Just up from the coast from San Diego, to the west the Pacific pounded the beach, to the east the California foothills provided a route to the world famous Carlsbad Raceway. This track was the playground to many great champions and many great moments in motocross history. It's where once a year the greats of motocross came to do battle in full view of an audience of millions as they watched ABC's Wide World of Sports.

In 1980, with superstar Bad Brad Lackey on the track, the American fans were anticipating the very first American to win at the 10th Annual U.S. Grand Prix. They were ready with thousands of little American flags to wave in his support. And what a show they got, but it was Calrsbad local boy, LOP privateer Marty Moates, who won the battle and took the honors. From this day forward the Americans were a force to be reckoned with.

Carlsbad definitely left us with a rich history and a lot of really great memories.