Gah Damn (Me b******* about cost of attending nats)

ShellyMX
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802
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Location
Smyrna, GA US
6/6/2026 12:26pm
Friend sent me a pic of his view from this morning

Friend sent me a pic of his view from this morning


IMG 4530 2

Oh man😳

1
6/6/2026 12:36pm

The TV coverage is too good to even bother going through all the work to get to and from the races,the price,dealing with drunk assholes, not knowing what's going on while the race is going on. 

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6/6/2026 1:59pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2026 2:05pm
It is not greed to offer an option that sells out at every race.  That is giving your customers something they want.  Is it greed an...

It is not greed to offer an option that sells out at every race.  That is giving your customers something they want.  Is it greed an IPA is more than a Budweiser or a Mercedes is more than a Honda?  I guess that is greed too.  Every sporting event has escalating ticket pricing for access, viewing, and luxury.  You have the choice to stay home.

Is it what they want? Or is it the best option they have, knowing that if they spend less this year, they'll have to walk around the track for 3 hours to see a few sections at a time because the spot they were in last year is now a "preferred viewing" ticket? My local national is Southwick, 40 mins from my house. I've been going there since the late 90s. Over the last 3-4 years, there have been fewer and fewer GA viewing opportunities, but the prices continue to climb. The viewing has always been difficult, but they made it nearly impossible to view without buying a VIP ticket. 

And yes, we do have the option to stay home, but some of us want actually to experience the sport we love, live once a year.

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4
C.Worthy
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CA US
6/6/2026 2:32pm

Anyone know where that extra mandatory “SMX League Fee” goes to? They tack it onto the ticket price and you can’t opt out. 

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The Shop

8tensolutions
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3366
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Salt Lake City, UT US
6/6/2026 3:44pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2026 11:30pm
It is not greed to offer an option that sells out at every race.  That is giving your customers something they want.  Is it greed an...

It is not greed to offer an option that sells out at every race.  That is giving your customers something they want.  Is it greed an IPA is more than a Budweiser or a Mercedes is more than a Honda?  I guess that is greed too.  Every sporting event has escalating ticket pricing for access, viewing, and luxury.  You have the choice to stay home.

Is it what they want? Or is it the best option they have, knowing that if they spend less this year, they'll have to walk around...

Is it what they want? Or is it the best option they have, knowing that if they spend less this year, they'll have to walk around the track for 3 hours to see a few sections at a time because the spot they were in last year is now a "preferred viewing" ticket? My local national is Southwick, 40 mins from my house. I've been going there since the late 90s. Over the last 3-4 years, there have been fewer and fewer GA viewing opportunities, but the prices continue to climb. The viewing has always been difficult, but they made it nearly impossible to view without buying a VIP ticket. 

And yes, we do have the option to stay home, but some of us want actually to experience the sport we love, live once a year.

So it sounds like you should buy the VIP ticket and have a great experience. Just because you sat on the side of the track in a prime spot 20 years ago does not mean it can’t be even better 

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12
6/6/2026 6:25pm
FGR01 wrote:
I haven't been to Budds in over 20 years, but back then there were no EZ-UPs.. but people were "claiming" and holding spots along the fence...

I haven't been to Budds in over 20 years, but back then there were no EZ-UPs.. but people were "claiming" and holding spots along the fence with their lawn chairs.  Sad to hear the EZ Up disease spread.

Friend sent me a pic of his view from this morning

Friend sent me a pic of his view from this morning


IMG 4530 2

30minmotos wrote:

I don’t understand why people do that.


I put a straw hat on, some sun block and bring water.

Entitlement culture.  People who have money are the worst. Selfish, rude, everything revolves around them.

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5
lumpy790
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York, SC US
6/6/2026 6:35pm

At the VIP level I wish the food there was as great as the price

1
4
Not hillbilly
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Location
Gaithersburg, MD US
6/6/2026 6:55pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2026 7:00pm
FGR01 wrote:
The EZ-UP issue seems to be mostly/only a California thing.   I recall the fight stories and videos over EZ-UPs along the track back in the...

The EZ-UP issue seems to be mostly/only a California thing.   I recall the fight stories and videos over EZ-UPs along the track back in the GH days.  I've been to Nationals all over the country and don't recall seeing the EZ-UP phenomenon anywhere but CA.   I think most of the other ones specifically say "no EZ UPs" on the event flyers or tickets.   I get it, Pala and Hangtown don't have shade within 100 miles, but the whole concept of tying your EZ-UP to the fence to claim real estate is ridiculous.  

There were many EZ ups along fence lines at Budds Creek last year 

IMG 6285 0.jpeg?VersionId=sRNb
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6/6/2026 7:09pm

Entitled rich people set up EZ ups...rope off large areas for themselves at local races.

Why do they get away with it???

Because only people of money can afford to race anymore or attend Nationals.

Once upon a time the blue collar man would set these ARROGANT ENTITLED fucks straight.

But not now as motocross has become a sport of the upper middle class.

Upper middle class types are too pussy to stand up and say these EZ ups block everybodies view.

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11
Motodude
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Location
Sydney AU
6/6/2026 7:17pm
Entitled rich people set up EZ ups...rope off large areas for themselves at local races.Why do they get away with it???Because only people of money can...

Entitled rich people set up EZ ups...rope off large areas for themselves at local races.

Why do they get away with it???

Because only people of money can afford to race anymore or attend Nationals.

Once upon a time the blue collar man would set these ARROGANT ENTITLED fucks straight.

But not now as motocross has become a sport of the upper middle class.

Upper middle class types are too pussy to stand up and say these EZ ups block everybodies view.

Wow, maybe a stint in Iran under the IRGC will fulfill your bitter envious communist dreams bud.

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19
6/6/2026 7:23pm
Entitled rich people set up EZ ups...rope off large areas for themselves at local races.Why do they get away with it???Because only people of money can...

Entitled rich people set up EZ ups...rope off large areas for themselves at local races.

Why do they get away with it???

Because only people of money can afford to race anymore or attend Nationals.

Once upon a time the blue collar man would set these ARROGANT ENTITLED fucks straight.

But not now as motocross has become a sport of the upper middle class.

Upper middle class types are too pussy to stand up and say these EZ ups block everybodies view.

Motodude wrote:

Wow, maybe a stint in Iran under the IRGC will fulfill your bitter envious communist dreams bud.

Can you explain what you mean?

Yikes...communism...Iran...how did you get that impression from what I posted?

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3
bluepumpkin
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Location
Wheaton, IL US
6/6/2026 7:58pm
Electro21 wrote:

Making Motocross Great Again. Costs for everything is way up. MX is still cheaper than going to NFL game.

Maybe.  But at least you can see the field / game. You're not obstructed by ez-ups and banners all over the place. 

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Moto Nomad
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Grass Valley, CA US
6/6/2026 8:46pm

The EZ-Ups were kind of out of control today. Literally every inch of the fence was occupied by an EZ-Up where I was, leaving the rest of us scrubs having to crouch and look under them to see the freaking action. Photos and video? Good luck.

That said, for the second 450 moto someone offered me their spot under their EZ-UP and having shade next to the track was pretty cool. But they need to leave some areas for open spectating.

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2
ShellyMX
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Smyrna, GA US
6/6/2026 8:49pm
Moto Nomad wrote:
The EZ-Ups were kind of out of control today. Literally every inch of the fence was occupied by an EZ-Up where I was, leaving the rest...

The EZ-Ups were kind of out of control today. Literally every inch of the fence was occupied by an EZ-Up where I was, leaving the rest of us scrubs having to crouch and look under them to see the freaking action. Photos and video? Good luck.

That said, for the second 450 moto someone offered me their spot under their EZ-UP and having shade next to the track was pretty cool. But they need to leave some areas for open spectating.


 That was pretty damn cool of them. Any of the easy up people that don’t offer that? Fuck them.

3
WZB
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Location
Steamboat Springs , CO US
Fantasy
6/6/2026 10:08pm

Back in my day a candy bar was a nickel….

6
2
6/7/2026 2:37am

Friendly reminder inflation is not an organic thing.

Usury and the central banking system rob from your grandkids’ grandkids to pay for Zion.

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5
Radical
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Location
San Diego, CA US
6/7/2026 1:25pm
kage173 wrote:

$35 for supercross? I honestly can't remember ever paying that little. 

Used to be able to walk up to the ticket window at Anaheim and San Diego sx and get nose bleed tickets for 20 bucks, for...

Used to be able to walk up to the ticket window at Anaheim and San Diego sx and get nose bleed tickets for 20 bucks, for years haha 

$12 at Quacomm.  $10 before they started charging service fees.  It wasn't that long ago

1
Radical
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San Diego, CA US
6/7/2026 1:39pm
LoudLove wrote:

Anyone have access to the costs of running a national?

Not exactly. I know there is a $100k fee to MX Sports that goes to the $1m to Daytona Motorsports Group for the right to use “AMA...

Not exactly. 

I know there is a $100k fee to MX Sports that goes to the $1m to Daytona Motorsports Group for the right to use “AMA Pro National”. This is the deal that DC and his sister (the wearer of the pants - she’s the gnarly one behind the scenes) put together to scoop the rights up for themselves while supposedly representing the track promoter group. 

When I worked at Thunder Valley in 14-15, I vaguely recall Clabaugh made about $40k with a 15 or 20k turnout. Hard to know how the expenses are accounted for as it was about 2 months of prep and a lot of spending to get the place ready. It’s a shitload of work. There is a binder given by MX Sports saying what needs to be done, and it includes a review from the previous year. I remember photos of the medic road in certain areas that needed to be improved.

The national essentially pays for the facility upgrades and provides great marketing. Then money was made with local racing (and LLQ). Rent some porta potties, throw a few hot dogs at the flaggers, and count the cash. 

I’ve heard A Mart mention Spring Creek cashes in on camping and amateur day. I believe he said something along the lines of “I don’t know how the promoters who don’t offer that make any money”. I also believe he said they make about a million on a national. 

This is all quite loose, except the part about DC’s sister. 

DMG is the real winner. $1m for doing absolutely nothing. 100k each round could be prize money…
 

Does Mx Sports need to use the term AMA Pro Racing?  There has to be more to the deal than that.

If not, get rid of it, and use the money for something else.

If the AMA wants my respect, they can fight and resolve new bikes from being excluded from riding on public land in California.

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2
dubmoto
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Location
Carson City, NV US
6/9/2026 2:27pm

Need to see over all the ez ups? No problem, just bring a 6 foot fiberglass ladder to sit on!

PXL 20260606 230748479.jpg?VersionId=TgHfuYdKSwCyFpDm6yyLmdRwr
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1
Jdonezero
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Milan, IN US
6/9/2026 2:58pm
kylemenz1 wrote:
I did think it was odd that at Pala, people—mostly campers—had EZ-Ups set right up against the fence, with caution tape around them to secure their...

I did think it was odd that at Pala, people—mostly campers—had EZ-Ups set right up against the fence, with caution tape around them to secure their space. I guess it’s fine, but it really hurts the viewing experience for everyone else. Even on the backside of the track, people had EZ-Ups covering the hillside. The fences were nuts to butts, five people deep. For the price we all pay, plus parking fees, you’d think we were attending a luxury event. Oh well—this is the life we choose, I guess.

480Phil was ahead of his time 

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1
6/9/2026 2:58pm

Just an observation as these EZ ups didn't used to be a thing but I have a theory. 

We have hydroplane races every year here on the Columbia river at the end of July. For years and years folks would line the shoreline in the parks and watch the races...sitting in the grass or in lawn chairs. About 20 years ago the organizers started roping off prime viewing areas and selling these as VIP SECTIONS COMPLETE WITH LARGE TENTS FOR SHADE.....that's when the rest of the non vip viewing areas for the general public started to get claimed in the days leading up to the hydroplane races with...you guessed it....EZ ups, blocking the view of everyone behind them.

I think the same thing has happened at mx nationals. The general public sees the VIP's sitting in the shade and say to themselves...if they get to sit in the shade blocking people's view...why can't I? What makes them so special?

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1
FreshTopEnd
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Sacramento, CA US
6/9/2026 3:11pm
MXRalph wrote:
I'm 20 min from the gates at Hangtown, 16-18 if I hit all green lights. Haven't been since '22, and that was only to see Cairoli...

I'm 20 min from the gates at Hangtown, 16-18 if I hit all green lights. Haven't been since '22, and that was only to see Cairoli in person, don't intend to go back. My couch has a better climate, better viewing on Peacock, and all the beer I can drink for under $20 just 10 steps away.

Core, Bro

2
3
olds cool
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Location
Claremont, NC US
6/9/2026 3:15pm

It takes more dollars to do anything these days.  Does that mean everyone that sells anything is greedy or is your dollar just worth less?🤷‍♂️😎

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1
6/9/2026 3:44pm

For the last few years I’ve been getting raped at Millville by doing VIP viewing. I’m okay with it. I had it coming. I buy the tickets. Anywhere from $365 to $260 each. Plus you need a $75 GA ticket to go with it. This is where the shrink flation kicks in. Every year that came with 4 free drink tickets. This year you get one and can purchase more. I guess times are tough up north. I’ll be there again this year though and just drink less. 

5
1
Ob917
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Cardiff, CA US
6/9/2026 4:20pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2026 4:20pm

The amount of EZ ups just left at the track is hilarious 

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2
ShellyMX
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Smyrna, GA US
6/9/2026 4:48pm
Ob917 wrote:

The amount of EZ ups just left at the track is hilarious 

Wait, folks will literally leave them there?

2
WZB
Posts
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Location
Steamboat Springs , CO US
Fantasy
6/9/2026 5:02pm
Just an observation as these EZ ups didn't used to be a thing but I have a theory. We have hydroplane races every year here on the...

Just an observation as these EZ ups didn't used to be a thing but I have a theory. 

We have hydroplane races every year here on the Columbia river at the end of July. For years and years folks would line the shoreline in the parks and watch the races...sitting in the grass or in lawn chairs. About 20 years ago the organizers started roping off prime viewing areas and selling these as VIP SECTIONS COMPLETE WITH LARGE TENTS FOR SHADE.....that's when the rest of the non vip viewing areas for the general public started to get claimed in the days leading up to the hydroplane races with...you guessed it....EZ ups, blocking the view of everyone behind them.

I think the same thing has happened at mx nationals. The general public sees the VIP's sitting in the shade and say to themselves...if they get to sit in the shade blocking people's view...why can't I? What makes them so special?

What makes them so special is the money those people spent to get in the VIP tent.  As you are probably aware of this, as am I, VIP tickets are for sale for anyone.  Just gotta spend that dough.  I ain’t mad at the VIP’s I’m just cheap 😂

2
WZB
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Location
Steamboat Springs , CO US
Fantasy
6/9/2026 5:07pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2026 5:08pm

IMG 9682 1.jpeg?VersionId=zw4.py7CW6jT1O6HyI bought 3 GA’s for Thunder Valley this wknd.  Came out to $84.80 ea.  I waived the “insurance” because like I said, I’m cheap.  I don’t think that’s terrible personally.  You can already see where the gray area lies with “blocks other views”. 😂

14
6/9/2026 5:44pm
WZB wrote:
I bought 3 GA’s for Thunder Valley this wknd.  Came out to $84.80 ea.  I waived the “insurance” because like I said, I’m cheap.  I don’t...

IMG 9682 1.jpeg?VersionId=zw4.py7CW6jT1O6HyI bought 3 GA’s for Thunder Valley this wknd.  Came out to $84.80 ea.  I waived the “insurance” because like I said, I’m cheap.  I don’t think that’s terrible personally.  You can already see where the gray area lies with “blocks other views”. 😂

So it's just not enforced...swell.

6
Dudley
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Location
Denver, CO US
6/9/2026 6:13pm

Love the nationals but not a fan of parking, pisser lines and costs. Think I’d rather go riding this year instead of dealing with it. 

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