Tough blocks still causing more injuries than not

Pop Shmoke
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Boston, MA, USA

How many times are we going to watch guys barely clip a tough block and get murdered? We cant change anything, really? Nothing we can do? Its once in a blue moon that a tough block actually prevents an injury, but every single race they cause ppl to crash. 

I understand its all about the money and theyre there for advertising, but theres other options. Maybe put the padded ones in the corners and cardboard ones next to the jumps. It would be much cheaper to ship too if they were cardboard boxes that fold up. I dont want to be a complainer, but this is rider safety. Come on lets do better. 

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tingo
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Orlando, FL, USA
2/8/2025 6:07pm

“…and they ruin races.”

-RJ

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Pop Shmoke
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2/8/2025 6:08pm

Lol then hampshire eats that stupid ass tough block circle after I make the thread. Perfect timing. Stupid as hell.

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Kyzer138
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2/8/2025 6:13pm
Pop Shmoke wrote:

Lol then hampshire eats that stupid ass tough block circle after I make the thread. Perfect timing. Stupid as hell.

That was 100% on him. He jumped off the damn track 

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2/8/2025 6:15pm
Kyzer138 wrote:

That was 100% on him. He jumped off the damn track 

Agreed

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The Shop

Pop Shmoke
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2/8/2025 6:19pm
Pop Shmoke wrote:

Lol then hampshire eats that stupid ass tough block circle after I make the thread. Perfect timing. Stupid as hell.

Kyzer138 wrote:

That was 100% on him. He jumped off the damn track 

It was his fault for landing on it, but having a giant circle of foam with a wrap on it is dumb. 

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YAMATHUMP1
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Fort Worth, TX, USA
2/8/2025 6:20pm

Need something like blow up tube with sand in the bottom to add a bit of weight. Maybe even add velcro tabs to keep them lined up.

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GoonRooster
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Costa Mesa, CA, USA
2/8/2025 6:31pm

I think if there’s gonna be tough blocks and corner puddings like  RJ got mixed up with… riders should be able to carry a knife and a stun gun in case an official or another competitive impedes their progress.

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Tyler D
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2/8/2025 6:43pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2025 6:43pm

They should be tapered/beveled but I guess sponsor $$$ is more important to feld than the performers wellbeing

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Kawboy14!
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Georgetown, TX, USA
2/8/2025 6:44pm

They make the track smaller for sure, but riders are allowed to slow down if they need to…..

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Harv379
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USA
2/8/2025 8:08pm

I disagree. I see so many people who've lucked out of major injuries from landing on tough blocks. Jordan smith for example a couple rounds ago. 

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CPR
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2/8/2025 9:11pm

Everyone bagged the WSX blocks except the riders, the riders loved them, so that’s saying something.

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Not hillbilly
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2/8/2025 9:14pm
YAMATHUMP1 wrote:
Need something like blow up tube with sand in the bottom to add a bit of weight. Maybe even add velcro tabs to keep them lined...

Need something like blow up tube with sand in the bottom to add a bit of weight. Maybe even add velcro tabs to keep them lined up.

The problem with connecting them is when a bike knocks one into the lane, it’ll take the others with it 

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Nutellalord
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2/8/2025 11:24pm Edited Date/Time 2/9/2025 10:57pm
tingo wrote:

“…and they ruin races.”

-RJ

I think those circular corner "tough blocks" need to be gone.  We've seen them ruin so many races because your peg barely grazed it.  There's got to be a better solution.  Although in this RJ jumped directly on to it.

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2/9/2025 2:48am

The tough block probably saved Hunter from center punching the scoring tower.

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sandarne
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USA
2/9/2025 5:39am

Why is this even a debate? Tough blocks are injuring riders.

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bens 152
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NZ
2/9/2025 6:24am

At least make them a f_cking triangular shape. You could ride/land on the side of it and not die, not catch forks, pegs, sprockets and show your sponsors still. At least try. They will even take up less room in the semi for carting around. 

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2/9/2025 6:29am Edited Date/Time 2/9/2025 6:30am

Hunter jumped off the track, RJ jumped off the track, at some point people have to look in the mirror and take the blame. Yes they can cause guys to crash  but in the same breath they can save guys from serious injury. Especially in middle of rhythms. I’d much rather see a guy go down from a tough block and get up just fine then go a lane over and hit someone head on.

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Phil109
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Montgomery, TX, USA
2/9/2025 6:41am
Hunter jumped off the track, RJ jumped off the track, at some point people have to look in the mirror and take the blame. Yes they...

Hunter jumped off the track, RJ jumped off the track, at some point people have to look in the mirror and take the blame. Yes they can cause guys to crash  but in the same breath they can save guys from serious injury. Especially in middle of rhythms. I’d much rather see a guy go down from a tough block and get up just fine then go a lane over and hit someone head on.

I’ve seen multiple times where a rider flew off his bike and landed on one and it saved them from potentially horrible injuries. It was 2-3 years ago Tomac landed on one and hopped up unscathed. If not for the tuff block he’d been toast. 

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Roczoff
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Missoula, MT, USA
2/9/2025 7:04am

Stop debating, because they're obviously not ideal. You need to keep riders on the course to avoid them getting an advantage. What's a better solution? Not hay bales and flagging from the '80s, right? It has to strongly discourage riders from leaving the track, yet not cause them to fall? OR, if it causes them to fall, it needs to provide a soft landing.  

After a few moments of thought, I have 2 ideas: 

1. some sort of artificial "tall grass" atop foam mats that is tall and thick enough to bog down a 450. The mats would be the tickness of the base dirt, and riders could easily transition from the track onto them, but would be slowed and 'penalized" by going off track. This would be expensive and difficult to transport.

2. Electronic fence. The track would only have an virtual border. When the bike leaves the track, that time would be logged, and time penalties accrued. A speed limiter could be activated, but i could see instances that this might be dangerous. This solution is also expensive, and would require lots of on-the-fly judging, unless AI could be trusted to make calls. Also, fans hate time penalties; they want the finishing order to be the final results.

You think these ideas suck, so come up with better ones.

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2/9/2025 10:05am

How about it is fine the way it is. 😎

 

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Hammer 663s
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Forest Grove, OR, USA
2/9/2025 10:24am
tingo wrote:

“…and they ruin races.”

-RJ

I think those circular corner "tough blocks" need to be gone.  We've seen them ruin so many races because your peg barely grazed it.  There's got...

I think those circular corner "tough blocks" need to be gone.  We've seen them ruin so many races because your peg barely grazed it.  There's got to be a better solution.  Although in this RJ jumped directly on to it.

Yeah, let's use tractor tires like all our local tracks. I love clipping a 400 lb tire with my hand when I get a little close. I can imagine how fun it would be to land on one too!

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Tyler D
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La, CA, USA
2/9/2025 3:23pm
Roczoff wrote:
Stop debating, because they're obviously not ideal. You need to keep riders on the course to avoid them getting an advantage. What's a better solution? Not...

Stop debating, because they're obviously not ideal. You need to keep riders on the course to avoid them getting an advantage. What's a better solution? Not hay bales and flagging from the '80s, right? It has to strongly discourage riders from leaving the track, yet not cause them to fall? OR, if it causes them to fall, it needs to provide a soft landing.  

After a few moments of thought, I have 2 ideas: 

1. some sort of artificial "tall grass" atop foam mats that is tall and thick enough to bog down a 450. The mats would be the tickness of the base dirt, and riders could easily transition from the track onto them, but would be slowed and 'penalized" by going off track. This would be expensive and difficult to transport.

2. Electronic fence. The track would only have an virtual border. When the bike leaves the track, that time would be logged, and time penalties accrued. A speed limiter could be activated, but i could see instances that this might be dangerous. This solution is also expensive, and would require lots of on-the-fly judging, unless AI could be trusted to make calls. Also, fans hate time penalties; they want the finishing order to be the final results.

You think these ideas suck, so come up with better ones.

These are both solid

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Nairb#70
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4039
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Location
Ivoryton, CT, USA
2/9/2025 3:54pm

They do just seem to be in the way all the time , but they do have a purpose. Kind of like lappers.

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gerg
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10/29/2014
Location
AU
2/9/2025 6:21pm Edited Date/Time 2/9/2025 6:22pm
Roczoff wrote:
Stop debating, because they're obviously not ideal. You need to keep riders on the course to avoid them getting an advantage. What's a better solution? Not...

Stop debating, because they're obviously not ideal. You need to keep riders on the course to avoid them getting an advantage. What's a better solution? Not hay bales and flagging from the '80s, right? It has to strongly discourage riders from leaving the track, yet not cause them to fall? OR, if it causes them to fall, it needs to provide a soft landing.  

After a few moments of thought, I have 2 ideas: 

1. some sort of artificial "tall grass" atop foam mats that is tall and thick enough to bog down a 450. The mats would be the tickness of the base dirt, and riders could easily transition from the track onto them, but would be slowed and 'penalized" by going off track. This would be expensive and difficult to transport.

2. Electronic fence. The track would only have an virtual border. When the bike leaves the track, that time would be logged, and time penalties accrued. A speed limiter could be activated, but i could see instances that this might be dangerous. This solution is also expensive, and would require lots of on-the-fly judging, unless AI could be trusted to make calls. Also, fans hate time penalties; they want the finishing order to be the final results.

You think these ideas suck, so come up with better ones.

Tyler D wrote:

These are both solid

And his username is Rocz solid.

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9bro9
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475
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Location
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Fantasy
2/9/2025 8:18pm

Fly Racing should sponsor the giant saucers RJ got stuck on. 

"Fly Racing Flying Saucers"

What's the point of these?

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Tyler D
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2375
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Location
La, CA, USA
2/9/2025 8:22pm
9bro9 wrote:

Fly Racing should sponsor the giant saucers RJ got stuck on. 

"Fly Racing Flying Saucers"

What's the point of these?

Anti shimoda devices. Stops from jumping apexes.

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2/10/2025 3:10pm
Pop Shmoke wrote:
How many times are we going to watch guys barely clip a tough block and get murdered? We cant change anything, really? Nothing we can do...

How many times are we going to watch guys barely clip a tough block and get murdered? We cant change anything, really? Nothing we can do? Its once in a blue moon that a tough block actually prevents an injury, but every single race they cause ppl to crash. 

I understand its all about the money and theyre there for advertising, but theres other options. Maybe put the padded ones in the corners and cardboard ones next to the jumps. It would be much cheaper to ship too if they were cardboard boxes that fold up. I dont want to be a complainer, but this is rider safety. Come on lets do better. 

Kind of a drama queen aren't you? I have never seen a tough block injure anyone and doubt I ever do. 

wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children-think-of-the-children 3.gif?VersionId=RALLtLr
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crmx105
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Dunnellon, FL, USA
2/10/2025 3:33pm

I believe a tough block saved Roczen from going into the other lane bike less when he crashed? The lanes are so close in SX you have to have something.

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