We can lay the blame at the feet of the manufacturers (Big 4+1) but they are in the business of making money, not racing machines (that is the job of the race teams). The AMA and the FIM are 100% to blame.
It was the AMA and the FIM who changed the rules, the tracks, and the incentives for racing that lead to our current situation. It was the AMA and the FIM that bowed to external pressure from the lobbyists (manufactures from Japan, TV and racing promoters) and totally disregarded the members of their organizations. And it is only the AMA and the FIM that can fix it.
And I apologize to those members of other nations beyond Europe and the USA (i.e. Aussies, Kiwi's, Japanese, etc). You have strong national bodies and excellent racing series but to truly influence a change in the sport, it will have to come from the combined might of the FIM or the purchasing power of the USA (thus the AMA).
We are here discussing 2T's and their exclusion in modern Pro MX but what is wrong with our sport and why did it get this way? Cost, compensation and unworkable class determinations.
At one point racing became too expensive, even to the big manufacturers so they cooperatively decided that it was better to lower the costs for the few and spread the costs for the many. They lobbied the AMA and FIM and they collectively agreed since they just witnessed the end of the British and Spanish motorcycle industries, the self destruction and greed in the German industry, and the rise and power of the Japanese, this was the best course of action. This lead to "production" based bikes and the end of the "Works Era". I don't think this was an evil scheme. Only the 10 best or most promising riders got the really good equipment which made it impossible for the privateer to even come close. Of course, now as then, you need train loads of cash to really compete, but in the heyday of MX, the factory riders had unobtanium.
This is where the AMA et al failed. Yes, the "Works" bikes disappeared but the cost of racing rose beyond what was invested in the works era. When "Privateer" Chad Reed was talking about starting his own team this season, he said he had a lot of help; Bel-Ray, engines by Pro Circuit, even some support from Honda. Yet, he also sank "several million dollars" of his own money into the adventure. Those were his words "several million dollars of my own money". Having to buy Pro Circuit, Eric Gorr, or some other skunk works engines is more than most pros can afford especially with no purse money.
Sure, the manufacturers pay contingency money, and you get sponsors, and your mum lets you eat at home and slips you beer money once in a while but really, where does a pro rider derive income? Well it used to be from racing. There was gate money and points money to be earned. Guys could race 4 days a week in Southern California, at least twice a week most places elsewhere. You were not going to get rich without a lucrative sponsorship but you got to ride! That's really why we do this. Not for the girls, the bling, or the t-shirt with your image on it.
Now, promoters get monopoly rights to AMA and FIM Pro Racing and they sell those rights to local promoters to host events. For FIM World Championship event, the cost is close to $500,000! Riders have to PAY a $1500 entry fee! It is no wonder that we are 1/2 way through the season and only have 52 riders in the points! 52? The signup for each event is limited to 90 with 40 going to the mains and only 52 in the points?
Finally, I'd like to address the classes. Two things happened. First, the old rule allowing up to double displacement for 4 strokes, and second, the demise of the 500 class. You really have to marvel at the modern 4$ engine. Compare that to an old Honda XL or BSA motor and it is night and day. You really have to respect the blood and sweat that went into it. But it's shit. You still can't compare it equally to available tech (i.e. the 2T). Now I've said elsewhere that what the AMA and FIM need to do is define classes based upon what outcome they want to achieve. What are the goals? Unbridled speed? Emissions? Age? Gas mileage? Set the classes up like that. For instance, using gas mileage as an example, a 2 liter class would only allowed 2 liters of fuel per moto. "Run what you brung" but that is all you get. If you can make a fire breathing 500cc 2T motor last 45 minutes in the Florida (or Belgian) sand, more power too you (no pun intended)! Divisions based upon cylinder capacity are not working and will not work as we expand into the alternate fuel era!
The 500cc 2T class ended not because the AMA and the FIM were evil but because turn-out for the events declined. Less people bought the monsters until only 2 brands; Honda and Kawasaki even made them. (OK, I know that KTM, Husqvarna and some others did as well but they were not competitive.) Only our nostalgia makes us dream of their return. Now the FIM and AMA are talking about LOWERING the premier class yet again. Maybe to 350! This time it is for safety, but the conspiracy theorist in me says it is the manufacturers again. The 450F is pretty reliable since it is never pushed too hard but the 250F is a hand grenade. I 350 will break more (hand grenade like the 250F because it is pushed harder for the same result) causing us to buy more bikes and parts.
So in conclusion, if "you made me king" (or if the AMA/FIM asked me to fix motocross), I would:
#1 Change pro mx rules to be 2 classes: Pro and Junior Pro.
- "Pro" would be any motorcycle that passed tech for safety, sound and emissions with any rider over 21 years of age.
- "Pro Junior" would be would be any motorcycle less than 200cc that passed tech for safety, sound and emissions with any rider under 21 years of age. This would allow for youth to grow and have longer careers.
#2 Lower the cost charged to promoters for holding an event but make the difference a bond to be paid to all riders making the main event motos. Lowest denomination should be $1000.
#3 Throw away the production rule and the homologation rule, and replace it by a "Tear Down" rule. First three finishing positions WILL be torn down, inspected and documented. That documentation is shared publically. No secrets. This should limit the amount of unobtanium the factories throw at it but still allow for innovation. It would also allow for small industry to be involved. The likes of TM, Gas Gas, Maico, and the tuners of the past like FMF, Rickman, DG, etc to build and race motocross at the highest levels.
Whew! My fingers hurt. I need a beer.
