One of the big changes to the 2018 Supercross event rules this year, is going to be the implementation of a metal starting grate for the start of the races. This is a pretty new rule for the U.S. not having used the metal grates for quite a number of years. Overseas in the European mx series, and maybe Canada, i’m not too sure about that one, but they have been using the metal grates for many years. The general idea behind this rule I suppose, is an effort to make the starts a little more even for all 22 riders in the field. ( I believe that’s a new rule too, adding a rider to the gates making it go up from 21 riders, to 22)

I suppose it’s an effort to make for some more even racing, but I do feel bad for some of the holeshot heroes, such as Mike Alessi and Vince Friese, who sometimes completely rely on a hot start to get a good heat race or main even finish. They will no longer have quite as much as an advantage from being incredible starters, which is unfortunate because when it comes to straight up speed, they are not going to win against some of the big names. They need those starts in order to attempt to ride up front, but who knows if they will get those starts now that it may be more of an even starting line.