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mc795
4/1/2016 12:07pm
4/1/2016 12:07pm
Edited Date/Time
4/2/2016 12:51pm
I'm new to the MXGP series and was wondering why neither the 250 or 450 class have a number one plate. I know that some guy on a Yamaha recently won the championship on the 450 yet he still has 461. Why don't they have a number one plate?
Look for NASCAR to adopt three-digit numbers on their cars soon.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the AMA added to their rules that the reigning champ must run number 1. Remember Carmichael running number 4 in most of his defending seasons. To me as an old schooler is a mystery why you wouldn't want to run with the number 1 plate! Plain stupid :D
I think (or they think) it has with marketing/branding to do. You cant be RC4 with a number 1 plate, you know with all the toys, shirts and what not you have to put on the market. I think it's all Valentino Rossi's fault that so many champs are running with their "career" number as defenders of the crown. Cairoli also always run with 222 even when he's been the defending champ.
The Shop
Under current system, RC's #plate would have been the following:
year (#run) mx/sx
'97 (#70) mx
'98 (#1) mx
'99 (#1) mx
'00 (#4) mx
'01 (#1) mx
'02 (#1) mx
'03 (#1) mx
'04 (#1) mx
'05 (#1) mx
'06 (#1) mx
'07 (#1) mx
'97 (#70) sx
'98 (#70) sx
'99 (#1) sx
'00 (#4) sx
'01 (#4) sx
'02 (#1) sx
'03 (#1) sx
'04 (#1) sx *out but still would have #1 plate
'05 (#4) sx
'06 (#1) sx
'07 (#1) sx
11 years in mx, 2 of them a number other than 1 (70 once, 4 once)
11 years in sx, 5 of them a number other than 1 (70 twice, 4 thrice)
That's 22 seasons, having the #1 plate in 15 of them, #70 in 3, and #4 in 4.
RC earned and ran #6 in 125 SX in 99.
Then earned and ran #9 in 250 SX in 99.
Then in 2000 was the first year of permanent numbers. I don't think he ever pointed into #4. In 2004 his outdoor points under the old system would have earned him #5 in SX 2005. Reed would have been 1SX/2MX, KDub 3, Vuillimen 4, RC 5, Bubba 6.
The way the permanent numbers were awarded originally was the rider with the most champions had first pick. So MC with 7 titles picked 2. Emig with 4 titles picked 3. RC with 3 titles picked 4. Henry with 3 picked 19. Larocco with 2 titles picked 5. Lamson with 2 picked 6. Albertyn with 1 picked 7.
But on topic the number 1 should be worn as long as you are the defending champ.
When a top rider/driver (especially a champion) locks in on a single number, that number takes on marketing value all its own. "VR46" and "TC222" have been everywhere on merchandise for years; I suspect "RF461" will be the same before too long (although it doesn't look so catchy).
I think NASCAR was the first to recognize this: whether it was "43" or "3" or "24" or "48," there was no damn way those guys were gonna display "1." Formula 1 has switched from team numbers to driver numbers, and now Hamilton carries 44, because it's his racing signature. In the '80s and '90s, Nos. 5 and 6 actually belonged to Williams, but Mansell will forever be associated with "Red 5." I think Senna loved carrying the No. 1 plate, but he was a one-man industry, and it's a wonder he didn't lead the charge to switch to permanent driver numbers.
I have a hard time believing there is much value in Glen Coldenhoffs #259.
Also think that instead of a number it could just as easily be a logo or figure or whatever that they put their marketing effort in and it would have the same result. Imo it starts with the drivers, not the number.
Anyway, i much rather see this:
Compared to this:
Pit Row
I am with Mit12....old school that believes the goal is the #1 plate. And you run/defend it so as to never give it away.
You don't watch MXDN I take it?
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