motomike137
Member
- Nov 21, 2001
- 181
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From MXLarge.com
"A Lesson In Humility"
Halfway between the cancellation of the MX of Nations and the World Cup of Motocross it´s time to put things into perspective. Here´s a guest column by Andrew Perkins and his brother Jay.
Official press release - Saturday 09/21/02: The company Dorna Off-Road (DOR), promoter and holder of the rights for the Motocross of Nations, informed the FIM about serious problems affecting the organisation of the Motocross of Nations due to take place in Competition Park, San Jacinto, California, on September 28-29.
Like most of the racing fans around the globe - I am not surprised about much of anything anymore. The decision by FIM & Dorna to cancel the MXON was an obvious overature, in what must-now-be, the worst symphany in Motocross history. Never in my life have I witnessed so many knuckle-heads trying to sort through a mess that could have been fixed by a group of school children.
Worse yet, the fan & rider once again suffer the consequences beyond their control for the sake of embarassment and lack of planning by an outside source. For nearly three years now, many of the top journalists around the world have been doing their best to help promote the sport of foreign Motocross by omitting little details and problems that have plagued the GPs. Small spectator turn-outs and customs problems in Russia are prime examples of this. Many of them shy away in fear that their press credentials and status could be denied, while the more seasoned journalist simply waits like shark for the politics to be played out, and better times to come around again. Of course, many will say - how can this be?
For starters, the GP scene has been clearly out of control for a number of years. The one-moto format weekend has all but killed the granduer and prestige of the European Motocross scene. Isn't it ironic that the hard earned money of the European specatator now pays more for watching free practice sessions and time trials more than it does for racing?
What once were three seperate GPs of at least 30 motos per classification, and spectacular events held in over twenty different countries, has now been diminished to a "scanty" 12 race series per classification in as little as 11 countries for one year? Worse yet - the "average" attendance at these GPs (originally forecasted to be in the twenty-thousand range of specatators) has now sunk beneath an all time low of 10,000 spectator per event.
The MXDN (or MXON) is also another grave matter all unto itself. Nearly everyone in sport considers the race to be the largest of all events ... the Olympics of Motocross. Lately, it more resembles a charity event for retarded businessmen and their care givers. What once was a bullet-proof format for glory and honour has suddenly been transformed into some type of experiment ... and for what purpose?
To strip the riders and their nations of their dignity? Every dog has its day, and right now the American MX scene is as hot as a pistol. Years ago it was ALL Europe ... but, not at the present moment. While they do have their excellent riders and talent, their field of players is extremely shallow. And because of this matter, the MXON is simply not the hottest game in town anymore - specifically without the heavy American contingent.
Often, I hear or read press "bites" from the columnist's abroad, about the fine racing capabilities of former GP racers Chad Reed, Grant Langston, David Vuillemin, Sebastien Tortelli, and how their GP boys are showing the American's a thing or two. Other than Reed & Langston (whom are not even European) all that the latter are doing is showing American race fans how to eat a dirt sandwhich and get paid big bucks for doing it!
Mickael Pichon tried his hand for years in the states and simply couldn't cut it! He realised where his bread was buttered, and bolted back to Europe for a couple of titles. The real stars from Europe such as Everts, Smets and a small handful of others have to listen to this rubbish year end and year out, and they know the real score > The only REAL showdown for settleing the matter of domination has always been the Des Nations ... END OF STORY!
As of 23 September, many of the riders around the world were stuck with discounted airfares and travel arrangements that are essentially non-refundable. The MXON has now been moved and slated for Spain on October 19-20. Listen and read carefully - EVERYONE LOSES.
1. American fans & children possibly seeing their first and only MXON = Gone!
2. Possibility of the GP riders and the FIM to gain a broader fan base = Gone!
3. America gets another "black eye" for something it could'nt control. Poor planning by FIM & Dorna = Bad Public image for America!
4. The American Indian tribes once again play their political game for money. Score now = Indians 1 and the rest of the Motocross world 0
5. European fans, journalists, teams & families are without further funding for Spain = More perscriptions of Prozac & Alcohol for the long winter!
Everyone one of us has heard, read, and discussed all of the facts until we are blue in the face. At this point there is so much blame throwing going on, that all of the parties involved have lost sight of the fact that our sport has now been "credibly" damaged. I look back two years ago, and remember how the French federation literally saved the MXON from disaster by overcoming a major fuel crisis.
Last year, the Americans were unable to attend in Belgium due to the horrific events of 09/11. But, they did what Motocrossers are suppossed to do - finish. Several tracks (specifically Glen Helen) came into the rescue at the last minute to save the situation, but the FIM and Dorna played it cool by allowing the time clock to run out in order for a reschedule. They simply didn't want to lose face with their back door political mishaps concerning the AMA and Clear Channel. So instead of "sucking it up" and making alterations ... they chose to inconvenience everyone by blaming the American legal system!
Now the new race date has several conflicting competitions being held on the same calendar weekend? Spain, Australia and Germany all have major races scheduled. England also has a major Supercross event for that weekend. And of course, many of the riders whom are not racing will be taking advantage of their short holiday break before testing and practicing for the upcoming season.
Last Sunday many top riders of the Des Nations such as Everts, Pichon and Carmichael, did not show much interest for the event because of personal plans and the shear lack of enthusiasm. Even a last minute $100,000 winner take-all World Cup of Motocross event is being planned just to allow the American public something to hope for in the aftermath of this disaster.
Tired of all of this ... me too!
The world-wide Motocross community better get real in a hurry. Yes, American MX is very big right now, but it is riding a wave that is starting to become slightly saturated. GPs is practically in ruins from their format changes and business dealings. FIM & Dorna are NOT bad people ... but Motocross is not their number one priority! MotoGP is big business now, and the recent switch of Nicky Hayden to Europe and the ever dominant Rossi are absolute proof of that dominance. On ANY given night you can watch European and American road racing on television ...not so for MX.
Lastly, Competition Park, the Selgado boys, and the Soboba Indian tribe are ALL to blame for this mess. They tried to bend legal matters and assert themselves in areas in which they had no business in doing so. Poor McCassey got caught in the middle of it all, and a very good man lost face staking his whole reputation on the line to save it!
Even worse, the Tribe who goverened the land use of the facility immediately exercised their soverign Indian Nation rites by locking up the land due to the the death of an Indian tribe member at the same facility. Through it all, each one of these parties mentioned - lambasted the press organizations of Motocross Action, RacerX, and Cycle News, by accusing them of sabotaging the fate of the event!?!?! How ridiculous can that be? All within the proximity of a gambling casino ... Very shameful stroke of irony. So before some of you out there in Motocross land start to blame America or any other organization for the cancellation ... just think of this simple math equation:
(Competiton Park / Selgado boys) + ( FIM / DORNA) * Soboba Indian tribe = LESSON IN HUMILITY!
Enough said!
~Swede
"A Lesson In Humility"
Halfway between the cancellation of the MX of Nations and the World Cup of Motocross it´s time to put things into perspective. Here´s a guest column by Andrew Perkins and his brother Jay.
Official press release - Saturday 09/21/02: The company Dorna Off-Road (DOR), promoter and holder of the rights for the Motocross of Nations, informed the FIM about serious problems affecting the organisation of the Motocross of Nations due to take place in Competition Park, San Jacinto, California, on September 28-29.
Like most of the racing fans around the globe - I am not surprised about much of anything anymore. The decision by FIM & Dorna to cancel the MXON was an obvious overature, in what must-now-be, the worst symphany in Motocross history. Never in my life have I witnessed so many knuckle-heads trying to sort through a mess that could have been fixed by a group of school children.
Worse yet, the fan & rider once again suffer the consequences beyond their control for the sake of embarassment and lack of planning by an outside source. For nearly three years now, many of the top journalists around the world have been doing their best to help promote the sport of foreign Motocross by omitting little details and problems that have plagued the GPs. Small spectator turn-outs and customs problems in Russia are prime examples of this. Many of them shy away in fear that their press credentials and status could be denied, while the more seasoned journalist simply waits like shark for the politics to be played out, and better times to come around again. Of course, many will say - how can this be?
For starters, the GP scene has been clearly out of control for a number of years. The one-moto format weekend has all but killed the granduer and prestige of the European Motocross scene. Isn't it ironic that the hard earned money of the European specatator now pays more for watching free practice sessions and time trials more than it does for racing?
What once were three seperate GPs of at least 30 motos per classification, and spectacular events held in over twenty different countries, has now been diminished to a "scanty" 12 race series per classification in as little as 11 countries for one year? Worse yet - the "average" attendance at these GPs (originally forecasted to be in the twenty-thousand range of specatators) has now sunk beneath an all time low of 10,000 spectator per event.
The MXDN (or MXON) is also another grave matter all unto itself. Nearly everyone in sport considers the race to be the largest of all events ... the Olympics of Motocross. Lately, it more resembles a charity event for retarded businessmen and their care givers. What once was a bullet-proof format for glory and honour has suddenly been transformed into some type of experiment ... and for what purpose?
To strip the riders and their nations of their dignity? Every dog has its day, and right now the American MX scene is as hot as a pistol. Years ago it was ALL Europe ... but, not at the present moment. While they do have their excellent riders and talent, their field of players is extremely shallow. And because of this matter, the MXON is simply not the hottest game in town anymore - specifically without the heavy American contingent.
Often, I hear or read press "bites" from the columnist's abroad, about the fine racing capabilities of former GP racers Chad Reed, Grant Langston, David Vuillemin, Sebastien Tortelli, and how their GP boys are showing the American's a thing or two. Other than Reed & Langston (whom are not even European) all that the latter are doing is showing American race fans how to eat a dirt sandwhich and get paid big bucks for doing it!
Mickael Pichon tried his hand for years in the states and simply couldn't cut it! He realised where his bread was buttered, and bolted back to Europe for a couple of titles. The real stars from Europe such as Everts, Smets and a small handful of others have to listen to this rubbish year end and year out, and they know the real score > The only REAL showdown for settleing the matter of domination has always been the Des Nations ... END OF STORY!
As of 23 September, many of the riders around the world were stuck with discounted airfares and travel arrangements that are essentially non-refundable. The MXON has now been moved and slated for Spain on October 19-20. Listen and read carefully - EVERYONE LOSES.
1. American fans & children possibly seeing their first and only MXON = Gone!
2. Possibility of the GP riders and the FIM to gain a broader fan base = Gone!
3. America gets another "black eye" for something it could'nt control. Poor planning by FIM & Dorna = Bad Public image for America!
4. The American Indian tribes once again play their political game for money. Score now = Indians 1 and the rest of the Motocross world 0
5. European fans, journalists, teams & families are without further funding for Spain = More perscriptions of Prozac & Alcohol for the long winter!
Everyone one of us has heard, read, and discussed all of the facts until we are blue in the face. At this point there is so much blame throwing going on, that all of the parties involved have lost sight of the fact that our sport has now been "credibly" damaged. I look back two years ago, and remember how the French federation literally saved the MXON from disaster by overcoming a major fuel crisis.
Last year, the Americans were unable to attend in Belgium due to the horrific events of 09/11. But, they did what Motocrossers are suppossed to do - finish. Several tracks (specifically Glen Helen) came into the rescue at the last minute to save the situation, but the FIM and Dorna played it cool by allowing the time clock to run out in order for a reschedule. They simply didn't want to lose face with their back door political mishaps concerning the AMA and Clear Channel. So instead of "sucking it up" and making alterations ... they chose to inconvenience everyone by blaming the American legal system!
Now the new race date has several conflicting competitions being held on the same calendar weekend? Spain, Australia and Germany all have major races scheduled. England also has a major Supercross event for that weekend. And of course, many of the riders whom are not racing will be taking advantage of their short holiday break before testing and practicing for the upcoming season.
Last Sunday many top riders of the Des Nations such as Everts, Pichon and Carmichael, did not show much interest for the event because of personal plans and the shear lack of enthusiasm. Even a last minute $100,000 winner take-all World Cup of Motocross event is being planned just to allow the American public something to hope for in the aftermath of this disaster.
Tired of all of this ... me too!
The world-wide Motocross community better get real in a hurry. Yes, American MX is very big right now, but it is riding a wave that is starting to become slightly saturated. GPs is practically in ruins from their format changes and business dealings. FIM & Dorna are NOT bad people ... but Motocross is not their number one priority! MotoGP is big business now, and the recent switch of Nicky Hayden to Europe and the ever dominant Rossi are absolute proof of that dominance. On ANY given night you can watch European and American road racing on television ...not so for MX.
Lastly, Competition Park, the Selgado boys, and the Soboba Indian tribe are ALL to blame for this mess. They tried to bend legal matters and assert themselves in areas in which they had no business in doing so. Poor McCassey got caught in the middle of it all, and a very good man lost face staking his whole reputation on the line to save it!
Even worse, the Tribe who goverened the land use of the facility immediately exercised their soverign Indian Nation rites by locking up the land due to the the death of an Indian tribe member at the same facility. Through it all, each one of these parties mentioned - lambasted the press organizations of Motocross Action, RacerX, and Cycle News, by accusing them of sabotaging the fate of the event!?!?! How ridiculous can that be? All within the proximity of a gambling casino ... Very shameful stroke of irony. So before some of you out there in Motocross land start to blame America or any other organization for the cancellation ... just think of this simple math equation:
(Competiton Park / Selgado boys) + ( FIM / DORNA) * Soboba Indian tribe = LESSON IN HUMILITY!
Enough said!
~Swede
