Arenacross Forms Alliance with Carmichael; New Rider Advancement System Announced
Tuesday, January 1, 2013 | 4:55 PM
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PrintAURORA, Ill. – Feld Motor Sports® announced today an alliance has been forged between AMSOIL Arenacross and five-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael to create and establish a formalized rider advancement system for Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, events through AMSOIL Arenacross.
This new advancement system will be called “Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross.”
The purpose is to create a formalized rider advancement structure exclusively within AMSOIL Arenacross that establishes advancement guidelines for all riders who aspire to compete professionally at the sport’s highest level.
Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross is an integrated plan for AMSOIL Arenacross and Monster Energy Supercross that is designed to formally connect the two championships. The plan further develops future supercross riders and ensures that participants achieve higher standards as they earn required Road to Supercross points and receive a supercross endorsement from the AMA.
“I am really excited to be a part of AMSOIL Arenacross and to be an ambassador for the sport,” said Carmichael. “With the implementation of the Road to Supercross, the championship will grow to its full potential and expose riders to an indoor racing environment that simulates Monster Energy Supercross. Additionally, racing in an intimate setting like AMSOIL Arenacross will pay off tremendously as they make their transition to the world supercross stage.”
“Racing in the AMSOIL Arenacross environment helps riders get better prepared for their transition to Monster Energy Supercross,” said Todd Jendro, vice president of two wheel operations, Feld Motor Sports. “This program will help them develop the necessary skills by competing on professional indoor tracks with steep jumps, rhythm lanes, whoops, different soil compounds while racing indoors in front of large crowds and against other top qualified riders. Additionally, AMSOIL Arenacross presents competitors with the professional atmosphere and providing opportunities to learn media interaction, television exposure, autograph sessions and live event expectations through Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross.”
“Before I made the transition to Monster Energy Supercross, I developed my skills through arenacross, and I think the restructured AMSOIL Arenacross program, featuring Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross, will give riders the proper experience to hone their skills in a professional indoor environment,” said Justin Brayton, who finished fourth in the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Championship.
To receive a supercross endorsement from the AMA, riders must earn three Road to Supercross points. A Road to Supercross point is earned by qualifying for the Arenacross Class in three separate events in a given AMSOIL Arenacross season.
In 2013, riders may take advantage of earning their Road to Supercross points through AMSOIL Arenacross as well as the traditional rules for earning a supercross endorsement. Beginning in 2014, all riders must earn three Road to Supercross points to obtain their supercross endorsement.
“Professional motocross and supercross share a common heritage and technical similarity. However, each discipline has evolved to be distinct in a number of different ways. The creation of Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross will provide a natural transition and formalize the requirements for participation at the sport's highest level,” said Kevin Crowther, AMA Director of Supercross and Pro Racing Relations. "The Road to Supercross creates the framework to ultimately develop safer, more-experienced riders for Monster Energy Supercross.”
Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMSOIL Arenacross season returns for the 2013 season! To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.
For more information on the 2013 AMSOIL Arenacross season, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short [email protected] or 949-365-5750.
Never miss out on the latest news! Follow the AMSOIL Arenacross on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacrossand http://twitter.com/arenacross today!
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Ok it may have said in article above but in 2014 all riders will have to qualify with this new system for supercross as in just arenacross riders or all riders? Surely just arenacross guys right?
It basically sounds like a way to drum up publicity for Arenacross. In 2014 all riders moving up to the national level will have to race Arenacross no matter their talent level. It will be interesting to see how the teams feel about it. The big name rider they just signed for big money will be forced to ride a season (or at least 3 races) of Arenacross. Someone like Cooper Webb who was signed for the 2013 outdoor season will race the nationals in the summer then go back to the "minors" and race Arenacross in 2014. It will delay his first full Supercross season until 2015.
I dont see the problem. Riders like Web will just get theyre points this year. Gives them more experience indoors and makes arenacross worth watching, win/win
Plus there are a lot of regular arenacross guys who don't want to race supercross because they can make a better living with arenacross top 3 than supercross top 10s or making mains! Nothing against arenacross guys but some of them just prefer arena over supercross.
Are they going to be forced to do supercross? Hope not
Webb not riding Scott this year! He's outdoors only. So next year he will miss for 3 sx rds unless he does east coast?
Sorry meant sx
It's cool that RC, or I guess at least his name is involved with this. He is
Everywhere ! Good for arena cross
Maybe I'll try watching again, didn't
Really like it so much the last couple years
Finally! I always thought arenacross is the logical "Busch series" or minor league to Supercross.. Good on Carmichael and the guys making the decisions.
Someone like Webb who (presumably) scores points in 2013 won't have to race arenacross in 2014, that'd be ridiculous. When it says "Supercross Endorsement," I'm pretty sure that's the same as the normal AMA Pro License, which is applicable towards both mx and supercross. Any rider that already has a license (like Webb) will be grandfathered into the system.
I doubt this will effect 250 lites riders.This advancement is for a chance for the 450SX class.A top amature rider from LL thats get a Pro Circuit or Geico ride will go straight to SX east or west.It will not affect a Cooper Webb or any other lites rider.Arena cross will not be require for 250 lites riders.This is for SX class.It's mainly just a bullshit way to promote Arenacross.
@jess_wilder, you earn your pro license and sx license separately coming up from amateurs. i think you are correct though in that if he scores a certain number of points, it will qualify him for a sx license. although it sounds like in 2014, that system will be irrelevant. i'm sure Webb will just race a few AX stops at some point this spring so it doesn't delay his SX debut. I like this idea, it seems kind of dumb now but as the sport grows (especially indoors), it will be much needed and profitable as well, similar to the Busch series. the talent will be so deep that you will have to prove yourself at each level, benefiting the teams as well. the only thing I see this really affecting is when a "B" rider plans to turn pro at 16 (or just plans on his B season to be his last as an amateur). if he races AX in the spring of his last amateur year, it will advance him to "A" status, thus making him have to ride the "A" class through the rest of the amateur nationals. basically it will eliminate some of the extreme sandbaggers from the B class, a nice unintended consequence.
@fred, it is going to be a requirement in order to get a SX license, which is needed whether you are riding 250 or 450.
@tccmx7 I do not believe it will affect lites riders.The arenacross series is a true national championship.The SX lites(250) is a regional series.This makes no sence to me.When I believe this is when the AMA comes out with a press release on this.The 250 SX class is sort of like the bush series already.I'm telling you this is just to promote arenacross.Who said it is going to be a requirement.It sure didn't say it in the story above.
@tccmx What I'm saying is SX 250 lites is one way to advance to the SX class.Arenacross is another way to advance to the SX 450 class.It is not required.
Cool, like to see RC always giving back to the sport.. He really is just a big moto fan..
@fred, I guess I read "To receive a supercross endorsement from the AMA, riders must earn three Road to Supercross points." and that makes it sound like that is the requirement in order to earn your SX license from the AMA. A SX license in required in order to sign up for 250 or 450 SX races, just the same as one must earn a Pro license to sign up for a national (which has separate requirements). I don't disagree that it's to promote AX though.
@Fred
At least read the article before you comment. It's hard to misinterpret;"Beginning in 2014, ALL RIDERS must earn three Road to Supercross points to obtain their supercross endorsement."
@texag where is the AMA or FIM announcement.You'll see it will not affect 250 riders moving up from LL.That ALL RIDERS that want to ride SX from the Arenacross series through the RC Road to SX.Thats how I take that to mean.
I guess I was wrong. It can be misinterpreted. You are reading something into it that's simply not there.
I could be wrong but it just doesn't make sence to me.The reason we have a east west 250 class was to advance riders to SX class.If this RC thing is the only way to SX or 250SX then that means that the 250 SX class is about to turn into a true 250 National championship series.No moe East west maybe.
I think you are confusing the Supercross series with the different Sx classes. Unless they left out details I think when they say all riders have to get three RTS points for an Sx endorsement they mean just that. No one goes straight to the 450 class. To race supercross for which the east and west coast series are the entry level you must get at endorsement. To get an endorsement you'll need to get 3 points by racing Arenacross.
Ama and FIM make up the rules not Feld Motorsports.When I hear the announcement from one of these governing bodies I will believe what you think.
You are stubborn. It's not about what I think. READ and COMPREHEND the following excerpts taken from the press release:
The purpose is to create a formalized rider advancement structure EXCLUSIVELY within AMSOIL Arenacross that establishes advancement guidelines for ALL RIDERS who aspire to compete professionally at the sport’s highest level.
To receive a supercross endorsement from the AMA, riders MUST earn three Road to Supercross points. A Road to Supercross point is earned by qualifying for the Arenacross Class in three separate events in a given AMSOIL Arenacross season.
In 2013, riders may take advantage of earning their Road to Supercross points through AMSOIL Arenacross as well as the traditional rules for earning a supercross endorsement. Beginning in 2014, ALL RIDERS must earn three Road to Supercross points to obtain their supercross endorsement.
To race 250 lites SX all you have to have is a AMA pro motocross lic.To ride 450SX you have to fill out a FIM lic and pay $900.There is your SX endorsement.If you race three 450 SX Feld will pay the $900.If you are going to race just one SX and tell FELD that then they can get you a one day Lic.If they do like they are claiming to do then I guess the AMA and FELD are about to drop the east west series and they are about to turn the 250 lites SX class in to a true national championship.If they do what they claim in the above story then this is what is about to happen to SX lites.
@texag it is just an endorsement.That means that the Arenacross series suggest(endorses) that you can ride a SX.It is not a actual licesens or how you go about getting a lic. It will not get you in a SX race.It's bullshit.It just trying to promote AX useing Rickey Carmichael name.It means nothing.
I'm not following your logic if there is any. Why are Arenacross and the East/West 250SX series mutually exclusive? This isn't a zero sum game. What would preclude a rider from participating in 3 Arenacross races and then racing 250SX? You are making this way too complicated. If safety is their stated goal then why would they allow you to race the same supposedly dangerous supercross track on a 250 without an endorsement but not a 450? They are saying all riders must get 3 RC/RTS points. It would make more sense to ride Arenacross-250SX-450SX, rather than 250SX-Arenacross-450SX.
@texag are you retarded? You will never be required to ride arenacross first.Even in 2014 you can race 250 or 450 SX without ever racing arenacross.That arenacross endorcement is just a sugestion from the arenacross series.That endorsement is not a requirement that you have to have to ride SX or to get a SX FIM lic..It is just a bullshit way of promoteing arena cross using RC's name.It means nothing.
Check this out fred;
http://m.vitalmx.com/news/news/New-Pro-Licensing-Procedures-For-AMA-MX-SX,233
I'm not retarded at all. Don't throw stones when you live in a glass house. In fact if you want to go there I'd challenge your dumb ass to an IQ test if you want? If you can read at all, which I'm doubting at this point, your reading comprehension skills are obviously on the 1st grade level. It's not an Arenacross endorsement. It's a Supercross endorsement gained through riding Arenacross moron. In your previous post you said yourself a Supercross endorsement is needed to race a 450 indoors, so which is it? If you can't read get someone to read it to you. Here it is again.
To receive a supercross endorsement from the AMA, riders must earn three Road to Supercross points. A Road to Supercross point is earned by qualifying for the Arenacross Class in three separate events in a given AMSOIL Arenacross season.
In 2013, riders may take advantage of earning their Road to Supercross points through AMSOIL Arenacross as well as the traditional rules for earning a supercross endorsement. Beginning in 2014, all riders must earn three Road to Supercross points to obtain their supercross endorsement.
@texag thanks for the link I'll get back to you when I get a chance to read it.
Dude I understand that..What I'm trying to tell you is what you just said.I know it not a arenacross endorsement. It a SXendorsement earned from the arenacross series.It means nothing.They are trying to make the AX series look more important and are trying to get a higher level of rider plus more fans.That endorsement is not a requirement by the AMA or FIM.
@texag that link you sent me is from 2006 or seven. That was five years ago.It still hasn't happened yet.It never will.You may have a high IQ but I don't think you understand what you read.
texag wrote: It basically sounds like a way to drum up publicity for Arenacross. In 2014 all riders moving up to the national level will have to race Arenacross no matter their talent level. It will be interesting to see how the teams feel about it. The big name rider they just signed for big money will be forced to ride a season (or at least 3 races) of Arenacross. Someone like Cooper Webb who was signed for the 2013 outdoor season will race the nationals in the summer then go back to the "minors" and race Arenacross in 2014. It will delay his first full Supercross season until 2015.
I'm sure anyone having qualified in a previous race will not have to subject themselves to the new rules.
NASCAR HAS NO PLACE IN MOTORCYCLE RACING.......PERIOD. I believe the French brothers have some type controlling interest in AMA RACING. This is their way of making motorcycle racing more popular like Nascar. These idiots have added a rolling start (Just like nascar ) to a class or two in the road racing genre.
What this new POINTS rule is going to do is give young aspiring racer a license to TAKE positions just to get their points to qualify for the big leagues.
I'm no Arenacross expert, but isn't the Arenacross class the 450's? How's cooper web and A.C. going to qualify on a 450 at 100#'s before they race a 250 SX?
Give me a FRICKIN BREAK!!!!!!!
If you want to have a points eligibity entry system have a Class at the races and let the pros decide who has the talent to earn a point. Balance it out with an equal amount of fan voters as a check.
AAAWWWWWWW screw it. If you want to pay the money why not take it and let them race?? It's got us this far!
One of America's biggest problem is interpretation. Everyone interprets things differently.
read carefull below!
In 2013, riders may take advantage of earning their Road to Supercross points through AMSOIL Arenacross as well as the traditional rules for earning a supercross endorsement.
Beginning in 2014, all riders must earn three Road to Supercross points to obtain their supercross endorsement.
IF it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, smells like a duck, it's a frickin duck.
If it is spelled like cat, sounds like the word cat, it's a frickin cat!
IMO the AMA needs to include the actual rules in their press releases. Instead they have a bunch of yea hoos making comments.
Yes, I'm a yea hoo.
It's a very poor idea in my mind. Great for arenacross though. I will never go to one again. But, whatever.
@fred
Did you read the new Open Mic interview with RC? It's mandatory.