American dream
By Infront Moto Racing on 17th Oct 15
When news came through that the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championships would be making two trips to America the forums around the world went into overdrive. The last time the GP series visited America twice in a single season was way back in 1992, 23 years ago.
Now with the 2016 schedule finalized we have two within a week of each other. For the GP riders this is huge as they love racing in America, and for the American public it means two weeks of really exciting action and entertainment.
Obviously we all know how special the round in Glen Helen was and will be. The Glen Helen circuit is possibly the most interesting circuit in America with its massive mountains and rough terrain. Glen Helen also has a long history with the FIM Motocross World Championships having held GP's there in the 1990's.
What we don't know a lot about though is the previous weeks USGP set for the Charlotte Motor Speedway, in North Carolina. This is one of the most historical motorsport venues in the world, and known for its 100,000 crazed motorsports fans.
The complex features a 2.4 km quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) with Marcus G. Smith (son of Bruton Smith) as track president.
The 2,000 acres complex also features a state-of-the-art drag racing strip, ZMAX Dragway. It is the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States and hosts NHRA events. Alongside the drag strip is a state-of-the-art clay oval that hosts dirt racing including the World of Outlaws finals among other popular racing events.
That a motocross event will be held at this brilliant facility in itself is just amazing. Word is that the motorsport fanatics that attend the Nascar events often visit the facility for other prominent motorsports events and no doubt Marcus Smith is hoping that this will continue with the round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
For the sport of motocross to have two Grand Prix's in America within a week of each other is no doubt huge and after the great spectator turnout for the USGP in 2015 it is clear the American public are once again warming to the GP series.
