Dirt Worx building tracks for Teams.

I'd go with keeping the layouts hidden or at very least, 'subject to change' until the last minute. At the same time as you say though, other forms of motorsports have been using simulations or real-world testing at permanent tracks for years and it hasn't really given anyone an insurmountable competitive advantage. It doesn't seem like something you'd want to get too widespread though, as with all things at the factory team level it probably doesn't make a difference but it would hurt the privateers and those on limited budgets more than the big boys. 

The first poll option contradicts itself.

Not sure if Dirtworx built Star’s replica, but if they did my only problem is that it is a conflict of interest for them. If you are the official track builder for the series you probably shouldn’t build tracks using layouts and obstacle combinations of upcoming races as you would either be unfair to the team or the series depending on how similar or different you make the real track.

Luckily for our sport the dirt and conditions leading up to and during the race play such a massive part so the track will always be unique to some degree. 

It doesn't matter as long as dirt worx doesn't refuse to work for other teams.

At the end of the day it makes no difference. I know when I race my local track then when a regional type race comes it forms up so differently its almost a disadvantage as your normal lines are rubbish and lines you have never used are good.

It's almost the same here.

Look at deanos video. On the rhythm where the start joins. The star guys were going outside and tripling onto that weird step on thing then tripling off it. At the race no1 ever did that line.

They took out the dragon.

And all it takes is 1 jump to be a few inches taller or shorter and it's the difference between being able to triple into a rhythm. Or quading a section.

Just doing press the day before would probably be more advantages then practising a replica for a month.

Star:

I think teams should be allowed to do what they want. Its all in their interest if they want to win.

But keeping the tracks secret until raceday would make it alot more exciting to watch riders hit the track for the first time.

This is a sport that holds their amateur national championships at a track that is never used for anything else so nobody has an advantage. I'm not going to fault star for doing this if it's within the rules, but it would make much more sense to keep the tracks secret until the week of the race. Press release with the map for the week every Sunday or something like that would generate a little buzz and prevent teams from being able to do this. Surely the track builders would agree to keep things quiet if asked to as part of their deal. 

Wow… that’s incredibly similar, props to them. Damn clever. 

I don't think I would like for them to not disclose the track layout. I usually pick my seats based on them releasing the track diagram. I like to view certain obstacles.  These guys have pounded so many laps on similar jumps, a team could literally build a replica track every weekend to practice for the next race and I doubt there would be much if any advantage. Conditions change, jump combos go away. 

I doubt these guys are studying track maps. I don’t think we’d notice any difference. 

Ok, after seeing this picture I changed my vote to keep secret. That’s ridiculous…

Every other team has the option as well and the layout changed on race day anyway.

The Alessi’s used to have multiple track replicas made in the off season at their property, wasn’t ever an advantage. 

You hear guys all the time say stuff about the track on press day that they would know if they looked at the track map. I think half these guys don't even look at the track map. What I think is weird is that none of the teams put tough blocks around the practice tracks, makes the track feel way different. 

Teams have been building replica tracks for years, this is nothing new. 

Amateurs do it for the mini O’s too.

By the end of the mains the track will be so different from what the practice track was I don't think it matters much, unless it's your first race, but realistically you are probably only going to get that advantage 1 time a season anyway. Pala should just build an A1 replica every year so everyone can go there and get a feel for it. 

All the asphalt guys use games and Sims to learn the tracks too. 

That’s part of the game when going up against a team with a huge budget and resources. Same thing with RedBull in F1

I understand why they release the track maps before tickets go on sale, and I have no problem with teams building their own replicas based on the maps. Anyone can do it. But something about bringing in the actual track builder with blue prints doesn't feel right.

I'm with you Phil.    I cringed when I saw the interview with Coker regarding the "replica" track.   

I am strongly of the opinion the track layout should be kept secret until the event.

Supercross has turned into practiced-to-death gymnastics enough already.        How about mixing it up to make it more interesting by throwing curve-balls at the riders (nothing dangerous)...just enough to mix it up. 

This crap is another reason the 80's and 90's were the best. 

Smith even mentioned the jump transitions were much steeper than the replica track. I would say being able to ride press day is more of an advantage than having a replica track on the other side of the USA.

You have quite a few contradictions in your post. Saying it's clearly an advantage but also saying it didn't help much.

You also have a poll that says its a waste of money yet also say it's an advantage. If it's an advantage then why is the money wasted?

You say F1 and WRC are using simulators for an advantage yet are saying any other sport would call this unfair.

I'm really having a hard time understanding your point.

Numerous Star riders said they had the layout and it was not an advantage.  Different transitions, jump faces, soil composition, moisture, lighting etc.  Pastrana was on Winners Take Yall and was asked about it as welland his take was it made no difference at all because these guys can jump everything in 2 laps anyway and no way the turns and other factors would be the same because the dirt changes so much.

The guys gaining an advantage would never say they were lol

I think the soil, moisture, humidity and weather are the real factors when it's race day than a replica layout to training on during the week. Those guys figured out the layout in two laps. 

I think there are too many variables for it to be all that much of an advantage. Just having different dirt would make it quite a bit different I would think. Only one Star rider was on the podium between both classes, it’s not like they schooled everyone.

That being said I don’t hate the idea of the track layouts being private.

There can be a middle ground.  This doesn't have to be all or nothing.  Make 3-4 rounds "mystery rounds" where the layouts are not announced or published.   That would allow the concept to be assessed.  It would also add another variable to fantasy pics.   Imagine all the riders and team people crapping their pants to show up to Minneapolis press day to find an Anaheim-86 replica track.  

It almost looks worse for Star. They had the almost exact track (different dirt, ruts and etc, obviously cant be replicated) and still couldn't get the win?

Also to Stars credit it was cool to see them let guys like Deano come and ride it! 

What about the fans that want to buy tickets to be near certain sections of the track?

why do you still follow the sport if you hate nearly everything about it?

What I wanna know is where Star gets their budget.  Their team is double the size of other factory efforts, and cost seems to be no bother.  Without knowing the ins and outs of their contracts and business it's impossible to do more than guess....just seems odd