What do these privateer riders actually make from contingency? I usually do this contingency article every year as it has been a big hit. In order to get Matthes off of my ass, I went and looked up each of the manufacturer posted contingency again for the 2020 season. Contingency may not be important to the factory supported riders, but you can guarantee that guys like Alex Ray, Tyler Bowers, and Chris Blose are keeping tabs on what they are making through contingency every Saturday night. Below is a breakdown of the 2020 contingency payouts from each manufacturer and for fun we go over what a couple actual privateers have made in contingency so far for this season (four rounds in).
Honda:
Breakdown: 450
1. 15,000
2. 7,500
3. 5,000
4. 3,000
5. 2,500
6. 2,000
7. 1,750
8. 1,550
9. 1,250
10. 1,000
11. 900
12. 800
13. 750
14. 700
15. 650
16. 600
17. 550
18. 500
19. 450
20. 400
21-22. 250
250:
1. 10,000
2. 7,500
3. 5,000
4. 3,000
5. 2,500
6. 2,000
7. 1,250
8. 1,000
9. 900
10. 800
11. 700
12. 650
13. 600
14. 550
15. 500
16. 450
17. 400
18. 350
19. 300
20-22. 250
Kawasaki:
450 and 250:
1.15,000
2. 10,000
3. 7,500
4. 5,000
5. 4,000
6. 3,000
7. 2,000
8-15th. 1,000
16-22nd. 500
BONUS: Qualify For The 450 And/Or 250 Night Show: $300.00
Yamaha:
450 and 250 Classes:
1. 15,000
2. 10,000
3. 5,000
4. 2,500
5. 1,000
6-10. 500
11-15. 350
16-20. 250
21-22. 200
KTM:
450:
1.15,000
2. 7,500
3. 5,000
4. 3,000
5. 2,500
6. 2,000
7. 1,750
8. 1,500
9. 1,250
10. 1,000
11-15. 500
16-22. 400
250:
1.15,000
2. 5,000
3. 4,000
4. 2,000
5. 1,750
6. 1,500
7. 1,250
8. 1,000
9. 900
10. 800
11-15. 500
16-22. 400
Husqvarna:
450 And 250 Classes:
1-10. 600
11-22. 400
Suzuki:
450 And 250 Classes:
1.12,000
2. 6,000
3. 3,000
4. 1,500
5. 800
6-10. 500
11-15. 400
16-22. 250
Who’s Made What?
Chris Blose (4 rounds raced): Blose has been hitting all of the west rounds on his 450 with the help of the FXR/Chaparral Honda team, but is still considered a privateer. Chris is a solid main event rider and getting valuable 450 seat time is important to his 250 east hopes. Getting some of that extra Honda contingency helps with expenses that come out of his own pocket. Just because it looks like Blose may not be making the most on paper doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t actually clearing more the $1,900 shown. Sometimes manufacturers will create double contingency for their privateer supported teams. Food for thought.
Honda: (Actual): $1,900
Kawasaki: (Hypothetical) $3,200
Yamaha: (Hypothetical) $1,000
KTM: (Hypothetical) $1,600
Husqvarna: (Hypothetical) $1,600
Suzuki: (Hypothetical) $1,000
Tyler Bowers (3 rounds raced): The Bear is another journeyman racer that will race anything with a big enough purse. He skipped one race to compete in the German series, but is back for the remaining AMA rounds. Luckily for Bowers he is on the best color machine for the type of rider he is. Let’s face it, right now Bowers is a 12-18 type of rider and in that finishing position, Kawasaki is the best manufacturer to be on as a SX privateer. Kawasaki is the only manufacturer to give riders extra cash when they make the night show as well. If I was doing it on my own, I would be doing it on a Kawasaki right now as well. Smart move Bowers!
Kawasaki: (Actual) $2,600
Honda: (Hypothetical) $1,300
Suzuki: (Hypothetical): $900
Yamaha: (Hypothetical) $850
KTM: (Hypothetical) $1,300
Husqvarna: (Hypothetical) $1,200
