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Money - it's all about the money. More "VIP" areas than ever that take up real estate that the average fan used to be able to watch from. I used to go to Red Bud, made it there every single year for over 25 years and my friends and I stopped going because they have ruined the experience for the average fan. You used to be able to see at least half of the track if you were standing near the flag jump area, now they have the VIP structure behind the bleachers and even the fans that get to the top of the bleachers can't see Larocco's leap side of the track because that structure is in the way. Anywhere where there was decent viewing is now VIP areas, and the Lawrence VIP area is going to be next to the leap this year. But all that being said, it sure seems like plenty of people are paying for those VIP areas, so why wouldn't they keep adding more of them? At the end of the day the track owners are there to make money so as much as it sucks for the average fan I don't see it changing any time soon. Just my 2 cents worth, but I also could be an old man yelling at clouds...
For sure the VIP areas. I wanted to go to Southwick this summer as it is one of the only that I haven’t been to. But when I looked at the VIP areas I was turned off. I caught myself considering buying multiple VIP access so that I could watch more than one section and stopped myself. Fuck that I’ll watch on TV.
I think the VIP areas are fine but keep them like they do it at Millville where you get access to a great view but you don’t completely cut out the average spectator.
Monetizing everything and ruining the experience for the guy who can’t afford to upgrade is as American as apple pie these days. It’s a bummer.
High Point 2026 attendance was 17K. High Point 2024 was 30k.
It's falling off.
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This, and there's probably some insurance liability reasons tossed in there as well
I am talking about areas that have no access at all, vip or not. I am guessing it's for tv cameras. Can probably see more of the track with fewer cameras or just the aesthetics for the broadcast. People are jammed in 5 deep or over the side of one hill while it's clear there is room for more spectator area. Also, the fences are getting further back. That I get with liability and all and creating a road around the track for medical access. I know.. get there early or don't go.
Thanks davey coombs. Great way to "grow the sport". Real man of the people.
Not commenting at all on whether it's right or wrong but if all you have to do is fence off some areas and you can bring in the same revenue with 13k less fans there that you have to park and provide restrooms for it's an easy decision to make. Nearly all sports have gone this direction with the in person experience.
Also seems like most infield areas are totally no go now. There used to be tunnels to get in to some of them or early days at ironman I emember crossing the track itself to get to a VIP area. Don't think that ever happens anymore.
They announced on the high point PA yesterday that it was a record breaking attendance
I gave you an upvote because you nailed it. But I absolutely hate that this level of greed has entered motocross.
If you haven’t already, go look at the Southwick VIP sections. I would be fine with paying a VIP pass that let me move around. But they have sectioned everything off so that if you don’t get into one of the many sections they have labeled VIP you’re stuck in a shitty spot that is crowded with everyone who doesn’t want to pay. Can’t be a great experience. I should have gone a few years ago but I wanted to wait until my son was old enough to go as well.
You're lying! Haiden "HollyTube" Deegan is bringing new eyes to the sport... 🥴🤐
Same reason I won’t be attending southwick this year. Unadilla doesn’t seem to be killed viewing wise by VIP sections but definitely notice the trend of more and more each year.
In the mid-'90s I used to sit in the back of the box van and chat with Skip Norfolk at SX and Nationals (along with other now outlawed behavior).
What do you think the chances of that happening are nowadays?
Definitely not the case at Thunder Valley.
sponsors and vendors care
It's become an ever increasing thing - Limited Spectator Areas - in so many sports.
Be it from making more money, through VIP type areas, through to the expedient of saving money on set up / clean up, by having less area to apply either too.
And, for 'visuals' : create Packed in Areas, for the Videos, whilst limiting the video of the empty areas, and you make it look so much bigger, than it is. That allows the "Sold Out " / "Biggest Attendance Ever" claim to be thrown about.
Cripes, the amount of times I hear in SX broadcasts, that the stadium is "Sold Out", to see entire tiers empty / near empty, is laughable. A friend has told me that that can be claimed to be ' true ', by the closure of / no sale of various areas.
The fact is, so many sporting events have had a marked down turn in actual attendance, due to people being able to view it at home, in comfort, with a far better viewing of the event. Heck, I've been in California, just a few miles from various races, but been sitting with some American friends, watching it all, on a Massive screen(s), with Good Food and Libations, without the expense of being on site, and, getting there and back, and without the f**kwits that so often decide they are part of the 'entertainment', and ruin it for others.
Still, I'm sure I'll eventually go back over and attend, in person, a SX or two. Though, I'd love to find the time, and money, to go on a US MX Nationals Tour. I'm down for a GP or two, and the DH World Champs, perhaps the Manx / Classic TT, later this year, but that's on, mostly, a companies dime.
They choked down the viewing area next to the landing of Gravity Cavity pretty significantly last year. A real bummer. When it gets to the point where I can't get close to the track, I'll stay home and watch it on TV.
Pit Row
SO just get a VIP pass... Its not too hard to understand. Dont you want to grow the sport?
/s
Where did you get these numbers from?
Turn MX into Coachella!
That’s one of the first things I noticed when watching the broadcast, they moved the fences way back from the track at High Point. I used to go every year but it’s not practical since I moved south. Lot’s of people crammed into a small area. No fun to be packed in like that all day IMO. I watch on TV some and sometimes I don’t watch at all. I guess I’m just a grumpy old man these days. 🤷🏼♂️
Fences back = insurances.
Land of the Free.
yea. its what jfk alluded too in his famous speech. theres been an erosion of personal accountability. unfortunately, that's the other side of the freedom coin. when people can't be responsible for themselves..cough..EKS...there are social costs borne by the collective. catering to the lowest common denominator sucks. free societies demand high caliber people to work.
It’s pretty funny Don asked for a source and gets downvoted
I’m also curious where these numbers are coming from being that we have had threads all year about how impossible it is to attend races because the line into the track is so outrageous.
Even if you do find a decent spot near the fence to watch...the banners are 3+ feet tall. All you see is a helmet and a pair of shoulders.🙃
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