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The reality is that our beloved sport of MX just isn’t that popular to the rest of the world. We will never have the deep pocket sponsors of mainstream sports to spread lots of money to the riders.
I think that the assumption that DC and MX Sports are screwing the riders is baseless. You gotta realize that MX Sports has a whole lot of expenses, salaries, etc that have to be met before any money is paid out. The local tracks can simply take race entry and gate fees and pay out a decent chunk after they pay their minimum wage workers.
Is DC making a good living? I sure hope so for all the work he puts into our sport. He deserves every dime.
I've always assumed the Indiana rounds were because of Lucas Oil.
Outdoors in the south is like supercross in New Jersey or Seattle, it might be fine most years, but when it's not..... it's a disaster. I always thought muddy creek was decent compromise and as spectator could see most of the track from a few locations.
I live in the south and I agree. They would have to be the first round and even still it will be hot. It rains a lot here beginning of June too. Fall would be premo.
Its to bad you all ran DC out of this place otherwise I am sure he would reply with info as much as he can. I am not saying MX Sports isnt making money - and they should. I just remind you that SX has more sponsor type dollars. Educate yourselves before you make assumptions.
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DC ran himself out of here. Probably still thinks Bondo is doing a great job.🤦♂️
And with all his streaming TV promises and failures people pretty much quit believing anything he says.
lol, the local track can pay minimum wage for their workers so they can pay the racers an acceptable wage but MXSports has to pay big salaries so the riders need to take it in the shorts…makes total sense, you know since one series is just trying to draw local talent and the other is supposed to be the pinnacle of mx racing in the US 😂
Every year, this topic is brought up regarding the prize money. I'm glad to see that there has been an increase in the payout this year, and it does provide some assistance to the privateers. However, it is still ridiculously low. When you factor in the entry fee, mechanic pass, gas, new tires, hotel expenses, and bike maintenance after the national event, you end up with a deficit of $2500.
My brother participated in national races from 2017 to 2020, and we never managed to break even for a single weekend. We also had top of the line equipment with A-Kit suspension and modified motor, it's still absurd that we couldn't cover our expenses for even one weekend. We raced because we love the sport, but at the end of the day, it needs to make economic sense and be profitable. After all, this is a professional sport and not a charity for the riders.
Another factor to consider is the cost versus the reward. It's an incredibly dangerous sport with a high risk of lifelong injuries, and there is no insurance coverage provided by AMA or MXsports.
Here are some suggested improvements to address these issues: eliminate the entry fees, mechanic fees, and spectator costs for the riders. This will increase profits around $400 to $500 depending on the rider. Additionally, involving manufacturers to increase the payout would help offset the expenses for privateers and encourage more participation in the races.
MXGP has no purse at all and charges entry fees,
Who pays the entry fees? Riders or teams? Can a random pro rider just show up for an MXGP or does he need to be on a certain team?
Regardless of those answers I'm asking they're underpaid as well.
Who would downvote this? Poster lays out actual experience and monetary facts. Also offers a potential way to help the riders that shouldn’t put a major burden in the promoter or track owner. But yeah, MXGP requires entry fee with no payout, so US based mx racers should be happy they are allowed to race 🙄
Is it true there is zero purse for the MXGP races or only certain classes?
Also I assume there is decent contingency from the manufactures which helps but for sure still not what it should be.
It's also not fair to compare to other sports because of the size of moto compared to stick and ball sports. The tv viewership alone for those sports is way bigger therefor much larger ticket costs and tv money, not to mention the million dollar merchandise and licensing deals. Overall they generate much larger income for the various team owners and leagues. Plus lots of them these days get subsidies/tax breaks from local government for their stadiums and arenas helping to make them more profitable. We have a long way to go until moto is truly "main stream" and the riders getting the money they deserve for the risk they take and the cost to go racing.
Glad you posted Hunter I haven’t crossed paths with you guys in a while!
Since it is supposed to be the BIG $$$$ pay day for the racers according to Feld and MXSports, Can you share with us how the contingency program works?
With this info as our guide, let’s look at the differences for a real world privateer. Let’s look at a position that represents the results of a regular privateer that’s actually doing pretty damn good by modern standards & is work for his way up…
20th
20th was $700 for the day in 2022.
20th -is- $1,040 for the day in 2023.
If the rider is wise enough to be a part of an OEM contingency program, let’s say Kawasaki, he gets another $750 for the day.
Just those two sources, alone, make it $1,790 for the day. Is that a fortune? No. But, it’s a start.
The sad reality is that it’s awfully damn expensive to race at that level. It’s a pro-racing situation and you’re gonna have to pay to play. I have friends that spend a small fortune to race sprint cars and if they weren’t able to fund it from their businesses or have sponsors…they wouldn’t be able to do it. Same goes for karting.
A lot of people talk about this as of there’s some form of injustice or unfairness at play here. Uh, no. As Crutcher and others have pointed out in their very informative posts and comments, a rider can race those events that pay…or…they can take a shot at racing the true “fastest” and see how they do against the racers that matter in the big picture. That’s what a lot of those privateers are doing: racing against, measuring themselves against…the best.
For those that are really concerned about a certain local pro that’s giving it a shot or a rider they’re following and want to make a difference…go support your rider. Help them find sponsorship and/or funding. Riders can do their homework and find ways to support their racing, too. Some riders like Lesher & Karnow have used some creative means to get out there (yes, that’s a Supercross example since they come to mind as effective privateers).
Anyways, I just don’t see this as “The sky is falling”.
What’s the payout for places 31 - 40? While it’s probably sacrilege to even suggest this, maybe we need to look at trimming down to 30 riders per class and putting that money towards places 11 and back?
If ya think about it, having 40 riders gives more opportunities to more riders.
"We have a long way to go until moto is mainstream"
With current leadership it never will. There's way too much bullshit. So many examples prove that.
- The biggest amateur race in the world is at one of the safest tracks out there as far as obstacles go. There's no crazy 100+ foot jumps that can cripple you if you come up short. Yet local tracks consistently build these extremely dangerous obstacles that maybe 10% of the riders that practice at their can do safely. The most popular motorsport in America (Nascar) consists of cars turning left 500 times. Fans want to see close competitive racing. Not the leader lapping the field with a minute+ lead....
- The promoters and sanctioning body act like pimps for a certain OEM that continues to push handicapped machinery so they can force 5 figure $ motorcycles on the consumer and doesn't allow a more affordable competitive platform for privateers (250 vs 250)
- Then the sheer neglect of half the country to be able to attend a professional motocross event. "Hey, we want you to watch our sport and grow our rider base. However if you want to see pro moto you're gonna need to hop on an airplane." Or buy a subscription.
Yes, it's a big number.
I recall the track owners meetings when Freestone was looking to hold their first national.
What I don't recall is if that was an every year fee, or if that was to get your track on the schedule, like a "license" if you will.
There's also the money it costs to get the infrastructure at the track up to their standards.
Pit Row
Actually this year it changed and everyone is guaranteed 500k. And if it is a 1 time start you get 5k.
these payouts are why top guys don’t care about it. Would be better with half of the race and double the purse.
Why would you trim it down that means less entry fee's and people trying to get in that makes no sense!
Thank you for some clarity.
Donate directly to privateers to help them get to races. There are many people who do this and the purse numbers don’t reflect it. It is the most direct way to help.
Can you imagine someone like Matt Burkeen the 2 stroke worrier. Rides his ass off to qualify and goes 32-30 on a good day. Makes about 600 and it cost him how much to get there and enter? Now granted he makes millions from you tube 😜 but how is the guy affording racing the nationals.
Does MXSports still charge each factory team ~8-10k for security per season too?
Free bikes. Helps
Still not putting money in his pocket weekly.
Anything free is a bonus
I will point out that of all the seasons that the privateers could change this issue it's this season! At the first race do not go out for practice! If all the privateers agree not to go out and practice, I am positive something would change quickly! I mean what do you have to lose? Money? ha-ha (If you do it then make sure you know what you want beforehand)
And yet some still criticise the guys who choose to do WSX instead of the Nationals…..
Cant blame them , make as much $$ as you can . Some mxgp guys think prestige is more important than $$ lol.
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