Anaheim 1 Track Walk

Welcome to the first installment of our Smith Optics Track Walk in 2010. Anaheim 1 is only four days away, and we got 1997 AMA Supercross Champion Jeff Emig to take you all on a lap around this weekend's course.

Happy New Year, supercross fans! Welcome to the Smith Optics Track Walk. I’ll be taking you through a lap of what is sure to be an electrifying Anaheim 1 racetrack. Off we go!  

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1. The start is hands-down the most important part of the track come Saturday night. As you can see, there is a little jog from right to left just before the actual first turn. This is bound to create a tighter funnel for the racers as they enter the first corner. I would say the bar bangin' will be intense through here, but it should also thin out the line, giving the man with the holeshot a definite advantage.

2. The first straight all the way through the second set of hoopties (as RC would call ’em). It’s hard to say what the shape and size will be by looking at the track map, but the guy who enters the fastest will be the fastest. You have to have a tremendous amount of confidence, great chassis/suspension setup, and a BIG set of balls to dominate the whoops. Upshift to fourth or fifth gear and let it rip!

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3. Triple to triple. As you can see, this will be an area where you will carry a lot of speed. This exact area of the floor has seen some historic triple jumps, starting with Jeremy McGrath tripling past Larry Ward for the lead (and taking the win) back in 1995. He gave Ward a look back in the air and even pulled a hand off the bars and gave him a wave. Now that’s confidence! The next one that comes to mind again involves MC, during the A3 2001 opening-ceremony fast lap with Ricky Carmichael. Ricky was mounting a serious charge for The King’s crown that season, and on the first triple they flew side by side, RC whipping it upside down and MC looking over at him. A photographer captured this historic moment on film and it was featured right here in Racer X. It truly marked the transfer of power from one champion to another. Finally, who can forget the Anaheim main event back in 2007 when James Stewart executed the "Bubba Scrub" to perfection while passing RC for the lead en route to the victory on this very same triple? Sometimes we take this obstacle for granted and call it basic and routine, but it has provided supercross with some legendary moments.

4. The zigzag rhythm sections. History has shown us that the riders will find a way to triple through sections when the mere mortal would only double. Five bowl turns before the riders cross the start will lend itself to some aggressive passing.

5. Back across the starting line. As you can see, this section is very fast and open. Flat tracking skills may be valuable as the riders navigate their way back to the first turn.

My analysis is that the track will be very fast and open, making for some great supercross racing. The weather is going to be fantastic, a classic SoCal winter day, 75 degrees and sunny. Speed will air the event live at 10:00 p.m. EST and re-air it the next day/Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EST. Virtually every rider is healthy and ready to go. Sponsors are in and checks have been cashed. Teams are prepared and the riders and ready to race. All that's left to do is the press conference on Thursday (which will be broadcast online at supercrossonline.com). Thanks to all of our friends at Feld Motor Sports for their efforts and preparation during the off-season and leading up to A1. Enjoy the season opener!