Major Track Changes Highlight 30th Annual High Point Pro National

Largest overhaul in the history of High Point marks the 2006 Monster Energy/Kawasaki Pro Nationals
 

Morgantown, WV – Racer Productions marks the 30th year of the Kawasaki/Monster Energy Nationals at High Point Raceway, presented by Anderson & Strudwick, Round 2 of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, with significant track changes to the legendary High Point Raceway. Opened in the Fall of 1976, the 2006 edition of the High Point racetrack still features its trademarks: steep elevation changes, wide off-camber turns, and deep east-coast soil. But this year’s track promises better racing action – and it will put that action right in front of the High Point fans.

 “We came up with the idea at last year’s race, pretty much at the exact moment that Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart came flying over the finish line jump together,” said Tim Coombs of Racer Productions. “If that pass had occurred back in the woods, no one would have seen it. Fortunately, as it turned out, everyone got to see it because everyone can see the finish line.” With that in mind, the Racer Productions crew added more sections to the infield to enhance viewing, and rerouted the back section, so the riders will no longer be out of sight for 25 or 30 seconds like they used to be.

“The way the layout is now, there are several viewing areas where you can see 100 percent of the track—just like a supercross,” said Coombs, a former professional racer in his own right.

Most of the changes occur after the first step-down off-camber turn, as the track winds through the infield in full view of the High Point fans. Also, the mechanics area has been moved from behind the starting gate to the top of the hill before the finish line. The rhythm section there has been tamed down to allow the riders a better chance to see their pit boards.

Racer Productions unveiled the new layout at an AMA District 5 Spring Series race one month ago. Based on feedback from that race, some additional tuning was done to the layout, resulting in the finished product fans will see Memorial Day Weekend.  

The 30th annual Kawasaki/Monster Energy National at High Point Raceway, presented by Anderson & Strudwick, Round 2 of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, runs Friday May 26th through Sunday May 28th in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. For more information, log on to www.racerproductions.com or call 304-284-0084.