Video: The first ever SMX – Herlings v Dungey


With the announcement of the AMA doing a Supermotocross world championship (using the term world championship without FIM affiliation is interesting) to counteract the new officially backed FIM World Supercross championship – get a sneak peak of how it might look with a throwback to the official FIM SMX world championship back in 2016.

Ryan Dungey won the overall but didn’t win a moto with the Febvre, Gajser and Herlings taking the moto wins in what was an idea that had potential and attracted the big stars but critically didn’t have the support of the US industry, that it needed to bring together the MXGP riders and AMA men in one global autumn series.

With the influential American media and industry much more positive about their own AMA version with big prize money rather than the FIM version, could the SMX be the future of the sport and have guys like Herlings and Gajser going to the States for their AMA fix of stadium racing in October when the MXGP season ends and chase a new AMA title? It could be the event the FIM wanted it to be but this time on US shores under an AMA banner.

See how the original event looked like back in 2016 with some big names like Gajser, Herlings, Dungey, Osborne, Searle and even a young Prado racing.

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See the official press release for the AMA version of Supermotocross below:

Starting in 2023, the professional racing season will expand and culminate with the SuperMotocross World Championship on Saturday, October 14 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

“With the creation of the SuperMotocross World Championship, we are taking a significant step towards growing the sport into a series that will be better suited for the expanding global marketplace and its impact on our fans and sponsors,” said Kenneth Feld, Chair and CEO of Feld Entertainment, Inc. “As media and technology continue to evolve, SuperMotocross will be able to capitalize on these innovations to reach new audiences and grow exponentially in the coming years.


The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will both continue to crown their own champions at the conclusion of their respective series’. Afterwards, the top 22 250cc athletes and the top 22 450cc athletes in combined Supercross and Pro Motocross points will qualify to compete in the two SuperMotocross Playoff Rounds and World Championship round for the SuperMotocross #1 plate and sport’s richest payout.

“We are celebrating 50 years of American Motocross this season and the creation of the SuperMotocross World Championship and working in unison with Supercross may be one of the most significant changes the sport has ever undertaken,” said Carrie Coombs-Russell, Chief Executive Officer, MX Sports Pro Racing. “This collaboration will create the only off-road racing series on the planet that provides a fully supported infrastructure, from amateur development to the professional ranks for global competitors to race on the world’s most challenging and demanding tracks.”

“We are celebrating 50 years of American Motocross this season and the creation of the SuperMotocross World Championship and working in unison with Supercross may be one of the most significant changes the sport has ever undertaken,” said Carrie Coombs-Russell, Chief Executive Officer, MX Sports Pro Racing. “This collaboration will create the only off-road racing series on the planet that provides a fully supported infrastructure, from amateur development to the professional ranks for global competitors to race on the world’s most challenging and demanding tracks.”

“As a manufacturer, it’s great to see two of our valued partners collaborating to bring something new to our sport,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Experiential Marketing, Honda Power Sports & Products. “Considering that this has been in the works for more than two years, we are excited to now finally be able to share this significant news. The SuperMotocross World Championship is going to add a lot of intrigue for everyone. Fans will have more opportunities to see their favorite riders and the most competitive racing, plus we’ll now see who the best overall rider is.”


“As the current and reigning champion in both Supercross and Motocross, we’re extremely proud to have earned those titles battling the best competition on the planet,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha Motorcycle Product Line Manager. “The SuperMotocross World Championship is a unique, yet also natural next step for the sport as we work together to highlight the immense talent of the athletes who compete on our class-leading product.”


Feld Motor Sports and MX Sports Pro Racing have worked together previously on industry related initiatives, none more significant than joining forces in the early days of the pandemic to save motorcycle racing in the United States. Both companies will continue to work together in a collaborative effort to continue growing the sport both domestically and abroad. Bringing together the leadership experience of both organizations and creating a unified rule book will ensure consistency across the series for both athletes and teams. Their combined marketing and operational expertise will strengthen and grow fan engagement through integrated media, promotional, sponsorship and activation programming across the racing season.

“We are inspired to see this new partnership and the creating of the SuperMotocross World Championship,” said Chris Wheeler, Motorsports Manager for Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. “Suzuki is looking forward to racing in this new championship and competing at the highest level in Supercross, Motocross, and now the SuperMotocross World Championship.” 


The 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, followed by the 2023 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing schedule. Dates and venues for the upcoming SuperMotocross World Championship and additional details will be announced later in the year. For updates and all the latest news please make sure to visit SupercrossLIVE and Pro Motocross