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2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:13 pm
by Cummings55
I am sure some of you had the chance to catch the live stream and if not, I’m sure you’ll be watching it soon. What are your initial thoughts? Likes dislikes? I think the changes are going to increase excitement. I was afraid of a “playoff” system like NASCAR.

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:16 pm
by jonracer594
can I watch a replay anywhere?

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:17 pm
by Cummings55
It may be archived on Supercross LIVE’s profile on livestream.com. Not sure though. It’s probably going to be posted all over social media within the hour.

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:04 pm
by mx201

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:06 pm
by Logeyboy
I'm keen for 2018, changes gonna make the racing so good!

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:01 am
by SMR 510RR
So basically, "We don't know what we should do to attract more fans so we are going to do a little of everything".

1/2 of it is good and the other half is silly.
Semis for the 450 class will be eliminated on the traditional format. You'll only have heat races, an LCQ, and the main events.
I mean didn't they just add the Semi's back? I don't understand having less races and making them longer. I would prefer a 4 heat setup where the average of your two finishes is your qualifying position. That would be a better system and you still get the big guys out there for more laps.
Three events (Anaheim 2, Atlanta, and Minneapolis) will have a Triple Crown format. This will be similar to what you see now at the Monster Energy Cup. A total of 22 riders will transfer from the daytime qualifying, in both the 250 and 450 classes. The times are still being finalized, but in the 250 class it will be approximately six minutes +1 lap for the first main, ten minutes plus +1 for the second, and twelve minutes +1 for the final main. In the 450 class, the main event lengths will be approximately eight minutes +1 lap, twelve minutes +1, and 15 minutes +1. Overalls will be determined by Olympic scoring. One point for first, two points for second, etc., and points will be handed out for the overalls, not individual main events.
That seems cool.
You'll see two 250 class East/West Showdowns during the season, one in Indianapolis, and one in Las Vegas. They'll come together, race, and the points fall where they may.
Probably the best change IMO, by Vegas you end up with a lot less riders showing up since the championship might already be decided and people want to get testing for outdoors. This will make it so there is more skin in the game for the first shootout.
You'll also see amateur Supercross at four events in '17, with the intent of doing more in the years to come. These races will be at Anaheim 2, Glendale, Tampa, and Atlanta. Yes, the tracks will get tamed down, but they're keeping as much of the experience intact, with the same starting gate, finish line structure, etc.
I guess we will have to see how that works out. I hope the tracks aren't too lame but it is cool to give some of the amateurs a chance to gain exposure.

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:46 am
by Ddavis
SMR 510RR wrote:I mean didn't they just add the Semi's back? I don't understand having less races and making them longer. I would prefer a 4 heat setup where the average of your two finishes is your qualifying position. That would be a better system and you still get the big guys out there for more laps.

Yes they recently added the semi's back to the format, and it was boring. During the semi races, it was usually when people at the races were going to the bathroom, standing in the beer/hot dog line, or staring at the Monster Chicks down on the floor. Nobody really cares about semis, they aren't exciting, and by mid-season its a diluted field and usually pretty boring. The problem with the 2 heat races and LCQ was the length of the races. The fact they've made these races longer will make up for the lack of semi races.
SMR 510RR wrote:Probably the best change IMO, by Vegas you end up with a lot less riders showing up since the championship might already be decided and people want to get testing for outdoors. This will make it so there is more skin in the game for the first shootout.
Which riders do you think will "not show up" and "test for outdoors"? These riders are under contract to race the Supercross and Motocross season, and they've been training all year to win. If you're talking about privateers specifically, then usually 75% of them don't show up for Vegas since there's a smaller chance of them doing the night show, but in terms of riders on teams, it will be the same.
SMR 510RR wrote:I guess we will have to see how that works out. I hope the tracks aren't too lame but it is cool to give some of the amateurs a chance to gain exposure.
They used to have amateur days the day after in the late 80s, my dad did a few, they're basically the same as amateur day for Arenacross. It will be cool for people to race in the stadiums, but they will be extremely tamed down. The whoops will be rollers, the triples will probably be a weird single to a table and the rhythms will probably be shortened in height by 1-2 feet and rounded off, they will remove any dragonbacks or difficult sections. The finish line will probably be half the size in height and length.

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:47 am
by Ddavis
I fucked up the quoting on that. Dammit :lol:

Basically SMR wrote the first, I wrote the next, then him, me, him, me.

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:19 am
by Wahlamt
Will the ams be broadcasted? I love to watch am events, so full of energy and just going for it!

I agree that the semis were boring, also made the heats less interesting. Imo it only gave the top 15 riders 100% to get in without any stress. If you're outside of the top 9 in the heat, you have to stress a bit, not go for "meeh, semis lol". Hope the intensity gets back now!!

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:41 am
by FasonJelkey
Amateur Day-
I haven't looked into this too much but from what I know they are holding amateur on Sunday with roughly 26 classes to sign up for like a typical Arenacross. They should just hold 1 "Amateur All Star" main event at selected rounds on Saturday instead of the Ktm 50 Challenge. This would shine some light on the up incomers for sponsors and fan experience as well. The whole idea of these SX changes is to bring in more fans so why holding an Amateur race on Sunday is beyond me... hint hint low Arenacross fan turnouts cough cough

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:35 am
by SMR 510RR
Ddavis wrote: Yes they recently added the semi's back to the format, and it was boring. During the semi races, it was usually when people at the races were going to the bathroom, standing in the beer/hot dog line, or staring at the Monster Chicks down on the floor. Nobody really cares about semis, they aren't exciting, and by mid-season its a diluted field and usually pretty boring. The problem with the 2 heat races and LCQ was the length of the races. The fact they've made these races longer will make up for the lack of semi races.
I don't disagree about the semis being boring. I just think that longer races are also going to be boring. I think two sprint type heats per racer, 4 total would be way more entertaining. Average the finish of the heats to determine qualifying order for the main.
Ddavis wrote: Which riders do you think will "not show up" and "test for outdoors"? These riders are under contract to race the Supercross and Motocross season, and they've been training all year to win. If you're talking about privateers specifically, then usually 75% of them don't show up for Vegas since there's a smaller chance of them doing the night show, but in terms of riders on teams, it will be the same.
IDK I recall over the last few years the turnout at Vegas in the Lites has been a little sparse. Will be good to have another opportunity to see how the two coasts stack up. By the end of the season you have a lot of guys out with injuries or trying to heal up, hopefully having one earlier in the season will lead to some great racing.
Ddavis wrote: They used to have amateur days the day after in the late 80s, my dad did a few, they're basically the same as amateur day for Arenacross. It will be cool for people to race in the stadiums, but they will be extremely tamed down. The whoops will be rollers, the triples will probably be a weird single to a table and the rhythms will probably be shortened in height by 1-2 feet and rounded off, they will remove any dragonbacks or difficult sections. The finish line will probably be half the size in height and length.
Sounds like this will be modified from the full track?

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:36 am
by Ddavis
SMR 510RR wrote:
Ddavis wrote: Yes they recently added the semi's back to the format, and it was boring. During the semi races, it was usually when people at the races were going to the bathroom, standing in the beer/hot dog line, or staring at the Monster Chicks down on the floor. Nobody really cares about semis, they aren't exciting, and by mid-season its a diluted field and usually pretty boring. The problem with the 2 heat races and LCQ was the length of the races. The fact they've made these races longer will make up for the lack of semi races.
I don't disagree about the semis being boring. I just think that longer races are also going to be boring. I think two sprint type heats per racer, 4 total would be way more entertaining. Average the finish of the heats to determine qualifying order for the main.
You think a 12 minute heat race with 15+ riders all capable of qualifying for the main event is going to be boring?

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 11:22 pm
by SMR 510RR
Ddavis wrote:
SMR 510RR wrote:
Ddavis wrote: Yes they recently added the semi's back to the format, and it was boring. During the semi races, it was usually when people at the races were going to the bathroom, standing in the beer/hot dog line, or staring at the Monster Chicks down on the floor. Nobody really cares about semis, they aren't exciting, and by mid-season its a diluted field and usually pretty boring. The problem with the 2 heat races and LCQ was the length of the races. The fact they've made these races longer will make up for the lack of semi races.
I don't disagree about the semis being boring. I just think that longer races are also going to be boring. I think two sprint type heats per racer, 4 total would be way more entertaining. Average the finish of the heats to determine qualifying order for the main.
You think a 12 minute heat race with 15+ riders all capable of qualifying for the main event is going to be boring?
I think running two 8 minute heats would be more exciting and you could even get rid of the LCQ. I guess that becomes more like the alternate format events but maybe that is the future. You end up with the fastest guys in all the races, more starts, more first turns, more holeshots, closer racing.

It's ok if you disagree. :D

Re: 2018 Supercross Format Changes

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 11:23 pm
by SMR 510RR
To clarify there would still be two groups of heats so it would be a total of 4 heats and 1 main per class.