Okay…explain this to me. Almost every rider says they hate the track. Crowd looked fairly weak, which=$, and not a good track for spectators. I don’t think it is a good track to watch on TV, which also =$. Why have a national there when there are so many good tracks? Yes…I know, and hate, the GH drama…but Pala seems like a very sub-par track to have a pro race at. Some years there have been 2 races at that track. What am I missing?
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It’s a national level track in SoCal where most of the dirtbike industry calls home. That’s what you’re missing. GH would be better tho.
I think the Pala track layout and elevation changes is damn good for racing. The soil is good when ripped and watered. Second motos are always a bit dryer.
Enjoyed watching it on TV today. I also have been at two Pala nationals watching live. The TV does not do much to show how steep the elevation changes are.
The downside is it's really shite for spectators...no trees, everything is dry and sandy...often hot as hell.
Was the most people I’ve seen at the a Pala National in 7 years
However,
Make Glen Helen a National Again!
Pala’s National layout with the one “hill” is tired.
Because they desperately want a race in Southern California. And that's the ONLY reason. Track is absolutely horrible to watch on TV.
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Of course GH is the better venue... but it seems like there's too much bad blood to make things work.
I think we have seen great races at Fox raceway. Today between Jett and Eli, was it last year we had Jett and Chase... I've seen much larger snoozefests at other tracks. Not saying Pala is fantastic but it doesn't deserve the hate some apparently have in them.
It may be a better venue, the weak point for Glen Helen is ownership and management IMO.
If they ever spend a dollar upgrading the place or hiring a better track crew I will be shocked. Flaggers? Regular watering? Get rid of giant rocks the size of watermelons on the track? NOPE!
For the most part I like the hills and the track itself, but I get why they don't host a national motocross race any longer. I go there every week and some Saturday's to race, but lately I've been asking myself is it worth the 3 hour round trip from Temecula,
Pretty much nailed it.
The VIP experiences have ruined a lot of fun for spectators at all the tracks. Southwick was horrible to begin with, now it’s even worse. There’s a handful of GA spots.
The bashing from the riders is getting old and it seems like it's coming from a lot of the younger more pampered guys. They say it every year, shut up already and go do your job. You're getting paid!
Pala has a different vibe. It feels like people have to be there rather than want to be there, though yesterday was better than previous years.
I went to Pala and Hangtown back to back last year. Hangtown felt like core moto - people were truly excited for racing, much like what I've experienced at all the east coast nationals.
I can't help but think it's a waste for MX Sports and another promoter holding a holiday weekend race there. I'd drive 8 hours to go back to Hangtown on Memorial Day Weekend. I wouldn't go to Pala again if it was more than an hour away
Pala is good, but Glen Helen is great.
Cahuilla would be a nice substitute if they could arrange for the pits and parking.
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