Glen Helen Raceway.
Dear MXA,
I find it odd that MXA has written giant articles about what’s wrong with the Grand Prix series, but Jody is suddenly designing the USGP track (and working with Luongo). How can MXA bash Giuseppe Luongo and then say good things about the USGP? In fact, this month’s issue of MXA has an article calling Luongo a “Crackpot.” Explain that?
The sport is different from the people who run it, the rules they write or the decisions they make. The sport involves the people who do it, love it, breathe it and want to be a part of it. The sport doesn’t stop just because there are disagreements over the direction an organization takes.
Think about it. MXA and the AMA were never friends. Steve Whitelock and Jody fought like cats and dogs. Jody and John Ayers barely speak over the “smooth track” concept. Jody and Davey Coombs have different views on many aspects of the Nationals. And MXA has written, and will continue to write, in-depth articles that are critical of the way the AMA Nationals are run. Yet, Jody was still a part of the AMA Nationals, designed a National track and said good things about the races. MXA supports the AMA Nationals because we love motorcycle racing—that doesn’t mean we are suddenly in bed with the AMA.
First and foremost, Jody doesn’t work for Glen Helen, MXSports or Giuseppe Luongo. He’s not on any payroll except for MXA’s. The criticisms of how Youthstream does business really aren’t all that different from the criticisms of how MX Sports does business—but MXA is able to separate out the failings of the sanctioning bodies from the purity of the sport itself. And no matter how you slice it, having a Grand Prix in the USA is good for the sport, the fans, the riders and the tradition of motocross. It harks back to the glory days of the USGP's at Carlsbad, Unadilla, Hollister, Mid-Ohio and Budds Creek. It is an added dimension to American motocross and its history—and with the exception of people with an ax to grind or a competing financial interest, there is no reason not to be happy that something different, new and exciting will be happening on May 30. The real question isn't, why Jody agreed to design the USGP track, but why so many people seem to be dead set against the USGP?
Jody and Giuseppe Luongo, just as with Jody and Davey Coombs, are willing to work on the same projects for the greater good. That doesn’t mean they don’t fundamentally disagree on many things, but all three of them are naive enough to think that they can eventually swing the other guy over to their way of thinking.
For those who are interested, you can see the article about "Luongo's Crackpot Plan For World Dominance" from the May 2010 issue of MXA below.
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