It actually has a menacing sound at first, but it is not uncommon, and current economic conditions seem to make it more understandable - the 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship will not be visiting southern California's Glen Helen Raceway next year - no USGP.
USGP off Calendar
Technical accuracy and full disclosure require that it be mentioned that the 2012 FIM Motocross schedule released in early July is only a provisional line-up; as with everything, the obligatory 'subject to change' is offered. However, these things tend to become reality with only minor changes. Of the 16 rounds, plus the annual Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, the closest the FIM Motocross event to U.S. soil will be at the 13 May 2012 round in Mexico.
This is not the first time the United States has been left off the FIM Motocross Championship calendar, but it was unexpected due to the five-year agreement Glen Helen holds with the organizers – only two of those races have been run so far, in 2010 and 2011, which were both successful events. The inside word is that the relationship between the track and Youthstream – said organizer – is still perfectly good, but there is a genuine lack of interest from the normal sponsors as there are no big American names racing in the series now.
Reaction to the USGP Omission
At first, the public reaction to the news of a missing FIM Motocross USGP was rather negative; many fans of the sport from all over North America look forward to making the trip to California for the event at Glen Helen, and they were cursing the decision.
The press release concerning the USGP and explaining the ins and outs of the situation went on to assure interested fans that work on a future U.S. stop for the FIM Motocross Championship will continue, just not this year. In the more recent press release, Glen Helen owner Bud Feldkamp stated, "Working with Youthstream and the FIM has been a great experience, a real pleasure.
We have heard some absurd things about Giuseppe Luongo and I would just like to say that Mr. Luongo is a person who cares a lot about the organizers and the whole series in general, he is someone who understands the various problems and tries his best to find good compromises to allow the race to happen."
FIM Committed to Returning
The USGP will not exist in 2012, but it is certainly on the potential list for 2013; Glen Helen and Youthstream will continue as partners. Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream, stated, "It has certainly been great working with Bud Feldkamp, Lori Byrant and all the Glen Helen staff, they welcomed the World Championship, and they are very friendly and professional.
Glen Helen is one of the best motocross tracks in the world and I really hope to be able to return one day. During this time together I have found a true and trustful friend in Bud."
The important job of working on the USGP round of the FIM Motocross World Championship for the next next season will not be an easy one. One way to do this would be to get more top American talent to compete in the series; that would bring sponsors, fans and media attention, which is identical to the list of shortcomings which sealed the fate of the USGP in 2012.
FIM Motocross USGP Future
As Youthstream's Feldkamp later stated, "We are hoping to find support from the American Motocross industries so that we can continue organizing the U.S. GP with the top U.S. and European riders, and have the race of the century, it would be such a big loss for the American fans if we lose this race."
Those who love watching FIM Motocross World Championship racing in the United States will not get to do so next year, but the year after that...?
