crosses the moto 2 finish line.

1

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