Proposed 2000 Champion D23

Riders Write1/9/99

I don't know of one motorsports organization that decides it's champion by one event and I don't think that our championship should be decided in this fashion. If the fastest rider in their respective class DNFs or gets injured at that race the whole season is lost. Maybe this last race could carry double points for each class and use the three race format as suggested for a finale to the points race. I know that too many riders work too hard to have their season decided at one race. I like the idea of the shortened points season it was just too long.

Tom Peterson VetA, +25A

Riders Write

I have previously submitted my comments on the D23 championship proposal. After having read some other responses I have come up with an amended opinion that I would like to offer as a suggestion.

It is clear from the responses so far that most people feel the points season is too long. I agree, and that, coupled with motos that are too short, is what keeps me from making any attempt at competing. Here's what I think you should do.

Last I counted there were 8 motocross tracks on the District 23 schedule. I think you should have a series that holds one race, for the 17 championship classes only, at each track. While the number of classes is cut in half, there would only be one such race on that given day, hopefully upping the attendance and keeping the promoters happy. The motos could also be longer.

The rest of the season can be run as it always has been, or at the discretion of the promotor(s), perhaps paying money to the A classes in lieu of points and trophies. By the time you're an A rider you've gotten enough trophies to realize you can't eat the damn things.

Pete Balm V67.

Riders Write

To deside a class champion based on a weekend event would not do justace to the riders who have worked the entire season to be at the top of their class. There are too many things that can go wrong over the course of a single weekend (injuries, mechanical problems, etc.) to wipe out the effort that has made the season points leader the number one rider in his/her class. One of the definitions in the American Heritage Dictionary for the word "champion" is as follows,- "a ardent supporter of a cause". With this in mind, the rider who has been there the most and worked the hardest, deserves the title of champion. I wasn't at the anual meeting,(for some reason it takes place during deer season) so I don't know the reason or reasons for wanting to make this change, but I feel the season points total should decide who deserves to be called the champion. Ask yourself one question, how do the pro-racers deside? By the way, this isn't baseball, it's motocross!

Jim Larson, Senior C class, District 23

Riders Write

I believe everyone agrees the points paying season is too long. Run this season from the weekend after memorial day to the weekend before labor day, with three throw outs. Before the points paying season and after can be used for the Southern and Northern tracks to run their own series if they wish. From what I have noticed both riders and their families have much more fun when the pressure of "points" is over. I don't have an answer for the state champion, but I don't think the one weekend is the answer, too many little things could go wrong to ruin the chance for a rider. Maybe having "a" state champion is not that important, whoever has the most points win's the championship like we have been doing.

Jerry Kalibabky

Riders Write

I think your on the right track with the idea of a true D23 championship. It has the advantage of reducing the number of races that count, thereby eliminating the advantage of just being able to afford to show up every week from April 'til October. I also like the idea of 20 minute motos. The down side, I guess, would be that one bad day and you're finished.

It's still not enough to attract me back to the sport, however. While a full competition D23 member, my membership is mostly to support the political activities of the organization and ride an occasional hare scramble. I would race motocross again if I didn't have to sit around all day just to ride 10 minutes in practice and two 4 lap motos, hours apart. If I want to ride more, I have to enter more classes. But that's expensive, and I'll still be hard pressed to get in an hour's exercise before the day is done. Maybe I'm just an old guy, but when I started this sport they said is was supposed to be an athletic contest.

The number of classes in AMA amature competition is rediculous. If you're going to have that many classes, and lately the sport seems to be doing well enough to support them, then they should be broken up and run at different events. When you can bring back 20 minute (30 would be better) motos on a weekly basis I'll bring my entry money back to the sport.

Pete Balm V67.

Riders Write

The 2 main issues seem to be too long of a "Championship" season, and finding a "true" champion. The regular season is fine, the points race is too long. Maybe we need to ask past champions what they think? We have used this state champion process for quite a while, do we need to proactively look ahead for something new? If the year 2000 proposal doesn't look good to some of our members, maybe there are some better, newer ideas out there? We have the same problems with a season, or a weekend series. Many times it goes down to the wire, and some of those times the "fastest" rider doesn't win. Right now the people that can go every week end, pick the right tracks, away from the competition can be a champion. What ever changes take place, we need to make sure they are good for the riders, and the track owners. We need good competitive places to ride, with innovative owners that can make a profit. We also have our share of championship tension going along with this type season, maybe we can remember that the kids are working hard on the track, let's be proud of their accomplishment and not embarrass them.

Scott Cripps District 23 member since 1976

Riders Write

In addition to MX, Enduros, and Hare Scrambles, I also race BMX. I would like to share my experiences with the BMX state championship series. BMX has a summer series best scores combined with a one day final State Championship race format. The intensity raised by the importance of this one race is very bad thing. Long lasting grudges are born, feuds are rekindled, good sportsmanship is often forgotten, and many riders leave terribly discouraged. At the end of the day, there are far more disappointed racers than cheerful.

I would not recommend District 23 adopt a championship series of the proposed format.

Joe Berscheid Vet MX, Enduro, and Hare Scramble

Riders Write

The championship should not be determined in a one day or one weekend event. This might be required for the national amateur races where people are coming from around the country, but this is a local series where most of the riders are at the races nearly every weekend anyway. There are too many factors that can effect the outcome of a one event championship; injuries, bike problems, weather, can prevent a rider who has dominated all year from winning. If this situation occured could you really call the rider who did win a "true champion"? There is also the problem of scheduling this race on a major holiday weekend when many people would have conflicts with other events. The number one plate should go to the rider who was fastest over the entire year, not the one who got lucky on one weekend.

Paul Holland, #9s Sr. A

Riders Write

Vote for not a good idea. What about someone who is in the lead for the whole season and has a bike break down for that one race. Would you want to disappoint your child over one race. The whole season should count. I know you would carry over points into this race but it still would not work.

Linda Dibartolo

Riders Write

I’m wondering about the shortened point season. Will the actual race season be shortened? As in, will there be races before Easter, and after Labor Day? I personally will be EXTREMELY disappointed if that is the case. I think the best racing of the year is in September and October! If it means that we’ll still have races, you just won’t get points, that seems o.k.

Joshua Lorenz #632 +25B, 125B, 250B