Is Pit Bits safe in 2027? (New Feld RESTRICTIONS on media…on Michael!)

Tabarnac
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CA
1 day ago

"Now Friday come, didn't have the rent...

Out  the door I went"

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whethefakawe
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1 day ago
El Capitan wrote:
“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck...

“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck bro crowd!!” they snorted. “Bigger is BETTER!!” they chanted in legion. 

Are we there yet….? 

EXACTLY. 

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whethefakawe
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1 day ago
Beta480RX wrote:
A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.Like it or not, this...

A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.

Like it or not, this is what professional series do. Not any joe schmoe with a YouTube channel can get credentialed for a Napcar race, nor any pro stick/ball event.

This is part of the price of so called progress.

I don't like it, but that's because I like the honestly amateur level that our sport lives at. The accessibility directly correlates with the relatability to the common racers. Get fast enough and even with minimal support you too could make a night show or the 40 man gate at a National. That's not the case in professional level motorsports.

The problem is, nobody wants to admit that dirtbike riding in general, and MX and SX particularly, is a NICHE sport. 

But they'll keep trying to "grow the sport"  to rake in NASCAR or F1 level $$$.... until they kill the goose that lays the golden egg. 

It's time to shut it all down and start over. 

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bosswool2800
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This year has been full of “power plays” Feld hammering people, heavy admin policies, and AMA shotgunning people with penalties. 

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The Shop

Phillip_Lamb
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1 day ago
El Capitan wrote:
“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck...

“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck bro crowd!!” they snorted. “Bigger is BETTER!!” they chanted in legion. 

Are we there yet….? 

grow the sport...sport must be code for Felds Pocket book

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kevin204
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In a perfect world, a series like the FIM WSX would be trying even harder to expand into the North American market and schedule and lure riders over there. Then the pressure may put a damper on Feld/AMA shenanigans like this. Unfortunately, that series seems to be too unstable to pose a serious threat right now. 

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4
1 day ago
TeamGreen wrote:
I don’t know about you, but…Pit Bits is my favorite thing to come out of the media, ALL media, on a typical Saturday during Supercross. Hell...

I don’t know about you, but…

Pit Bits is my favorite thing to come out of the media, ALL media, on a typical Saturday during Supercross. Hell, I’d even go as far as to say it’s some of the absolute best Moto-Porn! 🤣

But, as most of us have been reading since early this year…

Feld…and NBC, if I’m not mistaken…are changing the rules…RESTRICTING the use of images and recordings during the events for 2027.

So, I have one VERY important question: 

Will we still get..

PIT BITS?!

I want the pics and Michael’s reporting on who’s running what and what Top Secret hardware is being utilized. I’m hopeful that we don’t lose one of our best features during Supercross.

Thoughts? 

MC943 wrote:

 No worries , ML is safe , Vital is part of the machine. lol 

ML512 wrote:
I’m safe because we have a diverse viewership, good content structure, and great advertising partners. We can pivot when needed to and we’ll change up our...

I’m safe because we have a diverse viewership, good content structure, and great advertising partners. We can pivot when needed to and we’ll change up our content if we need to.

“Part of the machine”

That machine has vilified me this year. Being at the races hasn’t been fun experience this year. 

Woah…. What did I miss?? What the heck happened?

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BMc914
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ML512 wrote:
Yes, Pit Bits will be fine. There's a lot I don't fully understand about the 2027 guidelines and restrictions that were sent out yesterday morning. Supposed...

Yes, Pit Bits will be fine. There's a lot I don't fully understand about the 2027 guidelines and restrictions that were sent out yesterday morning. Supposed to learn more over the weekend; the doc is very confusing. Every team, media person, photographer, etc. that I spoke to yesterday has somewhat different interpretations of what we can and can't do now.

Until I have full clarity, I won't speak falsely about something from the guidelines. I'll say one thing, though: there will be fewer content creators/media guys at the races next year, even if these guidelines are read in the most positive terms.

The costs associated with all the licensing fees Feld now wants to charge teams, photographers, brands, etc., are potentially going to be crippling to the industry. I really hope my interpretation of the fees and how they stack up isn't accurate.

How much money is Feld charging?  Or are you not allowed to say?

ML512 wrote:

I don't want to mislead; I need to have my meeting tomorrow before I relay the wrong amounts.

Will the document be posted for public viewing? 

Flatliner
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1 day ago
Beta480RX wrote:
A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.Like it or not, this...

A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.

Like it or not, this is what professional series do. Not any joe schmoe with a YouTube channel can get credentialed for a Napcar race, nor any pro stick/ball event.

This is part of the price of so called progress.

I don't like it, but that's because I like the honestly amateur level that our sport lives at. The accessibility directly correlates with the relatability to the common racers. Get fast enough and even with minimal support you too could make a night show or the 40 man gate at a National. That's not the case in professional level motorsports.

The problem is, nobody wants to admit that dirtbike riding in general, and MX and SX particularly, is a NICHE sport. But they'll keep trying to "grow...

The problem is, nobody wants to admit that dirtbike riding in general, and MX and SX particularly, is a NICHE sport. 

But they'll keep trying to "grow the sport"  to rake in NASCAR or F1 level $$$.... until they kill the goose that lays the golden egg. 

It's time to shut it all down and start over. 

I'd argue it used to be bigger.  They had MC-pastrana and MC-RC racing sx though the halls of leno.  You'd never see that now.

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TeamGreen
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Based on the info that’s floating around at the moment…and while waiting for the actual numbers to be officially stated and released…

I’m not seeing a way for someone like Burkeen to get any content from an SX for less than a couple thousand dollars(+) and from what I’m seeing that’s only going to allow for 2 minutes total content (maximum). 

I can see a way Matt could -possibly- make that work; but, he’s gonna have to get real creative with his budget. 

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Hasletjoe
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1 day ago
El Capitan wrote:
“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck...

“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck bro crowd!!” they snorted. “Bigger is BETTER!!” they chanted in legion. 

Are we there yet….? 

Used to be a NASCAR fan. The more gimmicks (Stage racing, The Chase) has driven me off. Not sure if you have noticed, but NASCAR is in free fall. Most tracks (I live close to Texas Motor Speedway) have started removing the back straight seating. Listening to a Kenny Wallace Interview with Kyle Larson (2 Time Series Champion) and Kenny said his salary as a mid-packer was comparable to what Larson is getting today. The glory days of NASCAR are behind them, Might want to emulate another series to grow the sport. 

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HondaTech25
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More money grubbing like MX Sports 

They learned from the best!!

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dingaling
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If they actually supplied easy access and better post race coverage they wouldn't have the problem they seem to think they have. 

It's all seems very monopoly-ish tactics to me. Rather than provide a superior product they are just squeezing out the competition. 

But...they are providing the platform so 🤔🤔

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Broseph
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1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago
Beta480RX wrote:
A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.Like it or not, this...

A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.

Like it or not, this is what professional series do. Not any joe schmoe with a YouTube channel can get credentialed for a Napcar race, nor any pro stick/ball event.

This is part of the price of so called progress.

I don't like it, but that's because I like the honestly amateur level that our sport lives at. The accessibility directly correlates with the relatability to the common racers. Get fast enough and even with minimal support you too could make a night show or the 40 man gate at a National. That's not the case in professional level motorsports.

ML512 wrote:

If these licensing prices are accurate, I can go shoot NASCAR or F1 for cheaper.

The content you put out from the races is free advertising for Feld and MX Sports events. And now they’re going to charge you to do it? Can they not see past the end of their nose?

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CPR
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The thread title refers to Feld and most people seem to be directing their aversion in Feld’s direction, however I believe these changes apply to the whole SMX series, not just SX, so MX Sports has a hand in this too. 

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-MAVERICK-
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BMc914 wrote:

Will the document be posted for public viewing? 

No. 

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plowboy
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1 day ago

ML is gonna have to start hitching rides in team rigs so he can come up with the scratch to pay for taking pics.  Hopefully they don't start charging him to talk to the riders.  🙃

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Miquon MX 28x
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1 day ago
Beta480RX wrote:
A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.Like it or not, this...

A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.

Like it or not, this is what professional series do. Not any joe schmoe with a YouTube channel can get credentialed for a Napcar race, nor any pro stick/ball event.

This is part of the price of so called progress.

I don't like it, but that's because I like the honestly amateur level that our sport lives at. The accessibility directly correlates with the relatability to the common racers. Get fast enough and even with minimal support you too could make a night show or the 40 man gate at a National. That's not the case in professional level motorsports.

ML512 wrote:

If these licensing prices are accurate, I can go shoot NASCAR or F1 for cheaper.

It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the race teams and riders. While editorial photos are important, photographers--many of whom are connected to and shooting for companies in the industry--go to the races with a laundry list of very specific images these companies need for their upcoming advertising and catalogues. If that image pipeline is disrupted because they can't have "their" photo guy in the pits or on the field, there might be some resistance from the companies who pay for the talent that fills the seats at the night show.

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SoCalMX70
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1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago
dingaling wrote:
If they actually supplied easy access and better post race coverage they wouldn't have the problem they seem to think they have. It's all seems very monopoly-ish...

If they actually supplied easy access and better post race coverage they wouldn't have the problem they seem to think they have. 

It's all seems very monopoly-ish tactics to me. Rather than provide a superior product they are just squeezing out the competition. 

But...they are providing the platform so 🤔🤔

It's more profitable to control/remove competition and provide a mediocre product that doesn't elict any opinions that are too positive or too negative. It just needs to be passable to an average person who doesn't know any better.

See... everything in the world that large corporations touch. Boring as fuck.

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1 day ago
Beta480RX wrote:
A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.Like it or not, this...

A lot of the same people complaining about this are also the people complaining that the sport needs to be more professional.

Like it or not, this is what professional series do. Not any joe schmoe with a YouTube channel can get credentialed for a Napcar race, nor any pro stick/ball event.

This is part of the price of so called progress.

I don't like it, but that's because I like the honestly amateur level that our sport lives at. The accessibility directly correlates with the relatability to the common racers. Get fast enough and even with minimal support you too could make a night show or the 40 man gate at a National. That's not the case in professional level motorsports.

ML512 wrote:

If these licensing prices are accurate, I can go shoot NASCAR or F1 for cheaper.

It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the...

It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the race teams and riders. While editorial photos are important, photographers--many of whom are connected to and shooting for companies in the industry--go to the races with a laundry list of very specific images these companies need for their upcoming advertising and catalogues. If that image pipeline is disrupted because they can't have "their" photo guy in the pits or on the field, there might be some resistance from the companies who pay for the talent that fills the seats at the night show.

I doubt manufactures or real aftermarket companies will have any issues with the new rules, it will be the shit show social media that they are limiting and I don't blame them. Anyone who comes to vital after a race and reads all the negative crap that is most of the threads, then no wonder they want to keep a tighter control of these so called "media" people. I laugh at the people who say its free advertising, social media is for the most part bad advertising.  Feld pays for professional advertising as do most promotors. 

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yak651
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TeamGreen wrote:
Based on the info that’s floating around at the moment…and while waiting for the actual numbers to be officially stated and released…I’m not seeing a way...

Based on the info that’s floating around at the moment…and while waiting for the actual numbers to be officially stated and released…

I’m not seeing a way for someone like Burkeen to get any content from an SX for less than a couple thousand dollars(+) and from what I’m seeing that’s only going to allow for 2 minutes total content (maximum). 

I can see a way Matt could -possibly- make that work; but, he’s gonna have to get real creative with his budget. 

$1k/minute, that’s some high class tail…

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moto814
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1 day ago

"The Octopus" once again tightening his tentacles to ruin the sport we all love.

 

RIP TFS  Miss you buddy.  I didn't always agree with you, but we sure could use someone like you out there right now.

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ML512
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How much money is Feld charging?  Or are you not allowed to say?

ML512 wrote:

I don't want to mislead; I need to have my meeting tomorrow before I relay the wrong amounts.

BMc914 wrote:

Will the document be posted for public viewing? 

It states it's confidential, so I'm not getting into the weeds of releasing it as is. After this weekend, I'll break it down more when I have clarification on a few items.

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jemcee
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"Yeah sweet might just check in to see what happened at the races"

images 75
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El Capitan
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1 day ago
El Capitan wrote:
“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck...

“Grow the sport!!” they said. “Learn from NASCAR!!” they urged. “We need to expand the appeal to non-current viewers!!” they appealed. “Quit catering to the redneck bro crowd!!” they snorted. “Bigger is BETTER!!” they chanted in legion. 

Are we there yet….? 

Hasletjoe wrote:
Used to be a NASCAR fan. The more gimmicks (Stage racing, The Chase) has driven me off. Not sure if you have noticed, but NASCAR is...

Used to be a NASCAR fan. The more gimmicks (Stage racing, The Chase) has driven me off. Not sure if you have noticed, but NASCAR is in free fall. Most tracks (I live close to Texas Motor Speedway) have started removing the back straight seating. Listening to a Kenny Wallace Interview with Kyle Larson (2 Time Series Champion) and Kenny said his salary as a mid-packer was comparable to what Larson is getting today. The glory days of NASCAR are behind them, Might want to emulate another series to grow the sport. 

NASCAR fans were told the same thing, only it was “be like F1”——-we all saw how that worked out…. They’ve even pretty much sanitized F1 now to the point of non-recognition. We need another Mickey Thompson to come along; I’m guessing that won’t be happening. 

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ML512
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ML512 wrote:

If these licensing prices are accurate, I can go shoot NASCAR or F1 for cheaper.

It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the...

It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the race teams and riders. While editorial photos are important, photographers--many of whom are connected to and shooting for companies in the industry--go to the races with a laundry list of very specific images these companies need for their upcoming advertising and catalogues. If that image pipeline is disrupted because they can't have "their" photo guy in the pits or on the field, there might be some resistance from the companies who pay for the talent that fills the seats at the night show.

lostboy819 wrote:
I doubt manufactures or real aftermarket companies will have any issues with the new rules, it will be the shit show social media that they are...

I doubt manufactures or real aftermarket companies will have any issues with the new rules, it will be the shit show social media that they are limiting and I don't blame them. Anyone who comes to vital after a race and reads all the negative crap that is most of the threads, then no wonder they want to keep a tighter control of these so called "media" people. I laugh at the people who say its free advertising, social media is for the most part bad advertising.  Feld pays for professional advertising as do most promotors. 

Talked to two OEM heads of racing that care a lot, as the costs in these guidelines will affect everything they get to market their teams, riders, sponsors, etc.

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bvm111
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1 day ago

This is so lame 🙄🤦‍♂️

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Miquon MX 28x
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1 day ago
It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the...

It will be interesting to see if there's any push back from the manufacturers and aftermarket who, for advertising purposes, collectively have millions invested in the race teams and riders. While editorial photos are important, photographers--many of whom are connected to and shooting for companies in the industry--go to the races with a laundry list of very specific images these companies need for their upcoming advertising and catalogues. If that image pipeline is disrupted because they can't have "their" photo guy in the pits or on the field, there might be some resistance from the companies who pay for the talent that fills the seats at the night show.

lostboy819 wrote:
I doubt manufactures or real aftermarket companies will have any issues with the new rules, it will be the shit show social media that they are...

I doubt manufactures or real aftermarket companies will have any issues with the new rules, it will be the shit show social media that they are limiting and I don't blame them. Anyone who comes to vital after a race and reads all the negative crap that is most of the threads, then no wonder they want to keep a tighter control of these so called "media" people. I laugh at the people who say its free advertising, social media is for the most part bad advertising.  Feld pays for professional advertising as do most promotors. 

ML512 wrote:
Talked to two OEM heads of racing that care a lot, as the costs in these guidelines will affect everything they get to market their teams...

Talked to two OEM heads of racing that care a lot, as the costs in these guidelines will affect everything they get to market their teams, riders, sponsors, etc.

Michael is exactly right--of course the manufacturers care a lot. Manufacturers and aftermarket companies support racing to get exposure. Race team and rider salary expenses are a line item in these companies' annual advertising budgets. If their exposure is somehow limited by these new restrictions they will have to think long and hard about their involvement in these Feld events. 

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Spudinki45
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1 day ago
ML512 wrote:
Talked to two OEM heads of racing that care a lot, as the costs in these guidelines will affect everything they get to market their teams...

Talked to two OEM heads of racing that care a lot, as the costs in these guidelines will affect everything they get to market their teams, riders, sponsors, etc.

When are the OEMs going to take a stand? It sounds like they are letting Feld push them around on everything, whether it's the media restrictions, last weekend with the manager bans, or broadly the lack of revenue capture from the SMX/NBC deal

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NickoBrap
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1 day ago Edited Date/Time 1 day ago

This is such a short sighted move to me. I don't buy that this is being done to just limit the media at the races to serious outlets. If they wanted to stop the Facebook click baiters before, they could have. This is just the series getting too big for their britches.

How are we supposed to believe that they want to get more eyes on the spot when they are putting barriers in front of the people that allow eyes to find it?

The best part about moto is how raw and open it can be. If we are left with expensive scraps, what the hell is the point???

I'm not gonna say that there aren't a assholes with iPhones and media credentials that shouldn't be there. That is obviously an issue. However, I don't want all of the meaningful pictures and videos from the floor to come filtered through the promoters' sanitization machine.

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