Motocross
10 Wild Facts About the Glen Helen MX National
Make the opening round of the 2014 Outdoor MX Nationals even more interesting with these tidbits.
Part of this story
Marvin Musquin at the 2010 Glen Helen USGP
© Ray Archer/Red Bull Content Pool
Making its return to the AMA Outdoor National schedule in 2014 is Glen Helen Raceway, one of the most prolific tracks in American moto history. Glen Helen has traditionally only hosted the opening or closing rounds of the series because it's a race that is impossible to predict and turns out some of the craziest results of the season.
Read on for ten bench racing stats to keep in mind come race day this Saturday:
1. Although this is both Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin’s first AMA National at Glen Helen, both have won here professionally.
In 2010 and 2011, the raceway hosted the USGP, the only round of the FIM MX World Championships in America. Marvin and Ken each won the MX2 class in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
James has taken the top spot at this track four times, including his first AMA National ever in 2002. Only Ricky Carmichael has more wins at GH, with an astounding 11.
James Stewart takes the trip down Mount St. Helens
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
3. The track’s tallest hill, Mt. Saint Helens, is a 200-foot climb followed immediately by a steep drop all the way back down.
Even walking the hill is a challenge. And in the second motos, it's littered with monstrous braking bumps. It's the stuff of motocross nightmares.
He’ll join the likes of Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Grant Langston, and Ryan Villopoto. Every rider has also won both a 250 and 450 national championship.
5. A KTM racer has never won a 450 National at Glen Helen.
6. Only three countries have ever been represented on top of the podium at the Glen Helen National: USA, France, and South Africa.
Can Ken Roczen give Germany its first AMA win at GH?
7. Ryan Dungey and James Stewart are the only riders lining up who have won a 450 National in the past year.
With Villopoto out, RD and JS7 are the favorites to take the win in the 450s. Of course, Ken Roczen won several 250 Nationals last year, as well.
8. Marvin Musquin and Blake Baggett are the only returning 250 racers who have won a National in the past year.
With Tomac and Roczen moving up to the 450s, Marvin and Baggett will likely be the front runners on the small-bore bikes.
Ken Roczen grabs the start at the 2011 USGP
© Ray Archer/Red Bull Content Pool
9. Ken Roczen's victory at the 2011 USGP was his first outdoor MX win ever on American soil.
Glen Helen holds a special place in Ken's heart. Probably.
10. Weirdest race ever at Glen Helen: Mike Alessi vs. Ivan Tedesco in 2005.
In the midst of a 250 championship battle, Alessi and Tedesco came together in a corner and went down. Alessi, after stalling his bike, stood on top of Tedesco's, in order to prevent him from picking it up. Tedesco would eventually wrestle Alessi off the bike and finish to take the championship.
For the latest dirt on moto, follow Red Bull Moto Spy on Twitter.
Part of this story