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COPYRIGHT 2005 Ehlert Publishing Group
Round 1, February 5-6
Glen Helen Raceway
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
18585 Veredmont Ranch Road
San Bernardino, CA 92407
Promoter: Lori Yarnell
Phone: (909) 880-3090 ext. 4
Web site: www.glenhelen.com
2004 winner: Kory Ellis
Racing returns to SoCal for 2005 with the motocross opener. Expect good weather at this track, but last year was a little windy. The track has a gigantic starting stretch which ends at a big bowl turn affectionately called the Talledega. This fifth-gear corner empties into the main part of the track that is a motocrosser's dream. The track soil is sandy so expect it to get rough quickly. This will show who trained during the offseason and who played too much ATV Offroad Fury.
Last year, the Pro and Pro-Am classes were allowed to climb some of the hillclimbs; expect the same this year. For many on the circuit, a trip to Southern California is a welcome break from winter.
Where to stay: Motel 6 (909) 880-4208; Quality Inn (909) 880-8425; Radisson (909) 381-6181; La Quinta Inn (909) 888-7571
Where to eat: Many restaurants are found within 15 minutes of the track.
Round 2, February 26-27
ATV Roundup at Lake Whitney
From Whitney, Texas, take Hwy. 22 west for 3 miles to Farm Road 2960. Travel south for 3.25 miles and enter iron gate for WB Ranch.
Promoter: Racer Productions
Phone: (304) 284-0084
Web site: www.racerproductions.com or www.lakewhitneymx.com
2004 winner: NA
Lake Whitney is a photographer's dream: The deep red, rich soil makes for great photos. Luckily it makes for a great race track, too. Racers will start on a concrete pad similar to Echeconnee and fly into a wide left-hand sweeper. The track jogs around and hits a huge hillclimb that hairpins to a steep downhill.
After coming down the hill, the track jumps into the woods where it will be tough to pass. A few jumps and turns later, the track doubles out of the woods and hits daylight before jumping downhill back into the wooded area and into a rhythm section that may be tricky to get through fast. Two tabletops later the track hits a marvelous step-down table that sits in the middle of the track.
The track has 150 hookups and a ton of parking. The facility also has bathrooms and showers for men and women.
Where to stay: Thunderbird (254) 582-8452; Comfort Inn (254) 582-3333; Holiday Inn Express (254) 582-0220; Ramada Inn (254) 582-3493; WB Ranch (254) 694-4868
Where to eat: Whitney is close and has several restaurants, from Sonic to Subway to sit-down establishments. Try Colorado Street and Brazos Ave. for food.
Round 3, March 12-13
Gatorback Cycle Park
20525 NW 46th Ave.
Alachua, FL 32615
Promoter: Unlimited Sports Inc.
Phone: (407) 654-6431
Web site: www.unlimitedsportsmx.com
2004 winner: Doug Gust
Do you like bluegroove? If you do, this is the track for you. Gatorback's unique soil turns it into a hardpack highway quickly, meaning the speeds at this track can get fast. Plenty of tabletops are there to greet racers and there are some nice sweepers, a ski jump and some doubles for good measure.
The most famous obstacle at the track is the "Elevator" jump. This step-up jump can ruin a racer's day if he is not committed. Don't take...
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