Time to revisit number rules

I agree with most of this, but if a rider goes to MXGP for a few years, we probably don't hold their number in AMA for very long.

I understand why some people like the old numbering system, but reality is, we discuss fairly regularly that privateers don't make enough income from racing.  Allowing them to brand and market around a set number is helpful, and in my opinion better anyway.

I propose taking it a step further.  It benefits fans, riders, sponsors, and our sport in general.  More on this below.

When I raced BMX in the late 70's, I was issued a number the first year. When I raced in subsequent years, I was able to keep the same number, and I did.  I don't even know if it was optional.  I was 446.  I still race MX with 446.  If my friends from all of these decades want to find me, then know to look for 446.  As amateurs, we don't change our number often, so why should pros?

In other sports, it also works this way.  What number is Michael Jordan?  Whether a hard core or casual basketball fan, or someone who doesn't really follow basketball, you know the answer.  Our sport should be the same.  What number is Austin Forkner?  Not so easy.  You have to look it up, if it's even posted yet.

I propose the following:

Reserve #1 for the previous season champion.  It must be run by the previous season champion.  it's never assigned permanently.

Reserve single digit, plus 10-20 for permanent career numbers only, using the existing rules.

Order of Assigning Numbers:

Issue permanent career numbers following existing rules.  A rider eligible for a permanent career number can take an interim career number assigned to someone else. (same as today)  This must be completed within 3 weeks after previous season completes. 

Allow riders from the previous season the option to request an interim number change to an available number.  Priority is the order riders finished in the previous season.  Since these are interim numbers, a rider can not take an interim number from an active rider.  They can only take a number that is available.  This will mostly allow riders issued a 3 digit interim career number to upgrade to a 2 digit interim career number. This step must complete within 5 weeks after previous season completes.

Issue an available 21+ number to all other riders on the first year they become pro.  If a rider has a preference, they can request a particular number.  If it's available it's theirs.  Otherwise, they get the next available number.  This begins 6 weeks after previous season completes.  The 1 week gap between the previous step allows time to make any required adjustments to numbers.

If this is difficult to implement because of waiting for riders to select number changes, numbers 100+ or 150+ can be issued to new pros incrementally, or by request, in the order applications are submitted.  A new pro can either use the 3 digit number assigned, or submit a request for a specific or simply next available 2 digit number.

No matter how the number was issued, or changed, a rider retains their interim career number for as long as they race, as long as they sign up and attempt to qualify for at least one pro race during a season.  If sidelined for an entire season due to injuries, rider can notify the governing body their intention to continue racing and to keep their number one additional season.  This cannot be extended more than one season in a row.

The one thing MXGP does better than AMA. As far as I’m aware we’re the only major sport in the world that changes numbers every year based on performance, and it’s not even the entire sport just the US series.

Casual fans are used to literally every other sport and getting used to their favorite athlete’s number. Dale Earnhardt will always be #3, Tom Brady always #12, regardless of if/when other competitors carry that number.

That’s a great idea, but I’d do the top 10. Then any permanent (sort of..) numbers would be 2-3 digits.

I prefer more permanent numbers. I really disliked when all riders changed numbers every year. 

This would have really fucked some of y'all up back in the day. 

He knows riders' names, and if/when they won a championship, we all have to learn new numbers; he'll catch on. 

That was a dumb system, a series can only have one champion. I didn’t like it then, and it’s still just as goofy.

It did make for some great looking Hondas though..

Or get him to read it to you . 

Its really simple. The better You are, the longer You get to have your number and the lower it may be. single digit guys are always national champs, permanent numbered guys have earned them via getting top 10 overall in the combined points . And new 2 digit guys make up the rest of the 2 digit numbers. Basically.

 I like that it gives riders the opportunity to earn a number , and a way for them to keep it that is points based so the number still somewhat reflects their abilities and results.

  The branding thing is working too. It makes it easier for a rider to have replica Jerseys, toys like the diecast new ray bikes, and other merch if they really want to develop it.   It allows riders who want to brand themselves using the numbers to produce larger amounts of merch, farther in advance and not have to worry about their number changing and the items being non current. 

 I think its pretty easy to understand if You take the 5 minutes to read the rule. 

As far as 3 digit numbers go, if you sign up ASAP for the season You can get the same number 99% of the time.  I know a lot of locals who were able to keep the same national number for the entire time they raced .  They were not fast enough at enough tracks or didn't do enough rounds to get enough points to get a 2 digit.  my friend Danny Pepoon  from Maine had 405 for his entire time he had a Pro lic. another friend was always late getting his stuff in and he bounced around from 195 and 197 he started out with 406 but had bad luck with it  so he asked for 195 and shortly after getting on a Honda his results were much better. He was always late getting his stuff in since he only rode Unadilla and Southwick so some years he got 195 some he got 197.  Shane Kelleher another local was able to have 887 for most of the years he raced nationals. Except he got hurt one year and somebody got it, so he was 886 for some.  Its funny he is in the Vault under 2 names. Jared Boothroyd was able to get 216 for most of his National numbers.  He and Danny did some SX, but didn't do that well. I think Danny may have made it into Daytona's night show maybe the main event. Boothroyd did decent in Arenacross around the time that Danyal Blair won a title. And was able to keep 216 . I think he started out with 361 and then switched and was 216 for all but his first pro lic.  

 I know there are many more that I can not recall off the top of my head, but I remember we got to know the other privateers . This was back in the early to mid 2000's so maybe things are a little different. It was kind of like an unwritten rule that You would be able to renew and keep Your number back then.  I like that idea of a pro being able to hold onto a 3 digit .  

 I like the way You have to earn a 2 digit now.  I don't know that I would like to see that change.  A lot of the top first year pros earn a 2 digit number anyway. And I think that it could benefit privateers  more to have a number they can sell merch et;c with than somebody like a Cole Davies who has a team and ride with contracts that may make that harder for him to do on his own. I see the benefit of everybody having access to a permanent number, but I feel like if You only have 10-20  available for earned 2 digit numbers that would fill up really fast. The way it is a rider can pick 2-99 if they win a National title , 10-99 when they finish top 10 overall combined points. So that opens up a lot more numbers and with racers racing longer I feel like it gives more racers the chance to earn a number they want to hold onto.   

I do like that  permanent 3 digit that is an option if You do not keep a current 2 digit. They used to only require a single point to keep a number but riders were racing a single round and holding onto numbers for a longtime after they stopped doing full seasons. I think the current way is better.  For a national champ, I think they may hold Your number for you if You went and raced GP's for a season. And I think its fair to require the racer to get points to hold onto a non National title earned number. I'm pretty sure they will hold those too for a season if a rider gets hurt and requests it be held. But I'm not sure on that.  

 Interesting ideas though.

I do not like the small side number plates and numbers.

I personally want the numbers to go back to the "Run the number you finished in the points the previous season" and ill die on this hill.

I like that your number is based on your results. We had a top 20 riding coach, and at a large event someone introduced him and mentioned what his Lowest number plate had been. It sent a clear message of how good he really was. I think it gives the guys something to constantly shoot for. 

I dont love it when champions take some high number as a permanent deal. Single digit is the ultimate flex, but I guess if they're a champion they've earned that right.