"Supercross Only" Contracts

TeamGreen
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TeamGreen
Edited Date/Time 4/9/2022 3:52pm
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
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WhatsStoppingU 4/9/2022 12:02pm
4/9/2022 12:02pm
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and attendance.
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Thisusernameisavailable 4/9/2022 12:06pm
4/9/2022 12:06pm
In recent years, we've heard that US based riders struggle at the MXoN because they spend a big portion of their year training for and practicing for SX.

Well it has to work both ways, doesn't it?

If a rider's only focus was SX for 12 months, would he be better? Maybe.

Ive said it before, I wouldn't be surprised to see a divide between SX & MX- In that factories would have a team of SX riders employed and a team of MX riders employed.

You could say a good example would be Star Yamaha- Let Dylan practice and train for outdoors only, & let Eli train and practice for SX only. (The bad side of this example is Eli is very likely to be the lead rider outdoors also)

No, I dont want this to happen, but I can see it happening.
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Muttly
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Muttly 4/9/2022 1:04pm
4/9/2022 1:04pm
What is the root cause? This isn’t a new phenomenon, McGrath went SX only in what 1998? My guess would be, follow the money.
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LungButter
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LungButter 4/9/2022 1:06pm
4/9/2022 1:06pm
WhatsStoppingU wrote:
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and...
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and attendance.
So you think if they could ride a 450cc two stroke that riders wouldn’t want to go SX only?

I mean I love 2 strokes as much as the next guy….but that’s a wild theory you’ve got there….
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 4/9/2022 1:17pm
4/9/2022 1:17pm
McGrath, Windham, Chad, Stew, Brayton, Larocco…sucks for us core fans during the nationals for sure
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lostboy819 4/9/2022 1:36pm
4/9/2022 1:36pm
Shorter races in front of big crowds and for the most part better weather more time off and easier to get to and from the stadiums and better money. My question is why wouldn't a rider go for a SX only contract. Then they could do the world SX also if they wanted.
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flinttropicsMX 4/9/2022 1:46pm
4/9/2022 1:46pm
I’ll take MX over SX every single time.
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INeedaNewUsername 4/9/2022 2:00pm
4/9/2022 2:00pm
Is a blight for this sport in general. SuperArena Cross sux, but if these guys can get away with it, then more power to them.
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WhatsStoppingU 4/9/2022 2:02pm
4/9/2022 2:02pm
WhatsStoppingU wrote:
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and...
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and attendance.
LungButter wrote:
So you think if they could ride a 450cc two stroke that riders wouldn’t want to go SX only? I mean I love 2 strokes as...
So you think if they could ride a 450cc two stroke that riders wouldn’t want to go SX only?

I mean I love 2 strokes as much as the next guy….but that’s a wild theory you’ve got there….
That’s not what I meant.

If smaller teams and privateers could be more competitive on the same or lesser budgets, it could help keep the gates full IF the MX series were to lose some of the top riders to SX only contacts.

It could also foster a return to a more grassroots, enthusiast focused series, which is what it should be in my opinion.

I would also like to see a return to a 2 day format with a few amateur, vet and women’s races on Saturdays.
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APLMAN99
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APLMAN99 4/9/2022 2:03pm
4/9/2022 2:03pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender...
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
This sort of bothered me 20+ years ago. Now, not so much…..

Part of ‘growing the sport’ has made SX the biggest draw, so this is just the natural evolution. I’d rather watch MX than SX, but can’t blame anyone for deciding not to race Nationals if they aren’t really getting any extra pay for it. This isn’t a hobby for the top guys, it’s strictly a job.
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WhatsStoppingU 4/9/2022 2:04pm
4/9/2022 2:04pm
Also, based on the overwhelmingly positive responses to just about anything 2 stroke related on this site and elsewhere, I could see spectator attendance at least preserved at current levels, if not better.
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RaceFace58
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RaceFace58 4/9/2022 2:12pm
4/9/2022 2:12pm
WhatsStoppingU wrote:
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and...
Well, if MX sports would go ahead and allow equal displacement, it would probably go a long way towards getting back the lost interest, entries and attendance.
LungButter wrote:
So you think if they could ride a 450cc two stroke that riders wouldn’t want to go SX only? I mean I love 2 strokes as...
So you think if they could ride a 450cc two stroke that riders wouldn’t want to go SX only?

I mean I love 2 strokes as much as the next guy….but that’s a wild theory you’ve got there….
WhatsStoppingU wrote:
That’s not what I meant. If smaller teams and privateers could be more competitive on the same or lesser budgets, it could help keep the gates...
That’s not what I meant.

If smaller teams and privateers could be more competitive on the same or lesser budgets, it could help keep the gates full IF the MX series were to lose some of the top riders to SX only contacts.

It could also foster a return to a more grassroots, enthusiast focused series, which is what it should be in my opinion.

I would also like to see a return to a 2 day format with a few amateur, vet and women’s races on Saturdays.
You still need to explain how you’re original statement fixes anything. Privateers don’t want SX only the elite top riders do. They are the only ones who can dictate that. So what does displacement have to do with keeping top talent from desiring SX only? I honestly thought Eli would be different.
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jeffro503
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jeffro503 4/9/2022 2:20pm
4/9/2022 2:20pm
Let's see what happens in MX this season. He may opt to do both series next year as well? ( Fingers crossed ).
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WhatsStoppingU 4/9/2022 2:28pm
4/9/2022 2:28pm
I wasn’t and am not proposing anything to keep the top riders from doing SX only.

My original statement was suggesting a way to preserve the MX series, if not improve it in the event that a growing number of the top talent decided to only race one of the SX series.
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RaceFace58
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RaceFace58 4/9/2022 2:31pm
4/9/2022 2:31pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender...
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli if he did. I’d rather he retire. If that happens the potential exists that while the Nationals are happening, the best guy might be sitting at home for no reason. That diminishes the whole series. At least when Chad and MC did it I didn’t think they would’ve won if they had raced. To me they were more avoiding losing and did not want to put the work in to win outdoors. Anyway I hope this is just Chad looking to be relevant. Please don’t do it Eli.
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RaceFace58
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RaceFace58 4/9/2022 2:38pm
4/9/2022 2:38pm
WhatsStoppingU wrote:
I wasn’t and am not proposing anything to keep the top riders from doing SX only. My original statement was suggesting a way to preserve the...
I wasn’t and am not proposing anything to keep the top riders from doing SX only.

My original statement was suggesting a way to preserve the MX series, if not improve it in the event that a growing number of the top talent decided to only race one of the SX series.
It’s not going anywhere regardless. You’d get more riders racing if they knew the top 5 (or 10) weren’t going to be there. Maybe you’d see some more lower budget teams form outdoor only teams. That would be nice.
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scott_nz 4/9/2022 3:08pm
4/9/2022 3:08pm
Guys have always done it near the end of their careers , Marv this year is another example , would rather see Eli only racing sx than just stopping like rv and dunge did
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Johnny Ringo
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Johnny Ringo 4/9/2022 3:14pm
4/9/2022 3:14pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender...
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
RaceFace58 wrote:
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli...
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli if he did. I’d rather he retire. If that happens the potential exists that while the Nationals are happening, the best guy might be sitting at home for no reason. That diminishes the whole series. At least when Chad and MC did it I didn’t think they would’ve won if they had raced. To me they were more avoiding losing and did not want to put the work in to win outdoors. Anyway I hope this is just Chad looking to be relevant. Please don’t do it Eli.
How did you feel when Stew sat out
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jeffro503
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jeffro503 4/9/2022 3:22pm
4/9/2022 3:22pm
scott_nz wrote:
Guys have always done it near the end of their careers , Marv this year is another example , would rather see Eli only racing sx...
Guys have always done it near the end of their careers , Marv this year is another example , would rather see Eli only racing sx than just stopping like rv and dunge did
Word is , doing SX only for Marv ,wasn't his choice. He wanted to do both.
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TbonesPop 4/9/2022 3:28pm
4/9/2022 3:28pm
Love MX, but I have no issue with Eli going SX only - especially if giving him a break throughout the year and that break gives him a longer career in SX. It also lets some other riders a better chance in MX to earn more money. I'm totally good with Eli and Marv doing SX only. Would love to see them both get another 3 years of SX racing in their careers. We still get to watch MX regardless.
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neverwas 4/9/2022 3:35pm
4/9/2022 3:35pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender...
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
RaceFace58 wrote:
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli...
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli if he did. I’d rather he retire. If that happens the potential exists that while the Nationals are happening, the best guy might be sitting at home for no reason. That diminishes the whole series. At least when Chad and MC did it I didn’t think they would’ve won if they had raced. To me they were more avoiding losing and did not want to put the work in to win outdoors. Anyway I hope this is just Chad looking to be relevant. Please don’t do it Eli.
Lose respect for a guy that has nothing else to prove in MX and has been at the highest level for many years and is probably tired of the grind, especially after a full SX season, Traveling all the time sucks. The outdoors is brutal and he has a family he would probably like to be around more.
All that said I hope he doesn't go SX only as he is very entertaing to watch outdoors when he's on.
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endurox
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endurox 4/9/2022 3:39pm
4/9/2022 3:39pm
Shorten the SX season with back to back races Saturday and Sunday. Start the season early February and end early May. Give the riders a mandatory 4 weeks off after the season ends in September.
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RaceFace58
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RaceFace58 4/9/2022 3:40pm
4/9/2022 3:40pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender...
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
RaceFace58 wrote:
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli...
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli if he did. I’d rather he retire. If that happens the potential exists that while the Nationals are happening, the best guy might be sitting at home for no reason. That diminishes the whole series. At least when Chad and MC did it I didn’t think they would’ve won if they had raced. To me they were more avoiding losing and did not want to put the work in to win outdoors. Anyway I hope this is just Chad looking to be relevant. Please don’t do it Eli.
Johnny Ringo wrote:
How did you feel when Stew sat out
Lost a ton of respect for him. Look what happened after that, didn’t sniff another title in either series again.
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RaceFace58
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RaceFace58 4/9/2022 3:46pm
4/9/2022 3:46pm
TeamGreen wrote:
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender...
Chad just mentioned that he's heard that this is what Eli is looking at. Sadly, Eli isn't alone. There are more than a few Championship contender contracts coming where the riders are asking for "SX only".

I'm guessing a lot of people won't be stoked about this?
RaceFace58 wrote:
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli...
Not stoked isn’t even close to my feelings. To me Eli is the type who epitomizes the outdoors. I’d lose a lot of respect for Eli if he did. I’d rather he retire. If that happens the potential exists that while the Nationals are happening, the best guy might be sitting at home for no reason. That diminishes the whole series. At least when Chad and MC did it I didn’t think they would’ve won if they had raced. To me they were more avoiding losing and did not want to put the work in to win outdoors. Anyway I hope this is just Chad looking to be relevant. Please don’t do it Eli.
neverwas wrote:
Lose respect for a guy that has nothing else to prove in MX and has been at the highest level for many years and is probably...
Lose respect for a guy that has nothing else to prove in MX and has been at the highest level for many years and is probably tired of the grind, especially after a full SX season, Traveling all the time sucks. The outdoors is brutal and he has a family he would probably like to be around more.
All that said I hope he doesn't go SX only as he is very entertaing to watch outdoors when he's on.
And that’s the kind of ass kissing knob-slobbing I was talking about. We’ve gone downhill in the MXON too because guys no longer saw it as a big deal. I guess it would sting because I’ve been a big Eli fan forever. He took a hit in my book with not attending MXON too. It was a sad state the first time all our top riders turned it down and we sent a B-Team (who still won). Now we can’t find a team with the heart needed because our guys are so focused on SX.
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Zachintosh
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Zachintosh 4/9/2022 3:52pm
4/9/2022 3:52pm
Seeing as MXGP is 20 rounds, and the US SX/MX tour is 29, I can see why some in the US want to go SX only. Obviously, as a fan, I want to watch as much racing as possible, but the intense schedule is also why many top guys retire early. Dungey said this was a factor in his retirement, and Poto just recently said on Pulp he would have kept racing if the schedule was pared down.
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