Here's the new Budds Creek start and mechanics area.
Some rumors and news from Saturday pit cruising:
It seems the whole MX world is here at Budds. Youthstream is here doing a test run for the Motocross of Nations in Sept. There are other visitors associated with that like the French MXoN coach. Supercross managers are here taking to the riders about the US Open. Plus, Reed is back for one outdoor (with a trick swingarm). Coy Gibbs is here looking around and thinking about his new team. The only one missing in the afternoon (Saturday) was James Stewart.
Some news:
Track changes for Budds:
-Start moved for better viewing.
-Mechanics area with a row of popups added next to the start.
-Fences moved back to allow medic mule to move around.
-Some tight sections of the track were spread out. The track is fast and easy.
Some faster riders didn't like the track, and mid packs did.
Other News and Lies:
-Ivan Tedesco is back.
-Reed has "In Loving Memory of Jan deGroot" on the back of his jersey this weekend.
-Stewart didn't do Saturday qualifying and his camp wasn't saying much except that "He gets in later today." He did show up in the afternoon. Of course underlying all this is the question of will it do him any good to rest one extra day and not do Saturdays. If it does, why do Saturday anyway of you are in the top 10?
-The Budds MXoN in September will be RC's last professional motocross race.
-Gibbs Racing is taking to Josh Hansen for 450s next year, SX AND outdoors. Some rumors say he has already signed and is moving to North Carolina - unconfirmed.
-MDK KTM is looking at riders like Sipes and Broc Tickle.
-Suzuki might even add a semi if everything for 2008 comes together. One semi would be for 450s, one for Lites, one for Rockstar Suzuki, and the other hospitality. If things don't happen that way, they may just go with 2 trucks with Rockstar as the Lites team.
Indoor Stuff:
-The Rockstar US Open is considering going back to just one class, no separate mains for Lites and SX. That means Lites guys can race with 450s on their 250Fs.
-RC isn't racing the USO but he will be there.
-Monster may aquire the Jeremy McGrath Invitational, which moves to San Diego, and becomes "Monstercross." (this is so far unconfirmed)
-AMA Arenacross is probably doing away with 450s. That means guys who are using AX to get their SX endorsement don't have to race Danny Smith on a 450 to prove they are ready for Anaheim on a 250F! This is a good move. What that leaves is a "Lites" class still for the newer guys, and "AX" as the premier main event, all 250Fs.
This is Greg Atkins, Youthstream's track designer, who is here to get Budds ready for the MXoN in September.
Reed's jersey says "In Loving Memory of Jan de Groot."
More Youthstream folks getting ready for September.
RC going over the bike after practice.
Where's James?
Coy Gibbs, organizing for 2008.
Reed has an FIM spec silencer.
It's going to be hot! Drink lots of water.
