Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Top riders in the Formula USA National series say they are impressed with the new Mid-America Motorplex in Pacific Junction, Iowa, about 20 mile south of Omaha, Nebraska.

“We should have an AMA National here!” said Kneedraggers.com Yamaha’s Matt Wait. “I love this place. It’s the closest thing I’ve ridden here in the States to a GP track, as far as grip, width, corners that require corner speed, there’s double-apex corners, it flows and there’s tons of run-off room. My only complaint is it’s too flat.”

“I’m enjoying it,” said Kosco Buell’s Eric Wood. “I think it’s a lot of fun. I wasn’t excited about it being so flat, but there’s plenty of room to pass inside and outside in every corner. But there are some rough patches from the cars, and it’s a little tough on tires. At least some guys I’ve been talking to have been having tire issues.”

“Tire wear is an issue,” said Bettencourt/Argo Cycles’ Jeff Wood. “I like the layout; it’s fun, it’s fast, it has fast, sweeping corners, very GP-like. If I didn’t have tire issues, I’d love it.” Jeff Wood said he tried 11 different Dunlops, including “the hardest thing they had in the truck,” and couldn’t find a rear tire that would go Formula USA Sportbike race distance, 100 kilometers, 62 miles or 28 laps of Mid-America.

The Alan Wilson-designed Mid-America Motorplex road course sits on a flat piece of farmland adjacent to Interstate 29. It offers 15 flowing turns with motorcycle-friendly, low-profile curbs and a 2.23-mile-long, 40-foot-wide polymer-asphalt racing surface. Level run-off areas are plentiful and gravel traps provide increased safety. Competitors pit on a 13-acre paved paddock area, which includes a permanent concession stand, gift shop, restroom and shower building; race fuel, air, water and grandstand seating are also available. Canopy Sun Shelters in the paddock are available for rent, and camping is allowed in the paddock.

An one-eighth-mile dragstrip is located beside the road course, and a go-kart track and “jet boat lake” are also planned, according to the track’s website, www.midamericamotorplex.com.

What the track is lacking to hold an AMA National road race event is infrastructure, specifically spectator viewing areas, restroom facilities, a media center and a paved road leading from the Interstate to the racetrack.