12-11-2010 at 10:30:46 AM
I've had this idea over 10 years, every now and then something will spark to the forefront of my consciousness. A motorcycling event to decide the "number 1 plate" across multiple disciplines over a single (long) weekend. The AMA had something like this a long time ago, but it was over a whole season.
The only facility that comes close to catering for this is at Broadford. The outline for the event is to take the top riders from each discipline, and have them compete together in each discipline. The rider who accumulates the most number of points gets the plate.
The financing and logistics of this event may well be beyond the current sponsorship budgets and political infighting that is required to such an event.
The timing of this event also will have a big bearing on its success, to get the riders together towards the end of the year after championships have been decided, or at the start of the year to kick start the season(s), laying a platform for more punters to watch. Prize money to attract the riders, advertising to get bums on seats and television coverage attracted sponsors would also be very important.
A very basic Idea is as follows:
Roadracing: standard 600 cc road bikes (single brand), race glass, control tyres, a couple of external gearing options. So that the only other changes to be made to the bike are suspension and geometry changes through a right height and fork position. (The similar to the GSX cup that Suzuki ran years ago.)
Motorcross Dirt Track (Long track, short track?), trials, speedway, and maybe enduro: a similar format that those of you who know the discipline could present an even playing field.
Naturally it would a mine field for sponsored riders of different brands.
The number of competitors would be limited to grid sizes, and/or machines available. Practice time and the event scheduling requires some further investigation. I could ramble on about some finer detail, but I thought I would throw this open for discussion. I hope I am pitching this to the right audience.
What do you think?
(my money would be on Stefan Merriman)
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12-11-2010 at 09:46:16 AM
I think it would be a fun thing to see, but I don't think any motorcycle racing in Australia is large enough to recoup the costs that would go into such a thing.
The closest thing we've seen was the Moto Mayhem that was held at Oran Park and then Calder Park a few years ago, where riders had to perform in at least three categories to win the 'Iron Man' award.
From memory it was Troy Herfoss who won the inaugural event after competing in Supermoto, motocross and dirt track.
There was basically everything except for road racing that riders could participate in, including Enduro, Fast 50s etc.
It was a fun event and also very cool for the riders and spectators who showed up, but big sponsorship would be needed like you said to take it to another level.
Here's a video from the event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzW4RyGWk6c
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12-11-2010 at 10:01:11 AM
It would be a difficult one for MA (and a lot of people), that's why I've never told anybody about the idea. When I read about the Moto Mayhem, I thought it was tops, and hoped it would succeed and expand.
With the diverse competition riders on your forum, I thought it maybe the place to kick off the idea. With your contacts with riders/sponsors/importers/manufacturers/& media you could plant the idea with them, and see what the response is.
Not that I ever think that it would fly. (If it does, just remember this thread;)!)
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12-11-2010 at 10:22:40 AM
I think we all wish it would go ahead! The only thing I could think of that's marginally close right now is the Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza, although without the competition. MA does a pretty nice job with that.
The thing with all these specialty events is that they are fun for all the first year and then seemingly begin to drop off in the years.
Even the X Games in America used to be way better when all the top pros (Stewart, Reed, McGrath, Pastrana, Deegan, Hart, Bostrom, Hayden etc) would do a few different disciplines like supermoto and motocross, but now its a real depleted field in Super X and supermoto has even been axed all together.
Maybe one day it will take off, but really we need to get the individual series a lot stronger first.
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12-11-2010 at 01:35:52 PM
Good points, and a bit of a reality check! Just as well I don't injured too often, being laid up gives you too much idle time to post far fetched ideas...hmmm!
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12-11-2010 at 01:53:22 PM
Maybe that Summer Series event at Winton in December for the Formula Xtreme finale could turn into something of its kind one day. It has road racing and motocross together on the same weekend, but I don't see many crossing over at this stage - maybe if there is some incentive and award then they might set it up like that in the future.
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15-11-2010 at 11:51:52 AM
thats mad, if it goes, im going in supermoto (YZF 250), enduro (YZF 250), road racing mabye(borrow mates RS 125), speedway (JAWA 350), longtrack (250/150), dirt track (250/150), short track (150/250)
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23-11-2010 at 09:23:23 AM
PeterV, at Winton's end of season Formula Xtreme round they will have a trophy for best all-rounder in road racing and motocross in December. This is along the lines of what you were thinking.
Sorry Herm, those links weren't working for whatever reason!
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23-11-2010 at 11:55:45 AM
no worries AG