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New Bedford, MA
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Starcrossed
1/16/2016 8:15pm
1/16/2016 8:15pm
Edited Date/Time
1/17/2016 7:02pm
Congrats to Zac for making his first SX in his first attempt. Does anybody know how he got his SX license? It doesn't appear that he got his road to SX points from the AX series, and was actually on the entry list for tonite's AX race.
Popcorn time
The Shop
I may have misread a column title on the AX site. I'm going to look up last year.
I tried to look up last years results when we were going over this earlier but try as I might I could not find anything for 2015.
Well this is interesting. I bet they totally missed it - no way they purposely let it go?
Either way, congrats to him making his first SX main in the first attempt.
They must have granted him his SX license based on his performance at the Cincinatti Arenacross last weekend. He only competed in the AX class, but won the LCQ and finished 15th and 12th in the mains. That is his only Arenacross race that I can find, but I was unable to open the 2014 archive results. Points earned prior to 2015 wouldn't affect his Road to SX status anyway.
The rules are clear on qualifying for SX license and the AMA officials allowed Commons to race without going through the same hoops as other riders.
The loophole was closed allowing Loretta's reusults to get your license, and a number of top amateurs last year drove all over the country to get qualified ( spending $$$$$$ to do it)
Bloss won Open A pro sport and the Horizon award ( as well as scoring national points in 450 outdoors last year) but is still having to jump through the hoops.
Commons was Not eligible for San Diego- period. ( clearly he was capable- again making the argument that this is an expensive and un-necessary step for these top kids)
Wake up AMA - the little credibility you have left is hanging by a string
2013 AMA SX Rulebook:
Page 35
Requirements for SX License 2013 or 2014
d. Qualifying through other programs
1. Earn at least 75 points through AMA Pro/AM MX Series
Zach had 75 Pro AM points in 2014 in the 250 and 86 points in the 450 Pro AM thus meeting the requirements for his SX license in 2014.
OK, now lets go to 2016
2016 AMA SX Rulebook
Page 17
Section 3.2 SX License Requirements
e. Riders who earned a 2013, 2014, or 2015 AMA SX License may apply for a 2016 license based on the criteria for which it was earned in 2013, 2014, 2015.
So Zac met the criteria to earn a license in 2014 but never applied because of injury. Based on Section 3.2 / e. he can apply in 2016 based on the fact that he earned the right to apply in 2014.
Pretty sure Zac went to Cinci AX not knowing this. It was pointed out to him, he applied, and was approved. His one point in Cinci had nothing to do with his approval.
[i]Disclaimer - I may or may be right about this but it is a way, that within the rules as written, that Zac could have gotten his license.
[/i]
The AMA officials are not afraid to change the rules - and even less afraid to ignore them when they see fit.
Gotta give another shout to Zac for notching his first 3 Supercross points, in his first race attempted. I'm sure he's pleased with his efforts, and I hope we see him qualify at the rest of the West rounds.
Pro am points don't qualify you anymore. Does not matter. Also, most of these kids ride Monster Cup ( which is a better test of their readiness than the AX hoop)
I believe Bloss podiumed there in 14'.
If memory serves, Renzlend was last kid to qualify under the old rules.
Plessinger had to ride AX last year even after winning Loretta's multiple classes and having pro am points. I'm sure they will come up with some weak excuse - like blaming some sap in the Ohio office for the mistake- Bottom line- Zero accountability at the top.
Pit Row
2016 AMA SX Rulebook
Page 17
Section 3.2 SX License Requirements
e. Riders who earned a 2013, 2014, or 2015 AMA SX License may apply for a 2016 license based on the criteria for which it was earned in 2013, 2014, 2015.
Sorry Skippy, you are just wrong.
And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the is a good rule, just that it exists, and no favors were given or no rules were broken in Zacs case.
I'm guessing section e. will not be there next year.
Name one guy who got a pass because he will put butts in the seats.
Mike
"Commans had planned to race the Ricky Carmichael Road to Supercross in Amsoil Arenacross after the Spring Nationals, but of course was unable to. In order to race supercross in 2016 he will have to skip Anaheim 1 and Phoenix to earn his supercross points. He said he is excited to possibly see snow on the ground for the first time when he comes to Cincinnati, Ohio, for the opening round of arenacross."
http://racerxonline.com/2015/11/18/privateer-profile-zac-commans
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