World Moto Clash’s “open-format championship” promises anything-goes bikes and a $2.86 million purse
A new racing concept called World Moto Clash is being pitched as a reset for motorcycle competition, binning the traditional regulations governing machine capacity and specification such as those in WorldSBK or MotoGP, in favour of letting almost anything line up on the grid.
The project is led by Stanford Crane, described in business profiles as a serial entrepreneur across tech, sport, media and entertainment. WMC’s core pitch is that it is “an open-format championship” designed to reduce the typical barriers to entry and expand what’s eligible to race. It says there are “no bike restrictions,” and sums up the concept with the line: “if it can compete, it can race.” WMC also claims that “Performance-based classification ensures fair, exciting competition,” although a full public explanation of how that performance-based system works has not yet been outlined in detail.
The intent is to allow everything from familiar production-based machinery through to more specialised builds. WMC’s own description includes: “Sportbikes, superbikes, naked bikes, prototypes.” With such a wide potential spread, one key question will be how the series groups bikes on track and manages differences in performance, especially if significantly different specifications end up sharing the same sessions or races – with everything from turbo sportsbikes to ex MotoGP or WorldSBK machinery theoretically possible. Those details will likely determine how close the racing looks and how predictable the results become as teams and riders learn what works best.
The event format also remains a developing part of the picture. The schedule for the first round lists track sessions categorised as ‘Red’ or ‘Black’, without a published explanation of what separates those groups, whether that’s based on speed, machinery type, rider experience, or another factor. Similarly, WMC has spoken broadly about its approach but has not yet released the kind of technical and sporting regulations that typically clarify grid selection, progression, and how a mixed field is structured across a weekend. The series has indicated a large entry pool, with a starting field of 48 riders to be reduced to 30 for the final grid, which suggests a selection or elimination component will play a central role in shaping the final race line-up.
WMC is also leaning heavily into its prize money. It is advertising a total purse of $2,860,000 per event, describing it as “The richest motorcycle race in modern history.” The breakdown includes $1,000,000 for first place, $500,000 for second, and $250,000 for third. Additional payouts will be available further down the order as well, with even 30th place earning $10,000.
Another pillar of the concept is a team structure branded as Super Teams. WMC says: “WMC introduces the Super Teams model,” aiming to create clearer team identities and rivalries. Three well-known American racing figures have been announced as team leaders: Colin Edwards for Texas Tornadoes, Miguel Duhamel for Vegas Venom, and Gregg Smrz for Action Stars. Details on which riders will be attached to each team, what bikes they will field, and whether teams will operate with shared equipment strategies or simply act as banners for grouped riders are still to be confirmed.
WMC is also presenting the series as a media-savvy product as well, stating that “Reality programming, live broadcasts, and digital content” are built into its overall model.
With its open eligibility approach, a key focus will be how WMC prevents the competition from converging around a single dominant bike package and how it maintains quality racing across a mixed technical playing field. As with any new series, much will hinge on how clearly the format is communicated to fans and whether its performance-based classification system can keep the competition balanced.
World Moto Clash is scheduled for July 10 to 12 at Utah Motorsports Campus.
More information is available on the official website.
