In this essay, my first in the “Do you really want motocross to be more like NASCAR” series, I will focus on something that many seem to feel will automatically have a positive impact on the sport of motocross. The overwhelming consensus on message boards, web-sites and in magazines is that we would all be much better off if only motocross would grow up and be like NASCAR. This thinking has a narrow minded focus. That focus is money. Though there are possibly many other things about NASCAR to aspire to (I don’t know what they are), let us not kid ourselves. The one stirring up the motocross masses in MONEY. Money is associated with TV coverage, huge crowds, spit and polish facilities, pits crammed with beautiful 18 wheelers and hot women. The other thing that money is associated with is, well, money.
I think we need to ask ourselves who really stands to benefit from a large cash influx. Have you ever not ridden your motorcycle because there aren’t any $1000 box seats at your local track? Have you ever bowed out of a moto because your track didn’t have $12 paper cups of beer and awesome chicken wings? Paved parking? If you are a racer, have you ever even refused to go WATCH a race because the facility lacked these things? I hope not. See, it is difficult to make a case for much positive that comes about for the average racer (99.9% of us are the average racer) due to the influx of big money. When you think about it, does the average racer benefit at all from the kind of growth that many hope for today and have for 20+ years?
Over the coming months I will write about some of the specific changes we’ve actually seen in motocross over the years. Some I think are good for the sport and others I think are bad. I hope to make you think about these changes and what they mean to you and the sport that makes you unique. I hope to make you think about a perspective that does not assume that higher cost = higher satisfaction. I think you will see that most of these “improvements” will fall under the category of trying to be more like NASCAR.
I think we need to ask ourselves who really stands to benefit from a large cash influx. Have you ever not ridden your motorcycle because there aren’t any $1000 box seats at your local track? Have you ever bowed out of a moto because your track didn’t have $12 paper cups of beer and awesome chicken wings? Paved parking? If you are a racer, have you ever even refused to go WATCH a race because the facility lacked these things? I hope not. See, it is difficult to make a case for much positive that comes about for the average racer (99.9% of us are the average racer) due to the influx of big money. When you think about it, does the average racer benefit at all from the kind of growth that many hope for today and have for 20+ years?
Over the coming months I will write about some of the specific changes we’ve actually seen in motocross over the years. Some I think are good for the sport and others I think are bad. I hope to make you think about these changes and what they mean to you and the sport that makes you unique. I hope to make you think about a perspective that does not assume that higher cost = higher satisfaction. I think you will see that most of these “improvements” will fall under the category of trying to be more like NASCAR.
cool post :D
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