2020 Rockstar Triple Crown Series Changes
“All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Thomas Fuller
January 20, 2020 – Brigden, Ontario
Long winters always make the anticipation of the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown extra exciting. Having long periods of downtime allow for the series to look at it as a whole and make it better all around for not just the fans, but the riders as well.
“Two goals we set out for in 2020, safety and growth” states Justin Thompson- Jetwerx CEO. “In saying that, we don’t just make changes, updates, decisions, without careful discussion. The impacts as well as the deliverables they connect to in the series. In 2020 there are some significant changes to all three disciplines (AX, MX, SX) of the Triple Crown to make the experience from every angle better but most important of all, safer.”
For 2020 AX:
AXTOUR Race Format
Qualifiers – Timed qualifying – (2) 6 mins
Top 10 riders in each 250 / 450 Class will advance to “A” Main
Remaining 250/450 riders will be in “B” Main – 12 riders total
‘A’ Main – 2 main events – Each MAIN will count towards Series POINTS
250 – 15 laps
450 – 20 laps
‘B’ Main – 2 main events – Each MAIN will have SERIES points
Combined 250 Pro and 450 Pro riders, that failed to qualify for ‘A’ Main
B Final – 10 laps
For 2020 SX:
Qualifiers – Timed qualifying – (2) 6 mins
Top 12 riders in each 250 / 450 Class will advance to “A” Main
Remaining 250/450 riders will be in “B” Final – 15 riders total
‘A’ Main – 2 Main Events – Each MAIN will count towards Series POINTS
250 – 15 laps – Combined Main points to determine Overall
450 – 20 laps – Combined Main points to determine Overall
‘B’ Main – 2 main events – Each MAIN will have SERIES points
Combined 250 and 450 Pro riders, that failed to qualify for ‘A’ Main
B Main – 10 laps
For 2020 MX:
MXTOUR Race Format – Sunday Race Days (Amateur Saturday)
Qualifying – 250/450 – (1) timed qualifier (1 Free Practice **not used for Qualifying)
Motos – 250 – (2) Motos – 25min + 2 laps – Combined Moto points to determine Overall
– 450 – (2) Motos – 25min + 2 laps – Combined Moto points to determine Overall
Reasons behind the changes:
The Manufacturers (OEMs) brought this to our attention at the end of the 2019 season about some ideas to help the sport grow; with this we started brainstorming solutions:
#1: Safety – In the last 5-8 minutes of Gopher Dunes over 30 bikes were lapped. MRC checked this at Calgary and just over 20 were lapped in 3 laps. The amount of time these racers at the back of the pack are behind the leaders at the end of the 450 motos is very large and unsafe to them, and the leaders doing the lapping. With less time, we feel less chance for accidents to occur.
#2: Entertainment – Unfortunately, people’s attention is hard to grab these days. We think it’s safe to say the majority of 250 racing is more exciting. Maybe these 5 minutes makes that happen in 450. Plus we can keep timelines tighter for TV as well.
#3: The racer without time to train and ride like a factory racer – (in Canada mainly) We hope these types of racers may join the series with knowing he has 5 minutes less. This is for guy that works long hrs with no time to train, the guy that pays for bikes, parts and more and, the guy that supports local shops, etc. The series needs these racers for the sport to sustain growth and stability.