FIM Announces Motocross World Championship Changes for 2014

The International Motorcycling Federation announced a number of changes for the Motocross World Championship to take affect for the 2014 season. The new rules were established by the Motocross Grand Prix Commission which is comprised of representatives from the FIM, race promoter Youthstream and the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers’ Association.

The changes are fairly minor, with the biggest changes including shortening races by 5 minutes and abolishing the MX3 class. Each event will continue to hold two motos but races will run 30 minutes plus two laps, the same length adopted by the AMA Nationals. The MX3 championship of two-stroke engines between 290cc and 500cc and four-stroke engines between 475cc and 650cc will be no more.

The 108% qualification rule will also be removed. Under the current regulations, riders must record a time equal to or faster than 108% of the average time set by the top 10 times from pre-qualifying practice. Riders will not automatically be disqualified for being too slow, though Race Direction reserves the option of withdrawing a rider for not performing at a high enough level.

The Grand Prix Commission also decided against adopting the Super Final format which was tested at some events. The Super Final pitted the top 20 riders in the MX1 and MX2 classes together. The Commission also decided against any changes addressing the parity between two-stroke and four-stroke engines, though discussions will continue about the topic with the MSMA.

Beginning next season, the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship will be known as the FIM MXGP World Championship. The class will keep the MX1’s engine displacement regulations, allowing two-stroke engines between 175cc and 250cc or four-stroke engines between 290cc and 450cc. The MXGP class will have smaller grids next season, with a cap of 30 riders instead of the current 40 riders.

The MX2 class will continue with its current name and 40-rider limit, as well as its displacement rules of two-strokes between 100cc and 125cc and four-strokes between 175cc and 250cc. The maximum age limit of 23 will also remain. MX2 Champions will be allowed to defend his title as many times as he likes so long as he qualifies under the age limit. The current rules only allow reigning MX2 champions to remain in the class one more year to defend the title.