The first round of the SMX Playoffs in the books and just like it's been for the entire season, riders put on a show for the fans. The short playoff schedule and hybrid tracks, not to mention lots of money on the line, give the riders a reason to send it even harder than they normally would in a longer series. Being only the second year of the SMX Playoffs, there are still some kinks that will take time to smooth out, but for the most part the playoffs are well received. Steve Matthes caught up with three of the top team managers in our sport to get their takes on the SMX Playoffs.
Lars Lindstrom
Second year of SMX, so where are you at with this series?
Lars Lindstrom: It's pretty cool, I like that it's different, two moto format for a supercross but you still get the 25s (moto length) and all that stuff. Last year I remember being here and being really smoked from the season, we’d just had like an epic season too, so it just kind of emotionally and physically too, took everything out. I’m a little less maybe because I am more prepared for what it's going to be like. But it's a lot, I think I said the exact same thing last year, if we just had a couple less races so we could be doing this at the end of August and finishing up at the beginning of September it would be nice for everyone. So, I think everyone has kind of voiced their opinion and that so hopefully in the future we can make something like that happen.
Good luck, but I agree.
I mean I like everybody in charge in both series. I think everyone communicates well, and I have hope, so we’ll see.
Nate Ramsey
So, what is your take on SMX? More races, more money for the riders, as whole, where are you at?
Nate Ramsey: I love the concept. I think it's a lot on the riders, on the teams to go an extra month, that’s the biggest downfall. I love tying the series together, and then have this massive purse for these guys. That’s why it's so intense, it's impressive to watch these guys because they’re all so good. And for them to push to that level, they always want to win, but you know you throw a little extra money on the line and they get a little extra excited. So, I love the concept, I wish we could still figure out a way to make it end…
Like make it into 29 races or something?
Something. I know there’s a lot of reasoning behind why it landed where it is and it's not my job to figure it out. But if I were to ask for something I would love to have the month of September to regroup and then get ready for October, November. It just makes the off season so tight and unfortunately that’s what makes des Nations so hard for these guys.
You’re always going to run into that right?
If you have anything lingering, you need time. And these guys don’t have much time. They didn’t have much time before and now it's even worse.
Larry Brooks
Where are you at with SMX as a whole?
Larry Brooks: So last year I was really worried because anytime they do supercross and motocross combined it doesn’t work. But last year I thought it was a really good show and the tracks ended up good. This track wasn’t as good as what it was last year. It just kind of chicaned on itself and turned into a one lined track. But I think that the SuperMotocross series is better than what we thought it was going to be.
Yeah, I am with you, when I think of hybrid tracks, I think of Monster Cup with 125’s and stuff. But I think they have done a good job.
No, it's more outdoorsy with supercross sections and it works. And I was really worried also and didn’t think it was going to work but it ended up being good. Last year was good and this is the first race of ’24, and I think it was good.
So, most of the guys I talked to started with supercross and softened it up but a few of the guys said, “No I went motocross and just went stiffer.” Did you hear any complaining and what did you start with?
We went straight supercross. But all of our rider’s kind of run their suspension on the softer side for supercross, so it ended up working pretty good for them. We chased Ken’s [Roczen] set up a little bit today, made changes and changes but we were always making improvements, so it ended up being good.
Spring rate stuff or just clickers?
No it was just clickers and sag, more balance. It wasn’t anything crazy, we didn’t have to go inside and re-valve anything. It was just small changes and trying to get the balance of the bike. Track was super-fast and choppy and rutty, it was demanding. So, it was a tough track to get your bike set up for.
