Battling fatigue at a cool and slightly cloudy LAX airport the first visit to Starbucks (and they are almost on every corner containing commercial property) comes as a relief and then it’s onto the Beverley Laurel Motel, just around the corner from CBS studios.
There is something extremely distracting about being in Hollywood. It is hard to think about motocross and the whole reason for being in one of the most recognisable cities in the world (mostly via the TV screen).
After a tasty Mexican at the renowned ‘Antonios’ on Melrose (where the inside walls are packed to the rafters with images of the owner alongside virtually every actor to have graced the silver screen for the last thirty years as well as singers and entertainers), a sumptuous strawberry margarita and a glimpse into the private wine room where Howard Hughes apparently kept his own counsel, the bed of the Beverley is extremely welcome. Sadly any slumber has evaporated by 4am and I’m afforded the sight of LA at sunrise and a blue sky tainted by smog.
Along with fellow early-riser Ray Archer we head for a drive along Sunset and into the Hollywood hills to marvel at some of the properties and the absurd angle of the access roads. Disappointed by the lack of iPad 2’s in The Grove’s Apple store, finally it is onto business and the short drive east to Corona and Pro Circuit. An immense building, one half business empire and other section all-dominant race team; previously home to the likes of Pichon, Carmichael, Stewart, Langston, Townley, Villopoto and Pourcel.
Overseer and creator Mitch Payton muses on the lack of his five-rider line-up at the US Grand Prix. “I have been back and forth on it,” he says on whether or not his Monster Energy sponsored team would pitch up at the Monster Energy U.S. Grand Prix before ultimately saying the risk of injury one week before the start of the AMA Nationals was too great. “They should run it at the end of the season where any repercussions won’t matter so much, or – even better and like I have suggested – they should make the points from the race count for both series.”
After hours shooting the lovely Natalie for a Youthstream project it is onto the press conference and media event at MSR, Malcolm Smith Racing. The dealership seems almost as big as Pro Circuit and welcomes press and a decent collection of riders. It is there that the first news is spoken of Las Vegas’ South Point Hotel and Casino offering 100k to any American rider to win the U.S. MX1 grand prix; suddenly one excuse for non-participation is removed, although I’m sure that kind of budget would be greatly appreciated by any team needing to transport and set-up at Glen Helen.
Malcolm Smith warms into a ten minute interview and seems only too happy to talk about ‘On Any Sunday’ and Steve McQueen for what must be the millionth time. Ray shoots some great images with his collection of old bikes, around twenty models that he admits is just one third of his total haul. He also shows off a McQueen replica helmet created by Troy Lee and I’m already mentally counting the dollars in my wallet to buy one.
Having missed lunch a quick dash to Laws steakhouse (where the air conditioning creates artic conditions) means the first juicy burger of the trip and now I’m stuck outside McDonalds a 15 minute trek from Glen Helen as the internet service has ceased to function in our Hampton Inn hotel.
Another heavy day tomorrow? For sure it will be warm. It must have hit +30 today and it was impossible to hang outside in the sun for long…MotoGP in France starts tomorrow. Just wondering how I might be able to follow it.
