SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – As the countdown to the Red Bull Glen Helen National, presented by Yamaha, and the opening round of the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, continues, the track design at the legendary Glen Helen Raceway is now complete.
Longtime Glen Helen partner, and Motocross Action Magazine Editor, Jody Weisel once again lent his creative mind to the design and layout of the national track. With an immense facility that features a short course off-road track, autocross course, miles of off-road trails, three supercross tracks, and perhaps the largest motocross track in the country, Glen Helen has an affinity for challenging the world’s best riders with a one-of-a-kind layout. During the track’s 16-year duration as a round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, it has cemented itself as arguably the most unique, diverse, and challenging motocross track on the planet.
The immense size of Glen Helen Raceway from an aerial perspective. (Courtesy Motocross Action Magazine)
For the championship’s anticipated return to Glen Helen for the first time since the 2009 season, Weisel has ensured that the track’s most notorious obstacles remain while also providing several new elements to push the stars of the sport to their limits. Longtime track builder Karl Scanlon was tapped to execute Weisel’s design and has been hard at work with his team for many weeks, completing the track today with a little less than two weeks until the Red Bull Glen Helen National.
“We wanted to celebrate the return of the Nationals by providing a track design that showcases the things that make Glen Helen the most exciting motocross track in the world,” said track owner Bud Feldkamp. “That means a blend of old and new that Jody (Weisel) has perfected with this design and Karl (Scanlon) implemented stunningly. I think the rider’s are going to be pushed to their limits and I hope that results in some great racing and a memorable show for the fans both at the track and watching from home.”
Sand as deep as five feet was trucked into Glen Helen Raceway as part of the track-building process. (Courtesy Motocross Action Magazine)
The 2014 track has been broken down into 17 major sections that feature dramatic elevation changes, high speed and high technicality, various terrain, and of course the kind of flair that only can be found at Glen Helen. Iconic elements like the fastest start straight in the series, “Talladaga” first turn, “Mt. Saint Helen,” and “Saddleback Ridge” will continue to add to the legacy of Glen Helen, while new obstacles like the “Velodrome” and a revamped sand section are sure to provide tons of excitement for riders and fans alike. The addition of the “Fan Central” area for spectators will provide an exhilarating experience for those in attendance thanks to rally towels that will be handed out for the sole purpose of cheering on the athletes and living up to the track’s motto “Feel the Speed!”
In years past Glen Helen was known for being the longest track in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, and while the layout has been scaled back to keep lap times under two-and-a-half minutes, it will still provide a truly grueling test of a rider’s physical and mental toughness to kick of the 2014 season.
Glen Helen Raceway started its fame back in 1985, hosting several sand drag events, off-road races, and motocross competitions before hosting its first major event in 1992 with the United States World Championship Motocross. In 1996 the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship became a staple at Glen Helen, completing the track’s journey to become one of the most popular and well renowned facilities in the world.
Today, Glen Helen Raceway has added more race courses to host additional types of motorsports events and has put thousands of dollars into the continued improvement of the facility. Glen Helen Raceway now boasts a national motocross track, vintage motocross track, pee-wee motocross track, a short course four-wheel off-road track, and a brand new registration tower to make it the epicenter for off-road enthusiasts in Southern California.
