Motocross: Charlotte to host 2016 Monster Energy MXGP of the Americas
Charlotte, N.C. will host the inaugural running of the Monster Energy MXGP of the Americas from Sept. 2-3 at zMAX Dragway.
The MXGP World Championship is an international motocross series, known as the “F1” of motocross, featuring riders from three continents and 16 different countries.
On Labor Day weekend, the riders will take on a purpose-built, one-mile dirt course at the four-lane zMAX Dragway, with stadium seating surrounding the circuit to give fans a view of the action. The course will feature 15 jumps, 12 tight turns, seven switchbacks, and straightaways where speeds are expected to top 55 mph.
Video - track layout:
“At Speedway Motorsports, Inc., we are always committed to bringing world-class events to our facilities, and there is no bigger motocross event in the world than the Monster Energy MXGP of the Americas,” said Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. “YouthStream, the owner of MXGP, is an excellent partner with a grand vision. Not only will we have an opportunity to host competitors and fans from three continents and 16 countries, we’ll be able to showcase our facility and Charlotte on the world stage with the Monster Energy MXGP of the Americas.”
MXGP was founded in 1957 and has its roots in Europe. The popularity of the series has surged internationally in the past few years, with over 1.42 billion television spectators in 2015. Glen Helen Raceway in California saw the return of MXGP to the United States in 2015, and will play host to the MXGP of USA one week after the Charlotte event in 2016.
The MXGP of the Americas is expected to deliver an economic impact to Charlotte, with 15,000 international spectators expected to travel to the event and an estimated $1.3 million global benefit for the state and local governments.
“It’s going to be an amazing race course and an amazing weekend,” said motocross legend Jeremy McGrath. “The course is going to be tough and tight. Fans are going to see crazy jumps out there. If they’ve never been to a motocross event, this is one to see! And, it will be cool to show off Charlotte to the world circuit.”
Additional details and tickets for the event are available at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/mxgp/.
