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Entries are capped at 80 riders per class.
So how do they decide who gets in if there are more than 80 entries? I assume points previously earned but that would make it nearly impossible for a rookie to line up (assuming there are always 80+ entries. Clue me man.
First come first serve.
Edit:
Not sure if for or against.
But it is pretty crazy that its the peak of our sport and such a big series with so many factory teams and big money being thrown around... yet, any one can turn up and try and qualify.
legit question, what is the perk of having so many riders trying to qualify for 40 positions,
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Ask the last 10 guys that made it in a the first 15 that didn’t.
Because it’s prestigious, it’s hard, and something worth trying for.
EXACTLY!!!
And the last form of motorsport you can do that, it should be encouraged and praised!
Exactly!! Just to qualify for a national would be a memorable achievement for most guys.
Because all of them have to pay to try and qualify, that’s one perk for the promoter. And I assume they chose 80 as a number so it’s two full gates for practice/qualifying. Heck, some of the gp’s are lucky to have 20 racers per class.
Some of the local guys beat the "real" professionals!
Jeremy Hand got 14th overall.
So, a rookie trying to get into his first race, sends in his pre-entry forms and fees but since he has no points from the current or previous season...as long as there 80 guys that DO have points...that kid ain't gettin' in? I didn't see if the kid gets his entry fee back?
This is the same scenario I dealt with when I tried racing in Europe back in the '70's. I was used to the stateside scene...if you had a bike and money in your fist...you went to the gate with the other 137 guys.🙃 (granted...these were mostly non-ama races).
The fact that a true sportsman can show up to an event and compete is the best part about this sport. In that respect, moto is the last of a dying breed.
Jeremy had great starts both motos. I rode some with his uncle David years back so keep an eye on his progress. Hope to find him in this pits again at Red Bud!
I wonder if he gets overlooked by teams because his riding style is so smooth? looks slow from the eye test.
hahah that is not actually how it works. If star calls & says we're adding carson wood to the roster than wood gets in & bumps out a guy. If Cairoli decides he wants to race more then he's in. it is absolutely not first come first serve. maybe it is once they are past a certain point...To the riders not on teams or not making motos, scoring points. I do also know if you race more races you get priority. It's a big deal for locals to get denied at red bud, millville, ironman & it's the only national they sign up for. I see it happens every year to people. They sign up way early but since they only sign up for 1 they are bottom of the barrel.
ohh also. the best part. They don't email you until Tuesday to let you know if you are accepted or denied. So if you're driving Cali to Red Bud & get denied that's a fun time.
Look at item "g" in the rules. Basically, AMA Pro Racing can add anybody to the entry list they want. Which makes sense. In the end, the goal is to create a show. They'd rather have Lucas Coenen racing if he shows up at the last minute than have a local privateer fail to qualify.
It’s grassroots racing until it isn’t. Like everything in life, the team or person bringing in the most money is usually the one who ends up racing.
On a smaller scale, the KTM kids race in Supercross is the same thing. Kids work hard to build a strong racing résumé and apply for multiple races just to get into the lottery—then Wedge’s kid gets in. Or any child of a former pro or someone in the industry.
It kind of sucks, and it definitely isn’t “fair,” but that’s how life works.
You know I’ve watched the entire MXGP season so far on TV and I can say this - having far fewer riders on the gate makes absolutely zero difference to the spectacle. In fact when you watch US Nationals and MXGP back-to-back on the same weekend one thing becomes very obvious - the leaders in MXGP aren’t battling groups of 2-3 lappers in the back half of the race.
At High Point, 450 moto 2 there 22 lappers still circulating on the last lap, and six of those had been lapped twice.
Contrast that to the GP of Italy, 450 moto 2. Eight lappers and only one had been lapped twice.
Purely from a racing perspective you have to question the value of filling the gate with slow guys just for the sake of it.
I think people are missing my question.
I'm not saying the open entry system is bad. I'm questioning whether it adds prestige or takes away from it.
Most premier motorsports have already filtered the field before race day. In AMA motocross, anyone can turn up and try to make it.
Does that make qualifying more prestigious, or does it make the championship itself less exclusive? Genuine question.
Pit Row
Needs better consistency up front, but being up there is how to learn
See my post above yours about lappers.
Also I wonder what sort of concessions are made for track design etc to cater for privateers on the fringe of qualifying.
I don't know or care if it adds or takes away from prestige... But privateers in pickups, local pros trying to make the 40, and a full gate of bikes roaring into turn 1 is quintessentially motocross, and I wouldn't ever trade that for more "prestige."
The money grubbers at mxsports get more money.
I'm not saying that's bad.
Is it preserving something valuable, or is it one area where the sport hasn't really evolved with the rest of professional sport.
I’d say it’s creating, or at least promulgating, problems for no real benefit other than a nostalgic notion of anyone being able to qualify.
Having half the field being lapped and 15-20% being lapped twice does not improve the racing.
Despite the name the US Nationals are no longer a domestic national series. It rivals the official world championship in almost every aspect other than the fact that all the races are in one country.
People (collectively) are calling for better financial rewards for the riders. The only way that happens from where we are is more dollars from TV packages, which in turn relies on a more professional and saleable product.
You can turn up and race F1 if you have the money and a little experience....
Yeah it’s not quite like that…
I think you're confusing NASCAR with F1, mate. In NASCAR, if you've got enough money, sponsorship and a team willing to put you in a car, you can get a start. In F1, you've got to spend the better part of two decades proving you're one of the best drivers on the planet before they'll even let you near the grid.
Even then you still might have to bring a suit case full of a cash to get to play.
Mazepin's the perfect example of my point. He absolutely bought the seat, but he didn't buy his way around the Super Licence. He'd still spent years in F3 and F2, finished 5th in F2, and met all the FIA requirements. He wasn't some millionaire who woke up one day and thought, "Reckon I'll have a crack at Formula 1."
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