Talk that the Motocross of Nations will not head to famed Californian site Glen Helen Raceway for the 2017 edition – the 71st of the annual event – have been substantiated by the release of the provisional FIM schedule for next year that has the venue as ‘tba’ for the October 1 slot.
Despite being slated as the 2017 hosts for over two years (and bringing the Nations to American soil for the first time since 2010 when it was held at Thunder Valley in Colorado) it seems there are now political issues affecting the San Bernardino circuit from staging one of the biggest motorcycle racing spectacles on the international calendar.
For the second year in a row Glen Helen will shortly entertain the final MXGP of the year on September 11 and the facility – overseen by Bud Feldkamp – has been an enduring ally in the USA for Grand Prix and MXoN promoters Youthstream. The company are still pushing for the fixture to go ahead.
‘Youthstream is committed to having the 2017 MXoN in USA at the Glen Helen raceway, however there are some issues between AMA and Glen Helen that need to be clarified before it can be made official,’ said President Giuseppe Luongo in an exclusive statement. ‘Glen Helen is an excellent organizer, they have organized several successful MXGP events and Bud Feldkamp is a great partner and a true MXGP and MXoN fan.’
The turbulence for the MXoN could be caused by some alleged poor reactions within the AMA over the new Grand Prix of Americas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway that is set to take place one week before the 2016 Glen Helen season-closer and is again on the GP slate for ’17.
The AMA were contacted for some information and a response but declined to comment.
The Motocross of Nations has been run in the United States twice in the last ten years. In 2007 it was held at Budds Creek in Maryland and then made the visit to Lakewood in ’10. The 70th incarnation is set for a memorable airing at Maggiora Park in Italy on September 24/25.
