This Red flag/light thing has become a confusing mess and needs to be addressed for safety sake.
Realistic scenario:
Rider crashes and tumbles to the landing of a finish line jump(happened)…but say he is down hard and med crew goes out(happens every weekend). Then someone goes by the red light and misses seeing it(like Brown did…happened) but sees the Red Cross flag and thinks “I didn’t see a light and AMA says I can jump without it”. Lands on Med crew and downed rider. Scary Disaster!!
The AMA NEEDS TO RESET THIS WEEKND!! Go into the MANDATORY rider meeting and start by saying “We fucked up ten ways to Sunday last weekend. Here is the reset! NEVER jump on a red light OR Red Cross or you WILL be penalized. We will try to be better and train flaggers better….but it will not be perfect….but you WILL ALWAYS be penalized for jumping on a Red light OR a Red Cross!”
They have to do this to protect riders, med crew, and track workers. AMA needs to grow some balls and admit the way they explained it is a disaster, and huge lawsuit, waiting to happen.
You know the ama is never going to do that. Thats just plain stupid on their part. They made their decision now they need to double down on it. Honestly it’s the only way to go or AMA is going to get 10x more shit from Honda including lawsuits. You can’t openly say you messed with opportunities messing with millions of dollars with zero consequences.
Move on, bro.
Just so you know, This isn't the AMA inbox
I don't think any rider will consider to jump if they do see a red cross flag in front of a jump with a hidden landing. Why would they? They risk putting a stop to their own season, or worst care careers.
We already have problem with visibility, riders jump anyway when they don't see the flag so I don't think this changes any percentage of someone taking a chance, vs the amount of riders that actually see the warning lights and don't jump.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Fine….take out the “We fucked up ten ways to Sunday last weekend.“. They need to address this. Every rider interviewed since Saturday has expressed they are confused. It could lead to an ugly situation on track.
Although I basically think you are right….The AMA literally said you can jump on a Red Cross flag if the “lead in light” is not flashing. You’re in a battle for the lead and not everyone will do what’s smart. Most will…not all. The example I gave was basically what a rider questioned on a podcast.
OP is right. I don't understand the downvotes.
if it's doesn't involved pitchforks and mob mentality no one is interested.
But yes he's right. AMA created a mess here they have to try and clean up.
I downvoted because the VitalMX forum is not the place to Send a letter to the AMA, and we already have 2 threads with the same topic.
With all the lights and bright colors in a stadium , I'm surprised they're even able to see the lights to begin with. I don't know what the solution is. I chatgpt'd a couple ideas. I don't like what they did exactly but a rider sure wouldn't miss it if the lights were this bright. Maybe even have a yellow light or different color light be before the red light to let them know what's ahead. Idk, just thinking outloud
Compared to the light they currently use... Id miss it everytime.
Like the AMA would give two shits if I sent it to them. It was just a thread title….not really an open letter to the AMA. The new thread was not to bitch about what happened….but to discuss opinions on how they should fix it….just amongst friends on vital…
i can imagine the riders meeting will get quite animated this weekend
on their pod cast thingy something 24 RC and RV said they are over talking about it … that was the first time they talked about it so that goes to show you what level of GAFs AMA and the big Kahunas are willing to put into this 🙄
The ama would still have to turn them on and off properly.
I believe there in lies the problem
So what's the fix ? I'll throw out my idea
1. The lights are for stopping the race only. Red light, stop. It's the same as a red flag. RED = STOP. Easy
2. Trained full time flaggers. Use the same guys in the same sections week in and week out. The finish line guys are the same guys every weekend, the triple guys are the triple guys etc. Let them get perfect (or as good as can be) at it. Give em headsets make them pros at it. Just thinking out loud....
I imagine RC has to keep his lips tight if he likes his job.
I honestly think the red light issue is just the tip of the ice berg on the mx sports drug ring. Ask me how I know.
Don't have chat GPT come up with any more ideas for you these are pretty horrible.
Pit Row
We need that slowie dude to sneak in and live stream it
Okay now I have more of a feel for the current people on this forum…
IMO the OP is right but I think a good fix is never jump on a red cross. Lights or no lights. The way they explained it sounds you could jump on the flashing lights (just not on triples, as stated in rule book) because they are indicating an upcoming Red Cross. BUT if there is no flag you can continue on (as seen in 250 main). If there is no lights then you don’t have to slow for the Red Cross (as seen in 450 main) because of what happened to Jett, Dungey, etc. (difficulty locating flag due to location of it), they all got lucky even though the flag was in their face. (But after a lead in jump needing lights to help make them aware of up coming flag potential).
Cleanest way is any red flashing lights you must roll, any flag you must roll, if there is one without the other, you still roll. The rule book was not defined in a way it was clear cut hence all the outrage.
There's an apartment down from mine that has a red light outside...
Roll on in….just don’t jump.
Post a reply to: An open (helpful) letter to the AMA