Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/702723
CN III VOICES L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R "As a sport we want good, clean, hard racing. We also want safe and fair racing." Lappers Okay, I know I am going to get gas for this but here goes—gulp. Does anyone else see the problems with lappers in nation- al-caliber motocross events? In both races last week [RedBud National MX], the leaders [in both classes] started getting into lapped traffic just past half- way into the motos. I don't think it is fair to the sport, the fans, the sponsors, manufactures, mechanics or the riders to have two championships potentially decided by passing (or not passing) lapped riders. Think for a minute what harm would it be if the AMA had a "lap down and out" rule in the top series of motocross and supercross? At every event the top 40 riders have to qualify for the event either on time or in the heat races. Even the slowest guy on the gate is really, really fast compared to the rest of the planet. Anyone that qualifies for a main event in the AMA 250 or 450 nationals has a lot to be proud of. But if you can't stay within one lap of the leaders (about 2½ minutes, outdoors about two minutes indoors) maybe it just isn't your day and you have some more work to do. Here is my idea. All bikes have transponders issued by the AMA for scoring and timing. How hard would it be to have a red light on the bars that AMA officials could flip on just be- fore the leader (or leaders) are about to pass you alerting you that your race is finished and to pull off the track at the next saf- est exit? Scoring will stop, your position is frozen for that moto, please proceed to your trailer. History tells us each race will have 10 to 15 riders removed from the track like this, leaving the top 25 riders to keep racing for points worry-free of catch- ing and trying to pass an ex- hausted competitor. The AMA only pays points for the top 20 so half the gate knows before they start that even finishing on the lead lap doesn't guarantee you any championship points. People will say, "but we already have move over flags." Yes, but we also have tracks that rut up with fast and pre- ferred lines especially in the second moto and it's not al- ways possible (or safe) for peo- ple to pull over the instant they are being overtaken, and they could affect the outcome of the race. We also have tracks with huge double and triple jumps sometime hundreds of feet long (LaRocco's Leap). It's not fair or safe for a lead bike to have to check up (or jump over) a slower rider. I also understand that once in a blue moon a top rider has a crash or mechanical and can actually un-lap himself but it happens so rare I don't think it's worth the safety/good racing trade off. As a sport we want good, clean, hard racing. We also want safe and fair racing. So why do we panelize the best in the sport making them dodge moving tar- gets while they are racing to stay ahead of the guys behind them? Just doesn't make sense. Let the debate begin. JD Potts The Wick 338 For the first time this year, Eli Tomac looked to have the bike dialed in for the bumps and sand and was able to push 100% instead of being cautious [at The Wick 338 National MX]. There was great racing be- tween him and Roczen. The track was fast and had enough bumps to be a good test for these guys. I was there and got around to see every section of the track. I have been to almost every national there from 1986 to today and I will say that The Wick is a lot like it used to be and was awesome. There were two two-strokes in the 450 class and Jared Steinke in the 250 class on his 125! One last thing, Dunlop had a new sand paddle tire that all the top factory guys were using. I want one when they come out!! Carl Leguia Way to go Eli. Now there might be some racing for the lead in- stead of the guys in third through sixth putting on the show. Andrus Chesley Letters to the editor can be sent to voices@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Letters should not exceed 150 words and are subject to editing. Anonymous letters won't be considered for publication and each letter should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number… Editor P6