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I agree with every single part of this, so put me down as saying the same thing.
Is the infrastructure piss poor at Foxhill as well?
If you're actually asking why we don't go to Foxhill, instead of Matterley, here are a few reasons...
1. Matterley is one of the best tracks in the world. And a LOT of riders will tell you that Matterley is one of their favourite tracks.
2. Matterley is the best viewing track on the calendar. Spectators, media, industry folk.... doesn't matter who. Matterley is simply great for viewing.
3. Steve Dixon. Without him, there is no British GP. Steve has a good relationship with the landowner at Matterley and with Infront.
4. Matterley can actually hold a race, when it rains. Which it does, from time to time.
I don't know Foxhill that well, but quite frankly, the last time I went there it was shite. And honestly, I don't know why we'd want to go to an inferior track for riding, for viewing and probably for infrastructure, with no-one to help promote it, when we have literally the best track on the calendar already. And if you're asking why we don't have two British GPs, it's because Infront are trying to get away from having multiple races in one country. Yes, I am aware of Italy having two this year due to Vietnam withdrawing, and in previous years when it was the 'Italian Championship' in Covid times, but that is because they have a good relationship with Italian tracks (for obvious reasons) and they definitely don't have such a good affinity towards the UK. Without Steve, they'd be quite happy to not have to deal with coming to our island.
Pretty sure we had Live MX from Hawkstone on proper TV in the 80's.
Is this another thing like going to the moon that we cant do any more ?
' if you have VIP access'.. no shit Sherlock.
Rank and file fans are treated as cash cows.. i couldnt even take water in to Teuschental last time i went .
I wont be paying for paddock access at Matterley, to stare through a window .
I think to many people involved in the sport now have spent too long on the other side of the fence to the great unwashed to appreciate how things are these days
While big screens have been introduced at most rounds, having to use them because you cant see the bit of track in front of you is a bit much.
Also the bikes arent outgrowing the tracks , the tracks are getting smaller and tighter and more full of obstacles. Uddevala and Teuchenthal are awful now. Trentino isnt far behind, although we have had some decent races from there.
Matterley is the best track on the calendar by a mile now.
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Erm, I kinda agree with some of your posts but not with others.
People group together the man-made/carpark terms, so when they moan I don't think it's just the 3 carpark tracks they are complaining about. Many moan about the man-made tracks that are jump-jump-jump all the way round. Far too many jumps that add little to the spectacle but seemingly always ruins racing.
I don't agree about the fish bowls. Sorry, but just because it's easier for the teams to setup does not mean they should ruin the chance for people to be able to get up close to factory machines at ground level. No I don't want to look up at a bike's skid plate through a window. Getting to watch the mechanics up close, and seeing the details on the bikes at GPs has been half of the fun for me over the years, and it's slowly going away.
Funnily enough, Harry also mentions it - i'm glad to see KTM understand and will be sticking with the tents. (around 4.30 into vid)
@ayearinmx and @LewisPhillips
The reply of ayearinmx covered a lot but not the major point that Richard made, namely:
"Big changes are needed cause the series is just treading water."
Whats your viewpoint on that? Is mxgp in a better spot it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago? Are the riders and fans better of now? And what is needed for that?
A lot of teams will be sticking with the traditional trucks. Yamaha have no interest nor do KTM. I know Triumph don't want that.
I hear Riley Racing will have a double-decker aquarium: Race team on bottom and hospitality on top. That I do want to see!
Riley can hardly keep it's riders during the last seasons, so that would surprise me.
They have told many people that they are making a comeback and approached sponsors. Whether that happens or not...
It's a completely unquantifiable statement, because it depends on which POV you're looking at... Financial, for riders, tracks, fans, promoters...
I'm "only" 39 so I don't get my rose-tinted glasses in the mail for a few years yet, so I don't think everything was better back in the day.
2 years ago we had one of the best championships ever and the MXGPs were awesome and everything was great. Now, lots of injuries, and the racing isn't so good, and the tracks haven't been as well prepped, it's all doom and gloom...
I will say, the attendances have been very good this year, and the riders at the top of the field are getting paid a lot and we are going to more races and more overseas, so in some cases, it's better. But obviously, there are definitely things that can be improved...
Thanks for the reply’s gents. It’s apparent people really need to see change, maybe go back in time a bit. Currently the model is broken.
MX has always been considered a blue collar sport unfortunately MXGP don’t view that anymore. Maybe here lies some of the problem?
Question for those who know but when did the GP’s fall under a promoter?
What did actually happen to the Riley team? I saw them pre-season but they did just vanish it looks like.
@LewisPhillips @ayearinmx I value your input !!
Imho Uddevalla sucks for racing(and i say that living nearby) I still go for a fun weekend with friends. I can’t even think of a solution for it, but it needs total reconstruction. I do however notice that I’m not alone with my opinion, and every year the same discussion starts after it’s done. Infront pays the price for keeping it on the schedule…
2nd worst track is Teuchental. I’ve been there in the past when it wasn’t ripped so deep, and it was much better. It’s almost like they destroy it on purpose?! I think modern bikes can create their own ruts and lines on a slightly harder surface, and I think we all be happier with some dust or slick spots than 20cm deep ruts all around the track.
I know you are not in charge of the tracks obviously
https://youtu.be/KMJs27ptpgQ
at Keiheuval this is what a GP should look like. Crowd lining the tracks. I think this was just recently.
If the eleventh hour all the Jumbo money goes out of the window, its hard to recover. Because replacing that money is IMPOSSIBLE because all sponsors budgets are already taken. Now they have maybe pulled another fish in, and who knows. Bang Energy is becoming one of the bigger players in the market under the two giants, if they can pull them in the fish tank...
Some old rumor popping back up: Vosters (old Wilvo boss) now full time team manager but soon without a team to manage, wants to make Prado the best payed rider in the paddock. Combined with the Prado - Kawasaki rumor, you have a whole other rumor going.
PS: Everyone defending: 19 riders on the -23 year old MX2 gate, makes me laugh... But I won't engage in that discussion, because it's off topic.
I like this discussion going on here. For me, you can make some adjustments to the fishbowls trailers with some stands for the public to walk up to. So people can stand on the actual height of the bikes, if that makes sense
The only thing i really dislike at the moment is the lack of entries at certain races, 19 in MX2 is not a good look, even though the level is really really high. And the fact that not many riders are getting paid in MX2. There was an interview with Bastian Bogh Damm, who is retired now. He had multiple top 10 finishes and top 5 speed, but never got paid a penny. Not a knock on his team at all, as they provided great bikes and infastructure. But that is not a good look on MXGP series in general. There should be at least 30 riders on the gate in both classes, with 20 of them being paid enough in some way to make a (small) living from it.
Anyways, back to rumours. I heard some rumours of having a Dutch GP in Brabant again as from next year. The only tracks being able to handle those would be Lierop, Valkenswaard, Oss or Berghem. Anyone any info?
I've heard a Valkenswaard-rumour on two occasions by two different sources. I'm not sure about the situation over there at the moment, but I think I've read somewhere that they got good news about their environmental permits?
Pit Row
Mxgp tv , turm bike noise up and announcer down a bit .
TV coverage lacks atmosphere
.
Production has been the same for years. Paul’s good, but with the procession racing, maybe good to have a guest to bounce off in the booth for race 2’s?
Valkenswaard would make sense as the track is open again for practice. with the fact that the promotor now also is involved with Arnhem, I wouldn’t be suprised with a return to Valkenswaard..
Yeah i agree with the lack of entries and lack of money for riders.
I used to think that he age limit is hurting MX2 big time. But if you get rid of the age limit which teams would offer a funded ride for aged out guys... Because those rides are not available now so why would those rides pop up when you get rid of the age limit?
I mean if you have the money you take guys like Talviku, Edberg and Boegh Damm and you have a 3 rider team that will get top 10's out of the box. So it's not like there isnt talent available.
My suggestion would be to get rid of the pitlane interviews during the races and have Lisa give updates on stuff that is happening in the subtop/midpack that the tv broadcast won't follow. Update us on riders retiring and why, show the shot of a guy with a broken wheel in the pit and update us, tell us that Bonacorsi and Talviku have crashed together. Stuff like that.
Most sports have a much better overview of what is happening when you watch it from home on tv over watching at the stadium/facility. But for MXGP it's like the other way around. I have a lot better understanding of what unfolded in a GP if i watch the race at the track then watching it on mxgp-tv.
Wow, I didn't know Bogh Damm had retired. He has some talent.
It blows my mind that riders race for free. I remember when prize money stopped, at the time the racers seemingly benefitted financially from better pay from their teams and we saw more riders and teams. Then that all stopped when riders began riding for free or chucking money into teams.
Maybe it's time to bring back prize money then...
Snapper, i think it is a bit the other way around... The riders are forced to ride for free because there are just less and less teams with a funded ride.
I wish it would become app based.
Of you ask 90 euro for a ticket( arnhem) you can pay prize money i think
Instead of downvoting my comment, why don’t you explain why being app based is not a good idea?
Cant see any upside on app based broadcast. Now it works every device anywhere in the world, can replay during live and so on, how app will make it better?
It's not that easy. My local club organized some Dutch Masters and the costs involved there are already quite heavy. Let alone the costs to organize a GP! The thing is, the big teams are not complaining enough I think. The teams below, not gonna name them, look really good. But the reality is that they are barely getting through a season. Pay riders are essential for them to survive. There has to be done something about it. More riders and especially having more of them being paid.
I agree about Lisa doing more updates instead of pitlane interviews. Not a knock on the broadcast though. Her and Malin are doing a great job. But that's a good one to adjust
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