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Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
Not sure if for SX though.
Hannah would have rather dropped the zeros.
But we all know a rider boycott or strike will never happen
The Shop
They aint buying anything, ever. And it seems Monster doesnt think these kids are buying Monsters either.
Whats that tell ya?
Over the years, I remember Bob Hannah, Trampas Parker, Mike Kiedrowski, James Dobb, Jimmy Button, Ernesto Fonseca, Buddy Antunez and Mike Brown and of course Josh all using #100 in a season where they either returned from overseas or injury or were otherwise unable to earn AMA points. I am not sure when exactly Josh got it, or why, but I don't think anyone was ever supposed to "own" that number, it's for special cases.
As for requiring riders to take the numbers they earned, I believe it helps spectators know who's who a little better, and having too many triple-digit numbers out there can confuse the issue. That's why the AMA is no longer allowing riders to request three-digit permanent numbers. Otherwise, Jason Anderson would be #312 now, not #21.
Finally, how do you decide who gets to keep a number they like when they don't earn it? For instance, both Zach Osborne and J-Law wanted #338, and if you asked Arnaud Tonus, I am sure he would like to keep #200 instead of whatever he got, and Austin Forkner has already request #214, which was already requested by Vicki Golden, which is already being used by someone else anyway.... The 7-2-2 certainly can keep marketing himself that way, just as Josh can Team #100, but it jus won't be on their number plates or the back of their jerseys. Just seems like the more triple-digit numbers up front, the harder it is for spectators to follow... Is that why NASCAR and the NFL and basketball, etc., doesn't have triple-digits?
Just my two cents (and my number was #214 in 1985, which I gave up to Ron Tichenor in '86, and he put it to much better use).
DC
I understand the thought process of an earned numbering system helping the casual spectator distinguish the "better" guys. It helps educate people on who belongs where and increase excitement when a high number guy is up front or vice versa.
However, all of that goes out the window by awarding national points to the 250 riders and allowing guys to have career numbers. A race is very likely to have #1 (Dungey) battling with #94, #41 & #3 this year for the win. And then you've got #6 in one race who must be better than this #7 guy who is racing the other race. That doesn't make any sense.
The rules are too confusing for anyone to follow. As far as the argument that Josh should have never been able to run #100 in the first place. The cat's out of the bag on that one. It sounds like somebody at the AMA or whoever is in charge of that messed up and they should make an exception for Josh because of that if nothing else. I'm not a big Hanny fan but I think he's got a legitimate gripe.
And I don't see why we ever got rid of 3 digit career numbers in general. Football and basketball only use 2 digit numbers so thats our reasoning? Who cares what stick and ball sports do? My casual fan friends have never once gotten confused or asked me questions about a riding having a 3-digit number.
And on the extremely off chance I ever line up for a pro race, nobody had better even think about taking 485!
Edit: 731chopper beat me to it, but I think he nailed it on this one.
Pit Row
It's incredibly stupid.
And another stupid thing is when regional 250 SX races are getting exactly the same coverage and career points as the 450 guys. It's a fucking joke. The 450 class is the premier class and if you finish 15th in the 250 races it's the same as finishing 15th in the 450 races.
The whole numbering system is shit in US SX/MX racing and i think it hurts the riders chances to create a fan base and the chances of getting sponsors. This could change with a rider union.
Rant over.
Adding 250 SX points was something that Feld has wanted to do for sometime, and I agree with them, and ultimately so did the AMA. While it's not a "national" series, it is eight or nine very meaningful races that should count towards a rider's overall season tally.
As for 250 riders getting to use lower numbers, like Jeremy Martin as 6, or Blake Baggett as 4, or Ryan Villopoto as 2 (remember, he chose that number while still on 250s), it's obvious that guys will progress to the 450 SX/MX class in due time.
The system is not perfect by any means, and they quit using three-digit numbers because it was confusing (especially in stadiums where it's hard to hear). I know there's not much difference between "#1 battling #94," but it's a lot easier to explain than #800 battling #377...
Finally, Kevin Crowther informed Josh last year that he would not be able to use #100 this year, if he scored points. He applied again but was told that he had to follow the rules like everyone else. I know it's not the answer he or his fans wanted but I understand that too... And just for fun, here's some #57 from the past:
1973: Jim Pomeroy (first American)
1974: Jack O'Leary
1975: Michael Gillman
1976; Charles Lampe
1977: Michael Gillman
1978: John Joyner
1979: David Bowman
1980: Mark Rakestraw
1981: Mark Lawrence
1982: Doug Jackson
1983: Tom Carson (Asterisk)
1984: Denny Bentley
1985: Terry Hobbs
1986: Eddie Hicks (THE Eddie Hicks)
1987: Mickey Kessler (Dakota's dad)
1988: Kenny Bollmeier
1989: Robert Hayes
1990: Mike Pascarella
1991: Donny Schmit (went to Europe)
1992: Carl Vaillancourt
1993: Mickey Dymond (went to Europe)
1994: Matt Crown (Joey's dad)
1995: Scott Carter
1996: Roy Schnellenberger
1997: David Pingree (Ask Ping)
1998: Doug Dubach
1999: Jiri Dostal
2000: Keith Johnson (Albuquerque Keith, not Southwick)
2001: Casey Lytle
2002: Tommy Hofmaster
2003: Greg Schnell
2004: Joe Oehlhoef
2005: Erick Vallejo
2006: Brian Gray
2007: Justin Buckelew
2008: Ryan Sipes (First American, ISDE-style)
2009: Jake Marsack
2010: Jarred Browne
2011: Blake Baggett
2012: Jake Canada
2013: Ben LaMay
2014: AJ Catanzaro
2015: Jackson Richardson
2016: Josh Hansen
DC
I'm talking about riders like Enticknap and future pros that want to have a 3 digit number.
Haven't been an active poster in a long time, but this entire number scheme is incredibly frustrating and seriously needs addressing!
From what you are saying, the logic is that the AMA want fans to identify riders abilities by the number that they have earned. Yet, this is already thrown out by the fact that riders get injured a lot, can have career numbers and can have only just entered the pro ranks. So, why does it matter if #100 is battling with #25 for 3rd place? or #377 is battling with #51 for 5th place?
To further this, the whole #100-115 is held for returning champs/ GP stars throws this off point even more. If the AMA don't want questions over why a 3 digit is in the top 5, surely a returning champ would be in the mix, with his new 3 digit number? I.E If James had lost all points this year. Why is #107 (or 259) winning? Why is his gear covered in #7's??
Identifying riders by their numbers of choice is a lot better for the sport. You yourself point out the fact you know Forkner as #214, Anderson as #312-(He hasn't run that since the amateurs) and everyone knows Hanny as #100.
Allowing riders to keep their numbers will allow people to familiarize themselves with riders, adds personality to them and gives the rider an opportunity to brand them self from it.
I.E 'Two Two' 'Seven' '#100' '199' '722'
In the GP's: '222' '72' '25' '777' '999' '84' '911'
In Moto GP: '46' '99' '26' '65' '35'
In rally: '199' '43' '34' '38'
As a Brit, I'm far, far from having any nascar knowledge at all, but even I know that Earnhardt was always #3 and the Home Depot car was always #20, the list goes on..
Surely the above makes more sense? And like the 'keys to race' always say: "Consistency is key" - same should be applied to the numbers!
In my opinion, the only time a riders points should come into affect, should be if a rider wants a number. We'll take the Golden vs Forkner #214 as an example. If Golden had earned AMA points this year, when Forkner didn't compete, Vicky would have rights to the number. If Forkner then raced this year and earned more points than Vicky, he'd be able to claim the number for the following season. Same would be applied to the 338 vs 338 ordeal.
I get the idea that the AMA don't want people new to the sport, to pose the question of: "Why is #999 between #1"
But in reality, you have the true fans of the sport (not as core as us Vital warriors) looking on every year, not having a clue, who is who! Teams change, gear changes, but if the number stayed the same, people could quickly identify a rider by their number: "Oh #22. That's Reed.. He rides a Yamaha now?"
Mookie is a great example. The dudes ridden god knows how many teams in the last few years under the numbers, 37, 36, 34 etc. If it wasn't for the predator-esque hair, he'd be unidentifiable every new season. Why not just give him an opportunity to chose a number and be done with it!?
As for Hanny, how many years has he held down 100? AMA inconsistency or not, I think that he should own that number and its just the AMA being petty. On the plus side, least our AX is now worth going to see (I booked tickets already)
Babbits to the red phone.....
Using this methodology we should assign different numbers (1-20 something) for every race using timed qualifying so the "fans" know who is faster that night..
Josh Hansen Pro #s
2002 - Rookie year
2003
2004
2005 (earned #71)
2006
2007 (earned #93)
2008
2009 (earned #67)
2010 (earned #96)
2011
2012
2013
2014 - RETIRED
2015
2016 (earned #57) - riders used their new #'s at the Red Bull Straight Rhythm race except for Josh.
EDIT Josh did not race at the MEC.
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