Carlsbad
CARLSBAD
Response to our February “Insider’s Guide to Daytona” was so good we’re going to give you more of the same throughout the racing season. Obviously, we can’t do each and every major race and track, but we’ll select some of the most popular and important in different locations around the country and fill you in on the interesting details. We’ll try to provide as much concrete information as possible based on what we’ve learned and heard from reliable sources about where to stay and eat, how to reach the tracks, and the best areas to watch the races from. On occasion, some information pertaining to tickets or incidentals may be unavailable at press time, but you can write to the various promoters or Chamber of Commerce offices and have that information sent directly to you when it becomes available. Other than that, we’ll simply say, “Have fun.”
Motocross racing in America has grown in a degree that has probably surpassed the wildest dreams of those w ho had hoped to see it become a major part of motorcycle racing, as well as a very significant sport in the country. And while there are now several major MX events during the year throughout the U.S., there is but one with the impact and appeal akin to a
World Series baseball game. It takes place near the small town of Carlsbad in southern California and is held on a course over natural terrain that rivals some of the best Europe has to offer.
It is the only event held in this country that counts toward the 500-ec World Motocross Championship and hence, you'll see the top factory machines and the finest riders from all over the world trying their best for points come June 19th.
The track is not open to the public on Saturday. June 18th. but star seekers can watch the Grand Prix riders sign up at the Plaza Camino Real Shopping Center near Carlsbad on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
The event promises to be extremely competitive this year
since current World 250 Champion. Heikki Mikkola, has joined the 500-cc ranks and will be riding a works Yamaha. This will mark the first time that both current 250 cc and 500 cc World Champions have competed in the same series, the 500 cc Champion being Roger DeCoster. Both hope to break the domination Suzuki rider, Gerrit Wolsink, has had in the past on the undulating track.
TRACK GUIDE
WHERE TO WATCH THE RACING
There are fans who refer to the track as Gnarlsbad, because the circuit is tightly wound around some steep hills. It's a challenging place for motocross and it can also be a challenging place tospectate.
There's no one place where you can watch all the action. Instead, the watcher has a choice of being right up close to a variety of kinks and corners. The usual technique for situations like this is to stroll about.
That isn't always possible. Because the U.S.G.P. is one of the major motocross races in the U.S., there are lots of people there. Couple that with the tight track and you have more folks per running foot of track side than anyplace else that comes to mind.
How you handle this de pends on the individual. Slip pery small children and hyped teen-agers won't mind at all. They can pop through the crush' and find one good spot after another. Older types or people carrying chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and ice chests are ad vised to I) get to the track early as possible, 2) hike over to the highest hill, 3) stake out a spot on the uphill side, where they'll climb right past you and you can see short stretches below, and 4) stay there all day.
In that context, there are bridges across the track from one section to another. But. They are narrow and the rowdy elements like to stay on the bridges until the Blue Meanies spoil the fun. Don't expect to simply walk across the bridges, in other words. Double the waiting time for intermission, when rowdies and fans cluster up and bring foot traffic to a standstill.
WHERE TO EAT
THE CAPTAIN'S ANCHORAGE 3878 Carlsbad Blvd. Carlsbad (714) 729-3170 Seafood-speciality king crab legs. Excellent steaks also and a good salad bar.
THE HOUSE OF MORGAN 377 Elm Ave. Carlsbad (714) 729-2784 Best food in town. Very ca sual. Homemade pies is the speciality.
If you've complained about the food concessions at the track in the past, take note that this year the promoters are try ing to upgrade the food quality. In addition to the hot dogs and hamburgers regularly sold, the
food trucks will be serving things such as chili burgers, patti melts, BLTs, bacon and eggs, etc. There will be a break fast special on race morning as well. They'll also sell cigarettes and gum and possibly film.
HOW TO GET THERE
Carlsbad is located about 80 miles south of Los Angeles arid a little over 30 miles from San Diego. Follow Interstate 5 from either city and look for the Pal omar Airport Rd. exit, take it east about five miles to the track which is located on the north side of the road. The Cal ifornia Highway Patrol plans for the event and does its best to keep traffic moving on race day. The Department of Highways also posts signs on the freeway near the proper exits to direct traffic. Palomar Airport is lo cated about four miles from the track and has facilities for small aircraft if you fly your own. Commercial aviation traffic flies into Los Angeles and San Diego. San Diego is the closer of the two to the track if you happen to be using that means of transportation to head for Carlsbad. Rental cars are avail able, of course.
After the race, the giant crowds more than fill the two-
lane country road past the track. The highway patrol has a fine way out of that mess. When you get to the track exit, be in the left lane and you'll be al lowed to use a secondary road which winds behind the track, goes north and feeds back onto Interstate 5. It's a few miles longer and a lot quicker than going out the way you came. Don't worry about getting lost. At every corner, a policeman will direct you.
(Side entertainment note: Carlsbad also has one of the world's best skateboard parks, if you're looking for some first hand thrills before or after the races.)
It is both interesting and re assuring to note that the City of Carlsbad and its officials from the Mayor on down are firmly behind the Grand Prix. They have set up a Special Events Committee for the purpose of seeing to it that things go smoothly for the race.
WHERE TO STAY
Motel accommodations are plentiful because the track is only a few miles inland from Interstate 5. This also means the motels are pretty much alike. Countless tourists stay in the area overnight, but few people are there to visit this area, which is not actually a resort spot. Because there isn't much reason to choose one motel over the others, we don't have a list. If you wish to make reserva tions, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will help out.
When the U.S.G.P. began, there was camping at the track. There are fans who'll say camp ing out the night before was the best part of the event, what with the strolling ladies, loudspeakers, racers whooping it up on pit bikes. Made the sheriff and the promoters nervous, though, and the race is now strictly a one-day affair.
Ihere is a super public campground, right on the ocean, all facilities, due west of Carlsbad and there's a primitive camping area on the beach further north. Both places are run by the state and at this time of year you better plan to make reservations ahead of time.
More information is available from Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 400 Elm Ave., Carlsbad, Calif. 92008 or call (714) 729-5924. The State Parks & Recreation Department is another source of information. jhe address is P.O. Box 38, Carlsbad, Calif. 92008. Phone (7l4) 729-8947.
