Teams and riders will soon ramp up their preparation for the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. The upcoming season will start a new era for the series, with the AMA becoming the primary officiating group over the 250 and 450 Classes and a return America’s West Coast, including Angels Stadium for the Anaheim One opening round on January 8th.
Aims to follow a full schedule have presented challenges to the series and teams. Although holding 17 races in 18 weeks will feel normal, it will require extensive cross-country travel, including visits to regions with restrictions on mass gatherings.
As a result, vaccinations have become a central topic for people in the pits. At the competitive level, it’s currently to the point where series promoter Feld Entertainment and the OEM-supported race teams have discussed it at length in group meetings, and a number of riders have supported a petition against it being made mandatory.
A few plans for the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Championship were shared with us over the weekend by a source at Feld Entertainment, and as expected, the matter of vaccination for competitors was explained in detail.
Ultimately, Feld Entertainment does not plan to make proof of vaccination mandatory for anyone, including racers, mechanics, team personnel, gear reps, photographers, credentialed attendees, or spectators.
However, the series will require anyone in possession of a Feld Entertainment and AMA-approved hard card pass to follow health and safety protocols, similar to what was in place through the 2021 Supercross season. The potential rules may include mandatory testing for access to the venue, facial coverings when in group settings, and limited interactions between competitors and spectators.
