Modifications Made to X Games 11 Moto X SuperMoto Race - News - Dirt Rider Magazine

Moto X Race Format Changed for X Games 11 SuperMotoMoto X SuperMoto at ESPN X Games 11 will offer added spectator viewing, pit access, pit stops and a newly updated race course design. Last year's debut of SuperMoto—featuring the most star-studded and diverse racing field in the sport's history—swept through The Home Depot Center (Carson, California) giving X Games 10 fans more than what they bargained for: a down-to-the wire finish. As the concluding event to X Games 10, fans were treated to a final-lap leader change resulting in a win by Ben Bostrom (Las Vegas, Nevada).

SuperMoto is a fusion of supercross, dirt track racing, freestyle motocross and road racing. It uses four-stroke motocross bikes on a purpose-built track that is approximately 60 percent asphalt for speed racing and 40 percent dirt with turns, rollers and hits. This mix of racing formats entices racers from all backgrounds. SuperMoto at X Games 11 will once again be held at The Home Depot Center and will feature the 20 top racers going head-to-head in a race to the finish.Building on the success, there will be some features added and some changes made to enhance the SuperMoto competition for X Games 11. The first change is the course, which will begin and end inside The Home Depot Center soccer stadium and wind through the asphalt lot adjacent to the soccer stadium. The speed part of the course has been re-designed to provide longer straight-aways and deeper curves. Upon re-entry into the stadium, the new course brings the race up and over the northeast wall into soccer stadium.In addition to a newly updated course design, there are changes to the format of the competition itself. This year there will be 45 laps to complete—as opposed to the 20 laps of last-years race—which means more strategic planning for gas, parts and tires. For the first-time in the sport's history, all riders will have a mandatory pit stop after the fifth lap. The pit crews will have to rely solely on manpower for any and all necessary changes; no power tools will be allowed. Other pit stops are permitted and are at the discretion of the rider and the crew chief."SuperMoto at X Games 10 was thrilling and groundbreaking and our goal is to make it even better this year," said Chris Stiepock, X Games General Manager. "Through direct communication with the riders and the manufacturers that support the riders, we will make this year's race more fun and exciting to both the athletes and the race fans."There are several top riders invited to race in the second running of SuperMoto at the X Games. Among those invited are: Eric Bostrom (Las Vegas, Nev.), Mark Burkhart (Pickerington, Ohio), Benny Carlson (West Bend, Wis.), Steve Drew (Temecula, Calif.), Chris Filmore (Oxford, Mich.), Doug Henry (Torrington, Conn.), Juergen Kuenzel (Heidenheim, Germany); Ivan Lazzarini (Pesaro, Italy), Jeff Matiasevich (Temecula, Calif.), Jeremy McGrath (Encinitas, Calif.), Mike Metzger (Menifee, Calif.), Johnny Murphree (Paso Robles, Calif.), Travis Pastrana (Annapolis, Md.), Chad Reed (Dade City, Fla.), Eddy Seel (Spa, Belgium), Thierry Van Den Bosch (Arsinal, Andorra), Kevin Windham (Centreville, Miss.) and Jeff Ward (Newport Beach, Calif.).The X Games is the definitive annual action sports competition featuring more than 150 of the world's best athletes competing in: BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Wakeboard. X Games Los Angeles-based venues include STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and Long Beach Marine Stadium. The Surfing (new home in Puerto Escondido, Mexico) and Wakeboard (Long Beach venue) competitions will be free to the public. All competitions at STAPLES Center and The Home Depot Center are ticketed events, which can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. The brand has also grown to include international X Games events, EXPN.com, EXPN Radio, the large format film ESPN's Ultimate X, X Games skateparks and various X Games-branded retail products.