Where Are The Privateers?

Think some are doing Futures instead?

Cost!!!

I thought the same thing when watching the broadcast so I decided to dig into results from last year.  In Seattle last week, they couldn't even put 20 guys on the gate for the heats in either class.  Glendale struggled in 450.

For last year I checked Glendale, Seattle, Detroit and Tampa.  None of these rounds had issues filling gates in either classes.

If the trend continues maybe they will make it financially rewarding instead of a money pit for privateers. But probably not. 

I think you will see both classes have more entries on the east coast. Seattle and washougal  almost always have the lowest turnouts of the year in each series. Triple crowns almost always have lower turnouts as well. 

Last year there were only 500 riders who made an appearance in sx/mx qualifying. The lowest since at least 2009 (I don't have pre MX timed qualifying era qualifying in my database yet) other than the Covid year in 2020.

Too much crying from online “fans” about lappers. Why should they bother?

It DOES cost a lot. And…the absence of Teddy’s Privateer Journey is still being felt. McGlincy & other programs have picked up some of that (thanks ML for, that input).

I’m thinking up-front fees for teams have gone up…don’t know what that means for Privateers…but, it can’t be good. Credentials are pricey. Fees…in general…are really starting to add up. The economy is taking a hit in the lack of disposable income and it seems like we’re feeling that in the pits.

Also, the California and AZ rounds are all in a pretty tight radius and not too expensive to go to for those based out of SoCal & the surrounding areas.

Interesting stats:

Houston had 37 450s and 41 250s (78)

Seattle had 35 450s and 37 250s (72)

Meanwhile…

Anaheim 1 had 44 450s and 50 250s (94)

San Diego had 42 450s and 50 250s (92)

Anaheim 2 had 44 450s and 51 250s (95)

Glendale had 37 450s and 46 250s  (83)

Why are pros paying for entries? It should be $1 for insurance purposes and with that you get a mechanic pass and 1 family member pass. 

Bc the choosen ones run this sport like everything else. 

East Coast usually brings out a lot more privateers. Having that been said, pre SMX, entry fees and pro license fees were much cheaper, like 50% increase since SMX started. Same with crew passes increasing. They bragged about a big SMX purse, which is great for the guys getting paid, but what they didn't say is that it also came at the added expense of the privateers trying to make a night show or fast 40. It may be a non-factor in the grand scheme of things of rider attendance, but it's not a fact you can completely dismiss either. 

I don't know, but it's letting guys into the heats who are 19 seconds a lap off the pace which isn't great.

GT Arenacross, AMA Arenacross and Partzilla Arenacross have decent size pro classeses. I'm sure that doesn't help. 

I noticed it as well, and its not a good sign. Whether its sponsors tightening their purse strings which directly can hurt the privateers, or something else I don't know. But no doubt cost is the biggest factor. If the costs just to race are up as much as a few here have said, and the payouts "still" aren't there, this is what you get. Not to mention however its spun, for a lot of folks, the economy is really no better, if not worse. It's not like the privateers are gold spoon stock market kids. For most of us everyday'rs, nothings changed 

Maybe they should stop making the riders pay $250 to enter each race. That is $4,250 for a 450 class rider to do all 17 races. Instead of charging the riders to race, how about paying them? Pay every rider except maybe the top 10 in points $500 to sign up and try to qualify? At least they will know a small portion of their expenses will be paid. Of course, this is only open to qualified pros. And, the last chance qualifier needs to pay a lot more.

Hell, even if the only paid the guys outside the top 10 making the night show $500, it'd make a difference I think

There could be several reasons for this:

- Are factory guys could be getting faster and widening the gap?

- Has the number of new manufact6urers made factory riders out of guys who would have ridden for satellite teams (or privateers) and privateers into satellite guys?

- Are the better privateers not showing up and instead electing to run other races (WSX, Arenacross, etc.)?

- Are entry counts are so low in general that some privateers who would avoid SX entirely due to cost/benefit are giving it a shot because they'll automatically make it into the night show?

The working class is hurting bad so it’s not really a surprise. Lot of people hanging the boots up due to finances. People are going to choose to buy a house instead of ride dirtbikes. Nowadays people can’t do both.

Incentive structure right now is busted all the way around. Needs to be more incentive for guys to move to 450 from 250 and to 250 from futurenextcombine. Gotta keep the line moving if you want people to keep getting in it. 

Also need a little more of a level playing field at the entrance to the line. The whole concept of futures is basically gate keeping for the sport. Half of those guys should be racing pro already but having the path cleared for them just makes it that much more of a struggle for the rest of the guys who don't. I imagine it's hard to get motivated to show up and try to make night shows when the industry decided who the next pros get to be based on super mini results and how independently wealthy their parents are. 

Honestly this is the first time in 5 years that I’m not sure I’ll be able to ride much this year.  All of our finances are different of course and I don’t want to make it political, but objectively it’s pretty tough to make ends meet at the moment for whatever reason/s.

Recession indicator?

Maybe guys are realizing there are better options to make a living and not be an expendable lawn dart for feld and mxsports….you guys know this sport peaked around late 80”s through early 2000”s right? Best bike for Sx? 250 2T…..just saying….

I noticed too. Was really disappointed to see the lack of locals at Seattle. Back in the late 80's, early 90's there would be a bunch of NW and even British Columbia entrants in the 125 class. A couple of the mains had 7 locals make it in.

Smail, Steffy, Baily, Bell, Devries, Friesen, McCallister, Simmit,  Thompson....

The weather was probably partly responsible for that.

Money , money like lack of it and payouts are shit.

honestly, with the new manufactures joining.. we could end up with a full gate of factory supported riders. Heck, Factory riders are battling for transfer positions into the main. 


Its only going to be tougher for privateers. 

 

Meanwhile, the Top Gun Showdown Muddy Creek Cody Gragg Memorial 2 stroke shootout gets bigger every year.

In 1978, there were over 1000 AMA pros.  They ran out of numbers and had to add letters. Only one class in SX and three in outdoors.  One license for everything.  Picture is 1981, guess the venue.

Every time one less privateer lines up, the Gypsy guy lets out a “brooooooo” in celebration.