Will there be a hybrid race with AMA and MXGP riders?
During the Motocross of Nations in RedBud we heard about a project that should please many, including us. We are talking about the possible creation of a “hybrid” race with the aim of bringing AMA and MXGP riders together for a unique event.
MX Sports – promoter of American outdoor racing through Davey Coombs – and Infront Moto Racing – promoter of the MXGP world championship through David Luongo – are said to be working on a new partnership. The two promoters would join forces to organize a hybrid AMA vs MXGP event, which will provide points for both championships. On paper, this event could bring together the top 20 riders from each category (MX2 vs US 250 & MXGP vs US 450) and the riders in attendance would score the points from this event in their respective championships.
Davey Coombs & David Luongo would be in charge of such a project, an initiative that we can only applaud at a time when the FIM and AMA are at odds with the arrival of the new Supercross World Championship (WSX) that would compete directly with the US Championships.
The last US Grand Prix was held in 2017, with a final round at the WW Ranch in Jacksonville. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the US GP was held in September, but only a few AMA riders participated in each edition. This new hybrid format, which applies to both the MXGP and AMA championships, would ensure that the best American and European riders compete against each other in one event that could then become the highlight of the motocross season for fans: a Motocross of Nations XXL version so to speak.
At this stage it is difficult to find out much more about the ins and outs of this project, which is still in its preliminary stages. We can assume that this event will take place in the United States, as it will have to integrate the calendar of the American outdoor championship. In this case, the MXGP riders would have to travel to Uncle Sam's country to participate.
On the evening of the 75th Red Bud Motocross of Nations, Gatedrop.com journalist Jonathan McCready spoke with Davey Coombs and during this same interview the American championship promoter revealed that this project is currently being discussed with David Luongo.
Davey Coombs – MX Sports CEO: “We are working on something very, very cool with David Luongo. It won't be before 2023 because a lot of things need to be worked out to make it work, but I can tell you that we are both very excited. This project is something that everyone has always wanted, that all motocross fans have always wanted. We don't want to come and disrupt the Motocross of Nations, this event works, it's a party, it's a meeting. So we're trying to find a way to do something that doesn't compete with the Motocross of Nations, by having another event that we can integrate with the MXGP Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, something that doesn't take away from either championship . We would then have a second event every year to celebrate.
I remember being at the Anaheim Supercross with Eric Geboers. I loved Eric. He told me: “My dream is to organize an event that brings together AMA and MXGP riders in Namur, with one half of the circuit covered with AMA sponsors and the other half with MXGP sponsors. We would bring back the top 20 riders in each category. I said it was a really good idea, but it was crazy. At the time, the relationship between Youthstream and MX Sports was very different than it is today.
Guiseppe Luongo came into contact with us after Maggiora in 2016, we started working together and now I have become very good friends with David Luongo, we share the same vision as the fans. As fans, we all had the idea at some point to bring the two championships together somehow, and Eric kept telling me, “You have to organize this, you have to do it.” I thought it would never happen, but things have changed since then and we are working on it. Lots of things need to be worked on, but it would be really great!
Tekst: Kevin Frelaud/Dailymotocross.fr
Photos: Infront Moto Racing
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