USGP At Glen Helen News & Notes

May 21, 2010 – Glen Helen Raceway, CA – When the best motocross racers in the world converge on California’s historic Glen Helen Raceway on May 29-30th it marks the return of the top European riders coming to race in America.

The 500cc USGP was last contested back on April 4-5, 1992 when flying French ace Jean-Michel Bayle swept the old three-moto format. Bayle beat the likes of top Americans Jeff "Chicken" Matiasevich on a factory Kawasaki and Honda-mounted Billy Liles, as well as defending #1 plate holder Georges Jobe from Belgium.

There will be a lap of honor for Marty Moates Riverside’s Malcolm Smith Motorsports ( Link) is hosting the 2010 United States Grand Prix Fan Experience in conjunction with Red Bull and KFROG radio.

This unique event will provide fans an opportunity to meet the top MX1 and MX2 GP stars from Europe, as well as mingle with American MX heroes including Chuck Sun, Ricky Johnson, Broc Glover and Jeff "Chicken" Matiasevich on Friday, May 28th.

The fan festivities start at 5:30pm with an appearance by the Red Bull KTM team, including defending World MX1 Champion Antonio Cairoli, Germany’s Max Nagl, Great Britain’s Tommy Searle and America’s own Mike Alessi.

Speaking of history, the return of the USGP to Southern California marks the 30th anniversary of an American first winning the USGP.

San Diego’s Marty Moates piloted his privateer LOP Yamaha to victory over the seemingly invincible MX racers from Europe at the old Carlsbad track.

The world premiere of Carlsbad USGP 1980: The Movie will take place at The Speckels Theatre in San Diego next month.

Glen Helen Raceway owner Bud Feldkamp is one of those who remembers what a monumental achievement Marty Moates’ victory was and he hopes to recreate that magic.

"It has been a life-long dream of mine and the staff to have this extraordinary World Championship event at Glen Helen." To commemorate the USGP’s return, Feldkamp commissioned famed motorsports painter Troy Lee to create the event poster.

He also announces that 5,000 of the ever-popular Glen Helen Moto Towels sponsored by MTA will be available to fans in order to help remember this date in history.

There will also be a special lap of honor in tribute to Marty Moates as Doug Dubach takes to the track on the #23 LOP Yamaha.

In the spirit of international competition, Bud has created the "USGP World Cup" as a personal challenge to Youthstream’s boss Guiseppe Luongo.

If an American wins the USGP, Bud keeps the cup and Guiseppe has to give him a motorcycle… Bud says he is partial to a new Ducati.

Meanwhile if Cairoli or one of the Grand Prix regulars wins, the cup and a new Harley-Davidson goes to Luongo. "No catch," laughs Bud.

"I will give him any model of Harley he wants, so long as it is 1/16 scale."

Feldkamp has also signed a deal with Luongo and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme to bring the race back to Glen Helen for the next five years.

Interestingly enough the race director for FIM World Motocross Championships is a man named Dave Nicoll.

What many people might not know is that Nicoll won the very first major series between American and European riders. Back in the days of BSA and CZ, Nicoll was a top GP racer.

In 1970 the tall British rider won the very first Trans-AMA series.

Racing against the likes of Jeff Smith, Joel Robert and a teenaged Brad Lackey, Nicoll was consistent, not winning a single round of the eight-round series, but he did enough to win the first ever Trans-AMA trophy.

Now in his late 60s Nicoll is excited to be heading back to America where he will attend the 2010 USGP.

International journalist Geoff Meyer decided to ask Nicoll about that experience and the upcoming United States Grand Prix here.

Mike Alessi and the Red Bull KTM Team will be there Malcolm Smith Motorsports is hosting the 2010 United States Grand Prix Fan Experience in conjunction with Red Bull and KFROG radio.

This unique event will provide fans an opportunity to meet the top MX1 and MX2 GP stars from Europe, as well as mingle with American MX heroes including Chuck Sun, Ricky Johnson, Broc Glover and Jeff "Chicken" Matiasevich on Friday, May 28th.

The fan festivities start at 5:30pm with an appearance by the Red Bull KTM team, including defending World MX1 Champion Antonio Cairoli, Germany’s Max Nagl, Great Britain’s Tommy Searle and America’s own Mike Alessi.

Fans can see their favorite racers up close and personal as the USGP pits will be open Saturday May 29 from 10am-6pm for the qualifiers and first moto of the FIM Veterans Cup race. For Sunday’s main event, the Pro Paddock will be open from 9am-6pm.

Cost is only $30 for both days, plus admission. Children 6-12 get a reduced rate of $15, plus admission for both days.

The sweet "Golden Ticket" cross-promotion deal between Glen Helen and Michael Gaughan’s South Point Casino in Las Vegas continues as Oda Haensch from Loehne, Germany and Taralyn Barbula from Riverside, California, were the second two USGP Golden Ticket names drawn.

They join previous winners Howard Surtees from London, England and Michael Tubbs from Simi Valley. A total of eight Grand Prize packages will be will be awarded via random continuing through the May 29-30 USGP weekend.

Each Golden Ticket entitles the winners to a two-night stay at South Point Hotel, dinner for two at the Silverado Steakhouse and a pair of South Point show tickets.

Check the Glen Helen Raceway website to see the winners drawn on 5/10/10, 5/17/10, 5/24/10 and 5/31/10. Of the two weekly winners, there will be one (1) U.S. resident and one (1) international online USGP ticket buyer.

Tickets for the "Race Of The Century" are available at the www.glenhelen.com, as well as at participating local Yamaha dealers. Reserved camping is available at the track for $50 per spot.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.