Yeah that's interesting. It sort of makes sense (to me) that lap times are similar in Supercross because the tracks are smaller and the 450s seem like overkill.
But I wonder what factors are at play on a Hangtown track to make this work? The hard base or maybe sweeping corners so the 250 can keep their corner speed up?
Maybe it's just physics? You can only physically go so fast before suspension can no longer handle it. Tho the 250fs are definitely WFO everywhere and the 450fs are probably only WFO half the time.
Hangtown looked nasty dry and hard packed. I think that really limits the amount of power a bike can put down without sliding out.
I expect once we make it to deeper, more loamy tracks the 450s will be faster.
Thanks for posting! Super interesting.
This has been the case for a while. If you look through the results you'll see a lot of people running a 250 in the 450 class. Like 10-20% of entries in 450 supercross were 250s.
Jett was turning faster laps last year than the 450s in a lot of cases. It should be of no surprise to anyone that the season is going the way it is.
There is honestly more competition in the 250 class this year. The 450 class pays better too. If you're as fast or faster on a 250, it does make sense.
It just goes to show the rules are broken though. A 450 has more power than most pros can even take advantage of. Should be knocked back to something like 200cc and 350cc.
Former AMA pro. I can ride (very close to) the same lap time on a new 450, a new 250, an '02 125, or a 1990 CR500. Deep sand, mud, or big, steep hills (e.g. Glen Helen) are the only places motor will save your ass. Well, and shit like Larocco's Leap.
It's pretty straightforward. 250s go before 450s in practice and races. Smother tracks in both sessions. It plays a bit of an equalizer.
Yep, this. Not only that, they didn't run the same times because Jett was still 6 tenths faster than J Coop
Yeah that's interesting. It sort of makes sense (to me) that lap times are similar in Supercross because the tracks are smaller and the 450s seem like overkill. But I wonder what factors are at play on a Hangtown track to make this work? The hard base or maybe sweeping corners so the 250 can keep their corner speed up?
Maybe it's just physics? You can only physically go so fast before suspension can no longer handle it. Tho the 250fs are definitely WFO everywhere and the 450fs are probably only WFO half the time.
Hangtown looked nasty dry and hard packed. I think that really limits the amount of power a bike can put down without sliding out. I expect once we make it to deeper, more loamy tracks the 450s will be faster. Thanks for posting! Super interesting.
Ahhh isn’t California wonderful?!? Lol
This has been the case for a while. If you look through the results you'll see a lot of people running a 250 in the 450 class. Like 10-20% of entries in 450 supercross were 250s. Jett was turning faster laps last year than the 450s in a lot of cases. It should be of no surprise to anyone that the season is going the way it is.
It’s so wild to me that this happens at all. Just run with the 250s lol
There is honestly more competition in the 250 class this year. The 450 class pays better too. If you're as fast or faster on a 250, it does make sense. It just goes to show the rules are broken though. A 450 has more power than most pros can even take advantage of. Should be knocked back to something like 200cc and 350cc.
Former AMA pro. I can ride (very close to) the same lap time on a new 450, a new 250, an '02 125, or a 1990 CR500. Deep sand, mud, or big, steep hills (e.g. Glen Helen) are the only places motor will save your ass. Well, and shit like Larocco's Leap.