Dirty Little Secrets

Atlanta was one of my favorite places to race. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the dirt was always super-sticky and rutty. In fact, I can remember watching Jeremy McGrath roll all three jumps of the triple, lap after lap, on Friday practice in 1996. It was that rutty. As dirt preparation has improved, that factor seems to be a thing of the past. In fact, I can remember years such as 2005, where it was actually dusty and hard-packed. Whether it was the weather or an incredible amount of soil drying substance, like hydrated lime, the dirt was totally different than most years. The next year, however, it was back to the sticky Atlanta I know and love. What this week’s dirt looks like is anyone’s guess, but more times than not it will be some of the tackiest dirt of the series.

Looking at the track map, there are a few interesting obstacles. The start is fairly long, which I like. It wraps all the way back around in a long, sweeping 180-degree turn. It should allow for riders from the outside to push really deep into the turn while the inside riders can stay tight. Both options should have a chance at a good start, which is always the goal. Moving to the rest of the track, it looks to have opportunities for varying rhythms. Depending on the ruts, riders could triple at various times and attempt to find a better option. As riders always want to stay lower and thus faster, avoiding the tallest jumps is the optimal route. Being able to triple over or land on the backside of the five-foot variation of these obstacles is always best. The whoops are also interesting as there is an option lane. I am a little concerned as to whether or not they add Tuff Blocks to keep riders from switching lanes, but in theory, it will create passing. The whoops here often turn into a few well-timed jumps as a rut often forms with the softer soil.