Bummer for the WMX racers

Sherwood
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1/12/2012 10:10pm
how did the nationals get ran with 2 lcqs a couple years ago and still have 2 wmx motos? further more reason to go back to...
how did the nationals get ran with 2 lcqs a couple years ago and still have 2 wmx motos?

further more reason to go back to 2 day events. its dumb that you try to squeeze everything into 1 day and have to start screwing the women out of racing.
Sherwood wrote:
Having to be at the two day events with a racer, I can tell you the one day events are way better.
Everybody is already there Friday, what's the difference?
That's not exactly true. Made for two long days, and a long drive back to make work on Monday if you where a privateer.
1/13/2012 5:13am
When I was at Southwick a few years back, in the pouring rain, the WMX was running.
As I stood against the fence a girl about 11 years old was screaming her lungs out for Ashley Fiolek to catch JP
Her emotion and enthusiasm were inspiring. No matter how fast they were going.
Give them the time, recognition and appreciation as athletes and ambassadors of our sport
I am a fan of the series. It grows the sport. And can the majority of the couch racers on this board honestly say that they could beat the top women?
Trauma
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1/13/2012 5:27am
Sounds like a shit move to me, it can only hurt them in the long run. I would not got to all that effort for only 15mins, I'd expect the the amount of support available to them will be slashed accordingly.
MX455
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1/13/2012 5:42am
jsmx97 wrote:
In my opinion the current qualifying system doesnt put the best RACERS into the motos, it puts the best guys at being able to learn a...
In my opinion the current qualifying system doesnt put the best RACERS into the motos, it puts the best guys at being able to learn a track in 5 minutes then immediately put down one fast lap. While this isnt easy by any means, it does not make for good racing from the 15th-40th place guys, and is keeping certain riders who could otherwise perform better from even having a shot.

Riders who are half a second off the pace of the 20th place qualifier are the guys who aren't qualifying in most cases. Thats how close the field is. Where the difference lies is how certain guys perform in the 20-30 minute range, which timed qualifying proves none of that.

Timed qualifying is more geared toward deep pockets and fast engines...

Better racing would come with better RACERS, not one lap fast guys.

Go back to two days, qualify by RACING not times, and let the girls have two motos. Simple right?
+1

WMX could stay as well. OR, run the guys on sat and the WMX and a 125 Pro/AM sunday, 6 rounds only as Newman stated. This would allow the superstars their beauty rest, promote further growth with the WMX and the future stars to get their feet wet on a National track. How many other major motorsports have qualifying and the main race all in the same day anyway???

The Shop

jmx411
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1/13/2012 5:42am
I'm with DC on this one. More TV coverage means more sponsorship opportunity. We also all want to see more chances for the men to make the show and he did that. So you guys on here have to decide what you want more. Another point DC made was that they were racing in front of an empty track with the last moto of the day. If yall love the WMX so much why weren't you staying to watch them race. The ones complaining probably didn't even realize that they raced at the end of the day. Yall just hear one moto and you flip.
MX455
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1/13/2012 6:50am
"sbarrington314 wrote: how did the nationals get ran with 2 lcqs a couple years ago and still have 2 wmx motos?" Why can't anyone answer this????

This all sounds good in theory BUT privateers and young up and comers are what makes this sport. No local girl is going to get a sponsor to help them get to the races for 15 mins of TV, in reality they probably won't even be shown. All this helps is the cream of the crop right now and does nothing for them, the privateers or our sport in the future. It's a bandage on a wound that needs major surgery. I'm not saying that I have the answering but cutting the race time in half is not the answer. If this really means they will get more sponsors then why don't we change the whole format for everyone????
BESTY #72
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1/13/2012 7:02am
Ditch the LCQ's. Have a 125 class and run it with the WMX. WMX 250f, Ams/ Pro ams on 125's. That'd be way more interesting and everyone would watch that!
hasko158
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1/13/2012 7:09am
DC wrote:
We are adding a pair of LCQs for the 250 and 450 classes and there is just not enough time in the day for two full...
We are adding a pair of LCQs for the 250 and 450 classes and there is just not enough time in the day for two full WMX motos. This will also help the WMX get some TV coverage. And the last moto of the day was also in an almost-empty park, and the tracks were brutal by that time of day...

If it doesn't work out like this, back to the drawing board, but I hope is helps get the girls more attention and sponsors by getting back on TV.

DC
MX Sports
1 LCQs is awesome. Give these guys a chance to race to get in instead of putting down a fast lap. I still am not a fan of fast laps get in.
mx 219
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1/13/2012 7:14am
I have to say ditching the WMX (racing) for two lcq's is pretty sad...what's wrong with the top 40 as it is now? Worse come to worse let the women race Friday afternoon for their first moto. 1 moto is retarded.
DC
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1/13/2012 7:25am
It's no surprise that this is a polarizing issue, and I accept full responsibility for the change. There are several reasons why we made the decision:

- The day is too long for the TV production crews, well over 60 people, and when it pushes into overtime, it goes into five-figures over budget. So they quit showing the WMX all together because they couldn't afford to stick around for the last moto because when you add in set-up, camera distribution, satellite time, lack of track maintenance time, and the crowd leaving before the girls ran the last moto, it just wasn't working. And the track was at its most brutal, which was not a proper showcase for the girls anyway.

- In my opinion, one twenty-minute moto on TV (with some lifestyle features) makes more sense than two 15-minute motos not on TV. And the idea of pushing the first moto into Friday means no TV as well, plus limited timed to get the track ready for the actual national -- the main event for the vast majority of the fans and sponsors.

- For those who wish Miki Keller was still in charge, I am with you. But back then the girls used to race on Saturdays during the men's qualifying, when there was hardly any crowd there, and they got zero TV. Now they will have the center-of-the-program moto, and a TV show. It was good enough for the several girls I spoke to and their sponsors, but obviously not everyone here or in the pits.

- The idea of adding a consolation race for the 250 and 450 class to give everyone a chance to actually race and the top three a chance to go onto the main with the 37 guys who transfer through time training was also an important change for the majority of the fans and many of the privateers who otherwise don't get a chance to be behind a starting gate at all.

- Finally, if this doesn't work, we will go back to the drawing board. We will not stop trying to improve this championship for everyone, nor will we stop making the hard decisions that not everyone will be pleased with. If you have any questions or suggestions, my email is DC@mxsports.com

DC
MX Sports
mx 219
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1/13/2012 7:35am
personally, I dont think they need to be on tv for the first moto (if it were on a Friday)...just give them a first moto anyway. As long as they are on tv the second moto that is good enough...but one moto format is pretty lame. I dont think it should be all about TV time to determine whether they have a second moto or not. I mean WMX is still fairly new compared to MX, look how long it took MX to get to where it is now.
Bry745
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1/13/2012 8:07am
mx 219 wrote:
personally, I dont think they need to be on tv for the first moto (if it were on a Friday)...just give them a first moto anyway...
personally, I dont think they need to be on tv for the first moto (if it were on a Friday)...just give them a first moto anyway. As long as they are on tv the second moto that is good enough...but one moto format is pretty lame. I dont think it should be all about TV time to determine whether they have a second moto or not. I mean WMX is still fairly new compared to MX, look how long it took MX to get to where it is now.
+1

The guys don't even get the first motos on TV anyway unless it's a rare live event, they only show highlights.

I'm surprised any of the women are happy with a single moto format, aside from the TV exposure, make one big mistake and you have to wait until the next round to try to make up points. Might as well just cancel the WMX championship now and call it what it is ... women's motocross exhibition.
burn1986
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1/13/2012 8:12am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2012 8:22am
Well, I don't think anyone is that excited about the WMX, but if you're going to have them out there, go ahead and give them a chance, not 15 mins. This is an epic fail. All this and there is still no consideration for a 125 series on the off weekends.
1/13/2012 8:15am
Hopefully these plans are all revolving around figuring out how to compensate the riders better for their efforts.

If a racers make the motos, they should be leaving with money...plain and simple. Promoters should not be profiting more than they are paying out in purse $$.

Just my opinion. Maybe at this point it is not possible, but I think we all know better.
TJ 755
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1/13/2012 8:36am
OK so now its called a consi not an LCQ ? Whats the pay structure on the consi?
jbomx363
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1/13/2012 9:43am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2012 9:46am
mx 219 wrote:
personally, I dont think they need to be on tv for the first moto (if it were on a Friday)...just give them a first moto anyway...
personally, I dont think they need to be on tv for the first moto (if it were on a Friday)...just give them a first moto anyway. As long as they are on tv the second moto that is good enough...but one moto format is pretty lame. I dont think it should be all about TV time to determine whether they have a second moto or not. I mean WMX is still fairly new compared to MX, look how long it took MX to get to where it is now.
Easy enough... why this is over DC's head is beyond me as he's usually right on the ball with most things.

As far as.... WMX racing in front of no one.. that just isn't true. Yes, a major portion of the crowd leaves, but there are still many who like to watch them.

One moto Friday or how about.... even before the men go for timed qualifying on Sat. morning? Sure, it's an early rise to get ready, but I'd bet most of the women would welcome 2 dang moto's... like motocross is supposed to be.

Heck, there'd even be some lines in there for the guys too for their 1st practice and not a smooth track.

The women would still get their TV time for the 2nd motos as stated above.
1/13/2012 9:52am
Yea I'll send a suggestion... Make it more like the LFL! Smile
Hando
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1/13/2012 10:44am
WMX should just go away

I know im going to get flack for this but for real...when WMX comes on everyone goes to the bathroom or gets food.

No one cares about womens sports
Sherwood
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1/13/2012 10:44am
Dear god we agree on something.
1/13/2012 10:51am
If you have a "safe" word it doesn't need to be painful... just saying.
Racer92
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1/13/2012 10:52am
Hando wrote:
WMX should just go away I know im going to get flack for this but for real...when WMX comes on everyone goes to the bathroom or...
WMX should just go away

I know im going to get flack for this but for real...when WMX comes on everyone goes to the bathroom or gets food.

No one cares about womens sports
No flack here. Im all for women riding moto and glad there is a WMX, but it doesnt draw attention when they run at a regular MX National and never will until they get fast as guys. Go to any World of Outlaws race and watch the stands empty out when the Bombers & Modifieds run. Just how it is.
500guy
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1/13/2012 10:52am
So the over whelming theme of Vital is the majority of Men posting here don't like Women ?

Very Gay
Sherwood
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1/13/2012 10:58am
DC wrote:
It's no surprise that this is a polarizing issue, and I accept full responsibility for the change. There are several reasons why we made the decision...
It's no surprise that this is a polarizing issue, and I accept full responsibility for the change. There are several reasons why we made the decision:

- The day is too long for the TV production crews, well over 60 people, and when it pushes into overtime, it goes into five-figures over budget. So they quit showing the WMX all together because they couldn't afford to stick around for the last moto because when you add in set-up, camera distribution, satellite time, lack of track maintenance time, and the crowd leaving before the girls ran the last moto, it just wasn't working. And the track was at its most brutal, which was not a proper showcase for the girls anyway.

- In my opinion, one twenty-minute moto on TV (with some lifestyle features) makes more sense than two 15-minute motos not on TV. And the idea of pushing the first moto into Friday means no TV as well, plus limited timed to get the track ready for the actual national -- the main event for the vast majority of the fans and sponsors.

- For those who wish Miki Keller was still in charge, I am with you. But back then the girls used to race on Saturdays during the men's qualifying, when there was hardly any crowd there, and they got zero TV. Now they will have the center-of-the-program moto, and a TV show. It was good enough for the several girls I spoke to and their sponsors, but obviously not everyone here or in the pits.

- The idea of adding a consolation race for the 250 and 450 class to give everyone a chance to actually race and the top three a chance to go onto the main with the 37 guys who transfer through time training was also an important change for the majority of the fans and many of the privateers who otherwise don't get a chance to be behind a starting gate at all.

- Finally, if this doesn't work, we will go back to the drawing board. We will not stop trying to improve this championship for everyone, nor will we stop making the hard decisions that not everyone will be pleased with. If you have any questions or suggestions, my email is DC@mxsports.com

DC
MX Sports
Being that I went to the races with a privateer when the AMA had what they called a consolation race which was a qualifying race for the last 2 or 3 spots I can tell you first hand that the qualifier will help out the privateer. It will allow them to at least get some race experience on an AMA national track. I think it's cool you'd do that for them.

As for the people being upset, many of you where right with me when I was saying WMX needs to go and now your saying they should get 2 motos?
Sherwood
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1/13/2012 10:59am
500guy wrote:
So the over whelming theme of Vital is the majority of Men posting here don't like Women ?

Very Gay
Most of them look like guys anyway besides a few.
1/13/2012 11:00am
DC wrote:
We are adding a pair of LCQs for the 250 and 450 classes and there is just not enough time in the day for two full...
We are adding a pair of LCQs for the 250 and 450 classes and there is just not enough time in the day for two full WMX motos. This will also help the WMX get some TV coverage. And the last moto of the day was also in an almost-empty park, and the tracks were brutal by that time of day...

If it doesn't work out like this, back to the drawing board, but I hope is helps get the girls more attention and sponsors by getting back on TV.

DC
MX Sports
I can certainly understand the inherent risk and why you would make such a move. I see this could be a win-win for both, but at the same time, it takes a lot of the reward away for the women who are competing at a professional level. I truly hope this helps the sport in some way and helps promote other specific races for the women's classes.
burn1986
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1/13/2012 12:03pm
Sherwood wrote:
Most of them look like guys anyway besides a few.
Yep, they are a little butchy Cool
mxgirl177
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1/13/2012 12:09pm
The adrenaline rush you get on the line right before the gate drops. The time and money you sacrifice to be able to race. The elation you feel when you win or the disappointment that you feel when you have a bad race. The desire to be the best you can. The love of riding a dirt bike as fast as you possibly can.

These are not experiences that are limited to one gender. Does being a female somehow nullify my aspirations? I don't think so.

I don't know what the majority of WMX racers want, I can only speak for myself. I want to be able to race the best of my peers and push my personal abilities. It's not about taking away from the best racers in the world, nobody wants that. But I think it would be nice if WMX could exist in harmony with everything else.

As to the business side of things, there may be some room for growth. The current state of the global economy will be taking a further toll on just about everything. While all areas of motorsports racing will suffer, I believe that this is not a downward spiral for WMX. It will continue to grow, as more girls and women alike are encouraged to join the sport. Progression can sometimes be a painful process but I think WMX will survive. There are a lot of intelligent, dedicated people involved =)
1/13/2012 12:10pm Edited Date/Time 1/13/2012 12:12pm
So the TV time that the WMX gets,is it the same block of time that is scheduled for the450/250's?Which means we get to watch WMX and lifestyle stuff and less of RV and the boys?
1/13/2012 12:43pm
neverwas wrote:
So the TV time that the WMX gets,is it the same block of time that is scheduled for the450/250's?Which means we get to watch WMX and...
So the TV time that the WMX gets,is it the same block of time that is scheduled for the450/250's?Which means we get to watch WMX and lifestyle stuff and less of RV and the boys?
I sure hope not. As it stands now, TV coverage in 2012 is going to be 60% less than what we had in 2011 (60 hrs vs. 24 hrs). I couldn't imagine losing 60% and then giving up a portion of the 40% up to watch the women.
DC
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1/13/2012 12:47pm
No, it won't be part of the same TV shows and won't take any time away from 450 and 250 shows.

And Braaap, you've mentioned this a few times, so I will say this: give me a week, that number is about to expand exponentially.

DC
MX Sports

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