Kind of a big weekend for Motocross - The Outdoor National in the US, the GP in France (MX1 and MX2) and Slovakia (MX3).
First let me say that I know I have been a big opponent of Youthstream in Europe and Feld Motorsports in the US and I have been very critical of the AMA and FIM but I'd like to point out some things I noticed over the weekend.
1. As of 2012, The FIM due to pressure from Youthstream has eliminated the FIM 8 riders per country limit in the World Championship as well as the European Championship. It has been my biggest bone of contention with the FIM to date. Now I can focus solely on the 4-stroke conspiracy.
2. One of the biggest differences in racing in America versus Europe is that of what constitutes a Professional license. In America, you have to collect a proscribed amount of points to get an AMA Pro License. In Europe, you just join your local federation (that's the AMA to us Americans) and pay your fee. Done. You?re a Pro. However, that means that there is no amateur racing in Europe on you are basically "fed to the lions!" right from the start. If you are going to race at the international level, it is the World Championship, right? Wrong. There is the UEM, The European Championship. It is the equivalent to the AMA in America with the Parent of them all being the FIM. They are racing in conjunction with the European rounds of the World Championship for the most part and there are 5 classes: 65, 85, EMX125, EMX250 and EMX-Open. I was excited when I learned this; I thought it would pretty much mimic AMA Amateur rules...but I was wrong. It mimics FIM rules for all classes with the 1 only exception: EMX-Open is basically MX3 and includes MX1 machines. OK, so the FIM (and UEM) are a fast to change as Glaciers to adopt fair rules for 4$. They've got a continental 125 class, right? Sure if you are less than 17 years old. That's right - 17. If you are old enough to buy cigarettes, you are too old to ride a 125. At least you can race your CR500AF if you want.
3. A lot of MX enthusiasts over here ask me why America, who started into MX so late, have become so dominant. Look at the World Champions and how they are doing in America. Rocsen and Rattray were DOMINANT in Europe but haven't won a championship (Rattray) or a race (Rocsen) in the US. The US dominates the MXoN as well. I always point out that we have a larger economy so we draw the best riders and that even though there is the World Championship, it is primarily European Championship and the US National Championship is more valuable economically...like NASCAR compared to other forms of auto racing. But I also point out, and Euros don't like to hear it: The US is 50 countries joined in a union and present themselves as a single country to the world. The Soviet Union did the same thing until its demise. Europe, however has that exact same same union but presents itself as 27 different countries. If the EU put up its 3 best riders, they might do better against the American hordes come MXoN time of year. Of course, if America came over as 50 individual States, Florida or California would surely win it anyway.
So in conclusion, kudos to Youthstream for getting rid of the National provision rule and Kudos to the AMA for at least having fair class rules for Amateur racing. Now if we can only get the FIM and Feld to enact positive change, even if only a little.
