Is It Time For AMA SX To Restructure?

Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this year.

Should there be a fixed total of 11 teams to fill a 22-rider gate, with teams required to apply for one of those positions? Non-factory teams could apply if a factory decides to back out, allowing them to take one of the 11 spots and support two 450 riders. If injuries occur, the team would have to provide a substitute rider or face fines from the race promoter/organization.

Are we getting close to the point where the premier 450 class should be reserved only for factory-supported teams?

1. Honda
2. Yamaha.
3. Kawasaki.
4. Suzuki.
5. KTM.
6. Husqvarna.
7. Triumph.
8. Beta.
9. Ducati. 
Did I miss  manufacture?


 

Poll

450 Class Restructuring

Choices
1
55
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-MAVERICK-
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11/18/2025 3:53pm

No. 

8
1
stewie94
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11/18/2025 4:03pm

call me a traditionalists but leave everything the way it is , if anything push comes to shove , bring back the heat / semi / lcq format to give the live crowd & tv viewers more racing to look at heading to the main 

17
2
11/18/2025 4:04pm Edited Date/Time 11/18/2025 4:05pm

I like this idea because it gives privateers a chance to show results on factory bikes.  1/3rd of the field is injured by round 5 or 6 in Sx.  If HRC had to keep Christian Craig for example, as a reserve rider or field folks into the position that would be an amazing opportunity IMO. 

Leaving everything as is obviously works great as well. 

1
4
Zucchini Nibs
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Port angeles, WA US
11/18/2025 4:05pm

Nah, the guys doing it with less support are super heroes

1
1

The Shop

BMc914
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11/18/2025 4:10pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:

No. 

Doesn't need an actual reply. Hint the poll. 

1
22
Zachintosh
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11/18/2025 4:18pm

Just make whoops that are skimmable throughout the entire night. That’s all I ask. 

 

9
2
zippytech
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11/18/2025 4:37pm

Nope, If a kid can show up and beat out a factory guy for a spot on the gate more power to them.

3
zehn
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11/18/2025 4:43pm

Weren’t you calling for WSX to be the premier series after the Vancouver round? We don’t need a franchise owner team structure in SX 

2
1
11/18/2025 4:43pm
zippytech wrote:

Nope, If a kid can show up and beat out a factory guy for a spot on the gate more power to them.

IMG 3596 5.jpeg?VersionId=
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-MAVERICK-
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11/18/2025 4:44pm
BMc914 wrote:

Doesn't need an actual reply. Hint the poll. 

Yeah, no, for sure. 

8
1
yak651
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11/18/2025 4:54pm

Leave it open, add opening super pole races

1
2
ARM670
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11/18/2025 4:55pm

Ah the off season polls. Why does everything have to be dumbed down. Bring back semis, drop the stupid SMX moniker, do away with permeates numbers, nationals back to Sundays, and mostly GET OFF MY LAWN.

5
7
zippytech
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11/18/2025 5:20pm

It would straight up make it almost impossible for the local kid to ever get seen and not a chance at adding to his resume that he made the lcq in Pittsburgh.  

1
1
11/18/2025 5:22pm Edited Date/Time 11/18/2025 5:24pm

Get rid of LCQs and make them “B mains” Pre seed the top ten in points into the main events to keep the factory’s from crying too hard 

3
3
11/18/2025 8:19pm
zehn wrote:

Weren’t you calling for WSX to be the premier series after the Vancouver round? We don’t need a franchise owner team structure in SX 

I wasn’t calling for it. But I can see it happening if the stars align. 

7
11/18/2025 8:24pm Edited Date/Time 11/18/2025 8:27pm

we are one of the last motorsports where you can buy a bike, and go qualify if you are good enough, i would not want to lose that part,  

if you make the teams own the starting sports, then they will sell them to the highest bidder, like what happens in other motorsports, 

although i could get onboard with the amount of people trying to qualify come down a bit,  maybe 50 max going for the 40 night show spots, 

2
1
Gravel
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Ridgecrest, CA US
11/18/2025 8:49pm

You asked all the wrong questions. 

The only change needed is to make the 250 class one series, no more west/east coast garbage.

 

5
2
ando
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Perth AU
11/18/2025 9:04pm

I’m not really a fan of the premier series in the world having riders in the main event who can barely qualify and get lapped twice or more while having an almost constant blue flag waving at them.

Outdoors is a different scenario but not indoors.

2
2
ando
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11/18/2025 9:05pm
Gravel wrote:

You asked all the wrong questions. 

The only change needed is to make the 250 class one series, no more west/east coast garbage.

 

That also needs to happen.  The regional SX concept has run its course.

3
2
3strokemx
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US
11/19/2025 4:59am
kylemenz1 wrote:
Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this...

Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this year.

Should there be a fixed total of 11 teams to fill a 22-rider gate, with teams required to apply for one of those positions? Non-factory teams could apply if a factory decides to back out, allowing them to take one of the 11 spots and support two 450 riders. If injuries occur, the team would have to provide a substitute rider or face fines from the race promoter/organization.

Are we getting close to the point where the premier 450 class should be reserved only for factory-supported teams?

1. Honda
2. Yamaha.
3. Kawasaki.
4. Suzuki.
5. KTM.
6. Husqvarna.
7. Triumph.
8. Beta.
9. Ducati. 
Did I miss  manufacture?


 

What's the problem you're trying to solve?

mark_swart
Posts
2524
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Location
Chapin, SC US
11/19/2025 6:00am

Absof*&kinglutely not. Protect spots for teams in the main over individual rider performance? Hell no.

2
Silas444
Posts
634
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Mid-state, ME US
11/19/2025 6:05am Edited Date/Time 11/19/2025 6:06am

Supercross isn't my thing, I'm an outdoors guy - but - I do think it might be a good idea to restructure the points system so that heat races could earn you a few points. Nothing like the Main Event points payout, but something, so that we viewers aren't spending half the night watching guys race for a good gate pick, and the guys racing have more incentive to win their heat race.

Apologies for the hijacking of the thread.

2
1
soggy
Posts
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UT US
11/19/2025 6:08am

AMa SX could use some changes but I don’t think what’s laid out here is it. 

One thing I actually like about WSX is 16 riders on the track. 22 in AMA imo is too many and we are constantly frustrated with lapped riders doing dumb shit. So I would be for making the field smaller. 
I’m sure there other things too but I’m still on my first cup of coffee. 

4
11/19/2025 7:10am
kylemenz1 wrote:
Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this...

Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this year.

Should there be a fixed total of 11 teams to fill a 22-rider gate, with teams required to apply for one of those positions? Non-factory teams could apply if a factory decides to back out, allowing them to take one of the 11 spots and support two 450 riders. If injuries occur, the team would have to provide a substitute rider or face fines from the race promoter/organization.

Are we getting close to the point where the premier 450 class should be reserved only for factory-supported teams?

1. Honda
2. Yamaha.
3. Kawasaki.
4. Suzuki.
5. KTM.
6. Husqvarna.
7. Triumph.
8. Beta.
9. Ducati. 
Did I miss  manufacture?


 

3strokemx wrote:

What's the problem you're trying to solve?

None.  Just creating a thinking exercise here and enjoying watching heads melt. 

4
3strokemx
Posts
2318
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Location
US
11/19/2025 7:14am
kylemenz1 wrote:
Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this...

Is it time for AMA Supercross to start thinking about restructuring its format in the years to come? It appears we’ll have nine factory teams this year.

Should there be a fixed total of 11 teams to fill a 22-rider gate, with teams required to apply for one of those positions? Non-factory teams could apply if a factory decides to back out, allowing them to take one of the 11 spots and support two 450 riders. If injuries occur, the team would have to provide a substitute rider or face fines from the race promoter/organization.

Are we getting close to the point where the premier 450 class should be reserved only for factory-supported teams?

1. Honda
2. Yamaha.
3. Kawasaki.
4. Suzuki.
5. KTM.
6. Husqvarna.
7. Triumph.
8. Beta.
9. Ducati. 
Did I miss  manufacture?


 

3strokemx wrote:

What's the problem you're trying to solve?

kylemenz1 wrote:

None.  Just creating a thinking exercise here and enjoying watching heads melt. 

They should replace the KTM Jr. SX Challenge with Adults on Starks.

1
1
SEEMEFIRST
Posts
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Location
Arlington, TX US
11/19/2025 7:27am
3strokemx wrote:

They should replace the KTM Jr. SX Challenge with Adults on Starks.

"They should replace the KTM Jr. SX Challenge with Teens on 125s."

There, that's better.

6
11/19/2025 7:29am

I don't know if you guys watch/listen to main event moto but Blair keeps calling for a 3rd class to be formed, what do we think of that? I honestly think the current format is great but Blair be bringing receipts...

1
1
11/19/2025 7:36am Edited Date/Time 11/19/2025 8:26am
I don't know if you guys watch/listen to main event moto but Blair keeps calling for a 3rd class to be formed, what do we think...

I don't know if you guys watch/listen to main event moto but Blair keeps calling for a 3rd class to be formed, what do we think of that? I honestly think the current format is great but Blair be bringing receipts...

I think this is a great idea. I think the only problem is the track. They’re either gonna have to shorten races, reduce the amount of riders on the track, or go to a spec tire that doesn’t turn 450s and you ditch witches. 

1
2
-MAVERICK-
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Location
Ontario CA
11/19/2025 8:18am
I don't know if you guys watch/listen to main event moto but Blair keeps calling for a 3rd class to be formed, what do we think...

I don't know if you guys watch/listen to main event moto but Blair keeps calling for a 3rd class to be formed, what do we think of that? I honestly think the current format is great but Blair be bringing receipts...

There is one. SMX Next. 

3
TeamGreen
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Location
Thru-out, CA US
11/19/2025 9:48am
soggy wrote:
AMa SX could use some changes but I don’t think what’s laid out here is it. One thing I actually like about WSX is 16 riders on...

AMa SX could use some changes but I don’t think what’s laid out here is it. 

One thing I actually like about WSX is 16 riders on the track. 22 in AMA imo is too many and we are constantly frustrated with lapped riders doing dumb shit. So I would be for making the field smaller. 
I’m sure there other things too but I’m still on my first cup of coffee. 

How about a tighter “simple percentage rule” where-by a rider has to be…let’s say within 115% of the fastest time…? 

That means a 50 second fastest qualifier sets the minimum qualifying time at 57.5 seconds?

Something like, to me, sets a higher and safer bar for who’s out there and who’s not. 

 

3

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