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1/18/2011
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Lee’s Summit, MO, USA
I’ve often wondered, what does it look like if our already small sport is scaled back? Seems like every few months there’s a “energy drink company pulling out” thread. The discussion always goes to how the sport is SOL without energy drink dollars. There’d be a different landscape for sure, but would it really be the end of the world for you and I? No semis, no training facilities, even fewer paying rides, all these suck for the industry. Coverage changes for sure. But it’s 2021. We’re not going back to the days of calling the results hotline and waiting for the semi-annual Cycle News. But what does it mean for the average rider?
Obviously the high dollar amateur national life gets scaled way back to follow suit. But kids have been pulled out of public school to chase the elusive pro career since well before Monster and Red Bull.
Does bike technology revert to twin shocks and *gasp* 2-strokes? Do these local track owners making millions a year decide to close up shop? Do the flavor of the week goggle companies close up shop and we’re relegated to the few quality options that have always been around?
I don’t believe I enjoy anything about the industry more now than I did in 1993. I was 5 then, so that probably plays in to it some. I know I’m a short sighted dumbass. So I guess that’s the real question. What are the tangible negatives you and I will feel if/when the energy drink companies pull out and moto plummets back to the dark ages of box vans and working class heroes?
Obviously the high dollar amateur national life gets scaled way back to follow suit. But kids have been pulled out of public school to chase the elusive pro career since well before Monster and Red Bull.
Does bike technology revert to twin shocks and *gasp* 2-strokes? Do these local track owners making millions a year decide to close up shop? Do the flavor of the week goggle companies close up shop and we’re relegated to the few quality options that have always been around?
I don’t believe I enjoy anything about the industry more now than I did in 1993. I was 5 then, so that probably plays in to it some. I know I’m a short sighted dumbass. So I guess that’s the real question. What are the tangible negatives you and I will feel if/when the energy drink companies pull out and moto plummets back to the dark ages of box vans and working class heroes?
Just to add, I hope the sport grows and grows. The more people making an actual living from what I believe to be the coolest sport ever imagined, the better. Just some Sunday morning discussion while I watch my 7 year old struggle through trying to change a tire on her 50.
But really, even if all the semis and training camps went away, you would still have massive turnouts for GNCC events and stuff like that. There would still be people that just absolutely haul ass and smoke everybody that everyone else would try and keep up with. And it would still be a shitload of fun.
There are soooo many people out there who ride dirt bikes that have no idea who Eli Tomac is and don't give a damn if their "kit" matches.
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COVID aside, SX isn't in the dire straits everyone says it is. I don't think it disappears without the energy drinks. It didn't go away when cigarretes and beer left. And anyway, who says the energy drinks are going anywhere? Monster has more riders now than it ever has.
Re: AMA PRO SX/MX
Union needs to be formed
Racers then collectively boycott racing until the union and Feld/AMA come to an agreement to spread the wealth among the racers. Until that happens said Pros can race local events / overseas etc . Which would actually drive another element as many local or non-mainstream venues would see an increased economy in the meantime. Not just doom/ gloom because SX /MX wasn’t at the forefront. The top guys would still be rich and the “ Privateers “ would arguably make more $ not traveling and incurring the normal expenses from the SX /MX schedule . If the Pro crowd was headlining more of the Swapmoto, BIG 6 ( NGPC ) , Worcs, GNCC type events that would undoubtedly increase that particular economy . Obviously there’s a ton more involved than these “ opinions” of mine but this scenario wouldn’t be as traumatic as I’m sure many believe.
Re: Amateur Moto
There will always be plenty of enthusiasts driving our small , niche sport. Could we see the demise of industry companies etc? Of course, just as we’ve seen over the years through strong AND weak economical seasons!
C-19 didn’t kill AMA SX/MX
C-19 actually drove our local moto economy upwards
If our current economic climate is any indicator , C-19 driven , moto will survive just fine.
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As far as SX/MX, these events are not cheap to attend, tickets, parking fees, beverages... it can easily cost a family a few hundred bucks to attend one of these events. There seems to be a lot of questions as to TV, will it or wont it be on TV? (or will everyone just stream it illegally). Also, I haven't heard or seen any Supercross advertising, and usually my media is flooded with it this time of year.
Is that sarcasm?
I really don't care as much about pro racing. Local tracks and racing is what matters for me
Pit Row
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https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/03/us/golf-surges-during-the-pandemic-trnd/…
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EVEN THEN, people will buy old bikes, mod them in their own workshops, and show up to race on a poorly marked grass field. Motocross would go back to the roots on which it was founded, and in a way, I think it'd be kinda badass.
Money and "mainstream" are nice, but that's not why anyone loves this sport. The only way the sport goes away is of everyone stops caring, and at that point, literally no would care anyways.
Two different things
Its good that Supercross has NBC, however I know a lot of people who have cut the cord and gotten rid of cable in the last couple months (many of them moto fans), so how will rating be effected for NBCSN? We all know ratings drive advertising, media involvement, and sponsorships... all that trickles down through out the industry.
Can’t see the path to that becoming a reality, though......
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