by Aaron Hansel
The List: Fresh Ideas at the MEC
Friday, October 26, 2012 | 9:40 AM
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PrintThe 2012 Monster Energy Cup is in the books, and after an extremely short deliberation, we have a verdict: This year’s event did indeed top its inaugural running last year, despite the fact that nobody was able to take home the Monster Million. But it wasn’t just the racing that made it better; Feld Motorsports and Monster Energy worked hard to implement many new ideas and fun fan activities. So for this week’s List, we’ve put together some of the unique things that helped make this year's MEC so good.
Split Start
This feature definitely added to the night’s excitement, although not necessarily in the way the riders and teams would have preferred. For sure, two 30-second girls are better than one, and it was thrill to see the riders converge on one another at what seemed like 1000 mph from opposite ends of the stadium and the unique start didn’t result in any injuries, so from those angles it was a success. Also, all three Open main events were devoid of massive first-turn crashes ('kept poor Justin Brayton, who leveled a tuff block in the final race). On the other hand, we very nearly got to see how wrong things could have gone when Shane McElrath got squirrely in the second moto of the Amateur All-Stars race and launched himself into the pack of riders that was coming from the other start. Fortunately, he threaded the needle and didn’t make contact with a single one of them. The occasional split start can be entertaining and exciting, and we’re not ready to condemn the idea just yet, but if it’s ever featured again in the future, it needs to be refined so the two lanes don't come barreling so close to a head on collision. Oh, and next time let’s make sure both gates drop at the same time!
No Heat Races
At a normal supercross race, the heat races are a proven part of the night’s entertainment. If you polled the fans, we’re betting the overwhelming majority would say "keep the heats." But at the Monster Energy Cup, where the fastest eighteen riders transfer directly to the main events, it’s better without them. There’s already an LCQ and three main events are spaced out by four separate amateur motos, along with a pair of short intermissions. Even in this condensed format, the night show is still a good three hours long, which works out to about the same amount of time as a regular super cross. And technically, the stars are doing 30 laps during the night, instead of 28 (a 20la- main plus an eight-lap heat). For one night only, the racing is hotter without the heats.
Monster brought in athletes from many different disiplines to showcase their skills at the MEC.
BrownDogWilson photo
One Class
This idea is a carryover from last year, but that’s okay because it’s a good one. Not that one race can yield a definitive answer to who’s the undisputed king of the dirt, but combining all riders into a single class allows the fans to finally get a chance to see how some of the 250 and 450 riders actually stack up one against one another. And even if 250 kids decide to race this one on a 450, you're still ensuring that the main events are absolutely brimming with star power, which almost always results in better racing. Aren't you glad Eli Tomac had the chance to do battle against the bigs?
Off-Track Entertainment
If you couldn't make the MEC in person, you got a real treat at home with Feld Motorsports streaming the practice sessions live via internet video. Makes twitter updates seem lame in comparison! If you were at the race, though, you might have been better off skipping practice and watching all the off-track entertainment that took place during the day. In addition to the normal attractions of meeting the riders, sipping free Monsters in the V.I.P. Monster Lounge, getting autographs and staring at the plethora of roaming Monster Girls, professional drivers BJ Baldwin, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Ken Block were all on hand putting on driving demonstrations that eventually just turned into colossal burnout exhibitions. It’s a good thing Falken Tires was there!
Adam Jones, Taka Higashino and Blake “Bilko” Williams were also there putting on FMX demonstrations, which was complemented by a pair of street bike stunt riders. In the final show, the FMX riders formed a backflip train as the three drifters slid sideways underneath them in rapid succession. The pit party was concluded by a concert from Grammy nominated rapper Paul Wall. If rap music isn’t your thing, no problem; they had a mechanical bull set up where fans could either gape slack-jawed at giggling Monster Girls getting tossed into the hay or even have a go at it themselves (a go at the bull, not the girls). By the time the first gate dropped, many people, including this writer, were in danger of suffering from sensory overload!
Rotating Gate Picks
Having a split start with an odd number of races presents a special challenge when it comes to ensuring fair gate picks, but the final system seemed to work out pretty well. Original gate pick was determined by qualifying times and was kept the same for the second moto, except for that the riders switched gates. For the final moto, gate pick was based on overall scores from the first two races.
Talla-Vega Turn
Last year the MEC track had a section that went up into the stands. It was a cool idea, but it turned out to be much better in theory than it was in practice, as it quickly become one lined and presented no passing opportunities whatsoever. This year Ricky Carmichael and company came up with an improved design that was much more successful this time around. It was fun to watch and several riders were even able to make passes there. Having a section that goes into the stands forces massive seat closures to ensure safety, so hats off to Feld Motorsports for sticking with a cool idea, even though it limits the number of seats they can sell.
Talla-Vega turn was a huge hit at this year's MEC.
Simon Cudby photo
No Whoops
No, we aren’t referring to Justin Barcia’s nearly flawless night of racing, we’re talking about the lack of big stadium whoops on the track. At the beginning of the day the long straightaway that immediately followed the start was set up to somewhat mimic whoops, although the loose, round uneven piles of dirt looked more like moguls on a ski slope than anything else. After the first set of practices came through, it was clear that the idea wouldn’t work, as a clear, single line had developed the whole way through. So the bumps were taken out. The top guys probably would have preferred to have whoops to separate them from the pack, but not having them there probably kept the racing a little tighter. Mike Alessi was up there as a thorn in the side of the leaders for much of the night--you have to wonder if eliminating the whoops helped keep him up there (which kept it exciting).
Radios Active
In-helmet communication was allowed at the Monster Energy Cup, as teams could designate a person to talk to the riders during the race. We hear that few teams tried it (and it's darned hard to hear if you have the throttle pegged) but MotoConcepts not only busted it out for Alessi, the TV show picked up the feed. They hit some technical glitches there, but, this race is all about the concepts. Expect the excecution to get better and better--and then expect more teams to consider using it.
New Mechanicals
The rulebook gets darned near thrown away for the Monster Energy Cup, with bikes only having to meet FIM sound and fuel requirements. Otherwise, at this race, full works bikes are free to make their return to a U.S. supercross track for the first time in nearly 30 years. Two years in, we haven't seen the factories try this, because most of them see this race as a testing ground for the production-based machines that will take to Anaheim. But that means we still see cool new stuff. Despite a very short testing window and a lot of riders who needed to test, Honda's 2013 CRF450R made its debut (a triumphant one, at that). Kevin Windham tells us it's the easiest transition he's ever had to a new-generation bike. Monster Energy Kawasaki took a trial run on fresh new Showa stuff (in place of KYB, the brand they have run for eons). Jeff Ward Racing (Kyle Chisholm) and MotoConcepts (Mike Alessi) were trying Ohlins components. JGR has a new Showa rear shock instead of last year's JRI unit--and both Brayton and Grant were running the slimmed-down aluminum tank developed for James Stewart last year. Blake Baggett had the new 2013 KX250F underneath him in practice. He was also donning the number four, because the MEC is also the place to debut next year's national numbers.
The best amateurs in the country were back for a second year and put on quite a show.
Simon Cudby photo
The Amateurs
This is another carryover idea from last year, and just like it was one year ago, it was a hit. For die-hard fans of the sport, it offers the chance to see the stars of tomorrow race on today’s stage. It also offers a chance for some of the lesser known amateurs to gain exposure. How many of you were pointing at the screen saying, “Who is that guy?” while Shane McElrath dominated the first Amateur All-Stars moto? This is an aspect of the MEC that we hope continues for as long as the race exists.
The Joker Lane
The Joker Lane isn’t something you’ll see on any stop of the Monster Energy Supercross schedule, but at the MEC, it definitely provided an extra element of entertainment. Admit it, you were on the edge of your seat wondering if Mike Alessi was going to forget to take it during the second moto, and when Eli Tomac was closing back up on the leaders after taking the Joker Lane early in the third moto, you probably couldn’t wait to see if he would inherit the lead when Barcia and Dungey took it near the end of the race. That’s a degree of excitement you won’t get at a normal race, and since the MEC is all about unique and innovative ideas, the Joker Lane gets a thumbs up for this specific event.
Free Parking and Shuttles
Okay, so the free parking thing happens at the Las Vegas Supercross too, but it’s worth including here. How many times have you forgotten about the crazy parking fees and been forced to shell out your hard-earned beer money just to have a place to leave your wheels? For fans that like to drink, and let’s be honest, motorcycle racing attracts a lot of them, there were free shuttles going back and forth between Sam Boyd Stadium and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (also featured at the Vegas SX). If you ask us, those are two great ideas that help save the fans money and keep the streets safer. That’s always a win-win.
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What a fantastic event. Everything Ricky Carmichael does is first class, and Jeff Emig is awesome in the booth. I love seeing the riders actually get paid. The AMA purse for 1st place at a supercross is 5000$. Peanuts for the time and money invested, I wished the AMA would take a look at the MEC.
I have a C-Note that says Carmichael would win a national an beat RV with a solid month of training.
Thank god Barcia saved faced for Honda, they need get that chassis situation resolved ASAP. Bring back the 08 frame and they have the KAWi beat...
Pass the peyote, guy. After stepping away for this long, there's no way RC comes back to beat RV. I'll see your C-note, and raise you ten more on that.
rickamatuzio I would take that bet in a sec!!
Rickamatuzio i dont share billc enthusiasm.. but i would as well bet on that one. Carmichael would need 3 months of training and he still wouldnt beat (them).....
Hey Rick- last thing we need is to have the AMA put their nose into the MEC as they would ruin it for sure! As far as the GOAT, I am a huge fan and I say he would certainly be in the hunt for a podium and would have everyone covered except for RV and Dungey. Plus this year I also see Barcia and Tomac (if he races the 450 outdoors) as front runners that would be tough for RC to beat. BUt you never know as if RC REALLY wanted tocome back, I would not bet against him winning a championship!
Great entertainment on the MEC event.
Dare I say RC would need a helping of luck.
My suggestions
1. Old timer race, get The Goat, MC, Emig, The Rock, Stanton, Bradshaw or anyone else to do a five lap race. Most of them still ride and I'm sure they could all compete.
2. Dash for cash 1 on 1 limit it to ten riders or whatever. Use the footage for filler or run it in the day time. Give the guys with a chance to win some Duckets who aren't necessarily going to win the main.
3. Do an online sweepstakes to hook someone up with the FULL treatment, flight, vip tickets, track walk, hotel.
Overall I liked the event. Different is good, I think prior to the race the keyboard jockeys didn't like the idea of a joker lane but it brought some ( as Bush would say) "stateegery" in. The split starts been done before but I liked the idea, just make it as safe as possible.
Great race for sure.I liked all the things they tried.
$12,000 for 1st in a SX .
I read somewhere the top guys can make 100k per SX win(including bonus's)
The Good: Bring the Talla-vega corner to supercross ... Radio communication could be a good thing if use properly...Variations: Really like the qualifying and 3 main format..bring that to Supercross in the 450 class, but just do 2-15 lap mains rotating gate picks, low score of two mots wins.. more intense racing, fittness counts and more time on track for stars we pay to see..
The Bad: Spilt Start looked cool but lucky no one was hurt..
New Stuff: Legend or Pro Vet races sound good, might be tough to get enough to show up consistently..how about using the riders who do not qualify for the night show. Give them a 5 lap consolation race, could be a combined 450/250 race... they drove and practiced the track, let them have ten minutes of fame...would make them better as more time on a track and give a good show...
First, don't twist my words.. I said the AMA should learn from the MEC, not get involved.
Seconds, Ricky would need more than a month, but there is NO question he could return and win. Anyone that's doesn't think so is high.. He was only 2 sec off the pace of practice at MEC this year. Last year he caught and passed Weimer in practice. He isn't the GOAT because he stopped racing at the end of his prime. He quit racing WHILE he was dominating.
BillC your on!! How do we talk Ricky back into this?
I'm all for more laps in ama sx, or two mains, but ten laps is not enough to overcome on tight tracks. Two fifteen minute mains? What am I saying? The AMA program is pretty darn good except the mains are too short.
I should say that I come from the school-of-thought, based on my own experience, that a rider doesn't really lose speed. He certainly loses fitness, confidence, and sharpness. But that can return with riding and training.
I will be the first to admit that I could be very wrong.. And before the smart ass comments come, I don't consider myself a great rider, but I had some pretty good years at a decent level.
James Stewart is just as fast as RV.. RC stomped James. Simple math..
@rick-
Comparing the MEC, both track and race format, to an outdoor national is reaching. I'm not saying RC isn't a bad mofo on a bike, because he is, but going 30+2 is a bit different than spinning a few laps on a glorified SX track in Vegas.
The only person that really gave RC any fits outdoors was Stewart. You now have several others at Stewie's speed: RV, who is a savage outdoors, RD, a "re-born" Reed (compared to his outdoor years on a Yamaha), and all of the other up-and-comers like Barcia, Canard, etc. Bottom line: RC would have alot more to worry about nowadays than one guy who took care of himself half the time by crashing out (not trying to bag on JS, but facts is facts, people). I haven't even touched on RC's figure lately, which yes, could be taken care of with a few months of training.
Your calling the GOAT a pork chop aren't you?
I was referring to a national last year that RC did the practice session with a helmet cam on. He passed Weimer and followed RV the entire session, it was pretty impressive.
Stewart still has a faster one lap speed than any rider today and that can't be argued.
I am rethinking my bet because your right, too many variables have changed. Bikes have gotten better, riding styles have gotten better, and RC may not have the eye of the tiger to win anymore.
I asked my best friend who is a test rider, former Factory rider. He was RCs teammate on Pro Circuit in 97, and he stayed with Carmichael in Florida. First, he gets pissed when wanna-be'a like us bench race, because its impossible to compare. That being said, he did say Carmichael would win a national. He said going as fast as RV would be pretty tough, and may never happen, but people also said ricky couldn't go as fast as Stewart an he did. Lets compromise and say he would easily podium. Craig said he would never bet against Ricky cause the kid is magic on a dirt bike. I trust his opinion, pretty smart dude and realistic. I'd still go 25$ on Ricky to take down RV in time but I might be dreaming.
Is Reed really faster than he was 10 years ago? How is that possible? Reed couldn't stay in Carmichaels time zone in 2006 outdoors. Racing sure is weird..
Stewart is either going to make a statement this year or retire I bet. I think the poor kid has a mental block from hell. A devil on one should telling him to go faster, and an angel on the other telling him to slow down and not crash. With that constant doubt, how could anyone do good?
I will say he did it too himself, getting a little arrogant with the tv shows and stuff. Any case, can't wait for the season. I love Reed and Canard, they will make Honda look like champions considering the bike is a piece of sh$t compared to normal Honda standards. I'm out..
Spoke my mind. Don't bash me too hard Frankyourweenie.
@AaronHansel; Nice breakdown on the MEC List.
As mentioned previously, my two concerns are;
1) The split gate start needs more thought about bringing the two lanes of traffic together as one before a real catastrophe occurs. It cannot be in a 90 degree corner with a basic berm separator, as this years design was. It needs to be a more gradual merging concept, at the speeds they are traveling, unless you are looking to eliminating riders via medical means (not funny).
2) The track that is designed for a 450cc bike, in my opinion, is not a track to be shared with mini bikes. This make no sense whatsoever. Natural terrain in an outdoor environment is one thing, a man made circus designed format is entirely another animal. Unless you are looking to eliminate young riders from ever celebrating their 15th birthdays (not funny).
Just my opinion...
the split gate would be perfect if htey slowed up the racers considerably going into it......ie: the first turns before the merge should be more than 90degrees so the are basically coming out of the second turn and into the merge from a standstill.
@rickamatuzio
I think Reed was faster lst year than he ever was......probably the extra inspiration of riding for himself and his team.......plus having his wife and son with him.
@casey today we 100% agree on the start ....I think the mini guys are MUCH better than their getting credit for but I would rather see a two stroke showdown or bone stock class for amateurs or vets.....or maybe a vintage bike last man standing gladiator style moto with opposing starts....."you will be enta'tainded.."....with Trump as the flag starter and of course a nice trophy girl........
@rick-
My comments are in good taste, just bench-racing and speculating, like you said. Regardless of where RC would finish, it'd be awesome to see him out there.
As for Reed, maybe he hasn't gotten faster, but smarter? Either way, he's found a way to still win races and be in the C-ship hunt at the end almost every year. The last few years he's been a better rider than Stewart, overall. Faster? Maybe not, but he knows when to back it down and sees the big picture (one could argue Dallas last year as a possible exception, I suppose). Health issues or not, he was also sticking it to Villo and Dunge outdoors just as much they were him before his big get off.
I agree on Stew and this being a make or break year. If it's anything like the past few, I'd rather see him hang it up, even though when he's on and healthy he adds to the racing. One of these times he's going to have the "big one" that really jacks him up. I'm scared to see the long term effects on him from knocking his head as often as he has, too. Perhaps we're already seeing it?
RC can do almost anything he puts his mind to. The 1month timeframe to prepare would be cutting it close. He has nothing to prove to anyone but himself. As a fan I would love to see him out there no matter the outcome.
On that note he could use JB for motivation or traction. (he he) jk
@ JimboMX374
Sorry for the late get back probably the end of the year . We will be out for west SX swing............. We are headed in a round about way back towards home going to the N.C State and North Carolina football Saturday at Kenan Stadium and Martinville Va. for the Nascar race Sunday courtesy of JGR racing !
@ Blackjack could be a posability maybe lorettas was a gage. Since his 4 wheel nascar thing is a bust. A high end athlete always wants to feel the buzz. I just hope it doesnt become a drug problem..............And I dont think that is a funny on my part ! If you have the ace of spades you would be sittin mity fine !
C'mon you drunkin cowboys grow a pair....the split start should come together with one side jumping over the other using a massive 70 foot double leading into stadium whoops the size of volkswagon beetles....of course the other side of the split will hit the whoops first then the double with both sides finally merging in a massive Tallavega S curve with opposing 45 degree banks....Lets also have the fans shoot at the riders with potato guns over the finish line jump and any rider that gets knocked off his bike gets first gate pick after his return from the hospital
Ok go ahead and bash rickamatuzio for the for the "1 month" deal, but give RC a year of training and we'll see who gets the last laugh. A dedicated, in shape RC would win another outdoor title....
@comedian66
Good stuff there, sell it to the video game designers.
RC has said that the phone wasn't ringing much right after his last MX. It must be a huge let down after such a stellar career. Comeback or not, if I ever meet him in person I will bow down and chant " I'm not worthy" aka Wayne's World.
Goat = Going On A Terror
@ DuluthMN
You got that right. Lady Luck is always welcome.
I'm a big RC guy but he could train for a whole year and he isn't going to be sharp enough to finish top 5 if you count all the guys that will be out there at A1. You're talking RV, Dungey, Reed, Barcia, and James.....then K-Dub and a few others. People really underestimate the amount of effort it takes to ride at the top. RC built that speed with year upon year of extremely hard work and dedication. He hasn't raced at this level for 5 full years now, which is half of how long he raced as a pro. Pay attention to how even K-Dub is losing a step with age and he has been racing at this level the whole time! RC put in more than a month of effort just to get ready for Loretta's +25 class or whatever it was he raced.
I am a huge RC fan and can say I have had to be able to race with him.... errr.... or be in the same race with him.
That said if he wanted to do a comeback, I have no doubt that he could win again, but he would need quite a bit of time to get back into race shape. Also, with him having kids now, I do not believe his head would be fully into it as he was prior. I don't have kids but I believe they do tend to change that on track killer instinct when you have your family in the back of your mind.
That said, I do not think anyone of todays riders would have taken any outdoors titles from RC when he was racing. I think he was just too well rounded of a rider.
I meant to say that I was fortunate enough to have had raced against him.
I need to lay off the crack.
I'm not sure if I agree with your premise. Windham took 2 years off after he broke his femur, came back and BEAT RC. Had his best season ever right off the couch.
I really believe it would come down to Carmichael finding fitness. Yes he raced Loretta's, he was also quite a bit faster than Jeremy Martin (top Amatuer I country and top 5 pro, who passed me in big bike practice on a 85). I am telling you RC rips close to whatever level he desires)
I have a good story (hope I don't get in trouble for telling it). The rider from 97 was Craig Decker who is still top 10 national speed. At Carmichaels house after a rainy day they couldn't practice. RC had a factory Honda 4 stroke in the garage he wouldn't touch, so Craig took it for a rip on the corner track. Decker beat carmichaels record on the figure 8 track because the 450 was smooth and It was slippery. Decker said Carmichael sat out there ALL DAY on his cr250 trying to beat that time like a psycho and couldn't do it.. Lap After lap. That's how possessed the man is to win. That also could be the reason he decided to switch to a 450 for 2003. People just don't have that drive, not to his level. I love that story, because it shows why Ricky is the greatest. He has nothing to prove.. (He probably jumped on the 450 and beat the time right away but that's not the point)
I have been lapped by Ricky Carmichael as well.
AT END OF NIGHT ADD A 2 STROKE CLASS W A $50,000 WINNER TAKES ALL. THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE TOP 20 RIDERS THAT QUALIFIED. YOU CAN RUN 125,250 AND 500 2 STROKES. THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO GO OUT W A BANG
I was a huge RC fan but he will never beat RV and I would put a lot more than a c-note on that. It would take a year for rc to get n shape and peak, in that time RV would only be faster than he is now and RC would never catch him. The fantasy would be to see them both race each other in their prime wich can't happen as RC is past and RV has not reached his yet.
The dream match race between RV and RC is a no brainer........... The win goes to the short Redhead.
It maybe safe to say tha......match anybody in history (MX) against the fastest ever short red head and the ginger wins.
I love the MEC and i fully support up and coming jnrs but i believe the amature racing should be cut out of the TV coverage.
Unless you are right into the jnr series, then you won't have a clue who any of these riders are and as this is televised to most of the world i would imagine 99% of the veiwers don't.
I think it's unfair to make viewers watch 3 hrs of live tv when all we want to do is fast forward to the more familar racers.
I'm not saying they shouldn't be there. I'm sure the paying audience loved every minute. Is a bit different at home when there is other things you could be doing/watching.
Yes, this could mean stopping the live shows so there can some editing but for someone who is on another continent anyway, we are used to waiting for the torrents.
Sorry guys, it would not take Carmichael a year. He took a YEAR off and came back going undefeated.
I broke my back and had a spinal fusion, having not ridden 2 years since. Decker got me back on a bike and riding with the best fork and shock settings I have EVER had it my life, it took me a month to go fast again and win a Moto. I wished I used Enzo back when I was a Moto head cause he makes a bike EASY to go fast on (no bs).
Doug Henry rode himself back into shape after missing a season, round 1 he was outside top 10, by round 6 he was winning. Once you go fast, you never forget how. (Except Carmichael went light-speed fast so that's alot more dangerous). After a few months, RV has his hands full after Carmichael decides to keep a tanker truck on his ranch, refueling his bike constantly as he goes faster and faster. I'm sticking to my bench racing gut.
Every racer that gets married slows down and gets. It should be out-lawed. When McGrath got married I wept for weeks knowing the end was near as he was my hero. I looked up to his free spirit, and he went down in a ball of flames to the altar.
All in all the MEC timing is fantastic, a filler race for us to shorten time of waiting for supercross. I recommend everyone go on YOUTUBE and watch early 90s supercross races, you will agree how 4 stroke racing has become dull. It DOES matter.. Heavy, fast open bikes does not lend well to bar banging as proved my the lites class banging away.
I use a stupid iPhone, I apologize for the errors I can't see them and my phone won't keep up with my fingers. Apple blows