Euro MX Race
Fresh off a moto win at the Grand Prix of Lombardia, Team Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1 has confirmed they will be bringing racers Clement Desalle and Steve Ramon to Southern California to compete at the USGP at Glen Helen on May 30th.
Headed by legendary Belgian racer Eric Geboers, Team Suzuki is celebrating 50 years of racing heritage in 2010 and having an American-based sponsor makes this event doubly important.
Eric Geboers says: "We have just entered into a very important partnership with Rockstar Energy Drink and having a race in the U.S. is just perfect," explains Geboers.
Nicknamed "The Kid" during his own racing days, Geboers gained fame as the first man to win championships in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes. He also knows the track at Glen Helen having won the 500cc USGP at Glen Helen in 1990. "I think it is great that FIM-sanctioned MX is spread out all over the world, and the USA is very important in both the motorcycle business and media."
In addition to being important to the team, Geboers adds it is even more important to the riders. "Every European rider dreams about racing in the U.S. at sometime. The competition in Europe is very well known, but the question is always how do we stack up against the U.S. riders and tracks."
Given this importance, does Geboers plan to approach the USGP at Glen Helen any different than the European rounds? "It will become a tactical battle for the Rockstar Teka Suzuki Team for sure. Racing influences the adrenaline levels more than what most of the riders can control, so we will work to keep our riders under control and not to get hurt in a battle against a U.S. rider."
What are the former USGP Champ’s thoughts about the Youthstream’s five-year deal to bring the race to Glen Helen for the next five years? "This is a step in the right direction," believes the Belgian. "Having Glen Helen in the FIM World MX program is an added value for the future, but budgeting for this first year will be tough for most of the teams."
"The good thing is that a five-year plan will make logistics easier in the future… if an overseas trip can be combined with the Brazil GP for example, it will make it more cost-effective in the future," says Geboers. "We are all looking forward to coming to Glen Helen for the next five years."
Tickets for the "Race of the Century" as the USGP is being billed, are available at the Glen Helen website glenhelen.com as well as at participating local Yamaha dealers. Reserved camping is also available for $50 per spot.
