On a stage that says much about the modern direction of top-flight motocross and perhaps even stronger leanings for the future in an attempt to grow a new fanbase, two outstanding athletes won the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Americas and another two were added to the list of world champions forged back in 1957. The Charlotte Motor Speedway launched an ambitious and fiercely driven bid to bring motocross into the sizeable NASCAR facility and their roster of well-pitched and organised events. It was a different cosmetic for Grand Prix (dirt track based, grandstand flanked, floodlit and infrastructure proximity) and almost a different type of motocross. “You have motocross, a Monster Cup-style of track and then Supercross and this was almost between Monster Cup and motocross,” said AMA 250MX Champion and MX2 class winner Cooper Webb after going 2-1 and sharing moto spoils with MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings in what was a tussle that lived up to the billing; with Pro Circuit’s teenager sensation Austin Forkner playing a fine supporting cast role. “Just a little bit of a shorter lap-time than some of our American motocross tracks.”
The raceway setting and the tangible feeling of enthusiasm for a new project (and a fresh sport) by the organisers gave the Americas Grand Prix an atmosphere of Americana before the supercross elements of the nocturnal programme were added. There was buoyancy, pride, patriotism – channelled chiefly through North Carolina boy Webb – and an upbeat vibe about motocross in Charlotte. Maybe it should have been an awkward fit – MXGP landing in a hub of NASCAR – but the investment in a fast and flowing track and the frankly incredible effort to salvage and remodel the location after the deluge of rain that forced the cancellation of Friday’s practice and qualification schedule was immense.
Within the two coasts of one country MXGP will experience two different flavours in one week: modernity, forward-thinking and experimentation in Charlotte…tradition, history and technical fortitude in San Bernardino and Glen Helen eight days later. You cannot fault MXGP for exploring the boundaries.
The seventeenth round of eighteen and the second race in a row after a swift move from Assen in Holland the previous weekend was certainly memorable and not just for the achievements by Honda’s Tim Gajser (surely one of the most special 450cc off-road riders in the world at the age of nineteen) and KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings (a third world title in six years and a fitting end to a term in MX2 where he has been one of the leading lights since 2010 and from winning just his third Grand Prix). The event itself had enough character to ensure that it won’t be easily forgotten and the Charlotte Motor Speedway crew had already earmarked the improvements that will surely come in 2017 (more comprehensive lighting, entertainment for the crowd between races, a different timetable to avoid perilous sunlight at dusk for the riders). Eli Tomac was a level above the rest of the MXGP field and for once MX2 outshone the premier class for entertainment as Herlings met his match and then excelled further; his first moto success one of the most thrilling and limit-bending performances seen from the Dutchman this year.
Grand Prix was afforded a good look at Forkner – all whips and frenetic activity on the bike – the teenager is blindly quick but it is tiring even just to watch him manipulate that KX250F. The rider he has supplanted in terms of being ‘the next one’ is teammate Adam Cianciarulo and the Kawasaki athlete’s hefty crash approaching the second corner of the first moto allegedly lead to another shoulder dislocation and stretches ‘AC’s unbelievable rate of misfortune. Another blip was JGR Yamaha’s Justin Barcia. A first moto holeshot hinted at potential for what was a meeting where the team have important NASCAR links but the figure seen attacking the Motocross of Nations with such verve at Ernee in France eleven months ago was absent.
Honda and KTM barely had time to party Saturday night. It was past 22.30 before riders had even escaped press conference duty and teams were rushing to get bikes crated for the dash west. Like the inclement weather MXGP arrived, left its mark and then vanished. The track remained for the fans that had purchased entry tickets with an opportunity to ride the course on Sunday. That Grand Prix will again be in Charlotte is of little doubt and judging by the base created last week then MXGP will be frequent visitors to North America in the coming years.
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