Epic! Back when racing was "really" racing.

I love how spectators lined the  edge of the track, now were 15 feet away behind a chain link fence.

I can’t believe it’s been 40 years. I saw this race live right after graduating high school in 84. I saw every race live from 1980 to 1986. A bit of the old track still sits there buried below an industrial park.

As a kid I would  watch the 85 USGP over and over and only remember the highlight of Bailey crashing on the downhill. It was great to see this and I'm blown by how fast a young Ricky Johnson was compared to Glover and Bailey. Team Yamaha riders earned everything they got being up against works Hondas on the YZ 490.

Notice how the champions of this time period do not talk trash and make fools of themselves like nowadays? These were the very best years of the sport.

I went there as a kid in high school.  I just remember a huge crowd and it being hotter than hell every year.

I forgot how stylish Glover was; he and Bailey looked so trick in that white JT gear, especially Bailey with those white boots👍. And David’s speed was amazing, it’s even obvious on video.  Interesting race; Bailey and Omara dominating moto 1, the teammates and training buddies on those trick works Honda 500’s; Glover and Johnson dominating moto 2, teammates and training buddies, locals, on their archaic aircooled Yamaha’s.  If Bailey wouldn’t have broken his bike in moto 1 and crashed going super sonic speed in moto 2, he would’ve smoked every one👍. The clear distinction in riding styles between Malherbe (representing the Euros) and Glover, Bailey, O’Mara, Johnson (US).... Euros-elbows down, riding on the seat; Americans-crouched, attack position, elbows up, standing up. It was a truly pivotal moment in the sport. The best era of the sport in my opinion.

The cool thing about Carlsbad is that the track never really changed and as an amateur, we could race the exact same track as these guys all year round.

Brutal course! Rode that back in 81 with the Suzuki school of motocross and it brings back great memories. David Bailey!! Whada smooth, strong rider!!

When racing was worth watching and following.

I moved to Carlsbad in 2001 and every weekend evening/night would hear the roar....only 3 / 4 miles as  the crow flies from the speedway

Qué maravilla de sonido de las bicicletas de 500 de dos golpes . Los que tenemos más de 55 años echamos mucho de menos  esos ciclistas esas bicicletas .esas carreras de super Hombres  y esos trajes de ciclistas y los circuitos no eran como los de hoy .ni las motos.eso eran cabras locas.aguantar esas bestias.🐏👍👏

i raced there every sat in the 80s and 90s REM miss that place broke a few bones there to

I remember when Magoo won this Race !

When I was a kid in the 70s and 80s, I would scour the television book to find out when the race was on. I did not want to miss that.

Thank you 👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸
One more
Memory I can share of childhood with my two-year-old son 😁

Yes, thats Cliff White, He was David's mechanic at Team Honda.

Best track ever! Destroyed🙁 Some locals say if the wind is just right at night you can hear a big bore tearing it up! Maybe Magoo?

I was there! Thanks for posting, brought back a lot of great memories. One race that day a riders seat got ripped off and he finished the race anyway. During one of the breaks a guy did a 'wheelie' around the entire track. Still have the race program and t-shirt from the event.

These bikes sounded awesome, I hope they bring these bikes back one day