Here are some photos of Glen Helen's U.S. Grand Prix track preparation. Although the GP isn't for another month, Glen Helen has been incorporating some of the design into the track every week (and using the practice days and weekend races to make adjustments). The current goal is to get the lay-of-the-land down with the track, so that it can be fenced. The actual track obstacles are about two weeks away.
It should be noted that Glen Helen is building the exact track that they planned to build for the AMA 250/450 National (and they submitted a track map to MX Sports back in February). Glen Helen will be testing the layout with weekly upgrades and changes, but the first real test of the complete track will be at the May 16 "MTA-sponsored Prequel" race (which is officially the World Four-Stroke Championship race). See the poster below. This race pays a $26,000 purse to the pro class (and includes Novice, Intermediate, Vet and other classes). It is held one week before Hangtown and is a chance for all the AMA National riders to test their mettle in two-30 minute motos (separate races for both 250 and 450 Pros)
This photo was shot from the top of the Triple Step-Up. From here you can see the Mt. Saint Helen downhill (with the hump at the bottom). The Cat is working up the face of the Saddleback humps (which for this year will consist of only one hump). In the foreground is the new "rolling wave" section that makes a sweeping turn toward the finish line jump
There are seven "rolling wave" humps and they vary in shape. Thursday's practice riders will have to figure out the best way through them (if there is one). They will be changed each week until the best combination is found.
This is the view to the north (to the REM side of the track). This tabletop will be the second and third part of the triple step-up (the Triple Step-Up is moving up one complete section of jumps this year and the track is going the traditional direction). Most people will remember this table as the place where John Ayers put the stupid Monster arch (it was run backwards last year). If you look on the grassy knoll in the distance, you will see that the track will climb Mt. Whitney from the side.
The Talladega first turn was being worked on while MXA was there. Instead of a steeply banked 180-degree turn, it will now be a steeply banked 240-degree turn. It grew in height and steepness as we watched.
Riders who raced the World Two-Stroke race were the first to try the Saddleback-to-Yamaha Hill combination. The first part of this new section is to climb up to where the Cat is going over the hill...
Then, you immediately turn down this very steep
downhill.....
...and cut across the canyon to a new section of track
that leads up the backside of Yamaha Hill. This is a fly-away tabletop that has the riders whipping it and landing where the Cat is. Then, the downhill that the Cat is going up heads, as always, to the Triple Step-Up.
Glen Helen's fence crew has been busy removing the shrubbery and weeds from the sides of Mt. Saint Helen.
Go to www.glenhelen.com for more info.
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