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With one title still undecided, a virgin track and blistering heat, the Lake Elsinore finale had shaped up to be the pinnacle of uncertainty in a great MX2 battle. Oh, there was an MX1 race as well.

From the day Lake Elsinore was announced to replace the one ’n’ done Pala of 2011, there was massive dissension from the ranks of pro racers from both the MX1 and MX2 classes. For years the site had been known as a blue-grooved, slick as snot, windy and traction-less, flat, once dry lake-bed and far from a track that even the most optimistic Pro would be itching to compete on. Equaling the snubbings to the thought of racing Elsinore, was the consistent claims that MX Sports was working their asses off and all but guaranteeing that the track would be a success and everyone racers included, would be impressed with the results. Well, as far as presentation and creature comforts for the droves of fans, the facility delivered in spades. Aside from the fact that the landscape was as dry and desolate as any of the multitude of desert-based California tracks, the unimaginably expensive white fencing lining much of the racing perimeter did a nominal job of making all that sand look inviting.

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The Conversation

socalxr wrote: 7:22pm September 11, 2012

Although Elsinore was way way better than expected and I liked the long lap times; it was looked like a vet track with a few huge jumps. Plus, why didn't they have the people closer on the infield. The AMA really needs to get Glen Helen back. That's a real man's track with insane uphills and roughness.

rustymxer wrote: 8:36pm September 11, 2012

Hey Swiz,

I have found myself gravitating towards your analysis, weekly. Keep up the good work. You definitely get less comments from the fact that one must click to read, but back to comment. Thanks for your perspective.

FFROG wrote: 9:43pm September 11, 2012

I attended the race and was amazed at how well the event went off. I liked the layout and thought that Elsinore did a great job with the track and soil. It was freaking hot, but anywhere else in so Cal would have been baking also.

I think they need a bigger entrance gate especially if they are not going to allow Ice Chests to be brought inside the track area, to many people going in and out made it a little tough. Traffic was ok.

Swiz, I liked the long track, made room for better viewing since it is as flat as a lake bottom. I don't see the almost 3 min lap times as a bad thing, they still race for 30 +2 so whats the difference.

I would prefer Glen Helen to any other So Cal track because of its true outdoor style and natural terrain over any flat track with jumps. I wish Bud and Mx Sports could come to some kind of agreement but I don't see that happening any time soon.

All in all I think Mx sports did an amazing job considering what they had to work with. Much better than anything at Pala.