How do you improve on the largest freestyle motocross course in history? Make it even bigger and badder. Red Bull X-Fighters will do just that as it returns to Southern California for its U.S. stop at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, on Saturday, May 11.
Last year’s visit to Glen Helen produced one of the most talked about events ever in the sport of freestyle motocross, and at the center of that conversation was the course itself. Unlike most Red Bull X-Fighters events, which are often nestled into iconic locations such as Red Square in Moscow or next to the Pyramids in Cairo, Glen Helen Raceway provided space to really spread out. The result was a truly massive course that dwarfed the footprint at previous Red Bull X-Fighters events.
And how do you improve on that? Ask the riders and spectators for feedback, and listen to what they say. As massive as the 2012 course was, the 2013 course will increase in size, with more dirt, more features and more action. There will also be increased use of the existing hillside, which provided for some of the most exciting tricks in 2012, including the massive backflip step-ups landed by American riders Wes Agee and eventual winner Todd Potter. The step-up will grow to two stages (adding an additional jump) that will take the riders more than six stories above the main course arena. These additional uphill and downhill options will result in the biggest transfer jump in the history of freestyle motocross.
To mimic the freeriding style that Southern California is known for, look for less traditional tabletops and more natural freeride terrain jumps. And on top of all that dirt, there will be six metal take off ramps, two super kicker-style metal ramps, a metal quarter pipe take off, a unique 40-foot-long rainbow rail and the return of the 80-foot-long bowl-curved wall ride (a 2012 fan favorite), all making for near-unlimited riding options. In addition, spectators will be closer to the action, with the seating areas moved in from last year.
“We’re pumped to be back at Glen Helen for the 2013 Red Bull X-Fighters,” said Dane Herron, Chief Course Designer. “We built the ultimate freestyle course last year and are prepared to up the ante this year. The plan is to mimic a freeride park that will really challenge the riders to show some progressive tricks. If you like freeriding, you won’t want to miss this year’s event.”
Twelve of the world’s best freestyle motocross riders will gear up to take on the FMX playground on Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m. PT at Glen Helen Raceway. The series kicked off its six-city world tour in Mexico City, where 38,000 spectators packed into the Plaza de Toros, the world’s largest bullfighting arena, to watch Tom Pages of France take first place. The series now continues to Dubai on April 12, and following the return to Glen Helen on May 11, the riders will travel to Osaka (June 1), Madrid (July 19) and finish the season in Pretoria (August 31).
To purchase tickets, visit the series website at www.redbullxfighters.com and go to the Glen Helen event page, where the ticket link is located.
