You cannot solve the lapper issue until..

Make it so a triple can only be done if you rail the corner before. 

My bad, 4 strokes can do any obstacle in a stadium. 

Is it the bike or the track that needs changing. 
 

Put the top 15-20 out there for the mains, the slower guys can race a "B" main like they did in Arenacross.

It's simple, if the avg laptime is 50 sec, then when a rider is down by 40 sec, black flag every rider after that person that is 40 + sec back. they finish in the order they cross the checker. and then no one gets lapped

Fewer riders on the track is the only way to limit the discrepancy in leader-to-lapper pace. 

No amount of special flags, alternate lines, or age limits will change anything. 

I think ultimately the mid-40sec lap times are a big issue. I just don't see that changing, however, so I would consider a restructure of the event. Qualify in during the day (sort of like a Triple Crown.) Then for the night show, do heats and that sort out to an A and B main of like 12 riders each. . And do some sort of points system so there are still championship points are awarded for both. I think that is the best compromise. I don't like the idea of just a 10-15 rider main only. I also don't like the idea of pulling people off the track mid-race. And I think doing an A and B main still gives the privateers and lower-level teams a reason to race. Because if we just trim the field, I think that's less incentives for people to go racing and there could be a trickle-down effect from that. So that's my opinion on the solution. It probably has some holes in it but just off the top of my head, seems like a nice compromise as a starting point.

The fix for this is getting rid of the displacement rule, allowing privateers to race 2T bikes that are cheaper to develop and maintain.

Before anyone starts to cry about how Star, etc. would pour money into 2T development the quick fix would be homologating cylinders.  Example: GYTR/HRC/KHI/Power Parts homologates a competition cylinder and piston.  Riders are only allowed to run the homologated top end or the OEM component with zero port work.  The homologated top end is available over the counter to all racers.  The AMA could control 2T development costs to avoid surpassing 4T power and enforce parity between engines across brands as much or as little as they'd like.

I agree with the first sentence, but that means they already held up the leaders twice.  The AMA just needs to hammer dudes that don't comply with the blue flag.

Spot on. We already have leader lights on the bikes, is there really no way to add a strip on the fender or on the bar pad that would flash blue when getting lapped is eminent? Then simply DQ or fine the shit out of guys who ignore it. Done! 

The thing about the blue flag - and I am sure someone must have mentioned in this thread because they always do (TL;DR) - is that the rules don't say "Get out of the way or else". As currently framed it is just a signal for the lapper to know that someone faster than them is behind them. There is no "or else" rule pertaining to blue flags, so I think they are basically ignored by some riders. At least that's what it looks like from the cheap seats. And I understand the people that say 'It's just another obstacle to avoid if you want to win.". But, I think when it becomes dangerous, like in Indy, it deserves a fresh look at options.

There weren't many lappers at the start of the season.  But as the year goes, you lose more and more factory guys who won't usually get lapped and replace them with slower riders that always get lapped.  

Add: Jett, RJ, Sexton, Anderson, Barcia, Ferrandis and you have six racers who aren't getting lapped most races.  

You cannot solve the lapper issue until there’s recognition that this is no longer a privateer game.

Yes I understand the history and the romantic notion of the privateer getting a shot at the top level.  However this is now an elite level motorsport.  There’s got to be some much higher level of qualification.

And the argument that the gap between these fringe riders and the average joe is huge holds no water.  You know what else is huge - the gap between the top guys the fringe riders.

There’s becoming too many compromises to cater for guys that are barely able to make the main event.

Thank you ! 

Without limiting the gate to 15 riders, I think right now the black flag is the only way. I agree with zippytech on this. I think as soon as the leaders come up on the first lapper, the lapper should get a black flag not a blue flag. He pulls off and gets what ever place he is in at that point. The next guy they lap the same and so on. Then you don't have the lapper issue and they still get the place, points and money for whatever place they were in a the time.

Good solid points there.

Wasnt the 250 class points/age based before? It should be now! 

No more 2fiddy sx after 23 and/or you score a certain number of points. 

When I raced, everyone with talent/skills/ambition wanted into the big class asap, not hang around cherry picking the smaller class. 

You have 3 seasons max in 250 sx then you either move up or move out. 

Like a 450, a 250 2T doesn’t benefit as much from more power - so pouring money into the motor isn’t the same advantage.
When they had 4T/2Ts racing together in Australia (I don’t think they do anymore?) the 2Ts had to be stock. (from the head down?). From the few races I saw there didn’t seem to be a great disparity. The 2T’s obviously have the edge on power, and cost, but were harder to ride, and get the power down.
Then there is the argument for the aspiring Pro: “Next class has no 2 strokes”.

Is there a lap time cut off for making the main? Or just the fastest 22?
In Road Racing: you have to be within 110% of the fastest qualifying time to make it - reducing the speed differential.

Its a pretty easy fix really,

Blue flag means get out of the racing line.

If you ignore it $1000 fine, do it twice $2000 fine and keep it going to $5000.

Freise and Co will stop their disrespectful ways and get their shit together.

The passing under the blue flag for lappers should be fined too.

AMA decides who gets fined and they grow some balls too, stop trying to be mates with the riders.

When I raced it wasn't too hard to move out of the racing line.

...at Loretta's to start

As long at #1 250 makes more than #10 450 - we're never getting the 10 fastest riders on the track at the same time.

And SMX Next lead gets more coverage than tenth in 450.

How about giving the team a fine if their rider ignores blue flags or interferes with the main race? Might give teams a little incentive to stop hiring people like Vince. People like Vince give teams publicity (as they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity). So, make riders like Vince a financial liability. 

It's not so much about making more power, but allowing riders to have a powerband more suited to SX vs. whatever is offered at retail.  What I'm suggesting is pretty common in other forms of motorsport.

There's too much money promoting the 250s and related products, and less money to the premier riders as a collective if you force them into the 450s (or premier) class, for the best solution to exist.  The brands and sponsors want multiple marketable opportunities from each race.  The money they are willing to pay for multiplying those win ad opportunities is  what drives better riders to stay in the 250 class rather than design it as a true support/entry class.   

I'm not sure there's a solution for the lapper problems, if it is a problem, other than the officials becoming more aggressive with pulling unsafe riders off the track.

Here's my solution, it would be an SX-only rule: 

Riders receiving blue flags will move to the left half of the track until the lapping riders are clear. 

Why it works: 

- Removes interpretation for what the "race line" is. Leaders can still go where they want (at their own risk), but will always know the right is clear in lapping situations. 

- Allows both leaders and lappers consistency, and they all can plan race strategy and line choice around it. Yes, this impacts optimum line choice for leaders, but that is already happening and continually turns out bad. This way less chaotic for them than trying to guess what the lappers are thinking.

- Allows lappers to continue their races for position on the left half of the track. 

- Enables cut and dry decisions for penalties based on AMA review of recordings. 

This may not be as perfect as everyone having telepathy, but I think it's a solid, straightforward solution that could be applied consistently. No extra equipment, no lap time analysis, no split second midair guesswork, easy penalty decisions. 

Lappers to the left in SX!!

An idea, your 3 lap average in qualifying has to be within 80-90% of the top 5 to get into the night show. Whether thats a full 22 man gate or 15. 

A lot of these guys outside of the top 10 can show sprint speed but don't have the endurance to keep up with the top guys during the mains.