Image: Octopi Media.

Multi-time Supercross and Pro Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael has underlined the significance of the upcoming SuperMotocross World Championship Finals series, firmly believing that ‘SMX is the pinnacle of dirt bike racing’.

The first-ever SMX playoffs take off at ZMax Dragway from Friday, with entry lists, event structures and further information recently released.

Adding another 450 and 250 championship up for grabs in each category, the SMX concept clearly places the highest weighting on the playoffs, evident in terms of prize money on offer and the structure of the season itself.

However, with 2023 being its initial running, curiosity surrounding the prestige of winning an SMX championship is evident, in comparison to the historic Monster Energy Supercross or Pro Motocross titles that have been staple, world-renowned series for decades.

“Make no mistake about it, the SMX is the pinnacle of dirt bike racing,” NBC Sports SMX analyst Carmichael commented this week. “Of all of the other world championships, you name it, in my opinion, and we’ve got the riders to stand for it, this is the pinnacle of dirt bike racing.

“So to win here and to win this SMX World Championship with all of these worthy riders, that should be enough incentive, outside of just going out and trying the dethrone Jett Lawrence [following his perfect start to his 450 career]. It’s going to be exciting – this is the last chance of the year for Chase [Sexton], for a lot of guys to come out and beat him, win another championship and win that money. The incentive is there.”

Carmichael – who is confident that ‘everyone is going to benefit from SMX down the road’ – never had the chance to compete in a post-season like this, but outlined he would place the highest priority on securing an SMX title, even with championship wins already throughout the year.

“It’s a new way of thinking, it’s a completely different way of thinking,” he added. “A lot like when there was a grand national championship back in the day… The crown jewel is the world championship, 100 percent about it, and I think it’s just the way that we are going to have to learn to think of it as.

“The conference championship is nice, but I would forfeit all of these race wins for a world championship, any day of the week and twice on Sunday. After winning the Supercross and motocross championship, you have to keep that momentum going, and I would do my damnedest to win that world championship because it is, especially in this day and age, the crown jewel.”

Ahead of the first playoff in Charlotte this weekend, Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton and Hunter Lawrence hold the number one seeds in 450SMX in 250SMX, respectively, with action commencing Friday afternoon with free practice.