Just listened to LVK talking about SMX and was surprised to not hear either of them mention that it seemed like the SMX playoffs were created as a reaction to WSX. At one point Kellen even said it was created to get more eyes on the sport. From the start it felt like an opportunity to stake more claim on the riders, for a bigger portion of the year, so it would be harder for WSX to get the top names in their series? Did it ever feel like it wasn’t created as a reaction to WSX or Am I missing something?
impressed with the direction of WSX and I hope it keeps growing. SMX has always felt a little try-hard and hasn’t felt like it’s brought any more value to the already successful supercross and motocross championships. It’s nice we get 3 more races and the riders make money, but save me the storyline that it’s anything but a desperate reaction to WSX.
Smx playoffs was created to sell nbc the tv package and to try to add some cohesion to the two independent series.
Did they get wind of WSX when they were planning SMX playoffs? Maybe, probably more dumb luck then anything on the timing though.
This.
This is sort of correct.
WSX was never a factor in planning.
Well... I havent missed a single round of smx.. but I've never seen a single wsx round.. it feels too much like a side show..
I watched one, last year when the round was free on one of the Samsung tv channels. Otherwise just too hard to watch to not see the main SX players
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You should check it out, especially the rounds that happen in the US "off-season" when nothing else is happening. I've watched them all and they've been enjoyable, with a few quirks and bugs here and there.
The racing in WSX was good last year. It was definitely worth watching.
It's all good for us fans, as we get more racing to watch, with each series being different.
But, I believe the riders need an offseason to recover, prepare, and get recharged.
It’s on Youtube shortly after the races are over.
SMX point system is a joke and WSX with e bikes is a flop IMO. for other countries, I can see how WSX is cool but I'll wait for A1.
I watched some of the 450 Youtube highlights, but without Roczen and Tomac it's not real entertaining. Having that kung-fu guy Jase is an absolute no-go on commentary for me, so I was watching it muted. It definitely has a sideshow or Arenacross feel.
Cool to see Deano doing well though, and it's good that some of the midpack guys can make some money (I assume).
I'd rather watch SMX - even though it is gimmicky - than Washed Up-SX. At least SMX has good riders.
WSX has Justin Mellow Hill, The Outdoor Warrior, Old Max, Crazy Cam Macadoo, Fishnets Alessi, and Mince Cheese. Sweet line up bro...
At least in WSX, you dont know who will win and the racing is ok.
This myth comes up again and again and again...
Everyone who is involved in the production of these events (FELD, MXSports, Prater, Muye, Coombs) and the people who cover the sport from the inside or close to it (Matthes, Weege, JT, KB and BL [Big Lew], Blair) have said repeatedly that the plans for this merger (it's not just 3 races, it's the whole year. SX+MX="SMX League") were born from the COVID lockout when the 2 series had to cooperate in order to ensure that both entities were able to hold the races and complete their championships.
When they realized they could work together without cannibalizing eachother, they also realized they could cooperate with one another and get a better TV deal. (Remember the 2022 nationals shit show during the Sexton v. Tomac battle? The races were on MavTV then Flo then some other streamer that didnt work, it was a total clusterfuck). So, it's up to you if you want to believe them - or call them liars - but nonetheless,
The final item in the sales pitch for Peacock hosting all 29 rounds of SX and MX was adding a "playoff" at the end of the year to create excitement in the sport during a time of year when the excitement is often at an all time low. They decided to do this by taking away 1 national, then adding the 3 SMX races, resetting the points bringing everyone back to contention, having escalating points to make it so the final round is the decider (artificial "game 7"), and trying to create 3 super duper racetracks. Simultaneously, coincidentally, the FIM charter to do SX racing outside of the US was obtained by whoever was the CEO or operations officer in charge of what is now known as WSX.
To this point, it feels like both new "series" have underperformed. But WSX has been getting better while SMX has been getting worse. Hopefully SMX can get their venue problems sorted out, because this year ain't it...
I have no doubt that the SMX discussions started before WSX, but once WSX became a reality, 100% it put a rocket up their arse to push SMX into happening sooner than they were planning.
Remember the lead up to the first year of SMX? Uncertainty about locations, tracks, riders, points, the whole deal . It was worse than the organising around WSX, and that's saying something.
you left out the part where they realized they could charge people yet another fee and call it the "SMX League Fee"
SMX was a reaction to WSX, point blank period. If they really want to legitimize SMX, add some rounds, remove rounds from SX, then Outdoors in that order, and just do Full on SX and MX vs the "hybrid" b.s. and call it a day IMO.
WSX only came about because Feld dropped the FIM in anticipation of the SMX partnership with MX Sports and NBC. As expected FIM put the "FIM world championship" moniker out to bid and WSX was born. Everyone knew someone would pay the FIM for a competing series but the $50m pledge from the sovereign wealth fund was a surprise. Still hard to believe the original band of idiots blew that opportunity.
Kind of disappointed in both, yet it seems SMX has undersperformed and WSX is overperforming now? Jase and Blair are easier to listen to than RC and his nitwit in the booth as well. I enjoy watching both series though.
I listened to those guys and they had good points but some misses too.
Kellen was talking about going to bigger stadiums for SMX. It's almost always better to play to a smaller packed house than an empty big house. However, I think SMX is better at speedways than stadiums and the dragstrip tracks are just lame. The Charlotte dirt oval was probably the best venue for it so more of that type would be my vote.
Lewis was talking about taking it international but it seems like everyone is burnt out by the end of the season and I don't see all the teams traveling internationally being that popular among them.
Here's and outside box idea; bin the point seeding that doesn't work anyway and put the 3 SMX rounds throughout the year, first weekend of January before the SX opener, in May between SX and MX, then the final in September after MX.
Pit Row
Last night I bought tickets round 2 in Carson. I hope it’s not a waste of money.
Does anyone know if most of the SX regulars will line up? How about Roczen? The stadium looks small but it is supposedly a nice place fairly close to the coast so it shouldn’t be sweltering mid Sept
I think the SMX was more about a TV deal then anything. It did bring the 2 series together, but I do think the MX side of things needed SX more then SX needed MX. I think that had they not come together SX would have expanded their season, and that would have impacted MX negatively. So coming together solved both issues.
Easy way to fix this SX and MX cohesion issue. We can just get with the times.
Run SX and MX in congruence. Florida and Texas would pack out a national in February. The notion that it's too tough for the teams is complete bullshit, and the teams no longer have the clout they had 20 years ago under previous promotion entities.
The only place that would require work are the fall supercrosses, but we run in stride with Monster Jam and Monster Jam doesn't stop in May. They just get clever with the venues and scheduling. There are also a lot of derelict college stadiums out there, and we already use a lot of college stadiums. One endzone open behind the athletics building makes a better SX race IMO, Ala Sam Boyd.
Nascar doesn't stack the superspeedways , half miles, and road courses on one part of the schedule.
SX is versatile. We have raced at super speedway, drag strips, baseball, football, pro and college.. and we are about to race in a Bait & Tackle Shop parking lot with stading seats. It CAN be done.
Actually, Feld, if you need a Project Officer, im available.
*Sackadoo
*Whackers
No matter how hard they try, it's not a "playoff". I still like them though.
Ya... both of them were like "this is awesome let's blow it up bigger"...
When in reality, the teams hate it, the riders hate it even more, it's never gained traction with fans, and it just keeps getting worse...
the only fix is a one weekend double header in Vegas for 5 million... but what we get instead is the finals in the middle of chitkicker nowhere... lmaoooo
"Grow the sport..."
Squeezing blood out of a turnip, or trying to, at least.
Against my better wisdom I watched the Calgary "grand prix".... geezus H.... what a joke, even on u-boob highlights. A dozen backmarkers and one top pro, winning as can be expected. Tuffblocks blowing around like autumn leaves causing a red flag, then washed out by a thunderstorm halfway.... so now the points don't count. 🤣
A local 85cc kiddy race is more exciting and better run, except it's not hyped up on pay iPhone channels that can't figure out the technology.
The foundation of motocross is terminally ill. With $17 000 dirtbikes (go price a new KTM or Husky 450 out-the-door) and $900 helmets, $300 pants....and an entire generation that would rather play with their iphones than ride a dirtbike -- or get off the couch, out of mom's basement even -- it's a dying sport, sad to say.
Go ask a manager at any big bike shop how many unsold NEW KTMs are sitting on his floor.
Scary.
More noise and hype won't fix it. More asses on bike seats is what's needed.
SMX, WSX, ABCSX, XYZSX .... carny sideshows thought up by greedy promoters trying to cash in before it's all over.
WSX is an Arsetrailian attempt to piggyback onto Supercross. SMX.... WTF is that? making certain races "jackpot points" events?
"Playoffs?" Stupid US ball game terminology. RACE-OFF would be more accurate, but no less stupid a concept. "Double points"? So, one faulty lean-angle sensor (WTF??) or broken chain or tip-over and a season's effort goes in the shitter? Brilliant idea! What genius thought THAT up?
It's a toss-up which commentary is worse -- The Screech at SX and outdoors MX, or the blabby soy-boy Arsetrailian with the darling man bun and granny owl glasses... does anybody even know his name? He sounds like my fucken ex-wife, using up the 10 000 words the Good Lord gives 'em every day by 10 am.
Noise level does NOT equal good racing. A picture paints a 1000 words...... he looks like a Seattle barista. Does he paint his finger nails? Different colors? 🤣
"Motocross" has become a social media circus, trying to be NASCAR or F1 but it's a niche sport that can't draw the numbers. Greedy promoters are trying every gimmick under the sun to "put more eyes on the sport". So what, you get 10 000 mouth breathers into a high school football stadium in some godforsaken village in the Cucknadian tundra or the Arsetralian outback .... or Zimbabwe? ONCE?
If nobody can afford to buy dirtbikes, sales crash, no demand, manufacturers stop making them -- look at Suzuki, the SEVERELY anomalous Roczen situation nothwithstanding -- IE no racing, no WSX, no XYZ-SX.... and your 10K iPhone warriors move on to the next neon circus. WWE or somethin' .... or lesbian bro-ball, ANYTHING as long as it's noisy and on tik-tok.
Now they're talking about pussifying the Nationals some more, with 20-minute motos? 🤣
I wonder what DeCoster thinks of all this....
PS. what's the solution? Dunno...... cheaper, simpler bikes, for one. Stick to the basics? Get those 10K mouthbreathers off the couch, onto bikes? The iPhone pussification of society is the biggest issue, any psychologists around here with a Plan?
Anybody look further ahead than next weekend?
Yep, plus some of the big time riders like Kroc,Webb, Tomac, M Stewart etc. don't want to race the nationals and would rather do SX only and I dont blame them a bit.
Wait until you all learn about the big international motocross race that happens every year; they guilt trip the riders and teams to attend under the guise of patriotism and honor so that they don't have to pay them.
I like the races hate the points structure.
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