Mexico will entertain the FIM Motocross World Championship for the first time this weekend as the Nico España circuit in Guadalajara readies for a Grand Prix bow and the fourth round of 16 on the 2012 calendar.
For Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe, the trip to the country's second-biggest city will be the first of two back-to-back events in South America.
The team packed and freighted the two factory RM-Z250s last week and the bikes are currently on their way to the southern hemisphere. Technical Co-ordinator Jens Johansson reveals a little of the process that went into the preparation for the flyaway stint of the series.
"We've packed one bike per rider and 2 spare engines each as we have to figure for both the Mexican and the Brazilian Grand Prix," he said. "We have two crates in total but we've also had to find room for the Michelin tyres and mousses. I'd say we're touching 450 kilos.
"The RM-Z250s can be packed pretty much whole. We remove the front wheel and fender but the handlebars stay in place, as does the sub-frame. As we have a double-header with the races, everything has to be carefully organised and we have to make sure we have enough spares."
"We had a tight turnaround because the team already had a long trip with the consecutive rounds in Bulgaria and Italy. We managed to get the guys back and had the crates 90% ready before Fermo and then completed the packaging when the truck arrived from Italy. It was pretty hectic but the boxes left last Thursday."
Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe will fly across the Atlantic with Harri Kullas and Petar Petrov holding ninth and 14th positions in the MX2 standings and on the back of a positive outing at the Grand Prix of Italy. The two youngsters will encounter two new tracks over the next fortnight with Guadalajara yet to enter the international spotlight and the venue of the Brazilian event changing location for the fourth year in a row to arrive at Beto Carrero.
The Nico España layout will be an adventure for the Grand Prix stars but by all accounts Championship promoters Youthstream has been chiselling the site to fit the status of the FIM series and a jumpy and loose-soiled terrain awaits the Suzuki duo. The track has the advantage of being set only 15km from the centre of Guadalajara and is within easy reach of the five million inhabitants of the metropolis and state of Jalisco. The high altitude of the region - 5000m above sea level - and the near 30 degree temperatures of the forecast will be a key factor throughout the practice, qualification and two 35 minute and 2 lap motos programme over the weekend.
MX2 World Championship standings (after 3 of 16 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 144 points; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 114 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 109 p.; 4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 85 p.; 5. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 80 p.; 6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 78 p.; 7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 73 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 69 p.; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 65 p.; 10. Michael Leib (USA, Yamaha), 61 p.; 14. Petar Petrov (BUL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 43 p.
