Do riders care about SMX?

I mean, that’s a fairly philosophical question. What do you consider “caring?” To some, dedicating your whole life to training and racing is caring in and of itself. You seem to think differently. Do they need to know how the series structure works in order to care? Or is showing up as prepared as possible enough? Also, why point at the riders. The teams seem to be just as confused. It’s a brand new thing. We’ll get there when it’s time. 

Money is always a motivator. For privateers it could mean racing again next year. For the top guys securing a large 5 6 or 7 figure bonus helps set up the future for them and their kids. It matters. 

I know this fan doesn't give a rats ass!

I question if you’re actually a fan then. 

Oh I am, grasshopper, just an old fart!

With a Mill going in his bank account, there might be a few tears of joy!

Anyone that loves racing like these guys do would normally jump at the chance to do another race…. 

Of course they don't really care about the race by itself, it's a new idea with no history/prestige behind it, they're offering such a large purse to MAKE them care about it, then the prestige will come with time. There's such a long history tied to the championships we've normally run, it's more meaningful to the riders.

Think of the superbowl, technically it's just 1 post season game that we arbitrarily designate to be worth more, and every team would rather win that than have the best regular season record. The team could suck the first half of the season, and barely squeak into the playoffs but then get hot at the right time. If you make it worth more in the present, it will eventually be held in a higher regard with time.

What exactly is it about SMX that makes you not care?  Despite the lack of good details on the final three rounds it's shaping up to accomplish exactly what they had hoped in my opinion.  I for one will be at the Chicago round!

It’s just kind of a new thing. Nobody really knows how it works exactly (well the journalists know). After a couple of times through it, everyone’ll get the hang of it.

I say change the schedule next year. 15 SX, 12 MX (shame they took 1 away this year) and 3 SMX. For SMX do regular points,  if you absolutely have to mix it up some could do double points for the last round.

I dont think it has hit them yet.  This is an excellent opportunity for guys to get some serious bonus.  5 million serious.  If they can go animal and keep it off the ground for 6 races they might get some serious money.  Its not like monster cup where you have to win the first race.  You could get a dnf the first race and still win.  

There's been little information given to them currently, but yes they care because there's a lot of money involved.

I was at Ironman and asking about SMX because I plan on going to all three and these guys know very little.

One team manager had a parking map, that was all, but there were 2 teams on it that aren't going and one doesn't even exist anymore. 

The LCQ riders after 30 have been told they will know on Tuesday this week if they are invited or not and one rider told me they don't get the money anymore, the teams do, like WSX and that could create some waves. 

They've been told their credentials do work for SMX and also that they don't and will have to get new ones, everyone has been told something different, so the the point of my post is that nobody really knows what's going on but they all plan on going. 

You and me both. The riders can make some more money and it's another race to watch, so that's cool. But the SMX title holding any weight? No. The titles that mean anything have been won

I can’t speak for the riders but it is cool to see guys farther down in the running order not mail it in during the last few outdoor rounds. Whether that means they care more is subjective I guess but if money is the motivator, so be it. 

I can't see how someone can be a fan of motorcycle racing and not give a rat's ass about top professionals racing.  What is this new trend of "I'm core" yakking where you don't want to watch the sport you're a "fan" of?

I guess we’re the minority now. I would watch these dudes race on rollerblades 😂

I get the impression that they are excited to see the layouts and format and obviously make some money. I don't think the top riders are really too concerned with the logistics of it. What is cool about the SMX points since they are multiplied at the later rounds is there will be no "championship management". Even with a huge lead you will still probably need to win at the last round.

im still trying to figure out what it is, and how people think they are actually making "more money"

Because its only 3 races?

Because if you win all 3 and take the championship, that's $1.3Mil

if you just win 1 race that's $100K

How is it not "more money" ?

Sports mostly only ever really matter because of tradition.  Initially, participants will only care about as much as they are getting paid to perform.  The first Super Bowl had like 30,000 empty seats.  If the concept sticks, tradition will build and gain meaning.

Ummmmm the big purse money that is paid out for those 3 rounds that wasn't previously available.....isn't that pretty obvious?

Or are you just being negative to be "core"?

They added 3 races which have more money included, like it should.  That money should already be in the Supercross and Motocross series.  We dont need a 3 race gimmick for them to earn more money, While technically they are in their off-season if we look back the last 50 years.  

I mean if you want to make your sentence more technical, like, More options for money, 3 more events!  12-15 more times to get hurt.  They are racing and risking themselves more and more, for "more money"....  

BRUHHHHHH

lets see how happy you guys are for ALL THIS MONEY, they are racing for, when we lose riders for anaheim.... in the next 3-4 weeks.  

remember, there was a time all you dorks were saying less racing, longer break ....   boy oh boy.  

Like it or not more likely is 18SX and 10 MX and 3 SMX. Money talks and MX doesn’t pay enough. As seen by the number of 450 riders who skipped or only raced a few to get sharp for SMX. 

Exactlty, all the talent should be in one place. Not spread all around.

You should go back and listen to some of the interviews on how that money came about. NBC requested some sort of Playoff series to get a TV package like they were given. Without the Playoffs they weren't going to get as much money out of the TV deal. So technically they needed the "3 race gimmick" for them to earn more money. 

If you listened to some of the interviews and such you would see that it's going to be only 1 more race more than a normal year. The MX series and SX series are both losing 1 race in 2024. If you also take out Monster Cup that some of the riders attended then it's more of a wash than anything. 

Actually they added 2 races and next year it will be one extra race….you seem the hate everything about the sport, makes one wonder why you are even a fan…