Slaw Dog
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We have made it. The 31-round SuperMotocross Championship will finally conclude this weekend in Las Vegas. The riders are tired, the crews are tired, the teams are tired, and Slaw is tired. Thankfully, we all have 2-3 weeks off before it starts all over again.
There has been a LOT of debate regarding the new 31-round combined schedule. Troy Dog wrote about it. Riders have talked about it. I’m sure there are 40 podcasts that have talked about it (Subscribe to the Vurbmoto Podcast Network). Slaw has not talked about it, but I kind of will here.
This, to me, is very two-fold. Yes, the schedule is too long. But, to get the extra pay riders are getting thanks to the new schedule, etc., I don’t foresee how any rounds will be dropped. You telling me NBC, which just paid a handsome sum to get 31 rounds, is going to just go along with 2-3 less rounds? They will not.
You think Feld wants to lose another round? They don’t. Nor does MX Sports or the promoters for the rounds of Pro Motocross, which they make money on. This, as with most things, comes down to money: for riders, promoters, teams and on and on.
In the end: We will have 31 rounds next year and probably the following and the following and the following.
The good news, which I think can get forgotten from time to time, is riders are making more money. The winner in the 450 Class this weekend (which Troy broke down the title scenarios for) will walk away with 1 million… just in purse money. That does not include sponsor bonuses, etc. Second will take home $500K, with third getting $250K.
The 250 Class winner will get $500K, with second taking home $250K and third $150K. Check out the full breakdown below of each class.
While I don’t like 31 rounds (too many for obvious reasons), I do like riders are taking home more money.
Main image: Feld Motor Sports, Inc
