Racer X learned last week through a couple sources that Feld Motor Sports and the FIM/AMA were looking to make the 250SX and 450SX main events in Monster Energy Supercross timed instead of the traditional 15 (250s) and 20 (450s) laps they are now. And word is, the heats will be timed as well.
This is the first significant change to the format since 1985, which saw two 12-lap mains and a motocross scoring format for the overall that year only to reverse course the following year and revert back to the format we currently use. As I have stated more than a few times, with the rise in supercross ticket prices since Feld assumed control of the series a few years ago, the stars of the sport at some races are out there for less than 20 minutes total with an appearance in a heat race and main event. That’s not enough and this change will help that. As any reader/listener of mine knows, I have beat the “change” drum to death so I applaud the guys for trying.
I’ve heard the timed races will be 18 minutes plus two laps for 450s, but another source puts it at 20 minutes plus two laps. I tend to think it’s the former, as that fits nicely into a 20-minute block for TV purposes.
Generally speaking, we’ll probably see four to five laps added to each main event, which is a good thing. I don’t think the racing itself will get better as our sport seems to rarely have the last lap drama you see in other forms of car racing, but it will definitely the help the elite athletes like Ryan Dungey, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen when they get bad starts. Doing 20 laps on a supercross track is very hard, and by adding four more laps, endurance is going to be even more of a factor. To me, this change further separates the elite riders from the rest.
One top racer I texted back and forth with tells me that he thinks the lappers will be a problem and there might have to be some sort of rule where if you’re lapped twice, you’re black-flagged and must pull out of the race.
Overall this is a win-win unless you aren’t in good enough shape to do the actual 16-ish (on average) minutes [Ed. Note: The actual average 450SX main event time in 2016 was 18 minutes and 17 seconds] the original 20 lap mains produced. The fans get to see their favorite racers more, and there’s more actual, you know, racing out there for your dollar. I like it and this should be interesting to see how it plays out.
Now about that points structure, the 250 class and shorter, more mains….
