1. How much does High Point differ from the opening three tracks?
Jason Thomas: It's different but not as much as the next couple of weeks will be. The dirt is still hard and somewhat slick with rutty turns. The off-cambers are a nice change and where the track crew discs the track, there will be great traction. The main difference for this weekend could be in the weather. The forecast is calling for rain leading up to the weekend and then sunny skies on Saturday. That could mean high humidity on race day, which would be the difference maker so far. Highs are only looking to be mid 80s but if the humidity rises, that could feel much hotter. So, to answer the question, I don't think we are quite in for the "shock" that we will see at Muddy Creek or RedBud, but it's a-coming.
David Pingree: I think the difference in tracks from one side of the country to the other has shrunk over the years. A couple decades ago Hangtown was hard pack with choppy little bumps and ruts that were incredibly slick when they put water down. It was terribly, frankly. The Dirt Diggers have since brought in rice hulls, watered more and began tilling the dirt deeper—a track prep technique utilized by most East Coast tracks for a long time and all nationals tracks in recent years. This keeps dust down, creates better traction and more bumps and lines. It also makes the tracks similar, which isn’t necessarily good or bad; its just is what it is. All that to say the switch to the East Coast tracks isn’t as radical as it used to be.
Steve Matthes: As I wrote a couple of weeks ago in this column, High Point is the place where you go as a team and realize that you need to do some more testing. The East Coast dirt, the ruts, the tackiness of the dirt (most of the time) causes the bike to behave differently than the two California tracks and Lakewood, which is its own animal due to elevation. Horsepower, or lack of it, like at Lakewood, causes your bike to handle differently also. And of course the potential for rain exists much more starting now.
2. Who has the advantage on this type of track?
Thomas: The advantage will be for the "finesse" riders like Marvin Musquin and Christophe Pourcel. High Point's off-camber corners require great balance and throttle control, exactly what those two possess. Another aspect to consider is just how hard the High Point dirt can get. If it's not ripped deep, the mountainous hillside becomes rock hard and slippery. Trying to navigate a slippery flat corner while the mountain is falling away from you (off-cambered) is where balance and technical ability shines.
Ping: The hills and off-camber turns are unique, but it’s still a motocross track. The guys with an advantage will be those who live near the area and have ridden High Point growing up or during amateur events throughout their career. More time on a track always makes it more comfortable.
Matthes: I'm with JT on this. Riders like Musquin and Pourcel, who have some throttle control, and can think about lines and shortening the track up, have a bit of an advantage. Once the deep ruts develop the riders that can switch to a new line either six inches in front or in back of the main line the quickest do well at High Point. The tracks fast line changes from moto to moto and you've got to be a thinking man’s motocrosser to figure it out. And be careful to tiptoe on those off-cambers!
3. Could we see a surprise winner in either class?
Thomas: I don't think we will see that. I fully expect Ken Roczen to win in the 450 class and if he doesn't, Eli Tomac will. I haven't seen much from the field to think otherwise. In the 250 class, there are a few riders who have shown an ability to run up front. Whether it's one of the Martin brothers, Joey Savatgy, or even Austin Forkner, all of these guys have been in the mix already. The only rider who I could see making the jump would be Adam Cianciarulo, which would definitely be a surprise. Stranger things have happened, though.
Ping: I wouldn’t bet on it. Roczen will keep an eye on Tomac and cruise to a bunch of wins this summer. The 250 class will see the Martin boys go toe-to-toe with Savatgy and Webb for this title. I suppose we could see somebody sneak in and steal a win but, right now, I don’t see it happening. Still, any of these four guys could win in any moto and that’s going to be fun to watch.
Matthes: Nah, I don't think so, bro. Roczen's going to face a better Eli Tomac than he has so far but ET3 still has a ways to go to match the 94's pace. I think it'll be a bit tighter of a gap though. On the 250 side, look for Cooper Webb to have a better second moto than he's been having with the week off allowing his wrist to heal a bit. But Jeremy and Alex Martin, along with Joey Savatgy should be right up there up front. I'm waiting on Zach Osborne to show up here sometime soon, but I don't think he would be a surprise winner.
