Kickstart | Ready To Race Supercross

INSTAGRAM | @swapmotolivedotcom
INSTAGRAM | @swapmotolive

We’re here. After weeks of uncertainty, discussion, and continuous efforts with government and health officials, the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series is now just days away from resuming with a seven-race push to complete the season in Salt Lake City, Utah. The efforts by Feld Entertainment, the race teams, and the state of Utah to make this possible is something we should all appreciate because while this plan has a number of restrictions, it’s the only way the championship can be concluded in the current situation. Last week we outlined some of the requirements that all attendees will have to adhere to, which is laid out in an expertly-written 26-page document, and now it’s on all of us to make this go as smoothly as possible. There’s no room for error or rule-bending, and Feld has made it sure to explain that one infraction could bring serious consequences.

It’s one thing to watch a few laps of press day or the first free practice in a practically empty stadium, but to hold seven races in a venue that’ll have only the necessary staff and some cardboard cutouts of fans will be something we’ve never experienced before. We’ve watched the NASCAR races over the last few weeks and can assume that’ll be closer to what Supercross will be like than what they doing at European soccer events, with crowd noise playing over the speakers the whole match. Although it comes off a bit sterile (ironic considering this is a medical deal), it’d be much better to hear just the bikes than it would be to have sound coming through the speakers.

Right now all we can do is wait and wonder what Sunday will be like. Feld has already prepped us with the processes and procedures (masks on at all times, no direct contact between people or different groups, no post-race celebrations), so we know to keep our distance from everyone. What happens on the track will be a totally different thing. Riders have spent the last few weeks getting back to the flow of a Supercross track and the course laid out at Rice Eccles Stadium looks like it’ll be rather tame to keep the 40-rider field from being cut down by injuries, but once the gate drops, guys will be back to their racer mindsets and will be ready to battle for spots in the running order. We’ll have a breakdown of what to expect in the races later on, so check back in just a bit.

In talking to riders, teams, and other people in the industry, it’s clear we’re all in the same situation: temporary residents of Utah. Staying in the area the whole time is highly encouraged because one trip over the state lines will require another COVID test and the 48-hour turnaround for test results. After two days behind the wheel of a rental car, I got to the stadium just in time to have a medical staffer in a biohazard suit stick a swab up my nose to make sure I’m not a carrier of the illness. It was unpleasant, for sure, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Either way, I don’t really want to go through it again so I’ll be staying in Utah until this thing is over. Swap and ARay just left the house to get their COVID test at the stadium, so check their Instagram accounts to see what they think of the whole ordeal.

Feld and some hotels in the area worked out a deal for reduced rates during the month-long stay (an effort that we appreciate and that many took advantage of), but with swap and I both here, one hotel room would have gotten cramped with bicycles, camera equipment, clothes, and the like. Instead, we’ve grabbed an Airbnb in the Rose Park area that has a full kitchen, laundry room, multiple bedrooms, and a spacious living room that’ll be the temporary site for the Swapmoto Show. The opportunities for content will be plentiful during this time and everyone is eager to ride bicycles on the mountain roads and make the month-long stay a sort of summer camp. If you have some recommendations for places to go or things to try, hit us up. We’re always looking for a good time. 

From the racer’s side of things, it seems like everyone is embracing the long stay in Salt Lake City quite well. One thing we’ve noticed in pro racing is how much guys move around from time to time, as they can be in California condo one week and then load up and move to an apartment sight unseen on the other side of the country in a matter of days to continue their training. Everyone seems to be in that same mindset right now, so they were quick to grab the essentials (bikes, rowers, training gear, supplements, coffee makers) and get on the road to their temporary homes in Utah. There’s been little public grumbling about the situation; instead, everyone is eager to get back to racing and see what the city has to offer during the downtime. 

There are certain details of this program we’re still trying to figure out. A constant refresh of the AMA Supercross website has revealed entry lists for the 250 East Coast and 450 Class (that’ll be part of the bigger Race Preview) but no schedule of events for race day. We know that we’re only allowed to show up at the stadium an hour before practice and must leave an hour after the checkered flag, but what time is that exactly? Should we stagger our arrivals at the stadium so it’s not a huddled mass of people waiting for the mandatory temperature screening? How much access will photographers have around the venue and track itself? With some of those necessary things still to be shared, we’re just going to spend the day getting our bearings in the city and running errands to establish our SML SLC office. 

One last thing to wrap up Kickstart before we really get into things: enjoy this time in Supercross history, because it’s going to be something we never forget and hopefully never have to endure again. The effects of COVID-19 have been much bigger than any of us could have anticipated when talk of the Indy Supercross getting canceled circulated in the middle of March and we’re a long, long way off from a sense of normalcy. But in the meantime, there will be seven races to watch, three championships to decide, and plenty of storylines to follow. If you’re a race fan, this is something straight out of a fever dream and we’re excited to see how this plays out over the next four weeks. Thanks for reading and check back for more from SLC…