The REAL reason Glen Helen doesn’t want a Pro Motocross 🤯

Davey Coombs explains the reasons why the Glen Helen motocross track doesn't have a spot on the Pro Motocross Calendar.
In Chapter 307 of the Gypsy Tales Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome a true legend in the world of motocross, Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports. Dive into an in-depth conversation where we explore the rich history, present dynamics, and future possibilities of motocross racing.
Davey Coombs, a key figure in shaping the motocross landscape, shares his invaluable insights and experiences from his extensive career. From the grassroots beginnings to the pinnacle of professional racing, Coombs opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and the relentless passion that drives the sport forward
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[@doobielawson702]

I'd like to hear the track owner's side.

[@zakrusk5718]

Was just thinking the same thing lol Towards the end of this segment….. seemed like a lot of gaps of info….

[@ghost9431]

Glen helen got tired of dealing with pro motocross bs. Being charged for the honor of being a national track. There is a pretty good video of what pro motocross charges and an article if I remember to find them I'll give you names

[@yamahakid450f]

It was 150k per national, idk what they upped it to in order to get the owners of Glen Helen to say, "Fuck off.", but it must of been a lot...

[@Drdddiiisss-ho6uu]

Right! I bet they been screwing the guy! Won’t let him be

[@tcolley]

100%

[@snooks250sx]

Now Bud needs to be on the podcast soon to explain his side. Also taking a good track, like Broome Tioga, off the schedule and replacing them with worst tracks just because they are in the same state is a ridiculous reason.

[@daneg]

wut? I raced district 3 back in the day. I'm familiar with Broome. but I don't understand your statement. what worse tracks are in NY? (Broome doesn't hold a candle to Unadilla). Broome was kind've a backwater, tbh. the promoter was pals with the scranton guys. the scranton track/facility was aces. that sx track at the top of the hill was sweet. fwiw, anything has to be better than pala. edit: oh. sorry. just got to the part of the clip where he talks about steel city and broome. 😅 I agree that having 2 races in Penn and NY isn't a problem. the problem is having to trim the series down to 11 races and a reluctance to rotate race sites every year (i.e., steel city / mt. morris every other year).

[@IsolatedWolf1]

Nice I raced WNYMA here in Upstate NY, raced frozen ocean, hogback, area 51 etc but grew up going to Broome back in 97 when I was 6 and went every year until 2006. Nostalgic memories more than anything but love dilla

[@jordanonofer3886]

Agree. Usually 3 sides to a story

[@Jawsh98]

Facts. Broome was SO sick!

[@KG-yc6cl]

It's not ridiculous. They can't get as big of a turnout at the second race as they could by going somewhere else. It makes complete sense. If you have all the races bunched together then there are entire regions of the country that can't go.

[@DaytonaPrototypes]

Glen Helen > Pala

[@BilobateDrip]

All day. I saw both be on the calendar.

[@kungfu2toe]

Glen Helen Glen Helen donuts done on an og 2 stroke! Pala is indian bendy huck a buck

[@mrjacktraeger]

Fuck Pala that's what we get as a replacement of all the tracks in this country. Trash and I don't even wanna hear this BS about has to be cali

[@Plinkerrboy]

Both would be great tbh

[@ridemx323]

Pala is trash for pro nationals. Great for AM stuff.

[@craigmccall7450]

Glen Helen [Bud] is not hurting for attendees/ riders to come through the gate. $$$ Practice days and races are always full or busy on 4 tracks on nearly every weekend. So yeah, Bud is gonna want to do it his way.

[@terror2535]

while true bud just seems to be a egotistical asshole who doesn't seem to understand anything.

[@poppianejo3856]

Well, the other thing is Bud doesn’t want to give up 200K to Davy right of the bat, plus half the gate for the day. Dave forgot to mention all that shit.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Good for him. Nd maybe the rest of the industry. Maybe Bud can compete agains the FIM/AMA? That organization could sure use some good competition,--and I think many are ready just for more bike choices, (less expensive), like racing the 250 4 and 2 strokes together,--since they make about the same amount of power. There are planty of tracks, not dictated to by the FIM, who would love to be part of a new national series. Where will the racers go? That would be their choice, but not I may be understanding why a lot of savy football fans would rather watch college football than pro.

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

​@@EarthSurferUSAbuy himself and with only. One track no. He cant

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

​@@EarthSurferUSApro guys will stay where there at won't go to a new one won't get. Paid

[@Berglin86]

Make Glen Helen A National Again!

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

Amen Brother🎯

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

Not gonna happen

[@jarrenklohr8046]

From a Glen Helen local. Thank you for tryin. We all have our fingers crossed!!!

[@Deapher]

Ive treated Davey like a politician for this entire podcast.

[@connormatt7176]

Its basically what he is

[@sexatica]

He definitely acts like one

[@poppianejo3856]

If his mouth is moving, he’s lying?

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Wow, glad I am not the only one who sees he is on the socialist/communistic FIM tit. He wants to control the vendors, the tack build, who makes the T-shirts----taking over everything we built as free people---just like communism is doing in all of western culture. He is following the philosophies of communism, just like you said, like a politician.

[@PisgahGravelProject]

Legit questions during this interview, love it

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Define "legit". I don't think we both understand the meaning.

[@Erik-rp1hi]

I went to that FIM race. The step-up in the back was huge. I ask some french journalist what they thought of it and they said they had never seen anything like it.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

It is called something when they can build the track the way they want. "Freedom from the FIM." I think a new series, competing with the FIM/AMA, would be very interesting today, and I think, by looking at the MXGP starting gates half empty, a smart new series would win. Maybe the owner of Glen Helen has the heart to start it. Would be cool, watching the FIM freak out. :)

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

​@@EarthSurferUSAno there. Isn't

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

​@@EarthSurferUSAhe can t start anything to take them down

[@Mekerakesh]

What I will never understand is that AMA has some of the brightest and biggest draws to "supermotocross" in the Lawrence brothers, Deegan and Vialle... and they refuse to get a legendary track like Glen Helen because they refuse to not rake all of the profits. Sure bud wants a better deal, he's a bluecollar worker trying to not be taken advantage of by the AMA conglomerate and their sponsors. He wants what's best for his business. In this case it might also be the best for the sport.

[@Makeitliquidfast]

Bud is not blue collar, he owns lots of abortion clinics, you have no idea what you're talking about lol.

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

How did davey acquire the nationals from the national promotors group?

[@tjroe5190]

Glen helen should always open the outdoor series

[@CenCaBORL_Explorers]

Hangtown has been a long traditional opener.... gh should be finale

[@z50king29]

THIS is the content we want.... Real motocross insight. Lori is a queen

[@cadillacmoto]

"How many tracks are as nice as GH?" got an answer for you Davey. None, and you had to settle for Pala

[@KG-yc6cl]

Pretty sure he agreed with you. That was his entire point when making that statement

[@636RYAN]

@@KG-yc6clpeople usually respond with there egos and no common sense now a days lol

[@EarthSurferUSA]

None, because the FIM dictates how the tracks are made, who the vendors are, who prints the t-shirts,--who has freedom left? Pala, the parking lot track surrounded by virgin hills. How "progressive". Glen Helen is a great track, because they rejected the FIM dictatorship that force all the private land owner national tracks to comply, or get off the list. Get off the list then guys. We will form a new series. Just racing 250 2 and 4 strokes together, would be a big boom in participation. The FIM makes so many mistakes, that can be taken advantage of. Just look at any MXGP half empty starting gate. Those track owners,---are total suckers.

[@augmor]

One of the jumps in that back section at Glen Helen had a giant peaked out lip with small table and then a massive downhill. Watching Kevin Windham crank a whip down that hill was probably the gnarliest thing I've ever seen anyone do on a dirtbike. Don't need to run cables back there with the fpv cams. Sounds like you gotta get this dude Bud on the podcast how cool would that be, don't give up!

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

Speaking for GH ownership, I know for a fact that Bud Feldkamp would love to opportunity to share his side of the story.

[@milliebays1801]

Can't go south of the Mississippi. Classic line right there

[@nateairulla]

Is it because it’s too hot or why?

[@milliebays1801]

@@nateairulla it runs north south

[@ahsnap9103]

It's a east west thing, aussie isn't that familiar with the US. 😂

[@markyontz9119]

Yea I thought "Thank you, Chase, for that mistake." I usually feel like a very uninformed person when I listen to these podcasts

[@joevance9357]

As a east coast fan fu for taking seel city off lol

[@lukebryant5017]

RIP Steel City

[@daneg]

SEEL CITY? ARE ARE ARE U SURE. (just go with my seal pun)

[@JoeCole12]

Steel City was my favorite track to race and watch the National but there are a LOT of factors involved, landowners, permits, logistics etc.

[@TripR32]

So similar to every race team, they can’t sell their own merch without giving you most of the money which has been a complaint for a long time. The track length I could see being an issue if glen Helen wants it to long or short because of the race time. But the sponsors and merch Motocross should have no control over, if you want to setup a stand and the teams and track want to set up their own they should be allowed. It’s their property, it’s similar to how HOA neighborhoods want to control everything from the color of your front door to how many cars you own.

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

Just a point of clarification...GH never demanded the longer track length. MXS presented their argument for why it hindered TV and GH agreed to comply. The final issue that DC so conveniently never brought up was Ticket allotment to MXS. MXS wanted an unreasonable amount of tickets to sell at their profit at the front gate.

[@TripR32]

@@glenhelenraceway9036just going by what he says at the 1:25 mark” wanted control of the track length” he claims that was what GH wanted.

[@Drdddiiisss-ho6uu]

Basically AMA trying to take all the money from sponsors… that what it comes down to.

[@BELL2mk316]

Hearing Davey’s side of the situation and trying to sort of read between the lines in his answers, greed is the reason why Glen Helen is no longer in the series. Him saying that Bud wanted to have a “big race” and him not being in the “big race” business sounds to me like Bud wanted to actually make a profit off of the race that they are hosting on their track as opposed to the Pro Motocross making the profit. Now that you have had Davey on the podcast to tell his side of the story, you absolutely must have Bud/Lori on to share their side.

[@butchgreene]

Sounds like ticket sales don't pay Bud's bills. But that races all day by multiple categories do. So if the series wants to use his venue, he probably wants them to compensate him for giving them access to such an iconic venue so that he doesn't lose money. Theses series in all sports tell the venue that the name recognition of the series will sell their facility to the general public. But just like Whistler is to downhill mountain biking, you're not interested in turning away tons of paying weekend racing customers to only host 150 or so elite guys. So the MX series will tell him they have proof that them showing up and him PAYING THEM is better for his brand. Obviously it's not. He's doing just fine. Just like Whistler. If they shut the trails to the general public for the weekend to host a World Cup DH...they lose money.

[@brettclark9419]

Explain why all these other tracks keep coming back year after year if mx sports is so greedy lol

[@Motodave82]

I spoke with the owner of Binghamton and they sold there rights for outdoor motocross because they said they couldn't make any money the AMA was taking it all so it wasn't worth it for them to have a race there.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Yep, there is anther track that can help form a new competitive series against the FIM/AMA. A smart new series,---will win this time.

[@briansalty6299]

Loved Broom! Used to work the national then ride it on Monday. Great times!!! Tom was a great guy also.

[@jordanonofer3886]

Man do I miss Steel City. It was 25 min from my house. Good times having Steel City and Highpoint to go to in one season. Would like to hear Davey's side of the whole Cooperland mx and Guy Cooper attempting to make that a National.

[@EvanShowsMTB]

Get bud on we need his side

[@austinbarker637]

Other promoters aren’t running a state of the art moto track week in and week out! They NEED the nationals to keep afloat each year. Glen Helen is open all year round running races every week! Bud doesn’t need the national. And he’s not going to let Davey and his sister walk all over him and pocket 100% of the gate fee like davey wants. Bud is a business man through and through. He knows money better than any track owner out there and knows his worth on that schedule. Davey needs to pipe down and give the people what they want!

[@robertdelinsky7247]

only way thats gonna happen people need to stop goin to pala

[@carleenaldrich2948]

@austinbarker637 Are you 12!!!! If you have any reading comprehension, reread what you wrote!

[@austinbarker637]

@@carleenaldrich2948 re read it. Seems perfectly clear

[@dl11c]

It seems like Bud knew the numbers ($) that Davey (Feld Entertainment) was making off the Glen Helen race compared to what he (Bud) was taking home and didn't like the discrepancy between the two. Bud thought he was in a partnership, but in the end found out only one side was allowed to profit off of the event.

[@Gerald2]

To sum it up Glen Helen wanted to make money off their biggest event and pro Motocross was like nah get back in line so Glen Helen said F off you need me more than I need you😅

[@duckman5274]

So no other track owner's make money under the same contracts offered to Glen Helen? Doesn't make sense, Bud should clear the air and get on Gypsy to offer his viewpoint on the situation.

[@allennelson7390]

Mx sports makes all the money.

[@jcallii]

​@@duckman5274his said it before, the coombs family / mxsports outbid the consortium of 12 ama tracks who were represented by the coombs family (who owned 2 tracks) for the rights of motorcross in 2009.

[@KG-yc6cl]

​@jaycallie the Coombs family outbid the Coombs family?

[@Drdddiiisss-ho6uu]

That’s exactly what I heard! Now this dude talking in circles

[@straighttimestirrups]

All I know is Davey Coombs will never make a penny off of me as long as Glen Helen is not back on the schedule! The bigger issue is how little he pays the 6-40 place riders that make the shows!

[@Mrgreen69420]

How much for the 40th an 6th get?

[@straighttimestirrups]

@@Mrgreen69420 I don’t recall the exact numbers, but the purse numbers are appalling when you factor in buying the license, entry fees, travel expenses just to get to the tracks at least one or two nights of lodging, race fuel, food on top of training the list just goes on and on.

[@121five]

agreed. 100 percent.

[@ian_davidson]

All I heard was Glen Helen wanted to keep and share the proceeds acquired in house with the homies. Good for them! I’m sure there are way too many corporate profiteers with their hands in the sports pockets.

[@iowahawks6527]

They outta just take pala off the schedule and do spring creek twice😂

[@daneg]

it feels like every rider likes millville. that should mean something. 2 races? eh. but still...something.

[@FalseHope61]

2 redbuds. 2 millvilles. But not pala. Hell. Even 2 southwicks. 2 Ironmans. Let’s go to a Florida track instead. Anything but California.

[@brennanhulett5602]

@@FalseHope61ww ranch i'd be okay with

[@Deapher]

​@brennanhulett5602 WW Ranch had great racing

[@FalseHope61]

@@brennanhulett5602 Which one was the ranch? I don’t remember the series visiting there.

[@garyhoward2490]

I'm with Bud on this one. They need Glen Helen more than Glen Helen needs them. Someone is riding, training, racing there....literally every day of the year. Day in the Dirt, 2t nats, vet nats, 24 hours...the list of events goes on. Love Glen Helen!!! F these guys!

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

Thanks for the support! As supporters of the MX community, we would love to have a National at Glen Helen...the fans deserve it. However, we also can't hold an event that doesn't make sense financially or align with our vision of how we hope the motocross community and racing should be.

[@matthewleininger2474]

It's a loss for both of you. Someday urban sprawl will shut down the track just as every great track located close enough to a growing population center and someday we'll be talking about Glen Helen in the same sentence as Ascot and Saddleback. AMA motocross will lose more of its heritage and connections to its roots. But it's cool, keep wasting everyone's time squabbling.

[@poppianejo3856]

Absolutely Bud lost money every year. When the nationals were there, he just did it for go to the sport. You are correct the tracks that will be left in SoCal will be Fox and Cahuilla Creek… because they’re on Indian nation landing; and until the Indian nation decides to stop making free money. They’ll keep all the cash flow coming.

[@woodysrockspyro6436]

Some people just can't swallow getting used when they are doing fine without it. Glen Helen has a full house year round. They don't need a national. But... AMA is losing a great venue for not compromising.

[@cadillacmoto]

"We cant go to WW Ranch, its too hot" maybe dont make it Round 7 in August? Make it earlier in the year. Dont tell me you cant do it logistically, you make teams go from Millville to Washougal and to unadilla.

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

Right the Fuck on! The schedule absolutely punishes privateers.

[@ryanknoup6288]

My family would absolutely be yearly attendees to a FL race. The entirety of North and South Carolina as well as Georgia MX fans would make that trip. But August ain’t gonna work 🥵.

[@cadillacmoto]

@ryanknoup6288 Florida to Ironman 14 hours Florida to budds creek 11.5 hours DFW to Ironman 13.5 hours DFW to Thunder Valley 12 hours This sport has a major geographic problem. I don't know the solution, it's not like there are tracks in Alabama or oaklahoma or the Carolinas that could host a national. For reference, monster mountain, the best track in Alabama, has hosted Team Honda spring test sessions, gets rented by star, has a full scale training academy, struggles financially (or at least give the impression they do). Replacing water truck parts, servicing bulldozers, etc are a facility-halting issue and they'll close the track for a week for it. I can't think of any big enough tracks that could pay mxsports $100k to host it, and at the same time has a national worthy track.

[@cadillacmoto]

We arent at glen helen because glen helen is the only track with a spine to stand up to mx sports

[@dougmcgill0365]

Stand up for what? You're lost

[@cadillacmoto]

@@dougmcgill0365 for running the event how they want to Having a say in the track design/length Not having to pay MXsports $100k to have an event at their track (yes, the tracks pay the series to host and hope they make it back in ticket sales and merch (which the merch is regulated by mxsports and they get a cut of it))

[@cadillacmoto]

@@dougmcgill0365 running the event how they want, having control of the merch being sold (mxsports takes a cut of any merch sold anyway), not having to pay $100k to host an event (yes, the tracks PAY mxsports to HOST a race), having a say in track prep/design/length

[@cadillacmoto]

@dougmcgill9294 having a say in march that's sold (mxsports takes a cut of the merch anyway), having a say in the track prep/design/length, not having to pay $100k to mxsports (yes, the tracks have to pay to have a race and hope they recoup that money in ticket and merch sales). I'm far from lost

[@iillestrs2153]

@@cadillacmotoit’s a buisness, it’s one fucking weekend, there’s a reason most people let their track have that weekend. I live in Sacramento, hangtown is 15 min away from my house . Tons of elite riders are at the glen, but nowhere near what a real pro national, it’s worth the media and tv time on one weekend to give up merch $$ ect. They will still make all that money like they always do, the spotlight in an elite pro series is worth it to any smart buisness person that’s smart and not egotistical and stubborn…

[@ni7299]

Always $$$, and the nationals have been rumored to at times be break even for tracks at best.

[@Jaxbodybuilding]

NOW time to interview the track owners!!! Other tracks have turned down being in the schedule after only a couple Nationals 🤔 WAY more to the story than the spin he is trying to play innocent to. Make my stomach hurt watching this knowing the how much gaslighting the clip is facilitating.

[@danielknight5299]

What! you want to hear the other side of the story? That’s not the Democratic way!😂

[@insight-informer]

it's because the tracks make NO money

[@stuartmiller6138]

this is exactly why the series doesn’t race at great tracks like muddy creek and others

[@gpaull2]

Sounds like he was sick of you getting rich off of him. Generally people don’t start being difficult if you’ve been treating them right.

[@allennelson7390]

100% correct

[@stephenbarrington4323]

11 other track owners seem to get along with Davey.

[@WhoCares-wo2oc]

Tracks make a killing off the nationals. I personally know of one of the outdoor national tracks that said they never have to be open for the rest of the year after that one weekend. So it’s not what you think it is.

[@peeonu25]

Places like Washougal had no choice. Its their only profit. But, because of felt theyve really opened up the track for private sessions and open track days.

[@JarrodWilliams-pw8jb]

Funny that they seem to get along fine with 11 other facilities….

[@bryanrhoten4032]

Cmon Gypsie, we need the other side! You could have a whole pod on the history with that family

[@Motoinc]

Liked GYPSY tales a long time ago....but his goal is to know the elite...to be an elite.....not asking hard questions because he won't disturb the elites

[@bmotomo421]

There is nothing wrong with striving to improve your position in life. The problem comes in when you let your integrity slip while in the process. As many of his podcasts that I've listened to, I only know of only a few where I felt he intentionally blurred the line between journalism and propaganda. And each time, it was very obvious. This interview with Davey is definitely one of them. I don't know if he doesn't realize just how obvious he's being. But there's definitely a more tactful way to handle an interview that could jeopardize the integrity of the interviewer. The easiest way is to simply not do the interview. Or at least leave out topics that you don't know enough about yourself to identify when the guest is being less than genuine. Based on a lot of the comments, Jase probably should have at least had a conversation with the Glen Helen guy ahead of time. And been prepared to push back if necessary. However, pushing back in this situation could easily have gone bad for him, in terms of accessibility to this particular sport. It's unfortunate how this one went. Davey could have enlightened us on a lot of other interesting things related to motocross. Without getting into this type of one-sided exchange.

[@Motoinc]

@@bmotomo421 very true about striving forward.....very true. You said somewhat what I wanted to say but Iam not that well spoken and not good at writing English. But I feel that he was more on the "public" with he's approach in the beginning.....now he is pushing what he wants with the sport. (ban 4strokes especially 450s that I love and more ELECTRIC which EVERYONE in the industry say it's inevitable....but it's not if we pushback...the consumer make it or break it) And his views don't align whit what I hear on the track or from my friend. It's actually total opposite from his views. Sure he has his views but he talks like he speaks for the COMMUNITY but he really ain't and that rubs me the wrong way.

[@bmotomo421]

@Motoinc Well, he's a young guy spouting off his beliefs like we all did. Time may change his mind. Or maybe it won't. At least he still lets you post your views and complaints in the comments. He could easily throw up his middle finger and turn the comments off. I've lit him up here pretty harshly a few times. He's here for it.

[@Motoinc]

@@bmotomo421 Very true👍

[@mrjacktraeger]

So basically this dude is willing to chop the most iconic track on the circuit to replace it with absolute shit cuz god forbid the track owners get somthing in return for doing all the work to put on the event

[@justadam1917]

There is no event without the series

[@clearvuwindowtint]

There was no money to be made for the track itself. They had to put everything in, and make very little money. Promotocross is making all the money. Nothing for the track. They basically make the tracks feel like “your lucky we chose you”

[@BobbyGeneric145]

Yep, talk to Guy Cooper about how it goes when you pizz off mxsports.

[@allennelson7390]

That about sums it up.

[@Coyotethumper5]

Yup it’s their way or the highway. Have a track removed an iconic jump so they can put a couple of more vendors in. I feel sorry for the track owners they bust their a$$ to put on the race and the promoters get the money. Every single detail has to be done their way or they’ll remove you from the circuit that’s just messed up.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

@@Coyotethumper5 if mxsports wanted glen helen so badly they'd just rent the track outright and not charge him a promotion fee.

[@johnnycage9283]

@@BobbyGeneric145I live in Oklahoma and grew up riding at cooperland, I need to know more about this

[@itsnotokgolf]

I grew up racing district 5, which became PAMX, High Point was my home track (RIP Steel City btw) ..... but I'll just say, Rita ALWAYS gets her way lol.

[@scottburgle4889]

Davey… if there were no changes to the contract and you are so proud of what you offered them please go ahead and summarize it for us. Let us know what they pay you to have a national there, let us know what you make and what they make to host a national event.

[@neilmugridge3168]

Before saying, writing or speaking to others about what he said re: Glen Helen Gypsy speak to persons he mentioned and what they supposedly said, the Aussie way before doing or saying a thing

[@pasci0057]

Need a SE race, these dudes train in the SE heat. Texas is just as hot.

[@KG-yc6cl]

It's not the riders. It's the fans. You can't get as many people out to the race when it's 110 and 50% humidity.

[@pasci0057]

@@KG-yc6cl wont know of you dont try, maybe near the end of the season. Allow campers. I rode at Reddick in central florida in August, its always packed I would go watch.

[@KG-yc6cl]

@pasci0057 they have tried. We had a race here in Texas at Fresstone. Again, it's not the riders. It's the spectators. The wives, the kids and the casual fans who don't ride are not going to spend hundreds of $ to stand out in 110 weather with 50% humidity

[@MarlonFolden]

Raced once at Glen Helen in 1987 with CMC - Trans Cal series. Vet masters class. Put us together with Vet Pros. Rocket Rex Staten lined up next to me & literally smoked everyone. I think he lapped me after 10 minutes into the moto. He went by me so fast that I felt like I was in cement, and I won the moto for the vet masters.

[@jhheintz450]

2 sides to every story. Live to hear Bud’s . Anyone who has been around 25+ years knows the Coombs - MXSports is all about $. Forcing the series down to 1 day events and making the track owners change their iconic circuits all the while taking most of the vending $. Fans and riders lose again

[@cadillacmoto]

"Something has to change, and when that something changes they have my number" tells me everuthing I need to know. Davey isnt moving an inch, even about most silly thing like the location of the will call.

[@gerrywagoner26]

Pride.

[@cadillacmoto]

"If terms arent changing than whats the big deal, its just the term of the contract" imagine telling that to any athlete in a sport with a free agent market. But because its motocross Jayce thinks GH is the bad guy for wanting a 3 year contract vs a 5 year contract

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

YES...this is one of our most frustrating parts of the interview as well!! The terms aren't changing, so you have to agree.!!! Really? That's how business works??? (SARCASM). Instead, GH fulfilled it's contractual obligations and then when it came time for a new contract, we requested changes because there were issues (i.e. MXS ticket allotments were too high and they were selling at the front gate). We expressed concerns early on that were basically ignored, then MXS sends a schedule out WITHOUT an updated contract?

[@Millhouse84]

I don´t trust this guy. I bet there is a hole different story on the other side.

[@1Joe-dangerous]

Mammoth Motocross California dude. Glen Helen copied Dave McCoys dream track. We still have a true Grand Prix track in the Forest period. I went to high school at Mammoth in the 70's. I rode that track when it was open to the public after school. The Sierra clubbers that bring our no money, and destroy our hiking trails with 20 to 30 foot draggers that doesn't cost 1 cent to use. They don't spend any money in our small town, the bring there own granola from were they come from, they don't eat in our restaurants, they don't contribute to our T.O.T that keep small towns thrive. Mammoth Lakes California needs paying tourism to survive. We have the most snow fall in all California and sometimes the entire country when it comes to ski resorts. In 2023 we averaged way over 1500 inches of snow. The ski area closed August 6 2023. The could of stayed open year round too. The annual Mammoth Motocross race had to moved from June to September because there was so much snow covering the track. Lori Carlson head honcho of the race paddleboard in the pit area in July. We deserve a big race. The track has 3 permits. The third permit is used for the workers of the event. Its a barque and they get to bring out there bikes and free ride the track. What a waste of a permit. They should do the Barbeque on the last Sunday of the races. Cut the races at 12:00. Clear everyone out, then do the Barbecue and free ride for the workers. The sun doesn't go down til 8:00 that time of year. Plenty of time for the Barbecue. Use the 3rd permit to host a pro Motocross out door series race. Keep the thrive alive for the town of Mammoth Lakes revenue. The town will be packed with teams, privateers, and spectators from all over the country to watch and experience 1 of the beautifullest places in California. Way better then Yosemite. Mammoth Lakes California offers way more to our tourist then a small crowded Yosemite Park.

[@Twisted_Biscuit]

I don't understand the 2:00 laptime restriction, the races aren't based of laps anymore, they're run off 30 minutes +2. Back in the day when Glen helen (2008) had the extended track, it was so much more epic. The 2:00 laptime made Glen Helen boring.

[@Clintastic]

Great interview as normal. But you have to say ones keep forgetting that AMA/super motocross now requires the tracks to pay them, for them to race on their tracks. And I’m proud that Glenn Helen said no. So now you understand why he wants his own sponsors for his own track. Because they are requiring payment to even have them come race on their track.😢

[@jette24]

the cold part is...Glen Helen is literally the best track

[@caseysumaylo4755]

I hope they work it out. Glen Helen is iconic

[@babadagaa8352]

It’s almost like some of that stuff cooksey be sayin is true?…..

[@backfireproductions4362]

If their was a way to have Glen Helen as one of the 3 SMX rounds by adding a SX section to the track I feel like that would be amazing, but it would still be part of a series

[@okyes5576]

please get bud on the podcast

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

We would love to have Bud Feldkamp on the podcast. We hope someone reaches out.

[@devo950]

Gypsy talk to the man about a southern round! Kentwood Louisiana- monster mountain Alabama- golden pines mississippi- K-dub's farm14 mississippi... all national caliber tracks

[@akope]

Should incorporate some of the "forgotten nationals" into the smx finals. Feel like they could also be alternated into the regular schedule.

[@MrBailey414]

I'm not buying the smile on Coombs face... I read Bud's side of the story, and he seems like he was simply pushing for the fans to have a better experience, and for local vendors to have a chance. It sounds to me like Coombs has designed a neatly packaged program with his organizations profit as the obvious priority and the tracks are supposed to somehow be grateful to let the Coombs family organization come in and dictate everything about their race without allowing any input from the track owners. Coombs makes it sound like it's Bud being unreasonable, but when you consider both sides it seems like Bud is being reasonable and at the same time one of the only owners pushing back and standing up against being screwed around with.

[@WhoCares-wo2oc]

Davey is one of the greatest dudes I ever got to meet. He goes above and beyond for people more often than not.

[@austinbarker637]

@gypsytales put bud on the podcast!!! Or mamma bear (Lori)

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

Bud would love to be on the podcast...just waiting for an invitation!

[@jeddfahnestock3737]

I just went the High Point race and took my family, paid extra for pit passes and my son got pics with AP and Sexton which was awesome. After that it went downhill fast....way too crowded, couldnt find a good spot to sit and watch, porta potty lines unbelievably long, served warm beer, walked 100 miles from the parking lot! Budds creek was marginally better the previous year. Im only attending sx races from here on out with real bathrooms, assigned seats, and cold beer.

[@mrjacktraeger]

This guy is destroying motocross. We can have multiple tracks in cali but nope nowwhere else. And a race in florida some of the best tracks in the country?? Oh noo too hott for pros. But for some reason all the amateurs race there and half the pros train out there. F off davy combs typical politician who gives a shit ruining the whole series at the expense of his pockets

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

Davey: “So Glen Helen left IMMEDIATELY as I took over and I ALMOST lost Redbud too!” HOLY SHIT GET RID OF THIS GUY

[@josephcapps7325]

It’s too hot but has the biggest amateur event where it’s supposedly to hot…. During the hottest time of the year. Huh

[@MotoMatt418]

And that 💩 is miserable lol

[@GYPSYTALES]

That's actually a really great point...

[@chrisf1128]

This adds a lot of context 👏 thank you

[@YAMAHAMD2020]

This sad story reminds me of MotoGp at Laguna Seca aka Weather Tech aka Mazda Raceway. We need to protect world class racing circuits!!! 🏁

[@American_Enigma]

I’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity for this explanation!

[@yoryo350mx]

A Race in Texas that’s what we need

[@kungfu2toe]

Make coombs a comb again!

[@dylangreen507]

Don’t trust this guy at all. Just an instinct. I’d love to hear from the people who run Glen Helen. Jas do it for the people. You wouldn’t do Davi like that though would you

[@MichaelGrondahl]

You are correct

[@jeanchustz7740]

Davey you are the one keeping motocross behind. Damn

[@vintagedave393]

It was never "too hot" to race in the Southeastern States before the NPG was formed. When the season used to end in August in New Orleans or St. Pete AND the motos were 40+2 I don't remember any air conditioning on the tracks or in the pits. I guess the Outdoors is just another victim of "climate change"🙄 There's a reason the Euros hand our riders their butts these days when we get to the MXDN.

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

Cookie cutter tracks have allowed the Euro's to surpass.

[@KG-yc6cl]

The current 2x MX2 champion, who should be in 450 by now, can't even win a moto in the US and just got beat by a fill in rider.

[@markwheat2668]

Glen Helen, Steel City and Brom Tioga could be great tracks for 2 Stroke Nationals. Run some southern tracks when SuperCross races are half the country away. Get the sport back to it's working class roots! Combine with a Vet Pro class with shiw up money for O Show, McGrath, Chad Reed, Bubba! You're welcome lol

[@tylerderocher6777]

Barona mx outside east san diego could potentially build a really really good yet still different version of glen helen with same atmosphere and terrain material as far as hard vs soft dirt vs sand

[@lazaroalmenteros1067]

Would love to see it work out

[@DualEnduro]

Where is a National in Texas?

[@xafbxmoto269]

I don’t know what to believe, if mx sports was that bad wouldn’t we see a whole lot of other tracks pulling their contracts? On the other hand I don’t trust this guy for a second and my uncle who’s a local down there told me that they wanted bud to dump a ton of money into the facilities. More bathrooms pavement all kinds of stuff. Bud pretty much said it’s been working fine for years.

[@austinbarker637]

Other tracks can’t afford to pull out. They don’t run state of the art tracks all year long hosting races every weekend like GH does. Some of these tracks on the circuit are only open multiple times every couple months! They need the money or else they won’t even be a track the next season.

[@Jone5y]

Jase is acting like he doesn’t really know what has been going on. Glen Helen was being screwed over by these guys

[@GYPSYTALES]

The problem is, 11 other tracks are cool with it? It's hard for me to argue a point when instantly Davey can point to all those people and say "These guys are stoked"

[@spencerdarnell2686]

@@GYPSYTALEShow do you know the other tracks owners are stoked? The amount in fees track owners pay just to hold the event is wild to me then add in labor expenses, equipment expenses, general liability insurance, the list goes on. I understand the easy answer to say is greed but at the same time if it is a mud race and crowds don’t turn out and buy merchandise, food, vip experiences etc is mxsports going to hand any money back to the track owner to make sure they don’t go in the red to put on a race for mxsports?

[@jakerivets2249]

If you refuse to go to Glen Helen yet there aren't any comparable replacement tracks in California to hold a National, leading to what Coombs calls "misadventures", more accurately called "failures", then the problem Coombs has is he has no leverage. You don't get to make the rules when you have no leverage. Feldkamp has done just fine without Coombs, and Coombs is relegated to holding Nationals at inferior tracks. Tell me who won the battle.

[@stephenbarrington4323]

Not cutting the Mississippi part out is crazy 😂😂

[@joshuasteel2109]

Greed is a bitch and any monopoly kills what ever is involved?

[@cwtv716]

Well, I really want to say that I trust Davy Coombs. I really really want to say that. I really want to believe that Bud was just being difficult to deal with. In the end, regardless of what I want to believe I am very sad that Glen Helen is not part of the national circuit. It is by far one of the top 3 tracks of the National Circuit, if not, the #1 National circuit. It needs to be on the National Circuit so both sides or one side needs to give and make this happen. I’m not saying that Bud needs to lose money by no means. If that was the case, then no don’t do it. He should not have to pay, but at some point in the middle there, somebody needs to just go hey let’s make this happen and both hands shake. Really Really wish Glen Helen was the 12th race. The series needs 12 races. That’s the history for quite a long time now and it needs to go back to that. Not 11 not 10 not anything other than 12… 12 is the history 12 is the number. Get GH Back!!!!!! ❤️

[@poppianejo3856]

You need to have a special episode to have Bud on so that you can get his side!

[@Jtothemfingd]

They could 100% have a southeast national if it were early in the series.

[@JR113FTW]

I respect Glen Helen even more now lol

[@rstephen001]

The actual reason we don't have a Texas national is the same reason Glen Helen isn't part of the series, greed. Freestone gave up their race because after Mx sports took their cut it wasn't worth the hassle.

[@nickyp132]

We need a race at the outdoor track of Flying Iron Horse Ranch

[@psychosneighbor1509]

Back to Mammoth one time would be awesome also :D

[@UTP_ENT]

Ama wanted glen helen to put in more fencing and grand stands and they refused it’s been a battle for years. The moral of the story is the ama needs glen Helen than the other way around

[@glenhelenraceway9036]

This isn't accurate. Facility improvements/requirements were not involved in the breakdown of contractual negotiations...it all came down to MXS sports demand for ticket allotments to sell at the event. GH cannot justify the cost of hosting the event when MXS also wants to take a significant portion of the gate.

[@Oakleyshooter]

WW was awesome to have in FL, but yea don't have it during the hottest time of the year!!

[@lukebryant5017]

I don’t know what it is, I just do not like/trust davey lol

[@itsnotokgolf]

u must deff a graduate of the district 5 lmao

[@allennelson7390]

He's a snake.

[@anthonysiracuse8613]

I was literally thinking that, and then I said, I want to see what the comments say, and yours was the first comment. He speaks like somebody who is lying.

[@brian92376]

Yeah he’s a snake for sure

[@ADBAnt1]

I know what it is, you guys are douche bags. Davey is a US MX stalwart and one of the people that has made it what it is. Before you chumps hurl shit at Davey post up your resume of what you've done for the sport.

[@kc72186]

Thinking everything on the planet isn't corrupted by corp greed is adorable. Glen Helen is the best track in California, too bad the best riders can't compete there for the fans.

[@jasonracin289]

Pala sucks and it seems that most of the riders don’t like it either including the riders who have a perfect streak there or have won there in 250’s and 450’s. What does that tell you???

[@chrisanderson8805]

Bring back Glen Helen 🎉 work it out gentlemen

[@kirkdunn1379]

who knows the real reason its usually $$$$.....Glen Helen is iconic, living just an hour away and racing there every month I used to always go or try to make that national.....been to Pala and watched the FIM round there back in 2010 ( was empty)..... been to Budds Creek for MXON in 07 which actually blew my mind how good the soil is there, never seen traction like that b4 growing up in so cal....walked the track after it was finished but Glen Helen is legendary....

[@robertdootyjr2449]

They want to come to the track and take it over as if its there track. They forget this is someone's business and lively hood. Its like renting out a chucky cheese for a party and saying you want micky mouse and friends to do the show. Not to mention tare down a couple of walls because you are renting for the day.

[@arthurbax3477]

Gypsy doing the Lord's work haha

[@gerrywagoner26]

I don't think the Lord used foul language.

[@iceKOId]

Also something about the Indian land being cheaper at Pala.

[@jpmorgen5726]

It's money, plain and simple.