MMF

Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment

Eight rounds in, nine more rounds to go. Have you ever heard of the saying in our sport, “You’re only as good as your last race?” This is a very common statement in the sport of racing dirtbikes. And this is a very wrong statement to believe for the community simply because it undermines the science of nature. There will be days when the human body is not feeling 100 percent. Not just with physical health but with mental health as well. And it is motorsports, meaning there is bike setup, and it’s a team effort to make the bike 100 percent. Not to mention the ever-deteriorating race track like Daytona and the quick decisions riders need to make to react to another rider’s mistake. 

How many riders got injured because they felt they had to push beyond their limits during their off days because they didn’t want to feel bad for six days waiting for the weekend’s race to do better? Dirtbike racing is very gnarly, and with the wrong mindset, it can bite you anytime. 

The last two rounds have seen the rise of Eli Tomac and doubts about it. With the Daytona race being the last race up until this article is written, the tendency of those who believe in the statement that you’re only as good as your last race is to conclude that Jett Lawrence will win the championship. He will dominate and extend his lead. And Eli Tomac should have retired. It is pretty brutal, but it is a culture. Nobody can escape this culture. That’s why it is important to have the right perspective for these racers and be reminded that it’s just eight rounds in and there’s nine more to go. Can somebody from Jason Anderson’s camp let the fans know what’s happening with him right now?

In my opinion, this statement has become a culture. This culture should end. How does the dirtbike culture combat this cultural statement? This is why I think having the SMX is good for the sport. The whole playoff thing is brilliant because it can give a chance for other non-performing riders to make a reset and turn a bad season into a better one, hence setting them up psychologically ready for the next season.

What do you guys think?

-Sam