The iPad search continued this morning with a trip to a major ‘mall’ down the road – Victoria Gardens (google it, the site is incredible) – but the hardware remained elusive and the second Apple store we have been to in California was busy to the point where you almost wondered if they were giving stock away for free.

By 10am the sunshine in the Inland Empire was burning my head and sent Ray, Juan Pablo and I scurrying for shade whenever we could find it. By midday we were heading for Glen Helen and the first impression was a raised eyebrow at the new, grandstand-flanked supercross track constructed near the circuit entrance.

The layout of the Grand Prix venue was much the same as 2010, however instead of a towering Red Bull Energy station a Monster Energy monolith dwarfed the side of the longest start-straight on the calendar. A host of American rigs provided homes to Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, although there were not many riders hanging around as mechanics built motorcycles from the crates and the FIM were conducting their 2mMax sound tests – right next to the press room.

An interesting new rumour has a third flyaway in the shape of Mexico entering the calendar for 2012, creating an Americas stint if USA and Brazil remain part of the schedule. People were talking about the new 100k cash prize offered to an American MX1 winner and there was gossip that Mike Alessi had subsequently reversed his decision to pull-out of his home event (last year’s runner-up hit his head in the penultimate round of the AMA SX series recently). We will have to see if ‘800’ takes to the track tomorrow. One American not in contention for the Marty Moates Cup (giving to best US finisher) was Michael Leib who is still not recovered after his concussion.

By 3pm the irrepressible Jamie Coppins drove Juan Pablo and I down the freeway to Corona and Pole Position karting for a Monster Energy ‘do’ in which the media and the Monster athletes mingled and raced. Everyone except Tommy Searle from the European faction made it (Philippaerts, Frossard, Kullas, Boissiere, Charlier and De Dycker, Paulin did not drive due to his bad back) and Pro Circuit riders Blake Baggett, Dean Wilson, Tyla Rattray were also hanging out.

From the riders sprint David Philippaerts beat Max Anstie over fourteen laps in the electric karts while ‘inviteee’ Zach Osborne not only set the best time across the indoor circuit of that week but he also won a physical battle with Baggett for third. Some other observations: OTOR’s Steve Cox takes his Karting very professionally (!) and was the fastest of the journos, ‘yours truly’ could not make the best of some technique tips from Osborne, the whole group of riders bashed each other like a major prize was on the line (there wasn’t one). The American Monster Energy girls are very easy on the eye.

A short hop back to the hotel and Best Buy beckons with another steak house for some food. The weather forecast for tomorrow showed cooler weather and my sun-beaten brow would be thankful for it. Practice and qualification to come soon.