I get it... some people like the career numbers and some people like the old way of run what you earn. I see the benefits of both side. So here is my proposal that nobody will listen to and doesn't really matter.
All "earned" career numbers will be 2 digit only starting with 11. There will be no more single digit career numbers. . Once you "earn" the opportunity for a 2 digit career number, you may choose one or keep your 3 digit number if desired. Numbers 1 - 10 will be awarded to the top 10 overall points finishers in total combined SMX points, including the playoffs and will be required to be used the following season. The individual SX and MX champion will run the #1 in their respective discipline and the overall SMX champion for total points will run the #1 all year with blue plate and gold/yellow number.
Additionally, the numbers 1-10 will be awarded in both classes to identify the top finishers from the previous season in both classes. If a rider moves up, he will revert back to his 2 or 3 digit career number in the new class.
Also, as a way to rotate out the existing single digit career numbers, those riders may keep their existing single digit if they have not earned a top 10 numbers but will be identified by a yellow background.
Flame away!!
Sorry dude, you can't put the cat back in the bag. It is what it is, win a championship get a number. Win a 450 championship get a single digit number. Until then you run what you earned.
No.
The bottom line is that career numbers help rider recognition. That's a good thing for the riders, and a good thing for the fans.
I absolutely can't stand the fact that a rider changes numbers from year to year.
In 2023, the number 23 belonged to Chase Sexton. In 2024 who is #23?
Seth Hammaker was 35 last year. What number will I cheer for in 2024?
Seth is such a cool dude, that he was wrenching for his mechanic one day, so that his mechanic could have a ride day! How cool is that!
After that, the 2 of them helped me set my sag. I'm forever a fan of them both. They're truly awesome people!
What number will Austin Forkner be in 2024?
It's a good thing for riders to settle on a number, and change it only when they want to.
When I raced BMX as a kid, I was issued a number my first year racing.
The second and subsequent years I was able to keep that number.
Today, that number is on my bike. #446 is me, and no one else (except for a very fast rider in Europe on a 125 who does MY number proud!).
As an amateur, do you change your number every year depending on how you did in local races this year?
I didn't think so.
Further, Imagine if Travis Pastrana switched his number from 199, or RC from #4, Reed from 22, or JS7 from 7.
It just doesn't make sense.
I believe the current system is good, but I'd prefer it go one step further, and allow riders to keep their numbers from the previous year if so desired. I understand the reasoning from those who were around when numbers changed every year to reflect a riders standings the previous year, but assigning permanent numbers to riders is actually a good thing for the sport, the riders, and the fans.
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Nah, I like that single digits are reserved for national champions; makes them more prestigious. See: Not every single digit is even taken. Your rule basically negates that and gives out 18 single digits every single year and leaves the rest of the numbering system as is (other than allowing 3 digit career numbers again). Terrible idea.
"So here is my proposal that nobody will listen to and doesn't really matter"
Well you nailed that part anyway lol.
My $.02 that no one gives a shit about either is we had a perfect system, unique to our sport, brutally honest and easy to understand. Sure it took a miniscule amount of brainpower to learn the new numbers each year but so what it wasn't that big of a deal, especially if your favorite rider got a lower number than last year. It was cool how lower numbers "Carried more clout" ? I guess than higher numbers. Plus seeing "Who's wearing what number this year" was part of the fun of a new season. I thought it was a better system on lots of levels.
But I get it, the "Fans" ? want to know that when they see the number 2 roll onto the track they know it's McGrath, or RV, or Webb. And the 14 is Windham, or eerrr uuhh sorry, Seeley, .....oh wait oops it's Ferrandis now.. At least we know the 4 is the goat Ricky Carmichael, or.....wait hold up, Blake Baggett, wait scratch that it's Sexton now ? Yeah I guess the new permanent number way is better, that way "we don't have to remember new numbers every year" Or do we ? Oh well at least they don't mean anything so that's one less thing to think about lol.
I agree with you completely, I like the run what you earn every year, and can't stand the permanent number system
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