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Did we not just see them completely fuck up the Red Cross flag two weeks ago? And then apparently they didn’t throw it this week when it was needed? We gonna trust them to get that flag right??
It's not. To act like the privateers are in the same "race" as the factory guys is disingenuous
Pretty much the same as the suggestion
Here's a concept: Harden the fuck up.
Or create a series just for the top 5. Because those are the guys complaining. They're on bikes that cost thousands over while the rest of the field is barely running kit suspension.
The solution might be taking away that handmade suspension. What if everyone was on showroom-stock bikes? Would the lappers still be that much of a problem? If I were the AMA, that's exactly the direction I would go. Start with the rulebook.
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This is why the black flag/drop off option is not the right answer.
Tell the leaders to slow down or speed limit signs, easy Peezy
Or no passing signs!
I posted this on the 107% thread…
I don’t think it is a 107 problem/solution. It is an individual rider problem. The stupid points thing is not working. Fines are tough due to massive differences in pay. How about a one race suspension for the first infraction, 2 races for the second infraction, and 5 for the third. That proportionally hits the wallet of riders if they are not paid for that/those race/s. After that make it a Season suspension to include the number in to the next season. Do this and riders will take it very serious and gtfootw. You see…with the 107 rule then some repeat offenders, like Friese, will still make it. In fact…faster lappers are the hardest to pass…and if they don’t get out of the way it really screws some riders disproportionately. There are riders that wouldn’t make the 107 that are very respectful of the blue flag. This keeps the gate full and opens opportunities to riders that ride right. All of this would depend on the AMA enforcing it so at this point….nothing will make sense….just like the AMA.
btw….every one of the “problem” riders, 4 that were named, would have made the main this week under a 107 rule….food for thought.
Showroom stock bikes would be incredibly dangerous. It's not the bike itself that makes the largest difference at the factory level, it's the guys turning the wrenches and programming the electronics.
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 and objectively. No extra equipment, no lap time analysis or math, no split second midair guesswork, easy penalty decisions.
Lappers to the left in SX!!
You could argue that the LCQ is making the situation worse. We run two heats to see who the the fastest 18 riders are, then we run an LCQ to allow four more really slow guys into the main.
How about an alternative:
Run 22 rider heats; take the top eight from each of the heats, with a provisional allowance for up to two top ten riders who didn’t make the top eight in their heat. You end up with a 16-18 rider main event.
Get rid of the LCQ, run a B main with the 12 guys who missed the cut plus maybe the next four fastest qualifiers.
Two mains with only 16 riders means the track gets slightly less worn during the night. Also fewer riders means the starts are likely to be a bit safer.
The good B main guys get more exposure than they would by running around in 17-22 place in the A main.
Same amount of racing so the TV schedule is not impacted.
Oh and actually enforce the blue flag rules with meaningful penalties.
Here is a privateer's response:
I have the solution. Mount a paint ball gun next to the upper front fender near the leader lights and holeshot devices(call it the worthless shit area). Have a button on the bars and when the leaders catch the lappers if they can get a paintball shot on them then that lapper is out of the race.
Friese after first practice with new anti-lapper system.
Ban the top five instead of the bottom five and let’s get back to watching good racing.
What other motorsport are these guys referring to? I'm a fan of plenty and lappers causing issues in the battle for lead just never happens in other series. In F1 ignoring the blue flag is a penalty. And drivers aren't getting lapped multiple times like riders do in SX. Reality is these guys should be in a class below the factory riders
YES, I agree with you, but also the suspension between the privateer and factory is huge. Factory is made from raw billet and hand made, coatings that most people can't afford. Engine mounts that can be changed to suit the track. And as you said tuning. There's a multitude of differences but if it's dangerous, time to change the track.
The reality is what we all have known and no one will address. Get Freeze the fuck off the track.
I agree on Friese, but in this case the track created it, not Friese.....and he finished 12th. Hard to say we should not allow 12th place to line up.
Leveling the bikes stifles development and makes the dreams of a factory ride far less glamorous. The factory suspension is a big advantage and even the "rules" of the 250 class suspension do not keep it attainable. Regardless, this has nothing to do with lappers and they weren't an issue all year until this week's race. It was a perfect storm of short lap times and treacherous conditions making the gap from the top to bottom much greater.
Good post….💯👍🏻
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Maybe Eli and Hunter should be smart enough to not pass a lapper on a such difficult track (where riders are shot anywhere by the ruts) in the middle of a tripple jump section! FFS!
Pass them in a turn!
In Mario cart there will be bananapeels, face it!
Whats next, give the top 5-in points separate qualifying runs ala superpole because ”people are in the way”? Part of the sport is to figure out a good moment to put in a hot lap and also to pass lappers in a safe way, probably not in the air over a supercross triple…
Change this = ruin the sport.
(Ok, Friese may be being involved a bit to often)
It's not rocket science...
Lappers are a part of the sport. They add to the excitement.
Lappers need to yield to the faster riders through the blue flag rules.
Rules need to be enforced.
Solution is easy, BLACK FLAG STOP AND GO penalty for the offenders.
If you want to see how fast the leaders can go unaffected, watch qualifying practice or start a time trials series, IDK... Lappers are a part of the race and strategy for moving through the pack makes the sport fun to watch.
The top guys would still be winning if everyone was on equal equipment. It also doesn’t even address the issue of guys like Friese cross jumping people because they have no care for anyone out there but themselves.
Have two sections of the track that are split lanes and ones you go a lap down the lappers are assigned one side of the split lane and riders on the lead lap are assigned the other side. Have two sections like this about half a lap apart and it would remove the clutter and give riders a chance to get by uninterrupted. If a lapped rider doesn’t take the right lane they loose a position every lap they don’t comply.
Sometimes I wonder if most of these people proposing ideas to remedy the lapper situation on here have ever actually even raced a dirt bike before.
I have never seen so many stupid ideas as this week.
Isn't that what Vince did when he hit Eli? In all seriousness that makes the tracks narrower than they already arr
Maybe..... Forget revving the engine and install air horns? Why not??
The funny thing about the Red Cross flag and the blue flag is that they already exist. Follow the rules consistently. If they can’t see the flag, put an LED light strip the color of the flag on the handle. Then enforce following the flags.
We don’t need coms. We don’t need new rules or less riders in mains. Just make the flags slightly more obvious and enforce following them. It’s so simple.
I don't have a solution to the lappers, but I will say if you go 2 laps down it should be an automatic black flag. You can get lapped and still be in a race, but if the lappers are lapping you, you're not racing anyone and don't belong out there.
#stopinbredhate
Not really since the track was open and Eli would have had no way of knowing if Vince intended to be left or to move left. If that rule was in place, Eli would have known Vince was required to be on the left and if he had taken the right it would have been clear. And it's only narrower for a brief period during the overtaking. Hunter's incident would have been completely eliminated. At least that's how I think it would have all worked out. I wish we could at least try something instead of watching this same thing happen over and over.
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