CMX vs CRTC vs Steel City Riders - Which series is best for MX?

[zawob]

Weighing up memberships to all 3 and can't really pick which is best for me. I'm located in Orangeville so I'm not really near any tracks, but I would like to join a series this year. It seems they get started this weekend so I'm looking to find what each one offers. Steel City looks good in terms of variety of events and cost of membership, but I am focused on MX as I'm already a member with Ontario Offroad for their XC races.

 

[rmemedic]

CMX.
Their series is really getting good, and the tracks they use are great. It's a good, family environment, so while you may bash bars with someone on the track, they're likely to help you fix the bike after.
The best thing with a CMX membership, is that you basically also get a free MMRS membership (my club) that is very similar to CMX.
CMX and MMRS are having a 2 weekend "east vs west" shoot out in July, one race at a CMX track and the other at an MMRS track. It should be good!

No matter what with MX you're going to be doing some travelling. I drive over 3 hours one way most weekends just to go racing.

 

[zawob]

Can you explain the CMX membership tie in to MMRS (never heard of that club before, but awesome website)? By having a CMX membership does that allow you ride the MMRS tracks as a regular MMRS member would? It seems like they have a number of really good tracks to ride, and that'd be a big 1 up for a CMX membership. I'm taking if they use the same transponders then too?

Yea, I've been figuring I'd be doing lots of driving considering my location, and those tracks are a decent ways out, but it's a nice option to have if I could get out and ride them whenever I've got the time.

 

[rmemedic]

Can you explain the CMX membership tie in to MMRS (never heard of that club before, but awesome website)? By having a CMX membership does that allow you ride the MMRS tracks as a regular MMRS member would? It seems like they have a number of really good tracks to ride, and that'd be a big 1 up for a CMX membership. I'm taking if they use the same transponders then too?

Yea, I've been figuring I'd be doing lots of driving considering my location, and those tracks are a decent ways out, but it's a nice option to have if I could get out and ride them whenever I've got the time.

Yep, you buy a CMX membership, you come ride with us MMRS guys without the extra day pass fee that non-members pay.
CMX, MMRS, CMRC and the AMA are all using the same transponders now. MMRS has live timing right to your smartphone while at the track this year, which is kind of cool.

Basically, the CMRC is falling apart behind closed doors, and CMX and MMRS are taking over more each year.

 

[zawob]

So I guess it is $10 gate entry then with your membership (if I'm reading the site correctly)?

Would I be correct in saying the CMRC is the place to go as a feeder to the bigger events? It seems like they have a bit of a ladder with their provincial and national qualifying structure, which is always going to attract the more serious competitors.

 

[spaceboy]

I was just browsing the CMX website and realized how affordable MX racing is. The tracks are not far from Kitchener either.
I'm seriously going to consider trying this next season.

 

[rmemedic]

So I guess it is $10 gate entry then with your membership (if I'm reading the site correctly)?

Would I be correct in saying the CMRC is the place to go as a feeder to the bigger events? It seems like they have a bit of a ladder with their provincial and national qualifying structure, which is always going to attract the more serious competitors.

$10 gate. Practice on Saturdays is $25 (and you get a fair bit of riding, grouped in with your skill level. So you won't be getting run over by the fast guys, or dealing with the squids if you're one of the quicker ones.) Then race fees on Sunday. I'm hoping that since we got rid of the ATVs our motos will be a bit longer so fitness is more of a factor.

CMRC doesn't offer a practice day before race day. So if you're like me, the only time you would ride are the couple of motos on Sunday, and that is no way to practice.
CMRC has a national series. However, due to the CMA holding the international license, CMRC isn't "recognized" by the FIM as the official national series. It is no where near comparable to the national series in the states. True, CMRC has "Walton" as the pinnacle for the amateurs, but it's not hard to go to one CMRC race and qualify for Walton, unless you're learning and riding junior since it's stacked with sand baggers or guys on the verge of going intermediate.

I know MMRS has a few riders at the top that are FAST. I mean a few guys that were giving Kyle Keast a run for his money when he came for a race last summer. A buddy of mine is on the radar as one of the fastest up coming guys in Ontario, and he doesn't run away with his motos. So don't get fooled in to thinking we don't have caliber riders.
Come on out to a CMX or MMRS weekend. You will meet awesome, friendly people. You'll hardly be able to walk from one end of the pit area without someone introducing themselves or offering you some food.
I had an issue Sunday with a flooded bike, couldn't get it running before practice. Started to rip in to it, then before I knew it I had a group of guys around me spinning wrenches so we could get the plug out. Someone ran to their own trailer to grab me a plug (didn't have my trailer there with my kit) and as soon as it fired up, someone said he would finish throwing the bike together so I could get my gear on and I made it out for at least a few laps. That's common with a group like CMX or MMRS. CMRC it isn't like that for the most part. I've ripped apart bikes in my trailer for people I don't know just to get people back out there. Given parts out that I didn't need if someone needed it (people always repay or replace it for you).

I'm signed up as a "mentor" with MMRS. So if you decide to come for a day or the weekend I can show you the ropes of the club.
I can't speak too much about CMX, but my friends on the other side of the GTA race with them and it sounds like basically the exact same experience. I am jealous that they get to race Gopher Dunes since I would finally win a moto lol.

I was just browsing the CMX website and realized how affordable MX racing is. The tracks are not far from Kitchener either.
I'm seriously going to consider trying this next season.

Yep. I looked at the cost the asphalt guys spend because I was curious about maybe giving that a try... No thanks!
My bike is pretty done up for this year, suspension, race engine, hard parts etc... But the $6000 or so that I have in to my mx bike wouldn't be the same as $6000 on a SS bike.
Plus MX is a totally different beast with a style that is more "me".

Orange Motorsport just held a ride day with MMRS on Sunday, would have been a good opportunity to try a few different MX bikes and ride a track!

 

[spaceboy]

Yep. I looked at the cost the asphalt guys spend because I was curious about maybe giving that a try... No thanks!
My bike is pretty done up for this year, suspension, race engine, hard parts etc... But the $6000 or so that I have in to my mx bike wouldn't be the same as $6000 on a SS bike.
Plus MX is a totally different beast with a style that is more "me".

Orange Motorsport just held a ride day with MMRS on Sunday, would have been a good opportunity to try a few different MX bikes and ride a track!

Tell me about it. Even just doing a season of trackdays was pricey.
I just bought a 250 and it really wouldn't need much to be race ready. If I can overcome my incompetence in the dirt this season I'll definitely look into racing.

 

[zawob]

$10 gate. Practice on Saturdays is $25 (and you get a fair bit of riding, grouped in with your skill level. So you won't be getting run over by the fast guys, or dealing with the squids if you're one of the quicker ones.) Then race fees on Sunday. I'm hoping that since we got rid of the ATVs our motos will be a bit longer so fitness is more of a factor.

CMRC doesn't offer a practice day before race day. So if you're like me, the only time you would ride are the couple of motos on Sunday, and that is no way to practice.
CMRC has a national series. However, due to the CMA holding the international license, CMRC isn't "recognized" by the FIM as the official national series. It is no where near comparable to the national series in the states. True, CMRC has "Walton" as the pinnacle for the amateurs, but it's not hard to go to one CMRC race and qualify for Walton, unless you're learning and riding junior since it's stacked with sand baggers or guys on the verge of going intermediate.

I know MMRS has a few riders at the top that are FAST. I mean a few guys that were giving Kyle Keast a run for his money when he came for a race last summer. A buddy of mine is on the radar as one of the fastest up coming guys in Ontario, and he doesn't run away with his motos. So don't get fooled in to thinking we don't have caliber riders.
Come on out to a CMX or MMRS weekend. You will meet awesome, friendly people. You'll hardly be able to walk from one end of the pit area without someone introducing themselves or offering you some food.
I had an issue Sunday with a flooded bike, couldn't get it running before practice. Started to rip in to it, then before I knew it I had a group of guys around me spinning wrenches so we could get the plug out. Someone ran to their own trailer to grab me a plug (didn't have my trailer there with my kit) and as soon as it fired up, someone said he would finish throwing the bike together so I could get my gear on and I made it out for at least a few laps. That's common with a group like CMX or MMRS. CMRC it isn't like that for the most part. I've ripped apart bikes in my trailer for people I don't know just to get people back out there. Given parts out that I didn't need if someone needed it (people always repay or replace it for you).

I'm signed up as a "mentor" with MMRS. So if you decide to come for a day or the weekend I can show you the ropes of the club.
I can't speak too much about CMX, but my friends on the other side of the GTA race with them and it sounds like basically the exact same experience. I am jealous that they get to race Gopher Dunes since I would finally win a moto lol.



Yep. I looked at the cost the asphalt guys spend because I was curious about maybe giving that a try... No thanks!
My bike is pretty done up for this year, suspension, race engine, hard parts etc... But the $6000 or so that I have in to my mx bike wouldn't be the same as $6000 on a SS bike.
Plus MX is a totally different beast with a style that is more "me".

Orange Motorsport just held a ride day with MMRS on Sunday, would have been a good opportunity to try a few different MX bikes and ride a track!

Thanks for the info medic. It sounds like MMRS is the place to be. After reviewing their tracks and formats it seems like a no brainer for me to sign up with CMX and head over to the MMRS events when I can. It's strange the CMX site doesn't declare it (from what I can see) but MMRS plainly states what you were saying about honoring CMX members (I guess it isn't reciprocated to you guys? i.e you doing CMX events with your MMRS membership). Do you know if the tracks offer camping over there? I'm figuring with the early starts it'd be worthwhile me sticking around after a practice day due to the long haul I would be having to make.

 

[rmemedic]

CMX offers it to MMRS riders... And also I think they still do free membership to military members, so either way I'm ok lol.

There is camping. With mmrs it's $25, but I'm not so sure how much it is with cmx. Staying over night is when you start to meet people, so don't be afraid to walk up to a big circle of people around a campfire and introduce yourself to someone.