1st change as the new comish:format
i would bring back semi's to the premier classes at night. i would also dissolve the east/west division and make is one series. i think bringing all the big name guys to every race would help with fan turnout. i would have 2-3 normal practice sessions and one 15-20 min timed qualifying session. i feel this would give the riders enough practice to learn the track at a comfortable pace and then the ending one would be go time. the other idea is i would have all open practices and you can set your time in any session. that way if you want to go out and set it your first lap or last you can. you dont have to be every session and you can go at your own pace
i would bring in a 125 class that would replace the east/west with an east/central/west series each running 5-6 races and a shootout at the finale. this class would be restricted as a support class. not factory support. no riders getting paid by teams. this would essentially be a privateer class meant to help up and coming kids and provide an alternative for seasoned pros much like Arenacross used to do. Buddy Antunez is the poster child for this. he raced pro all throughout the 90's but raced AX instead of SX for awhile which netted him 5 AX titles. this would would still include a purse. the 125 class would do its qualifying racing during the day and do their main event after night qualifiers have run before the 250's
i would get rid of any possible age restrictions aside from min age of 16(possibly 18) i understand this has always been brought up as a possible way to encourage riders to move up in a timely manner but before all the age or time restrictions were in place you had many pros who would bounce back and forth between the two as a means of extending careers or an easier path from recovering from injuries. NAY NAY you say, well i would reply back that at this level of the game anyone who lines up is PRO. as kdub, dowd, the rock, doug henry, and many others have proven age is a number. Speed is what matters at this level and if you young skrawny ass cant beat a 46yr old who is your grandpa then what makes you more deserving of his spot?.
**I would also add a benefit to riders who earn a diploma or GED by waiving their first year pro license fee and one free entry. this would be more of a benefit to riders paying their own way or for "privateer" teams and i would recognize riders achieving any academic success. this would also be something i would implement into the amateur circuit
as far as bikes go i would
get rid of the gas rule. it was never a even a DECENT idea.
i would simplify the homogenized rules as well. i understand why they are there so someone doesnt show up with a completely built one off bike from the backyard shop. but i would make it to where an individual could show up with any mass produced bike and relevent documents like...titles or whatever within the past 5 yrs and race thus allowing bikes like TM's where only a few are ever imported and huskvarna's which are growing but have to major interest ATT. this would allow more brands into the game and allow companies to grow much like KTM has over the past 30 yrs.
i would leave the factory bike status as is. why? cuz i like bike porn. plus it allows the factorys to test out future equipment to filter down to the public when it can later be implemented at a resonable cost. Examples: Yamahas SSS susp was factory only equipment in the later 90's and early 00's and most new suspension components i guarantee were in development at the pro level long before we saw showa's separate fork. Honda steering shock dampener was kept secret for awhile.
i wouldnt allow big bore kitted bikes and for one simple reason. if you could sneak in a big bore now with the current rules how much easier would it be to sneak in something even bigger. currently the next item is dungeys air shock. many other items are developed and tested on factory bikes before they sell it thats how changes come about. the Development of the KX250F is a prime example. the first year it had small radiators and the water impeller was part of the oil filter. plus the chassis was funky and the transmission was garbage. what happened? Pro Circuit developed a new transmission which was avail to public for a measly $3000k. they used bigger radiators, made their own oil filter/ water pump cover and shock linkage. guess what happened next? most of this was seen on the 2005 bike aside from the shock linkage arm because an aluminum frame was in the works.
and as far as the KXF bikes go. they are that good stock. ive ridden all brands and the ones i had, had a good enough chassis and the best motor( last ones i rode were all the 2006/07 models). most of what i found out still rings true with current review suzuki turns better but the motor is eh, yamaha's only shining point is the susp its engine is old, not bad but old like an old datsun 240z vs a nissan 370z. the honda has a slower engine, handles good but needs more. the ktms motor and chassis are confused. the motor has power but only on the top floor, and the chassis will be a katana once you sharpen it. the kxf motor is powerful, has top line susp components and its efi is further along.
just my $2 worth
