The Lake Whitney Spring Classic has played host to the biggest names in motocross. You don't get to the top of the supercross podium without numerous stops at Lake Whitney first. It's the maiden amateur national of the year and is one of the most celebrated races in American motocross.  

Last year Lake Whitney experienced a regime change as long time motocross enthusiast and race promoter Allen McWilliams (and family) took over the lease to the track. Their first year promoting the national might be one they'd rather forget (rain soaked the track for the better part of the week), but lessons were learned, and they've changed the format quite a bit to better cater to the riders in 2010. The bottom line? Expect changes, and expect them to be for the better.  

Get ready for more track time ladies and gents, because Lake Whitney is about to serve it up on a silver platter. And no, we're not just talking about the pros, every class will get more time on the track this year at Lake Whitney. And just to prove we're not blowing smoke up your you know what, we rang up Mr. McWilliams himself as he was in route to the Whitney facility to prepare for the warm-up.  

So what exactly can you, the rider, expect in terms of format changes at Whitney? Read on.  

We'll try and make this as black and white as possible. Riders will first run their heat qualifier, which will be made up a five lap race. If riders don't make it through the qualifier they will be placed into an LCQ, or Last Chance Qualifier, which will be composed of a three to four lap race. These will be for gate pick only, and will not count towards your overall score for a title. The only difference here is that instead of earning gate positions based on which division you draw, gate picks will be awarded based on a combination of finishing position and lap time. For example, if rider X and rider Y line up in divisions one and two, respectively, and rider X wins division one while rider Y wins division two, instead of rider X getting the first gate pick, both riders lap times will be compared to see who gets the first pick, and so on down the list.  

The big difference is that the qualifiers don't count towards your main event. In the past if a rider crashed in the first turn and got up to finish 10th, then they would carry that 10th into the main and have little hope at earning a title. Now each and every rider who earns a spot on the main gate will be sitting even with zero points.  

Now for the big change. Once in the main riders will race a two moto format for the championship. "I always told myself that if we were ever fortunate enough to put on a national and stay successful, I would want to do it different," said Allen. "And with this new format I think we're accomplishing that. Riders will get more track time and the race will be run like a national ought to be."  

                                   Allen and company are hoping the weather is not a repeat from 2009.

Not only will riders get to race in a two moto format for the main, they will get more time on the track as well. "The mini bikes will get 15 minute motos, the big bikes 18 and the pros 20, and they will each get two motos," stated Allen. "Now when we pick a champion it will be the real champion. Everything will be earned."  

Allen also commented on some major track changes, but was hesitant to go into detail as he was still on his way to the facility to meet up with track builders to finalize the plans. "All I can say at this point is that there will be track changes."  

There you have it folks. An all new year and an all new format for Lake Whitney. For more event details, including ways in which to pre-register for the event log onto www.lakewhitneymx.com.