Idea to help prevent "creative lines"

I don't think it's as big an issue as some people here make it out to be...but here's an idea to help prevent "creative lines".

Also known as going outside the yellow stakes or haybales.



Now I'm not talking about things like Izzi's Unadilla line, or a Jlaw Daytona start. Those are one off instances, and as far as I know were not abused again.



I'm talking about lines that 1) put a rider's safety in jeopardy or 2) circumvent the intended lines and difficulty of the racetrack, and ultimately 3) goes outside the yellow stakes or haybales.



Recent examples are:

- Freestone, riders were jumping that little camel hum way to the left and jumping over "free space" and landing farther and farther to the left. It started out harmless, but soon the yellow stakes were gone (3) and both points 1 and 2 were also valid.

- X-Games SuperX, the 2nd big jump after the start that hipped to the left. Again, eventually points 1 and 2 (no stakes or bales were on the landing).

- Unadilla, James's (and other's) lines through the "smooth stuff" that was outside the yellow stakes. I would definitely say point number 2 and 3 applies there.



So how to handle it?

You can't always use a haybale or pvc pole, those can get dangerous.



I suggest a new flag and a new rule.

When a line starts developing that flirts with points 1, 2, or 3, an official throws that flag for the track section. Or a single rider can be singled out.

When a rider receives the flag, it acts as a 1 lap warning. If the rider pulls the same line 2 laps in a row, a penalty applies. If a rider pulls the line, say 5 times the entire race, a penalty applies.

Of course a rider could appeal due to being out of control, or I could even see if the rider was in heavy traffic and had limited space to work with.



Sure, "creative lines" would still pop up. Sure, a rider could tease the officials and do it every other lap, 5 times. But the point is, it's not worth it. Just moving over 6 inches and putting a half-tenth seconds back on the clock would save you the penalty and keep everyone riding the same track, as well as keep everyone safe.

As far as judgement, this is motocross, not soccer, and its obvious when a rider intends to take a line, multiple times.



I'm reluctant to suggest what the penalty should be or the flag color/style. But I might as well finish it off...

I would suggest a time penalty if possible; 5 seconds per infraction sounds reasonable to me.

And for the flag, a red background with a big black X sounds ominous enough.