2010 Red Bull Motocross of Nations track preview by Steve Cox.
![As most of you probably already know, the Red Bull Motocross of Nations is hitting Colorado this weekend. We stopped by the track yesterday to get some pics of the track progress. Rumors were that the start was going to be drastically different for this race, but it’s not. The dirt is brought in, so it seems more hard-packed, and the gate is moved forward 20 feet or so, but otherwise the start is the same as ever.]()
As most of you probably already know, the Red Bull Motocross of Nations is hitting Colorado this weekend. We stopped by the track yesterday to get some pics of the track progress. Rumors were that the start was going to be drastically different for this race, but it’s not. The dirt is brought in, so it seems more hard-packed, and the gate is moved forward 20 feet or so, but otherwise the start is the same as ever. Steve Cox ![As you can see from this photo, the reason the start is moved up 20 or so feet from where it was is so that the finish-line jump will lead onto a straightaway that runs behind the starting gate, and that straightaway is where the mechanics pit-board and pit area will be (the structures on right). At the National, the racers make a hard left after the finish line and go back up the start hill. At the MXoN, they will go back up the start hill on the far right of the hill, at the end of this straightaway.]()
As you can see from this photo, the reason the start is moved up 20 or so feet from where it was is so that the finish-line jump will lead onto a straightaway that runs behind the starting gate, and that straightaway is where the mechanics pit-board and pit area will be (the structures on right). At the National, the racers make a hard left after the finish line and go back up the start hill. At the MXoN, they will go back up the start hill on the far right of the hill, at the end of this straightaway. Steve Cox ![There are some other cool additions to the track, including this tiered three-berm turn. However, the outside line will likely not be used except for by lappers trying to get out of the way, because it leads into a right-hand off-camber, and with the speed you have to carry to be competitive around the outside line, you’d overshoot the off-camber and end up on the outside with the people who take the two inside lines.]()
There are some other cool additions to the track, including this tiered three-berm turn. However, the outside line will likely not be used except for by lappers trying to get out of the way, because it leads into a right-hand off-camber, and with the speed you have to carry to be competitive around the outside line, you’d overshoot the off-camber and end up on the outside with the people who take the two inside lines. Steve Cox ![The jumps are still nice and big. This is the back tabletop, and there are platforms on either side of the takeoff for the Red Bull arch to go. In all likelihood, the FIM folks have learned their lessons from the arch that fell over at the Glen Helen USGP earlier this year and will make sure it doesn’t happen again at the MXoN.]()
The jumps are still nice and big. This is the back tabletop, and there are platforms on either side of the takeoff for the Red Bull arch to go. In all likelihood, the FIM folks have learned their lessons from the arch that fell over at the Glen Helen USGP earlier this year and will make sure it doesn’t happen again at the MXoN. Steve Cox ![The farthest side of the track away from the start gate got a bit of a makeover as well, but it’s pretty subtle. The track was good before, so subtle changes are all that seemed necessary in most sections.]()
The farthest side of the track away from the start gate got a bit of a makeover as well, but it’s pretty subtle. The track was good before, so subtle changes are all that seemed necessary in most sections. Steve Cox ![A closer view of the far side of the track while the sprinklers prepare the dirt.]()
A closer view of the far side of the track while the sprinklers prepare the dirt. Steve Cox ![Here’s a track overview from the freeway.]()
Here’s a track overview from the freeway. Steve Cox
