Open Mic: Ricky Carmichael
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 | 3:40 PM
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The Monster Energy Cup track design has been revealed, and it's pretty darned crazy! Luckily, we had the blueprints in our hands a few weeks ago, and we called up track designer Ricky Carmichael to get an idea of what he was shooting for (you may remember RC from his racing days, like, the days when he won just about everything. He knows a thing or two about tracks). Here's RC on the MEC track.
Racer X: What's up, RC?
Ricky Carmichael: What's up with you, dude? You doin' alright?
All good here. Take us through the track you have designed for the Monster Energy Cup. Lots of unique things here, and it starts with that split start, which races into the stadium.
I'm really pumped about this. We have 11 gates on each side, and you have to change your side for each race. So if you start from one of the gates on the left in the first race, you'll have to switch to the right side for the next race, and then switch again for the third race. I think it adds a cool element, and the best of all if I think you could pull a holeshot from any of the 11 gates on each side. It's easier to maintain--normally you have 20 guys who want 10 good gates. And for the fans, having the bikes funnel into the stadium in one lane will be cool. Normally everyone gets so jammed up going for one line in the first turn, now there are two turns, one on each side.
This is the second year RC has designed the Monster Energy Cup track.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Racer X: What's up, RC?
Ricky Carmichael: What's up with you, dude? You doin' alright?
All good here. Take us through the track you have designed for the Monster Energy Cup. Lots of unique things here, and it starts with that split start, which races into the stadium.
I'm really pumped about this. We have 11 gates on each side, and you have to change your side for each race. So if you start from one of the gates on the left in the first race, you'll have to switch to the right side for the next race, and then switch again for the third race. I think it adds a cool element, and the best of all if I think you could pull a holeshot from any of the 11 gates on each side. It's easier to maintain--normally you have 20 guys who want 10 good gates. And for the fans, having the bikes funnel into the stadium in one lane will be cool. Normally everyone gets so jammed up going for one line in the first turn, now there are two turns, one on each side.
The big story last year was making a track that was combing elements of motocross and supercross as sort of a hybrid. Is that still the case?
The big change this year is we made it a lot shorter. We did that for TV purposes, to keep the lap times down, but I also think it will make for better racing for the riders and fans by doing that, too. It's a little more supercrossy this year. It still doesn't have all the traditional things you'll see in supercross, but it also has some things you definitely wouldn't see in a supercross. As far as being a hybrid, I wouldn't call it motocross, but more of a tamed-down supercross in certain sections, and then mixed in with some fun things.
So what makes it tamed down? Are the rhythm sections not as gnarly? I also see there aren't any whoops.
Yeah. You can't please everybody, but there's one thing I know for sure: great racing is great for the fans, and great for TV. I know there will be some riders that will want it as technical as possible so they are the only guy who can do a certain section and pull away. Well, I think in the end the best guy is going to win anyway. When I have my two cents in the track design, I just want it to be as safe as possible, to let the riders have fun, and to put on the best show. The cool thing about doing this event is that you can add some crazy things to it, and then you don't have to build the traditional gnarly supercross track.
Okay, let's talk about some of those crazy things. The craziest has to be this Joker Lane idea. How does that work, and what will that section have?
Yeah, the section alone won't be that crazy, but the idea is what makes it cool. Basically we will have a little sand section, and after the riders complete one full lap, that lane will open up. And every rider will have to complete that section one time during the 10-lap races. It will slow their lap time down like six to eight seconds. There will be some strategy there, do you do it at the beginning of the race, the end of the race? You have to go through once or you're disqualified.
So if you get a bad start, maybe you get it out of the way early and then use everyone else's slow laps to make passes later. Or if you get the holeshot, you try to build an eight-second lead so you can hold it?
Yeah, exactly. I have my idea on when it would be best to go through there, but we'll have to see. I'm not going to reveal it yet--maybe I'll do it halfway through the TV show or after the event. Then I'll let everyone know what my program would be. From the NASCAR side, I think there's a certain time to pit, and that's kind of what this is. I think this will be fun, and throughout the race, it's going to be interesting. If two guys are battling it out, and one guy goes first and the other guy saves it for later, it will be interesting to see how the times work out. It's another part of this track you would not see on a typical supercross track. We get to do fun things and switch it up here.
You have this Talladega turn. The track went into the stands last year, but this big banked turn looks much more spectacular.
Yeah absolutely. The Talladega turn came with some influence of that first corner at Glen Helen, if you remember that. It had that huge banked first turn, it was really open and allowed for great passing. I hope this works out, I want to make it the best that I can for passing. I want guys to get up there and not have to follow each other through there. We'll see if that works out--I'm not making any guarantees. But it will definitely have the wow factor. That thing is going really high up, something like 140 or 160 feet deep into the stands. I'm pumped for that!
Looks like there's a sand section that goes down a whole lane. Is that part of the hybrid motocross influence?
Yeah, that's definitely an element of motocross. But I think it's just fun to watch! That lane is so close to the fans, it will be kind of in your face, if you will. You don't have to follow there, as well. And from there, you race right up into that Talladega turn. The rest of the track after that is more like your traditional supercross course. We'll have a big finish line where the boys can really air it out. And we've incorporated a lot of 180-degree corners into the layout this year, which is always great for passing. We've shortened the track in the back section, as well. Huge changes this year and I'm excited for it, I'm glad Feld Motorsports let me be a part of all of this. Hopefully the riders will be pumped, the fans will be pumped, and we'll watch someone win a lot of money.
Hey, without a whoop section, could that change bike set up a lot? I know a lot of supercross set up starts with getting through the whoops, first.
I think not having a whoop section takes away that element some of these guys have to worry about. If they're gnarly and cupped out and brutal, you have to worry about that every time. If you don't have a lot of confidence in whoops, well, this is one less thing to worry about, and they end up riding better.
But you don't think guys will change their setup compared to a regular supercross track?
Yeah, the guys won't have to set their bike up for one section, and I think that will be good.
This is the second year RC has designed the Monster Energy Cup track.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
There's a really sharp left/right in the back.
A lot of that is to slow it down a little bit before they get to that back section. We're just switching it up.
This event was totally unique last year, and I'm sure you guys left with some good ideas on what worked and what needed some changes. You have to be pumped to get another shot at this.
Oh yeah, it's always easiest to improve from the first time to the second, and if you're not improving, you're not doing your job. I'm much more involved this year than I was last year, and I'm really excited about it. I'm hearing a lot of buzz. It's going to be good.
Last thing: do you wish you had a chance to race on this thing?
Yeah! It would have been cool. The hybrid track would have catered to me and what I like. And to just have the chance to win a million in one night! I was fortunate enough to win the U.S. Open and the hundred grand three times in my career, and hell, that 100 grand felt like a million way back when. So these guys should be excited to have this opportunity to win a million!
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Love the Joker lane!!! thats what most on here should take everyday !
NOBODY GETS THE mILLION NOBODY
gona be real hard to win the mil this year, Lots more fast guy going this year. should be fun.
So the joker lane is like a pitstop... interesting.
Watch everyone go thru the joker lane at the same time - first lap it's open.
It'd be less rough, but then again might not have good lines yet.
Yea your right, but if anyone did end up getting the Million it would most likely be Ryan Dungey. I would say RV, but he has been out for a while. i think that RD5 is going to at least win two outta three motos,(if not all) because he just seems to be the best right now.
GO DUNGEY, BAGGETT, AND BARCIA! Show them that USA came to win again!
i dont get why they need the pitstop, is the race going to be longer this year? (like more laps or what?)
Talladega turn is a glorified up into the stand old Pontiac silver dome SX turn
@ Jesus yOU LOOK MORE LIKE Kurt Cobain behind a wheel of a pot filled RTA bus
Vote for me ! I will give you each 100 yen
Monster, Joker what will they think of next.I think they ought to add the back flip during the race !
No whoops? Alessi just jizzed his JT panties.
@MittRomney, I am Kurt, and I am high.
Also, I won't be supporting you, particularly since you sold out your family, and pretend not to be an immigrant from Mexico. If you'd like to learn more about yourself, here's an amazing documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LpIyaIHsJbc
or if you want the short version listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL2W6JM_Zno
I think where the two starts merge the riders will be slamming into each other, as momentum will want to carry them to their respective outside lines.
@motoman5 they don't pit, RC was comparing taking the joker lane as to when he would pit in his roundy round racing
If I was racing this race I would plan on pitting (Joker lane) at around lap 4... you don't want to do it too early like on lap 1 or 2 as everyone is so bunched up then and you would be forfeiting the maximum amt of positions. That means that you'd have to get by EVERYBODY. By pitting on lap 4 you'd give yourself time in the beginning to get positions sorted out first while allowing for the maximum amount to charge to the end of the race....
Any better ideas?
LOL Yamalink, I was thinking the same thing. Somewhere in the 909 a glimmer of hope is sparked.
Just seems like an X-Games track/race this year. Still looking forward to watching it though.
Villapoto....KA-! CHING-!
Split start, joker lane= Circus! not racing
Make them do a back flip while there at it!
@ Jesus stick to the Heavens Douch'e
and Mit told me to forward you his letter .
Jesus
That picture of that ape must be your dad............You are a piece of sh$ t! When I'm elected President I will send punks like you south of the border to work the Chalupa stands.........And all you Mexican illegal’s will be shot on site and bodies dumped over in Libya better yet ............New Orleans since that is the arm pit of the nation.......Then all the gays on the coast because that’s were the most of them live.. I will send them all to Rome to hang out with the pope........All the cool hippies left will stay with me so we can start and bring back the numbers in polygamy…
Sincerly your next Pres !
Oh there were a few other letter of not so much importance. Like NO Pizza for You! and a letter to Santa for this year but mistake was made when it was addressed. he sent it to Cheech and Chong ! sorry schmuck !
Joker lane on the last lap, unless you get bottled up behind a blocker. In that case, go to joker lane immediately to get away from that prick.
@yamaha1, why so hostile? it's just information and opinion. Besides, in two party system, diversity rarely can be noticed. Presidents are just puppets and extremely limited; regardless of Mitt or Barak winning, and I'm sure you believe this too, nothing dramatic will really change. And that's why racing is my Heavenly Fathers give to us. Now lets bow in prayer to our idol Trey Canard. " May the Lord Bless you and keep you" jebediah 3:16 :D
Looks like a GREAT Track....Should make for some great racing...Hope that the Talladega turn will not become a one line no passing turn...
I agree with RC, If are a top guy and miss the start take the Joker lane asap, then it is probably as smooth as it can be and you have an open track ahead of you, if you holeshot...try to make the up the time and wish it is enough.
Dude, I can see major pileups, in that joker gig. Specially if ya on the right side gate , Looks like the cats that gate on the left, will have take out" advantage.
@ Jesus
It was a letter that I was passing on to you............I never said that it was my writing or opimion ! Anyone that would play the parts you do is a DING DONG .
You may Idolize # 41 because you are a # 2 I dont Idiolize anyone thats my belief not yours..................... get a life..............Kurt Cobain dop head I think I hear Courtney Love calling from that out-house she saying bring me more baby wipes.......
RC is bringing hope to the sport, not that supercross or motocross isn't fantastic in itself, but it needs to somehow appeal to the NASCAR (I hate NASCAR) fan. If it does this it gets more outside sponsors, more television time and only helps the sport we all love. To do this, I think you have to try things that aren't conventional. Mandatory pit stops to change the tires would have been a way to do it as well, put some sort of "team (aka mechanics)" work behind it. Though I bet a 2 minute tire change would be too slow for TV.
Something has to be the catalyst for why NASCAR is popular and why Motocross isn't to the same degree, I mean moto is infinitely more exciting and -everyone- can at least try to ride moto, vs driving.
Here is a sulfur filled love potato for you.
MX/ SX doesn't need to be like NASCAR! why do people want to "grow the sport" into a main stream thing. It will lose everything that makes it great. I love this sport and don't see why it needs to change so that squids will like it.
Joker lane has apeared in the past.In another form.It was not a mandatory segment that you had to run but there has been in the past a multiply section became one ! A pit stop I must have missed that one.........If they wanted Nascar style they should all start out with measured gas and have a pit stop. But this is kind of rediculus..Mx and Sx are based on the premise of Duration & stamina not breaks,for tires and fuel.
Villopoto can use the joker lane EVERY lap and still win !!!
@Expeditionary Citizen -
Outside Products like NASCRAP - If you have outside products lets say M&Ms; Candy sponsoring a team then you're going to be paying more than the top 8 players in motocross a decent salary. How? Ok pretend Kawasaki has a 10 mil budget, they spend most on the Poto, and the rest on Weimer, with some meat and potatoes heading over to Ward's team. M&Ms; says we want a team, so they hire Wey and Tickle. Snickers says screw this noise, we want our bar on a team, so they hire 39th and 40th place riders because they know a large populace is watching and it is free advertising.
See? The more people who "watch it" means the athletes that do make it exciting to watch all get a piece of the pie. NASCRAP seems to be content with not always backing winning teams, more so they just want to get their name out there.
2) Legislation to hamper Motocross bikes / trails / open public lands are more in the public eye. If (I know big IF) Monster cup was as big as NASCAR then we would have a lot more voting public trying motorcycle riding, which would make legislation against it more a vocal concern that wasn't solely on the (joke) shoulders of AMA.
3) More people who would want to try riding with their families equals out to more production of bikes being sold, higher potential resale values of used bikes, and more money to entice R&D at the big 5, or maybe just maybe a 6th comes in for a piece of the pie and we get something revolutionary.
4) Aftermarket parts manufacturers sells more products, which encourages more manufacturers of different product, more is better yes?
I'll stop this is turning into a wall of text. However, Motocross / Supercross getting bigger has a potential to make it better for all of us.
@Yamaha1 - MX is based on premise of duration and stamina, SX is based on a show, the Monster Cup is neither, and RC deserves praise for trying new "silly" things that may make more people enjoy the SHOW.
Peace out through flatulence!
Can't bet against RV.
@kx408 what the hell are you talking about that is what the joker lane is. your an idiot, look at some other posts.
WOW, RC drew up a wicked / awesome layout. I think some of the "problem" areas mentioned above will just make for a more enjoyable fan experience. I do agree it will be tougher than ever to win the million, but the true win will be for the fans to have something really cool to watch in the middle of the off season. Thanks to RC, nice job, GOAT rider and maybe GOAT track designer!?
Dude i am totally pumped, cant wait.
same for the motocross of nations. GO USA!