New face of world MX
By TMX Archives on 4th Aug 10
The structure of world motocross is being given a face-lift from next year, and the terms have been given the seal of approval by all parties after a four-hour meeting between Youthstream, the FIM, the teams and main sponsors last Friday.
Giuseppe Luongo spoke enthusiastically over the outcome of the meeting: "This is the first time that all participants have unanimously agreed a programme for the next three-years. All of our programmes will go on with the full support of all parties. This will give us even more stability.”
Under the three-year plan there will be only two overseas races – USA and Brazil – next year, but this will increase to three in 2012 and four in 2013 as the world series expands in its aim of achieving genuine ‘world' status.
It has also been agreed that the series will start and finish in Europe, and that the Motocross des Nations will be held AFTER the final GP. In addition, the feeder classes have been radically restructured.
MX3 will be relaunched as the ‘FIM MX3 – Amateur World Championship' with title sponsor Monster Energy ensuring that there will be no service contribution fee!
With a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 events, to be held predominantly in Europe but with between two and four overseas races, the series is a clear declaration of intent to confront the expansion of the Red Bull Pro Nationals; and the champion will be placed in a professional MX1 or MX2 team the following season with the financial support from Youthstream and its partners.
And in a brand new structure the World Ladies series, which also remains free of any service charge for the competitors, will run on the same programme at six to eight MX3 events while making a guest appearance at two or three MX1/MX2 rounds.
The support programme at the premier series will feature a new mix. Both the EMX125 and EMX2 series will be run over seven rounds, and the Veterans World Cup remains on the main programme at around six GPs and will include one overseas round. This structure will allow major teams and manufacturers to support and view upcoming talent before they enter the main world stage.
FIM MX president Wolfgang Srb: "The new structure of the various FIM Motocross Championships with a strong signal to the growing number of highly motivated privateers and amateur riders as well as more female riders is a logical step in the right direction and fully meets the demands of the markets.
"A much broader basis of riders is also important for the manufacturers. The fact that there will be no more service fee for MX3 and for the Women's World Championship will strongly support further growth of the series.”