Posts
2522
Joined
9/16/2009
Location
Portland, OR
US
Fantasy
169th
Edited Date/Time
6/8/2020 4:04pm
This latest news with JMart sitting out is just the latest example of a major flaw in our sport. I know the horse has been beat to death, but somethings gotta change. I get it that the 250 class meant as a stepping stone for riders to get to the 450s or "premier class", but now days, riders doing their 2 to 3 years in 250s and moving up is more the exception than the rule.
The obvious talent and performance gap between the classes now days is nothing like it was back in the 250/125 classes and the 250 class is just as competitive and exciting to watch as the 450s. The AMA and Feld really need to do some brainstorming and figure out a way to make this shit work. The 250 class needs to be on par with the 450s, if a rider wants to stay there and race his entire career, so be it. There has got to be a way for the factories and teams to be able to groom and support young riders on their way up without having this current system. Think of how much good racing our sport has missed out on due to riders throwing races (or sitting out a season) because they couldnt risk getting bumped up.
The obvious talent and performance gap between the classes now days is nothing like it was back in the 250/125 classes and the 250 class is just as competitive and exciting to watch as the 450s. The AMA and Feld really need to do some brainstorming and figure out a way to make this shit work. The 250 class needs to be on par with the 450s, if a rider wants to stay there and race his entire career, so be it. There has got to be a way for the factories and teams to be able to groom and support young riders on their way up without having this current system. Think of how much good racing our sport has missed out on due to riders throwing races (or sitting out a season) because they couldnt risk getting bumped up.
The 259 talent this year is especially concentrated in the west.
The Shop
Edit: Plowboy beat me to it.
I always thought the main reason they split the series and force the "big dogs" to move up was to make it more affordable for the privateers and give them more of a chance to be competitive in the 250's....half a series, less traveling, faster guys forced to move up etc. But from what I understand, a lot of privateers races 450's because it's cheaper and easier to be competitive and make money; go figure.
You're only allowed X years in the 250 class - get injured, that's just bad luck. No extra rules to defend the championship - you won already you don't need to defend a stepping-stone class, it would be like defending your 250B title.
If the rules allow a very open 250 class, it makes it harder for a rookie to get their feet wet since the 250 class now becomes much more competitive.
If the rules allow a very closed 250 class, it makes it harder for non-champions to get 450 rides since the 450 class gets stacked fast. This would limit the careers of those guys who aren't at the top of their game.
Limiting the 250 class helps rookies. Making the 250 class unlimited will make it tougher for rookies. So I guess the question is, should we make things easier for rookies or harder in the interest of veterans?
And from the Honda viewpoint, it makes sense as they have no 450 ride for him next year.
So how do they keep him for at least 1 more year?
It seems like a compliment to me, for Honda to say we want you back and this is how we go about making that happen.
And with Ferrandis, Sexton & McElrath all moving up, pickings are bound to be slim.
Who all is retiring from the 450 class and which ones will simply be without a job because a team wants to give Ferrandis or McElrath a shot?
Pit Row
All 3 have never raced in the same season of professional supercross.
Working off memory here, but the last year of the 500 Supercross class was 1976.
The 250 class became the premier class in 1977 and was the sole professional class until, again memory, 1985 when 125 east and west classes were introduced as an entry level class. I don't seem to remember a lot of talk about an advancement system the first year, but hey, 35 years ago, ya know.
I think after the first year an advancement system was introduced and factories got really involved in supporting teams.
It has been a farce since, but you know, 20th century ama.
What needs to done, imo, do away with 450 class. The bikes are way to fast anyway.
Probably too late for a class smaller than 250 so how about an introductory class like the 125 class was originally intended to be.
Leave them on 250fs, but come up with some way to lower the costs some and level out the performance. Examples could be restrictor plates in intake or exhaust, approved mapping, claiming on exhaust systems, suspension, and ecms , maybe even something similar to "crate" motors that have become popular in dirt track car racing.
Back in the day they had as many as 5 'A" riders for SX. It was different in MX as well. The 125 class was not considered a development class. Winning that title was a big achievement and the rider who won the title was highly respected. Today J-Mart is a 2-time MX champ and no one cares.
It was cool to have 3 MX class champions, plus a lot more star factory riders from MX all racing against each other in the premier 250 SX series.
Marketing the professional 250f class in SX as a B class has not worked as intended and possibly lowered the prestige of the outdoor title in the process.
Oh well, maybe I'm old and miss the old days.
250 class split into coasts. Minimum age: 15. Maximum age: 20. This replaces the SX Futures and they race the track the next day, obviously being a tamed down version. We can watch with NBC Gold. Similar to the 125 class the GPs have.
250 class as we know it now runs the full schedule. No pointing out rule. Minimum age is 16.
450s stay the same.
However, to ensure that the best talent does get up to the 450 to race each other, have the purse payouts to where last in the 450 main makes more than 1st in the 250 main. Obviously sponsors and what not will pay whatever and that's out of the control of anyone. But the purse needs to be changed. As it is now, 4th in the 450s makes less purse money than 1st in the 250s. That's absurd.
Just an idea.
All this support, split coast, developmental stuff hurts the imagine of the sport.
If amateurs need SX experience have it the day before or after.
Make the 250's a full season and add a support class with a simple 2 year limit.125's or 250' doesn't matter to me.
They run their heats before the night show, top 10 from each heat to the main.
10 minute main shown during the broadcast.
Make that East/West and if you win the championship you are moved up automatically. PERIOD.
I couldn’t care if a rider is 16 or 36, let the best riders ride the bikes.
If the young ‘talent’ isn’t good enough to beat the ‘old’ guard then tough titties, get better.
Post a reply to: Jeremy Martin resurrected the dead horse