Glen Helen National Replaced By FIM MX GP
Press Release | March 31, 2010
Glen Helen Raceway will host a big motocross race on May 30 after all – but instead of it being the second round of the AMA National Motocross Championships it will be the sixth round of the MX1 and MX2 Motocross Championships. And it will be called the Grand Prix of the United States of America.”It’s true,” said Laurie Bryant of Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. “After the negotiations went south with MX Sports [the rights holders for the AMA series], we thought maybe we could host a Grand Prix or the MX of Nations some day, so we e-mailed Guiseppe Luongo [of Youthstream, the GP promoters], who e-mailed us back and said they had an open date in their schedule on Memorial Weekend, so it’s all a go. Jody [Weisel, the editor of Motocross Action magazine who also designs the Glen Helen track for the Nationals] had already started working on it, so it all worked out.”And it won’t be a one-time deal as Glen Helen has inked a five-year contract with the FIM to host a World round with the option of hosting the Motocross of Nations, according to Yarnell and the FIM.”Today is a fantastic day for the whole Motocross world,” said Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream, in a press release issued today. “I want to really thank Mr. Bud Feldkamp for his trust and enthusiasm towards us so that the FIM Motocross can return to this great venue in the USA. Being near the industry’s and teams’ bases, the location of the Glen Helen Raceway couldn’t be better. We are sure that together we will build a fantastic and stable event for those who come to the event and for those who will follow it via Internet and television. Naturally all the top World Championship MX1 and MX2 riders will be participating and all the top American riders are very welcome – altogether we will make the ‘Race of the Century.'”We don’t have much time to organize everything for the 2010 Grand Prix, but we trust in the experience of the Glen Helen Raceway staff, FIM, AMA, the Youthstream staff and all our partners to organize the travel and to promote the event. Finally, I would like to thank the FIM and AMA for their support, just as I would like to thank like all the other professional people and fans who support having an FIM Motocross Grand Prix in the USA and who, altogether, help us to succeed with this great event.”Feldkamp was also quoted in the release: “I am very excited and enthusiastic to have this world class event at Glen Helen Raceway,” Feldkamp said. “It has been a life-long dream of mine and the staff to have this extraordinary World Championship event at Glen Helen. This will give motocross fans across the U.S. an opportunity to see our top American riders compete against MX champions from around the world on U.S. soil.”Working with Mr. Giuseppe Luongo has been a pleasure and productive from the first moment we spoke. I am confident this is the launch of a long and beneficial relationship with FIM Motocross World Championships. What an opportunity to thank our fans and staff for their loyalty to motocross and Glen Helen throughout the years. The fans can be assured this event ‘Race of the Century’ will be spectacular and continue for many years to come. We look forward to seeing everyone Memorial Day Weekend at Glen Helen for a race you will always remember.”Bryant added that Glen Helen still hopes to host a National again at the facility.
