Posts
6523
Joined
2/22/2011
Location
Somewhere, MO
US
Edited Date/Time
8/5/2018 6:31pm
I just don't get it. The AMA series has tried to make every track loamy like Red Bud, the crown jewel. Yes I agree that Red Bud is the best track with regards to how the track surface is throughout the race. But in doing so, they've taken away a key component that I personally loved to see. That being track surface variety to challenge these top tier riders on several different surfaces. This is one of the many things I love about the GPs. Much more variety to challenge their riders.
Just take a peak at this race at Washougal from 2006 and then rewatch Saturday's race. Entirely different. Washougal used to be that slick outdoor track where throttle control was key. Not anymore.
https://youtu.be/YgdwF6Ot04g
Just take a peak at this race at Washougal from 2006 and then rewatch Saturday's race. Entirely different. Washougal used to be that slick outdoor track where throttle control was key. Not anymore.
https://youtu.be/YgdwF6Ot04g
The Shop
Sunshine and a little breeze can really change what that track looks like as it dries out. Even when it looks like chocolate cake, it still has plenty of tricky areas, shadows and demands plenty of patience.
The only substantial amount of sand that has been put in the track has been the catapult jump after the infield triple. The landing area is a massive sand pit and some of that sand has been mixed in with the jump itself.
A few years back they tried out a sand section before the mechanics area for the national race, but subsequently removed all of it. It held a lot of water after some mid-week rain and was pretty bad for the next weekend's local race, I think that's why they got rid of that sand.
Each year, leading up to the national they do mix in some saw-dust in a few areas, but it's not much more than one or two piles. There's usually a pile over by the first turn and another in the tight corner after the finish line (where you enter the track on practice days). It doesn't make a whole lot of difference from year to year.
The weather forecast was supposed to be super hot for this area, so maybe that turned some folks away?
I know a bunch of friends who were out riding, on family camping trips, or went out on the boat instead.
Pit Row
I ride Millville and Red Bud often and have one lap of Southwick and several of Budds Creek.
When you go ride all of these and more, then bitch.
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