Vital MX Forum QNA: Mitch Payton

Related:
Forum QNA
Mitch Payton
Canerat
Profile picture for user Canerat
Posts
780
Joined
4/7/2011
Location
ZA
Canerat 1/19/2016 10:19am
1/19/2016 10:19am Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 10:27am
Thank you for your time Mitch

Straight to the point. What will it take for you to give a young South African a test?

Thank you and much appreciated

Rider References - Grant Langston / Hylton B.
Andrew337
Profile picture for user Andrew337
Posts
129
Joined
6/24/2015
Location
Grand Prairie, TX US
Andrew337 1/19/2016 10:41am
1/19/2016 10:41am Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 10:42am
Mitch, thanks for taking the time answer some of our questions.

I'm sure you don't have a lot of down time between running your business and team, but when you do have down time how do you like to spend it? What are your interests or hobbies outside of racing?
dsmith
Profile picture for user dsmith
Posts
4557
Joined
3/29/2011
Location
way north, IN US
Fantasy
511th
dsmith 1/19/2016 10:49am
1/19/2016 10:49am
hi mitch,
i just wanna say that i love pro circuit stuff....i got a kx65 that i bought to hang on my living room wall and it's only gonna have pro circuit stuff on it...im not done with it yet...so far it's got PC platinum pipe,PC shorty silencer,PC levers, PC graphics...thanks for making killer parts and stuff. also, do you really drink monsters? if so, what flavor?
thanks
Steve125
Profile picture for user Steve125
Posts
1409
Joined
11/24/2010
Location
CT US
Steve125 1/19/2016 11:08am
1/19/2016 11:08am
Hey Mitch, Thanks for all you've done for the sport over the years. You've advanced the sport so much, by consistently fielding a top notch race team, and at the same time providing professional quality products for the masses. You're dedication does not go unappreciated. Thank you.

On another note.. What do you fast guys like on the menu at Delmonico's Steak house in Utica NY? lol.. I've seen you and the team there the past few years come Unadilla time.

The Shop

See All »
Mit12
Profile picture for user Mit12
Posts
2176
Joined
6/23/2014
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ US
Mit12 1/19/2016 11:22am
1/19/2016 11:22am
Mitch,
First off Congratulations on your successful career! I remember when we met at a Sled Riders meating and hanging around with the gang at the old Anaheim Husky shop. Boy we could fill this form with stories of old. My question to you is, looking back on those times did you ever think you would be the most successful Race team in MX and SX? And what were the greatest challanges you have had to overcome business wise?
Thanks Tim
ML512
Profile picture for user ML512
Posts
16875
Joined
12/28/2008
Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
1498th
ML512 1/19/2016 11:35am
1/19/2016 11:35am
Mitch,

How many mini-dads or agents have you had call you up, or approach you and say "Did you see how fast my kid/rider was going last Thursday at Glen Helen? He was pretty close to your guys..."

Laughing
2
TooOldToPlay
Profile picture for user TooOldToPlay
Posts
725
Joined
12/10/2008
Location
Tomahawk, WI US
TooOldToPlay 1/19/2016 11:55am
1/19/2016 11:55am Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 11:58am
Hey Mitch,

How the hell did you ever end up with that property up by Mille Lacs? LOL Always figured it was a family property at some point in time. Pretty area up there and some great bass fishing!

1
nytsmaC
Profile picture for user nytsmaC
Posts
5946
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off CA
nytsmaC 1/19/2016 12:21pm
1/19/2016 12:21pm
Tell us a High Point late night shenanigans story, like DC referenced back when RacerX was a newspaper!
Sandberm
Profile picture for user Sandberm
Posts
5845
Joined
3/27/2009
Location
Pasco, WA US
Sandberm 1/19/2016 12:30pm
1/19/2016 12:30pm
Sounds like there is about a half dozen Mitch Payten insiders posting questions in this thread asking for wild stories from way back in the day.

Howzabout you guys post a story first? Sounds like you guys might have a few.Smile
MxKing809
Profile picture for user MxKing809
Posts
6374
Joined
10/13/2013
Location
Big Sand Whoops, MI US
Fantasy
198th
MxKing809 1/19/2016 1:17pm
1/19/2016 1:17pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 1:41pm
Hey Mitch,

You have brought over international talent with the most success. What has prompted you to persue them? Does personel decisions like bringing over a rider from over seas get influenced by the factory or is that mainly your doing searching for winning riders regardless of their nationality?

Thanks for coming on this site, it's not as bad as it's cracked up to be!

Side note/story:

I went to the Vegas SX a few years ago, and you and Kdub were playing blackjack at the MGM.... I walked up and played a hand (50 buck minimum) with you guys. You were having quite a good time, growling and putting chips in your mouth so you wouldn't spend them... it was awesome. Glad to have guys like you in the sport. It was the best 50 dollars I've ever spent!
mattyhamz2 1/19/2016 1:20pm
1/19/2016 1:20pm
ML512 wrote:
Mitch, How many mini-dads or agents have you had call you up, or approach you and say "Did you see how fast my kid/rider was going...
Mitch,

How many mini-dads or agents have you had call you up, or approach you and say "Did you see how fast my kid/rider was going last Thursday at Glen Helen? He was pretty close to your guys..."

Laughing
Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing I'd have to assume thousands! But I can't wait for Mitch's answer!
mauidex
Profile picture for user mauidex
Posts
2069
Joined
9/12/2011
Location
Haiku, HI US
mauidex 1/19/2016 1:46pm
1/19/2016 1:46pm
knowing how psycho Honda was back in the day with riders and clothing regarding logos and colors and all kinds of corporate hoops, mid 80's to 90's, .........how the hell did you get them to let you run BLUE Hondas????? or was it ask for forgiveness instead of permission....LOL ????
TSCHAM101
Profile picture for user TSCHAM101
Posts
1064
Joined
12/7/2015
Location
Norco, CA US
TSCHAM101 1/19/2016 1:55pm
1/19/2016 1:55pm
Mitch is a cool dude.. met him at target last year..
anyways, my question is... In your opinion do you think four strokes are good or bad for the sport? as in i realize the top dogs go faster, but do you think the 4 strokes make it too easy for anyone to go fast often leading to inexperienced people getting injured?
Coyote
Profile picture for user Coyote
Posts
1501
Joined
10/30/2009
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
Coyote 1/19/2016 2:26pm
1/19/2016 2:26pm
TSCHAM101 wrote:
Mitch is a cool dude.. met him at target last year.. anyways, my question is... In your opinion do you think four strokes are good or...
Mitch is a cool dude.. met him at target last year..
anyways, my question is... In your opinion do you think four strokes are good or bad for the sport? as in i realize the top dogs go faster, but do you think the 4 strokes make it too easy for anyone to go fast often leading to inexperienced people getting injured?
Mitch, any possibility u competing on Husqvarnas?

Motocrossmatt
Profile picture for user Motocrossmatt
Posts
9
Joined
12/16/2013
Location
Prescott Valley, AZ US
Motocrossmatt 1/19/2016 2:48pm
1/19/2016 2:48pm
Mitch,
1) Have you ever tried using Nitrous Oxide on a motocross bike?
2) Has turbocharging ever been attempted?
3) What AMA rule or rules would you add or take away to benefit the races or riders?
4) What, if any, design changes would you make to Supercross tracks to make for better racing?
5) Is there a way to change the rules or points system so that a rider isn't done for the season if he has one bad race?
Thanks!
Matt
gpracer4224
Profile picture for user gpracer4224
Posts
270
Joined
11/3/2015
Location
Santa Ana, CA US
gpracer4224 1/19/2016 2:54pm
1/19/2016 2:54pm
Mitch,
could you share a little about the prairie dogs mc and how you were one of the founders? also, do you have any good stories from your desert racing days?
yak651
Profile picture for user yak651
Posts
8588
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
1237th
yak651 1/19/2016 4:53pm
1/19/2016 4:53pm
In the past (say until last 3-4 years) your bike had the reputation of being so much better than others that rumor was you were able to maybe pay a little less (but offer better bonus) to get a rider than a competitor. Now seems Geico, Star have bikes on the same level, is it harder to get top talent to want to sign with you?
Ramrod
Profile picture for user Ramrod
Posts
4957
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ontario CA
Ramrod 1/19/2016 5:11pm
1/19/2016 5:11pm
There are already a ton of questions so I'll just say thank-you Mitch for all your racing efforts we get to enjoy and wish you all the best for your business.

Pit Row

See All »
oldmotoyamaha14 1/19/2016 5:21pm
1/19/2016 5:21pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 5:25pm
Pictures of off road car and road racer?
2ndmoto
Profile picture for user 2ndmoto
Posts
2
Joined
1/19/2016
Location
Sandy, TX US
2ndmoto 1/19/2016 6:50pm
1/19/2016 6:50pm
Thanks Mitch. You really helped make some some great racing, bikes and athletes. Wish you many more years of success.
Bressler11
Profile picture for user Bressler11
Posts
383
Joined
9/7/2014
Location
Lock Haven, PA US
Bressler11 1/19/2016 8:27pm
1/19/2016 8:27pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 8:27pm
Hello Mitch,

Being a High School Motocross kid, with a couple CNC machining certificates, and a future Mechanical Engineering degree land a job in the industry?

-Ethan
Helder
Profile picture for user Helder
Posts
1045
Joined
5/16/2015
Location
AU
Helder 1/19/2016 9:28pm
1/19/2016 9:28pm
Hi Mitch,

How different are the race bikes and practice bikes?
Pakoyz250f 1/20/2016 8:51am
1/20/2016 8:51am

Hi Mitch! Being from Mexico.. what stories or comments do you have about Pedro Gonzalez? He got a win in 1992 or something? Grettings !!!
bc67
Profile picture for user bc67
Posts
29
Joined
10/6/2006
Location
Leven GB
bc67 1/20/2016 12:17pm
1/20/2016 12:17pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 12:17pm
Mitch,
in 2004 did the though of switching to four strokes excite you or make you nervous?
also what is the biggest advance with four stroke's since you started with them in 2004? efi?

thanks bryan
travis-grant 1/20/2016 12:41pm
1/20/2016 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 12:42pm
Mitch,

My son was recently made disabled, what advice can you give him that will help him as he grows up not being as able as everybody else and possibly being teased.

Regards

Travis

P.s Did you ever try to snag Travis Patrana when he was on 80s riding Suzuki's as he was becoming pro? i always wondered this.
MitchPayton
Profile picture for user MitchPayton
Posts
15
Joined
1/20/2016
Location
Norco, CA US
MitchPayton 1/20/2016 3:23pm
1/20/2016 3:23pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 3:28pm
kiwifan wrote:
Hi Mitch, kudos for your amazing career, Pro Circuit business and support of the MX/SX/etc industry. You are a legend. My 1st question is, Pro Circuit...
Hi Mitch, kudos for your amazing career, Pro Circuit business and support of the MX/SX/etc industry. You are a legend.

My 1st question is, Pro Circuit has always been mainly a Kawasaki supported (except for the Peak Honda years) racing effort, is this because you have a great relationship with Kawasaki or is it monetary or another reason?

2nd question is, who in your eyes is the up and coming rider to watch, who could be the next Hannah/RC/MC/Ward/Baily/etc?
They stay with Kawasaki over the years because they have been good to us. There's really not a great reason to leave and it shows loyalty. The next guy coming up to our program that I think is going to be a huge success is going to be Austin Forkner.
MitchPayton
Profile picture for user MitchPayton
Posts
15
Joined
1/20/2016
Location
Norco, CA US
MitchPayton 1/20/2016 3:24pm
1/20/2016 3:24pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 3:28pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Thank you for being yourself and never changing. I have a simple question, with the four strokes being so good these days (stock even) for a...
Thank you for being yourself and never changing. I have a simple question, with the four strokes being so good these days (stock even) for a 250f, what is the best engine modifications to apply with relative low cost to make the bike crisper, cleaner, faster, and all around better. Thank you
Normally one of our our race Pistons is a big change and it's easy to install.
MitchPayton
Profile picture for user MitchPayton
Posts
15
Joined
1/20/2016
Location
Norco, CA US
MitchPayton 1/20/2016 3:27pm
1/20/2016 3:27pm
Fearo wrote:
Hi Mitch, there is one question in my head that I have wanted to ask you for a long time. In your opinion, which 2-stroke displacement...
Hi Mitch, there is one question in my head that I have wanted to ask you for a long time.

In your opinion, which 2-stroke displacement would be equally competitive to their 4-stroke counterpart? In other words, which CC capacity would make a 2-stroke a viable option against a 250F or a 450 in any form of competitive motocross? Thanks.
Not sure exactly but it certainly isn't a 100% advantage in cc , maybe a 125 cc versus 200 would be better
MitchPayton
Profile picture for user MitchPayton
Posts
15
Joined
1/20/2016
Location
Norco, CA US
MitchPayton 1/20/2016 3:32pm
1/20/2016 3:32pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 3:57pm
Crush wrote:
Hey Mitch! Thanks for dropping by. Best and worst bike you had as a team bike. ie what did you have to do the most and...
Hey Mitch!

Thanks for dropping by.

Best and worst bike you had as a team bike. ie what did you have to do the most and least with.
1993 KX 125 wasn't the best bike in the world by any means, and I think one of our best bikes is this year's 2016 250 F. It has awesome good power, it's lightweight and handling is been fantastic.
MitchPayton
Profile picture for user MitchPayton
Posts
15
Joined
1/20/2016
Location
Norco, CA US
MitchPayton 1/20/2016 3:35pm
1/20/2016 3:35pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 3:57pm
richlewis14 wrote:
Hi Mitch, Pleasure to be able to ask you a question. So i'm curious on how the partnership with Fox come about, who made the first...
Hi Mitch,

Pleasure to be able to ask you a question. So i'm curious on how the partnership with Fox come about, who made the first move so to speak? Was it months of intense negotiations to make sure it was viable for both parties or did it just make sense from the offset? (and there must be some stories in there somewhere :-))

Oh and finally any tips for getting the best out of my KX125 (and yes I will be ordering a pro circuit exhaust soon, once i've saved up my pennies haha)

All the Best, Rich
The Fox thing came about by Beeker and Pete Fox talking to me at Loretta's, and it's a dream come true for for our riders for sure. They're very happy with the clothes and it's amazing to work with the number one company in the industry, and I think they're happy to have us so it's a marriage made in heaven.

Post a reply to: Vital MX Forum QNA: Mitch Payton