Glen Helen To Host Motocross Grand Prix Rounds In 2015 And 2016

Kit Palmer | October 8, 2014

Glen Helen Raceway announced that it will host an MXGP round in 2015 and 2016 as well as the MXoN in 2017. Photography by Kit Palmer

Glen Helen Raceway is back on the FIM MXGP World Championship calendar.

Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, will, once again, host a round of the FIM Motocross Grand Prix Series beginning in 2015. Bud Feldkamp, president of the raceway, and Giuseppe Luongo, president of Youthstream (the organizers of the MXGP series), met in Rome recently and agreed to hold two MXGP rounds, one in 2015 and one in 2016, as well as the Motocross of Nations in 2017, at the Southern California facility. The 2015 event will take place on September 20 and will be the final round of the 2015 championship.

“With another opportunity to once again host a U.S.GP and work with Giuseppe, Glen Helen will do something that I don’t think any other motocross track has ever had the privilege of doing—hosting both a U.S. MX National and U.S.GP event in the same year,” Feldkamp said. “Coordinating these two events with the U.S. MX National occurring in May and then the FIM U.S.GP having its final round in September was crucial to making this a possibility for Glen Helen. It also made it possible for other American-based professionals to compete in the final round of the FIM World Championship Series. Then, when you add the fact that there is a chance for Ryan Villopoto, a three-time U.S. MX National Champion, to become the first U.S. rider in almost 33 years to clinch a World MXGP title and to do so on American soil, this event becomes even more exciting. I look forward to the chance for our dedicated team of Glen Helen staff to welcome the world to what I believe is the best track and fan base in motocross and I am confident we will all be ready. I also told Giuseppe to make sure that he packs the World Cup Trophy in his luggage because I am confident that an American will return it to its rightful home on American soil at Glen Helen.”

“Working together with Bud and all his staff at Glen Helen is always such a great pleasure,” Luongo said. “We know each other now since a long time and we have already organized together the U.S. GP in 2010 and 2011. Since that time MXGP has continued to grow and with Ryan Villopoto’s arrival in the MXGP class, we believe it’s the perfect moment to return to USA with an event. The 2015 and 2016 Monster Energy FIM MXGP of USA will be the perfect preparation for the Monster Energy FIM MXoN in 2017 at Glen Helen. In the context of globalization it’s very important for MXGP to be in the USA, the biggest market in the world and the country with the most victories in the MXoN. Many of the World Championship’s partners are from USA: Monster Energy, CBS Sports Network, Go Pro, Parts Unlimited, THOR and FOX. American fans will surely enjoy seeing in their home country an event with the presence of the fastest world and American riders which is so exceptional that it can only be compared to the MXoN.”