Will we start to see more riders drop down?

Fair play to Max for doing what he needs to do to earn his best living, but…. This does have potential to ruin the class or even sport as we know it. 
 

can someone post up the pay scale of both classes? We’ll be able to see where the cut-off is between winning the 250 races and position in the 450s- then we’ll get an idea WHO is on the cusp of moving down.

It depends:

250SX Class License Eligibility

5.2 250SX East/West Championship Guidelines

c. Riders who have earned an AMA 450MX class championship, AMA 450SX class championship or FIM MX1 World Championship are not eligible to compete in the 250SX East/West Championship.

e. AMA 250SX Regional Champions may defend their championship’s the following season, with the following clarifications:

1. Champions may ride either region the following year but must only compete with the no. 1 plate when defending in the region in which they won the Championship.

2. A rider that wins a 250SX Championship will be eligible to participate in the 250SX class for a maximum of four years total.

a. If a rider wins the 250SX Championship in their fourth of more season, that rider will be eligible to compete in the 250SX class the following season only.

b. A rider must earn at least five points for it to count as a season.

3. A rider that wins a second 250SX Championship will be eligible to participate in the 250SX class for a maximum of three years total regardless of what year they won their second title. (i.e., if a rider wins their second Championship in their third year of 250SX competition, they will be ineligible for the 250SX class.

f. Riders who have been advanced to the 450SX class through points or championships won will not be eligible to return to the 250SX class.

g. Riders finishing in the top 15 of the 450SX class points in 2021 or 2022 will not be eligible to ride the 250SX class.

h. Riders finishing in the top 15 in 2021 or 2022, that have self-advanced themselves to the 450SX class that wish to return to the 250SX class may appeal their 250SX eligibility to the AMA. This appeal must be submitted to the AMA in writing and can take up to 30 days for the final hearing. All decisions of the appeals panel are final. Riders granted a change of eligibility through the appeal process may only appeal their 250SX eligibility one time

Heading in 2024 riders finishing in the top 15 in 450SX points in 2022 or 2023 would not be eligible unless they change the rules again.

Riders that are not eligible based on past championships or pointing out:

Eli Tomac
Jason Anderson
Malcolm Stewart
Marvin Musquin
Justin Barcia
Chase Sexton
Cooper Webb 
Dylan Ferrandis 
Ken Roczen
Justin Bogle
Shane McElrath
Aaron Plessinger
Adam Cianciarulo
Joey Savatgy
Justin Hill
Christian Craig
Colt Nichols
Justin Cooper

Riders That Could Appeal/Didn't Point Out 

Brandon Hartranft 8th in 2022
Justin Brayton 9th in 2022
Dean Wilson 10th in 2022 
Kyle Chisholm 14th in 2022

Still Eligible

Vince Friese
Josh Hill

I say its all fair game lets elevate the sport and see how competitive the 250 class can become.

Josh Hill and Vince Friese would be some good gate keepers to hold some guys back from winning championships and make them work for it.

Chiz would be a good 250 rider and could possibly be in the top 5 if he can stay healthy.

Dean Wilson would be a good morale boost and would be in the top 10 - top 5 I bet he would earn less money though unless his sponsorship deals changed with the class drop down.

I wish Chiz would of stayed in the 250's. Look at what he's doing now , compared to what he did last year on the 250 star bike. I have no problem at all with guys moving back down. Hell.....look at J-Mart....he never even moved up. If moving down is something you're interested in , and can earn better money doing it , why the hell wouldn't you?

I don't think it has potential to ruin the 250 class. Let's be honest, the 250 class is usually pretty boring once we get towards to end of the season, as the attrition rate is usually pretty high. It's also good to have the up and coming guys (Deegan) go against some established riders (JMart).

It's been happening for as long as I can remember. More competition is better racing in my opinion dont care how old or long you've been racing.

https://www.vitalmx.com/features/how-much-did-they-earn-new-supercross-purse-payout-revealed-2023-anaheim-1

So second in a 250 race pays what between 10th and 11th pays in 450. Winning pays between what 2nd and 3rd pays in 450. Wasn't the case in previous seasons which is why so many privateers raced 450. Plus the cost of a competitive 250 is way more than a 450. 

Absolutely you will . If the rider is eligible and it’s a good career move why not . 
 

The eligibility rules are convoluted and arbitrary but can be manipulated by the rider/team in many cases . Junk all that . I say make it a full season class , open to anyone . Keep the futures program for development . 

For privateers, there’s more money in the 450 class, so they won’t move down. 
 

 Vince Freeze was making more on a 250 bonus program than he was making on a 450  

 Chiz made roughly 120k on his own program, but only made 2 grand a week plus bonus, and since he never podiumed so he never got a bonus he probably lost money on that deal. 

 I think it all depends on whose giving them the ride and what kind of bonus they’re on. If they’re not fast enough to podium, then they won’t make more money. 

Veterans dropping down to the 250 class and 450s lugging around the track in 3rd gear are indicators it is past time for a SX reboot.  I don't have the all the answers but here are some spit ball thoughts:

1) Age limit in the 250 class

2) Make the Premier class 250s

3) Make the existing 250 class sealed motors with only suspension and exhaust modifications so first year pros don't have to compete against basically works machinery from Star Racing, PC, etc.

If the premier class was 250s, existing 250 teams could compete against the 450 outdoor riders racing SX on 250s in the same class.    This would hopefully eliminate backmarkers getting lapped 2 or 3 times.