2026 SX - Practice Sessions Dropped

jmo443
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12/10/2025 1:02pm
Xeno wrote:
11 whoops is better than 9.Speaking of whoops, have we explored the idea of the 450 class having an additional whoops section? It would be blocked-off...

11 whoops is better than 9.

Speaking of whoops, have we explored the idea of the 450 class having an additional whoops section? It would be blocked-off during 250 class races.

You can thank me later.

HonDawg17 wrote:
Not a full block off. BUT (in the late 90's-2003) they used to block off a bike width lane or 2 in the whoops during practice...

Not a full block off. BUT (in the late 90's-2003) they used to block off a bike width lane or 2 in the whoops during practice so 2 good lines would be available later in the night. I say go back to doing that.

 

Timed practice, can’t. 

KurtJ99
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12/10/2025 1:28pm

Bring Dragon(s) back!

11
Logan114
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12/10/2025 1:51pm

Will press days also be dropped, or do the factory riders still get more practice time than privateers?

Tons of privateers are on press day, no?

1
-MAVERICK-
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12/10/2025 2:53pm
KurtJ99 wrote:

Bring Dragon(s) back!

"...Muye said that variations in whoop and dragonback sections will continue to be trialled..." 

7

The Shop

kxking
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12/11/2025 6:05am
snillum wrote:
They could just quit trying to live by a TV schedule and start focusing on the online streaming crowd so they can push or pull in...

They could just quit trying to live by a TV schedule and start focusing on the online streaming crowd so they can push or pull in start times to give the track builders more time in between races as needed. An extra 10 minutes won't kill the spectators and the operators could literately move mountains with the extra time. Plus, they could probably charge for the extra 10 minutes of advertising time.

You do realize that the "TV schedule" pays the bills, right?

1
lumpy790
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12/11/2025 6:16am
alphado wrote:

I don't like it.

Agreed nothing like throwing them right in the sharks tank without having any chance learning the track.

1
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GrapeApe
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12/11/2025 6:57am Edited Date/Time 12/11/2025 7:53am

The track designs are formulaic, the obstacles are modular, and the track maps are released weeks in advance. The only variables track to track are the soil and the sand sections. These guys know the standard lines and potential alternatives before they arrive at the stadium. Two 10-11 lap practice sessions should be plenty.  

5
snillum
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12/11/2025 7:08am
snillum wrote:
They could just quit trying to live by a TV schedule and start focusing on the online streaming crowd so they can push or pull in...

They could just quit trying to live by a TV schedule and start focusing on the online streaming crowd so they can push or pull in start times to give the track builders more time in between races as needed. An extra 10 minutes won't kill the spectators and the operators could literately move mountains with the extra time. Plus, they could probably charge for the extra 10 minutes of advertising time.

kxking wrote:

You do realize that the "TV schedule" pays the bills, right?

I didn't say it had to make sense. But for the topic at hand of preserving the track and losing practice for privateers, what if they just had more time to fix it in between races?

1
disbanded
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12/11/2025 7:13am

Will press days also be dropped, or do the factory riders still get more practice time than privateers?

Logan114 wrote:

Tons of privateers are on press day, no?

Learn quickly to not converse with trolls

3
BusterScruggs
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12/11/2025 7:21am

Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. 

“Go figure it out in Race Mode”. 

We’ll have to see how the injuries stack up from this. 

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ohh_454
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12/11/2025 8:01am

So two 12 minute practice sessions to get a supercross track down? Good luck to the B and C group. 

3
3
12/11/2025 9:04am
ohh_454 wrote:

So two 12 minute practice sessions to get a supercross track down? Good luck to the B and C group. 

Well at least the East Coast viewers don't have to watch the tape delayed crashes on Sunday morning. OK, OK, these guys a professionals, they will be fine. On the other hand, watching live, will not be the same.  Good luck for the people that bought tickets at Anaheim stadium in right field seats, bring sunglasses and SPF50.

 

1
DR176
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12/11/2025 10:05am

There's been tons of interviews with riders saying that free practice was unnecessary. Yeah, it's hard for us mortals to understand but I don't think this is a irrational or foolish move on FELDS part and that they didn't consult before hand.  

3
12/11/2025 10:32am Edited Date/Time 12/11/2025 10:32am

I think that’s perfect, a couple sessions with 10mins of practice and 2mins of sprints for quali. 

Now get rid of holeshot devices and starting blocks. 

4
pummel
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12/11/2025 11:04am

I don't like it but I'm just a rando spectator. Really favors the real fast learners and top end talented guys. Guys that are a little slower to learn tracks and guys who don't have a replica of the track already built at their practice facility are going to hate it. 

Jkawi
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12/11/2025 11:37am
kylemenz1 wrote:
These fresh tracks need time to setup a little bit before 450’s with scoop tires destroy them. Built on Thursday, ridden Friday, and raced on Saturday...

These fresh tracks need time to setup a little bit before 450’s with scoop tires destroy them. Built on Thursday, ridden Friday, and raced on Saturday may actually be worse for track conditions. 

SPEC TIRE SPEC TIRE SPEC TIRE SPEC TIRE

Hard, Soft, and Wet.  AMA determines when each tire is allowed based on preset weather/soil conditions. Let the down votes begin. 

I think they talked about this in the Jeff Emig Gypsy tales pod. I actually think its a good idea. Those scoops are deadly to the track.

1
Village Idiot
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12/11/2025 12:18pm

I think that’s perfect, a couple sessions with 10mins of practice and 2mins of sprints for quali. 

Now get rid of holeshot devices and starting blocks. 

And take the starting electronics with them. 👍

2
avidchimp
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12/11/2025 12:43pm
ohh_454 wrote:

So two 12 minute practice sessions to get a supercross track down? Good luck to the B and C group. 

Well at least the East Coast viewers don't have to watch the tape delayed crashes on Sunday morning. OK, OK, these guys a professionals, they will...

Well at least the East Coast viewers don't have to watch the tape delayed crashes on Sunday morning. OK, OK, these guys a professionals, they will be fine. On the other hand, watching live, will not be the same.  Good luck for the people that bought tickets at Anaheim stadium in right field seats, bring sunglasses and SPF50.

 

The afternoon sun is BRUTAL on that side of the stadium. 

aeffertz
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12/11/2025 12:49pm
Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. “Go figure it out...

Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. 

“Go figure it out in Race Mode”. 

We’ll have to see how the injuries stack up from this. 

That’s the armchair racer take. Actual riders take: 

“The race day doesn’t need to be this long, we don’t need that many practice sessions and it beats up the track too much.”

6
Radical
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12/11/2025 12:50pm

Will press days also be dropped, or do the factory riders still get more practice time than privateers?

HonDawg17 wrote:

Tell me you know nothing about SX press days without telling me..

I know that in the past, not everyone was invited to Press Day.  If that's changed, then let us know.

Radical
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12/11/2025 1:00pm

I think that’s perfect, a couple sessions with 10mins of practice and 2mins of sprints for quali. 

Now get rid of holeshot devices and starting blocks. 

And take the starting electronics with them. 👍

And the metal starting grates.

1
BusterScruggs
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12/11/2025 1:09pm
Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. “Go figure it out...

Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. 

“Go figure it out in Race Mode”. 

We’ll have to see how the injuries stack up from this. 

aeffertz wrote:
That’s the armchair racer take. Actual riders take: “The race day doesn’t need to be this long, we don’t need that many practice sessions and it beats...

That’s the armchair racer take. Actual riders take: 

“The race day doesn’t need to be this long, we don’t need that many practice sessions and it beats up the track too much.”

Whatever you say, Corky. 

9
Zachintosh
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12/11/2025 2:29pm

The track almost always seems to be completely fresh for the first race of the night show, including whoops. What type of track preservation are they talking about here? 

2
PNWMXer
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Washington, WA US
12/11/2025 2:48pm Edited Date/Time 12/11/2025 2:51pm

Keep practice.

Ban scoop tires.

No more starting grates, holeshot devices, traction control/ecu help.

Get rid of 450s in SX. Stock 250s with a revalve/spring for regional class. Factory 250s for premier class.

Solves track breakdown issues and several other problems.

6
3
FMB2.0
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12/11/2025 5:10pm

Use a vibratory roller on the whoops and jump faces.

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DonM
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12/12/2025 9:49am
Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. “Go figure it out...

Could this quite possibly be the dumbest decision ever made in motosports? Let’s take an already inherently dangerous sport and make it worse. 

“Go figure it out in Race Mode”. 

We’ll have to see how the injuries stack up from this. 

aeffertz wrote:
That’s the armchair racer take. Actual riders take: “The race day doesn’t need to be this long, we don’t need that many practice sessions and it beats...

That’s the armchair racer take. Actual riders take: 

“The race day doesn’t need to be this long, we don’t need that many practice sessions and it beats up the track too much.”

Whatever you say, Corky. 

No need to be an ass...... the majority of the riders have been asking for this for years

1
Meister
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Canton, OH US
12/12/2025 9:53am

Doesn't hurt anyone but the privateer who doesnt get the quality track time the big boys do. 

3
RichieW13
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12/12/2025 12:13pm
Zachintosh wrote:
The track almost always seems to be completely fresh for the first race of the night show, including whoops. What type of track preservation are they...

The track almost always seems to be completely fresh for the first race of the night show, including whoops. What type of track preservation are they talking about here? 

I don't know anything about building tracks.  But is it possible that when they push dirt to rebuild jumps and whoops that the dirt doesn't compact as tightly into the ruts as the original track building process?  So then the ruts just get dug out again quickly?  

-MAVERICK-
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12/15/2025 2:58pm
Logan114
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12/15/2025 3:17pm

In years past I believe that free practice normally started around 10:30, and then Qualifier 1 & 2 were around 12PM and 2PM. Will Qualifier 1 just be moved to the free practice time giving a big gap between practice 1 & 2 for track maintenance? Just playing devils advocate here, I wonder if we will then hear any riders not happy with the length in between practices? I guess wait and see when race day schedule's come out. 

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