Chip's Corner D23

Year 2000 Championship at Odds,

Define Championship ?

For many years the Minn. State MX Champions were decided by single events with the same riders facing each other week after week to decide the "A" class champions, and the "Mini" class champions. If you were a "B" or "C" rider you tried like crazy to get past your contenders just to move up by next year. If you were an "A" rider you were in the elite few who worked their way up the ladder. You had to make it that far just to be included in championship points race. Only "A" riders got Championship Awards.

But over the last few years we have changed so much with so many new members and new classes that somewhere along the line we lost the elite status that a Champion has earned. Many people feel that with the North /South races each week we don't get unified to decide who the true Champions are.

We have so many Champions that there has become a movement to change things. Thus, at the recent Annual Meeting there were many proposals and ideas brought to the board with hopes of changing things. So the board decided to study the subject for 1999 and make Championship changes. Question is-IS THIS NEEDED?

It was proposed to have a one race championship at the end of the season. Now, is this fair to the guy that raced all season just to be sick or injured and miss his one chance? Or is it fair to the guy that only raced a few races just to win the State Championship on his one lucky day? A championship is usually decided in the form of a series, with an overall CHAMPION! Have we lost something somewhere? Where's the credability of an earned title, and not just a lucky gate drop.

I remember MX being rain or shine. One race per weekend. And the "A" riders being KING!!

We have one summer to straighten out these issues or be a split North/South Championship with no Minn.State Champion, as it seems now.

We must get the tracks to agree on a viable series to determine the year end status. Not just to base our state title on one lucky day. These riders, young and old, deserve to have a status that is earned and respected on common ground. The only way they can do that is by facing their opponent more than once.

In an effort to straighten out these issues I welcome your ideas and sudjestions. Let the Rider Reps and track owners know how you feel. You can't get anything settled by being at the other track or being in the silent majority. Face the challenge and agree on a viable Championship before your computer crashes in 2000.

I urge you to once again bring back the "A" status as your final goal in Minn. MX racing. He's #1 and faced all the years it took to do it!!

Chip Donaho

Questions or Comments: Email Chip