Mike Genova telling it like it is...

1/29/2013 2:07pm
Jt$ wrote:
You can't really believe that Dave is the problem right? This has to be a joke. Dave is one of the coolest guys in the sport...
You can't really believe that Dave is the problem right? This has to be a joke. Dave is one of the coolest guys in the sport and works his ass off to make things better for everyone involved. Ask around.
Sorry JT, but he runs the show, and the show now puts more emphasis on being a monster commercial than actual racing. So I think hes at fault still.
Someone can still be a cool guy & work his ass off but not treat the talent and the sport as it should be treated.
Im still calling you out DAVE PRATER.
Braaap14
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1/29/2013 2:56pm
Crash82 wrote:
It would help if Emig would mention 800 or the team on the air, he had no issues with giving everyone else props.
its not mentioning just motoconcepts....


its mentioning all the sponsors for each rider, correctly and whenever possible without ruining the commentary....
2thefront
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1/29/2013 3:16pm
I actually give them a pass for coverage of teams/sponsors for the most part. Each heat race is between 7-8 min and a main event is under 20 min. That's not a lot of time to cover everyone. Especially when you have big names crashing like Oakland or RV at A1 or a good race for the lead like A1. That said, it would be interesting to know who/what the broadcasters are told not to mention from Feld.

One thing they could do is between the heats and LCQ's have a pit reporter walk live through the pits for interviews instead of the guys in the booth talking. Then you could get some TV time to the rolling billboard semi/tent setups for most teams along with the riders getting specific TV time where they could mention sponsors.
wydopen
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1/29/2013 3:16pm
I don't see why a guy who got loads of cash comes in and tries to change the way things run in the sport. Good on...
I don't see why a guy who got loads of cash comes in and tries to change the way things run in the sport. Good on him for having a successful team and companies but I would try and do bigger and better things than have a mid-level privateer team. If I had that cash flow I would say FU AMA/Feld/MXSports and start up my own series being promoter and sanctioning body. Put up some cash, throw out some start money and one would think it would be easy to get riders and spectators to show up. WE are the audience, give us the show we want. I'd support that big time. One would think a reputable series could be built within a reasonable amount of time to start seeing a return. Especially for a successful businessman like MG.
bring back ultracross!

The Shop

Motodrew295
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1/29/2013 3:25pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2013 3:27pm
This is some good discussion, what i wanted to see! It's a crazy idea, am I'm dreaming of a scenario where I had Genova's Cash, his gall, his FU attitude to the manufacturer's. "The man" trying to stick it to the even bigger "man" ! He works with Extreme Motorsports park in Airway Heights, WA to put on a race every year and it attracts a decent turnout, and a competitive feild! If someone like him, who is gaining credibility with each passing season, extrapolated that sort of race over a series and worked to grow, it has potential to compete someday. I think with as many people, teams, fans, riders, that are over playing by FELD's rules and their monopoly, and the same "show" regurgitated year after year, they might be open to the idea of competing elsewhere and on different terms. There are more and more private teams, with less manufacturer influence that my want to entertain the idea of taking THEIR ball and going somewhere else....but obviously there is nowhere else to go, its either put-up or shut-up.

My philosophy would be, why compete for championships, if I could build my own (championship series) AND compete for them? Sure, in the formative years is may not be as respectable, but I feel like there could be strategies used and steps taken to cultivate a series to compete with the current SX. Competition is always good, and right now FELD has no competition with their "show".
TeamGreen
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1/29/2013 3:29pm
There are some absolutely INSANE mis-conceptions or Wild-Ideas about the How's, What's and Why's when it comes to Factory Bikes and Who get's them...and Why...and for HOW MUCH.

Furthermore:

Plenty of NON-Factory Bikes doing well as of late.

WHO is leading the Series and WHAT Factory Parts is he running...?

How many "Factory Bikes" in the Top 20? (1/2 of them = 10)

It's the Genova's, Payton's (One of the Privateer O.G.'s along with guys like Dave Antolak of Tuf!), Lee's and Hewitt's that're gonna be the Future of this Sport.
1/29/2013 3:40pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2013 3:42pm
Choppy wrote:
Didn't they try this with that BOOKOO arenacross thing? This sport, to me, just does not seem like it could support two series. All I see...
Didn't they try this with that BOOKOO arenacross thing?

This sport, to me, just does not seem like it could support two series. All I see happening from something like this are two series going under because it would conflict with one of the series we have and split the talent.
http://motorcaster.com/cart-irl-split-timeline

Just start at 1993-1994 to see why this is not a good idea. If they couldn't make it happen, at a time when they were trying to rival NASCAR, we certainly cannot. It took both sides over a decade to finally admit it was a huge mistake.
1/29/2013 3:41pm
TeamGreen wrote:
There are some absolutely INSANE mis-conceptions or Wild-Ideas about the How's, What's and Why's when it comes to Factory Bikes and Who get's them...and Why...and for...
There are some absolutely INSANE mis-conceptions or Wild-Ideas about the How's, What's and Why's when it comes to Factory Bikes and Who get's them...and Why...and for HOW MUCH.

Furthermore:

Plenty of NON-Factory Bikes doing well as of late.

WHO is leading the Series and WHAT Factory Parts is he running...?

How many "Factory Bikes" in the Top 20? (1/2 of them = 10)

It's the Genova's, Payton's (One of the Privateer O.G.'s along with guys like Dave Antolak of Tuf!), Lee's and Hewitt's that're gonna be the Future of this Sport.
Agreed, gone are the days of factory parts being so much better than anything else anyone can get. Hell, the guy leading the series apparently can't even use the test track..
tbright80
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Lexington, NC, USA
1/29/2013 4:24pm
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not to race and stand up for the privateers things will change. These factories paying riders 500,000- 1 million salaries is somewhat pointless let the outside sponsors take care of their paycheck and spread that budget across the board to help other trams form and foremost if privateers who have a top #100 are left without a ride let these brands come in give them a contract with sponsorship so they'll at least have bikes to continue races. I been a privateer since 06 been on small teams here and there but finally moved on to the real world this past summer $300-500 check from the races isn't starting a future or even a base.
Now it's just a fun hobby
BAMX
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1/29/2013 4:27pm
Agreed, gone are the days of factory parts being so much better than anything else anyone can get. Hell, the guy leading the series apparently can't...
Agreed, gone are the days of factory parts being so much better than anything else anyone can get. Hell, the guy leading the series apparently can't even use the test track..
It is just sad that Suzuki keeps getting results from these teams and offers nothing back. There is a Genova interview where he said that he would have run yellow bikes with Suzuki for very little last year during the nationals. He actually mentioned as little as them giving him a couple of bikes. According to him, they wouldn't even respond to numerous calls and emails. Personally, I am glad that he does what he can to hide the make if they are going to act the way they do.
2thefront
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1/29/2013 7:22pm
Agreed, gone are the days of factory parts being so much better than anything else anyone can get. Hell, the guy leading the series apparently can't...
Agreed, gone are the days of factory parts being so much better than anything else anyone can get. Hell, the guy leading the series apparently can't even use the test track..
BAMX wrote:
It is just sad that Suzuki keeps getting results from these teams and offers nothing back. There is a Genova interview where he said that he...
It is just sad that Suzuki keeps getting results from these teams and offers nothing back. There is a Genova interview where he said that he would have run yellow bikes with Suzuki for very little last year during the nationals. He actually mentioned as little as them giving him a couple of bikes. According to him, they wouldn't even respond to numerous calls and emails. Personally, I am glad that he does what he can to hide the make if they are going to act the way they do.
I'm not sure those guys are even begging too hard for anything from the factory. Sure, Genova would take some free bikes and parts here and there. I guarantee you more than that though, he would like Feld to take it's hands off the sport a little bit and let him have a better chance at bringing in some outside the industry sponsorship money. THAT is the only future for the sport. We already see the OEM's are running dry on the cash they need to keep factoryish teams.

Even JGR, who got into the sport just because they saw the way it was headed, can't seem to attract any outside money right now. That should tell you something.
1/29/2013 9:13pm
olds cool wrote:
I didn't start this thread to call for a competing series but those of you that broght that up do have some interesting ideas. My whole...
I didn't start this thread to call for a competing series but those of you that broght that up do have some interesting ideas. My whole thought process was that the PTB (mostly FELD and the manufacturers) need to discover the saying "a rising tide floats ALL the ships." Hate to keep using the NASCAR example but NASCAR has learned that by letting everybody participate (merchandise, t-shirts, etc.), it makes the whole sport healthier. I don't claim to have all the answers by any means but even Ray Charles can see that the current business model is not working and is not conducive to drawing outside sponsors with real money except for a few select teams.
I remember several years ago they tested showing the Supercross race directly after the Nascar race on Sunday. Those races managed to keep 90% of that TV audience. This was over 2 million viewers verses the 200K MG was saying they get on Saturday night. Maybe this would solve the big money TV issue, and then the teams get to revenue share like the NFL.
Adam43
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1/29/2013 10:35pm
Any business model that is based on what amounts to charity and goodwill efforts by the racing teams is doomed in the long run. However, people will always line up to race...if even just for the glory. Feld & MX Sports take advantage of this to the hilt. There is no question teams need additional revenue streams if costs continue at this expense.

However, it's important to remember that the promoters have essentially allowed the manufacturers to write their own rulebook. The manufacturers are the ones who chose to bring about the four stroke era, and they determined the respective displacement limits. They are also the ones who choose to pay the riders what they do, and who choose to roll semi trucks (sometimes two per team) with one motorcycle all around the country. All of these items account for the vast increase in participation costs over the past 15 years.

While its easy to cry poor, teams and manufacturers have raised the cost of doing business all on their own.
WhKnuckle
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1/29/2013 11:00pm
Lots of people, including me, thought that having a large number of professional teams instead of 4 or 5 factory teams and a few satellite teams like Pro Circuit would be good for the sport. But I'm starting to think that the total pie just isn't big enough to support all these teams. Back in the day, factories ran teams at a big net loss because it was good for the brand. The few satellite teams were partially supported by factories too, and of course the privateers weren't making any money at all. The total money flowing into the sport was tiny and was mostly underwritten by the factories. Today, we have more outside sponsorship but much less factory money - so how can the total pie be big enough to support ALL these teams? Obviously it isn't, and teams are going under.

There simply isn't enough total money in this sport to take it to the next level. MX/SX is now, and will continue to be, a relatively minor league sport, and we need to recognize that. We shouldn't be surprised when teams fold - there simply isn't enough total money to support everyone.
GHR
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1/29/2013 11:03pm
Adam43 wrote:
Any business model that is based on what amounts to charity and goodwill efforts by the racing teams is doomed in the long run. However, people...
Any business model that is based on what amounts to charity and goodwill efforts by the racing teams is doomed in the long run. However, people will always line up to race...if even just for the glory. Feld & MX Sports take advantage of this to the hilt. There is no question teams need additional revenue streams if costs continue at this expense.

However, it's important to remember that the promoters have essentially allowed the manufacturers to write their own rulebook. The manufacturers are the ones who chose to bring about the four stroke era, and they determined the respective displacement limits. They are also the ones who choose to pay the riders what they do, and who choose to roll semi trucks (sometimes two per team) with one motorcycle all around the country. All of these items account for the vast increase in participation costs over the past 15 years.

While its easy to cry poor, teams and manufacturers have raised the cost of doing business all on their own.
So true! The money being spent is totally unnecessary on so many levels. I spent 2800 bucks to "rent" triple clamps from factory Yamaha so GL could have them for a few races in 2009. Give me a million breaks..
jbomx363
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1/30/2013 6:34am
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the IHRA from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an entertainment company? The IHRA was never for sale, but by their persistence, the 3 car guys have bought it.
Overdrive
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1/30/2013 6:56am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2013 6:58am
Take take take and give very little back is how I view the promoters and manufacturers these days. They whore out the riders, teams and general public. Riders put their lives on the line, Teams put their financial future on the line and the general public put money they don't have on the line for these PIMPS. Sorry if thats blunt but thats how I see it. They are sucking all the money out of those who support the sport and it will soon die off if something doesn't change. Greed is what I see from Feld, its beyond making a profit.
Panic_Rev
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1/30/2013 7:38am
2thefront wrote:
I actually give them a pass for coverage of teams/sponsors for the most part. Each heat race is between 7-8 min and a main event is...
I actually give them a pass for coverage of teams/sponsors for the most part. Each heat race is between 7-8 min and a main event is under 20 min. That's not a lot of time to cover everyone. Especially when you have big names crashing like Oakland or RV at A1 or a good race for the lead like A1. That said, it would be interesting to know who/what the broadcasters are told not to mention from Feld.

One thing they could do is between the heats and LCQ's have a pit reporter walk live through the pits for interviews instead of the guys in the booth talking. Then you could get some TV time to the rolling billboard semi/tent setups for most teams along with the riders getting specific TV time where they could mention sponsors.
The 2nd part of this is a great idea!
flarider
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1/30/2013 8:00am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2013 8:00am
jbomx363 wrote:
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the [b]IHRA[/b] from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an...
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the IHRA from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an entertainment company? The IHRA was never for sale, but by their persistence, the 3 car guys have bought it.
Wrong.
Feld has had segments of the motorsports up for sale for years, as long as the right price and right situation came along.

EVERYTHING is ALWAYS for sale, as long as the terms and price desired can be negotiated and met.

If you have enough money and want to play along, I'm sure you could buy Supercross.
exsarg
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1/30/2013 8:26am
tbright80 wrote:
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not...
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not to race and stand up for the privateers things will change. These factories paying riders 500,000- 1 million salaries is somewhat pointless let the outside sponsors take care of their paycheck and spread that budget across the board to help other trams form and foremost if privateers who have a top #100 are left without a ride let these brands come in give them a contract with sponsorship so they'll at least have bikes to continue races. I been a privateer since 06 been on small teams here and there but finally moved on to the real world this past summer $300-500 check from the races isn't starting a future or even a base.
Now it's just a fun hobby
agreed. guys like you are necessary. the top 10 are taking all the dough leaving fast pros like you with fucking scraps. like the gps. pretty soon your gonna have to pay feld and the ama several thousand per race, leaving only the bigger teams.
jbomx363
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1/30/2013 8:33am
jbomx363 wrote:
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the [b]IHRA[/b] from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an...
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the IHRA from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an entertainment company? The IHRA was never for sale, but by their persistence, the 3 car guys have bought it.
flarider wrote:
Wrong. Feld has had segments of the motorsports up for sale for years, as long as the right price and right situation came along. EVERYTHING is...
Wrong.
Feld has had segments of the motorsports up for sale for years, as long as the right price and right situation came along.

EVERYTHING is ALWAYS for sale, as long as the terms and price desired can be negotiated and met.

If you have enough money and want to play along, I'm sure you could buy Supercross.
Wrong my ass.

Thankfully, I know that you don't know everything.
Sandberm
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1/30/2013 8:49am
2thefront wrote:
I actually give them a pass for coverage of teams/sponsors for the most part. Each heat race is between 7-8 min and a main event is...
I actually give them a pass for coverage of teams/sponsors for the most part. Each heat race is between 7-8 min and a main event is under 20 min. That's not a lot of time to cover everyone. Especially when you have big names crashing like Oakland or RV at A1 or a good race for the lead like A1. That said, it would be interesting to know who/what the broadcasters are told not to mention from Feld.

One thing they could do is between the heats and LCQ's have a pit reporter walk live through the pits for interviews instead of the guys in the booth talking. Then you could get some TV time to the rolling billboard semi/tent setups for most teams along with the riders getting specific TV time where they could mention sponsors.
Panic_Rev wrote:
The 2nd part of this is a great idea!
I agree, good thinking 2thefront.

Genovas just looking for a little mention of his companies product during the tv broadcast. I'm guessing he is pretty tired of the Monster TV airtime monopoly.

During the one hour broadcasts it might be tough to get all the teams sponsers in, but the live broadcasts have PLENTY of time between races to talk to some teams and give mention to their sponsers. If Feld had enough time to kick it down to the floor to have Diana Dahlgren and that bearded guy read tweets, they have enough time to showcase a team or two with some 1 minute spots.

Get rid of the Scott Spezio interview, the Pit Party film segment and reading tweets and showcase the teams and their sponsers.
flarider
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1/30/2013 9:03am
jbomx363 wrote:
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the [b]IHRA[/b] from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an...
Maybe Mike Genova can talk to the guys that just bought the IHRA from Feld to see how they wrangled the drag racing business from an entertainment company? The IHRA was never for sale, but by their persistence, the 3 car guys have bought it.
flarider wrote:
Wrong. Feld has had segments of the motorsports up for sale for years, as long as the right price and right situation came along. EVERYTHING is...
Wrong.
Feld has had segments of the motorsports up for sale for years, as long as the right price and right situation came along.

EVERYTHING is ALWAYS for sale, as long as the terms and price desired can be negotiated and met.

If you have enough money and want to play along, I'm sure you could buy Supercross.
jbomx363 wrote:
Wrong my ass.

Thankfully, I know that you don't know everything.
I'm not going to argue with you, you believe what you want, but I know for a fact Feld has been looking to dump IHRA, a money loser for them, for years, and they've also quietly offered the same with other properties.

The IHRA sale isn't news or a surprise
The Rock
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1/30/2013 10:08am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2013 10:10am
tbright80 wrote:
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not...
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not to race and stand up for the privateers things will change. These factories paying riders 500,000- 1 million salaries is somewhat pointless let the outside sponsors take care of their paycheck and spread that budget across the board to help other trams form and foremost if privateers who have a top #100 are left without a ride let these brands come in give them a contract with sponsorship so they'll at least have bikes to continue races. I been a privateer since 06 been on small teams here and there but finally moved on to the real world this past summer $300-500 check from the races isn't starting a future or even a base.
Now it's just a fun hobby
By all indication the current top racers have no interest in changing the sport. Their bread is being buttered and life is good for the select few.

Look at how quickly the rider safety/union thing died......seemed like as soon as it became apparent some money was going to have to be invested in this the racers who appeared interested suddenly lost interest. Like I said the current top racers have no interest in changing the sport especially if it is going to cost them any money.

Glad you survived your privateer experience in one piece and made the right decision to get into the real world. The risk/reward ratio given the insane nature of SX and MX tracks these days just doesn't make sense for anyone that is thinking about their future after racing.

I'm with RC on changing the tracks......this is LONG over due but the "racing is dangerous...injuries are a part of the sport" crowd seem to be the loudest voice in the argument so nothing ever really changes.
Choppy
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1/30/2013 11:26am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2013 11:27am
tbright80 wrote:
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not...
It's up to the top riders to change the sport !!! They know the other guys are racing for minimum wage income if they were not to race and stand up for the privateers things will change. These factories paying riders 500,000- 1 million salaries is somewhat pointless let the outside sponsors take care of their paycheck and spread that budget across the board to help other trams form and foremost if privateers who have a top #100 are left without a ride let these brands come in give them a contract with sponsorship so they'll at least have bikes to continue races. I been a privateer since 06 been on small teams here and there but finally moved on to the real world this past summer $300-500 check from the races isn't starting a future or even a base.
Now it's just a fun hobby
The Rock wrote:
By all indication the current top racers have no interest in changing the sport. Their bread is being buttered and life is good for the select...
By all indication the current top racers have no interest in changing the sport. Their bread is being buttered and life is good for the select few.

Look at how quickly the rider safety/union thing died......seemed like as soon as it became apparent some money was going to have to be invested in this the racers who appeared interested suddenly lost interest. Like I said the current top racers have no interest in changing the sport especially if it is going to cost them any money.

Glad you survived your privateer experience in one piece and made the right decision to get into the real world. The risk/reward ratio given the insane nature of SX and MX tracks these days just doesn't make sense for anyone that is thinking about their future after racing.

I'm with RC on changing the tracks......this is LONG over due but the "racing is dangerous...injuries are a part of the sport" crowd seem to be the loudest voice in the argument so nothing ever really changes.
It more died down do to some people making phone calls....

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