Which "M" is in?

America is all about the greenbacks. In fact, many countries we currently but heads with hate us for this very reason. When is the line crossed between greed, and good morals?

Supercross - and motocross at some point - do one thing for a very few amount of people. Make a lot of money. Just think how much gross money is raked in at one supercross.

Ill think for you.

50,000 tickets, average 50 a ticket - 2.4 million.
10,000 pit pass tickets, at 40 a ticket - 400,000

Now these numbers are both conservative, and made up. But they are realistic, and I bet a little low actually. After the T.V. rights are sold, each race easily brings in 3 million dollars gross.
What about series sponsors? I bet they cover the purse, if the rider entry fees do not. What, you didn't know? Yes, the pro's that make series sponsors/promoters tons of money still pay an entry fee.

So who gets the money? Well, I can't imagine the stadium costing more than a million to rent. The track builders might make 200 thousand a race, and maybe licensing fees are 100 thousand (if there are licensing fees at all).

That still leave over 1.5 million left over. Wow!

The problem our sport faces today is good exposure. With the T.V. packages lacking lately, meaning poor choice of broadcast times, often times the race broadcast a week later, and, as previous years have had, mundane coverage, potential onlookers have no real means to pick up the sport.

It's sad really, our sport has tons of potential. At this day and age, I propose EVERY race be archived to watch online, as soon as possible, hopefully no later than next day. The outdoors here in America have already done something similar with race highlights done privately by people who love the sport. Yes they make some money doing it, but they don't even touch the 1.5 million a race current promoters are making. They do it for the promotion and well being of motocross.

If you haven't seen already, the Australian Supercross series is doing just this.

http://www.superx.com.au/super-x-tv/

Very cool. I didn't even know Australia had racing like that! The tracks look great, the riders look great, and all said and done, that one website has opened my eyes to racing abroad just that little bit more.
I don't care who is on the track, racing it racing, fun to watch at any time.

Why is it the promoters in America will not provide a service like this? I bet they think it makes them more money to keep it all exclusive, but their money hinges on one thing. Viewers. The only way to get more viewers is to allow easy, exciting access to racing footage. Supercross highlights should make it on the web free of charge no later than the next day after a race.

It comes down to this, which "M" is in. Money, or Morals?
I hate to touch on the current situation in America, but even this relates. What's better, money today, or money over the long haul? If the supercross promoters continue their path, ultimately, the sport will run dry. I love racing, but lately have hated race coverage. If I were a potential viewer turning it on for the first time, I would quickly change the channel. The promoters need to realize that in order to make money year after year, they need to have some good morals, and promote the sport effectively.

They say the first step is the hardest, but come on, how hard is making a website to host video highlights of footage you already have?

Money and morals go hand in hand like it, or not.

On a sleepless night

Ever stare at your ceiling listlessly at night? You tell yourself, I wanna sleep, I should sleep, heck I'm tired I need sleep to no avail over and over. Something is keeping you awake, but tonight is no isolated incident. The night before was the same, and the night before that followed a week of listless staring.

Clearly, something is on the mind. But what? Your not thinking about anything in particular, no major life events are occurring, in fact everything seems to be fine. This writer isn't speaking hypothetically...in fact, I wish I were.

But I, along with with the motocross faithfuls are anxious, it's most of us just don't know it yet! It's not even 2009 yet, but something big is looming! What, what!? you ask....

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The 2009 supercross season is going to be one of great interest, big debate, and controversy. Not only are the major hitters back in fashion, but the two sluggers are wearing new colors, new threads, and maybe even a new attitude.

James Stewart has always been our sport's prodigy, an incredible combination of talent and work ethic that only one or two people each generation posses. This year he decided to shake things up a little by making arguably the biggest change in his motocross career to date. The man who once bled green as the incredible hulk will now bleed blue, at least for the time being. If you haven't seen or heard yet, here is some free advertising for yamaha!

He is also on new gear this year, after an entire seemingly lifetime with Fox, he has made the switch to Answer. To be honest, your not the only one who has to put the question out there, why?



Chad Reed is often the center of concerning comments. Now don't take concern to mean anything bad, but rather to mean comments of interest. Everything he says is certainly biased towards number 1, at least for this season (A reference in his number one plate earned last year)! Reed has had a rocky road (no not the icecream) the past couple years after the sports transition to four strokes, and despite his best efforts, Reed was always a little blue (emotionally...) on the ole blue after making the switch from two to four. Had Mr. Two Two been able to stick on the once proven two two fifty (along with the rest of the sport) I think record books may be slightly different in his favor.

But now the once blue rider in both senses of the word is "back in black" but on yellow for another rock em sock em season. He is happy the bog has been eliminated, and happy the bike is like - shocks and whispers - a two stroke again (I'm a little biased, get over it!).




Ryan Villopoto is coming. He is by far one of the most incredible riders I have ever witnessed, but not in a pure art sense of the term incredible. He plain Jane goes fast. Head down, right elbow attached to the ribs, throttle locked in the open position, meal trays fastened and seats up right and locked for take off kind of fast. However, I have never felt his talents lay suited for supercross, but I said the same thing of Carmichael at one point, look at him now! RV2 is going to shake it up this year, I expect 2 wins and many Villopodiums to come this season alone.




I'm forgetting someone...he is art on wheels, a god amongst mortals....smooth as glass but fast as.....ok I'm out of silly analogies. He is fast.

Oh yeah, Kevin Windham! Remember that dude, you know, K-dub. Well you'd better because he is ready to do battle yet again, and I think this year's bike will be the best yet for him. No bog, no hesitation, precise, and smooth. Just what he needs. He may be getting old for motocross, but don't count him out! Kevin, you are my favorite rider. Well spoken on camera, often funny (Remember podium speech when GEICO came on board) and just a sight for sore eyes on motorcycle.



Rumor was Mr. Wey Fed aka Nicholas Wey is joining mr K-dub at FC. Back in black but on Red! Wey is one of the best characters in our sport, but he is no character. He is the real deal, summed up as a neat dude who goes fast on a dirtbike. He has switched up the program quite a bit after parting "Weys" with Randy Lawrence. I don't know his current arrangement, but expect him to come out swinging this year.


Josh Grant. He is almost like the kid in college who you know is smarter than almost everyone there, but hates something about school and doesn't care about the conventions...so fails out. He is now with the biggest thing, in this measly writers eyes, to happen to motocross. JGRMX.
What, you didn't know? He too is moved on to the big boy's class to get dirty in the sandbox. I have waited and waited for results. I hope I can stop waiting this year.





Micheal Byrne is on track to contest the 2009 supercross season, and is better than ever I might add. He has had a tough go of motocross life for a while, but this year in the outdoors, he showed just why Team Suzuki picked him up. Back when he rode for factory Kawi, aside from RC, JS, and CR, he was almost top dog. I fully expect him to shake it up this year, maybe a holeshot or two and maybe some heat race wins.


Josh "King of The" Hill is back for his second season in the big boys class, after flashes of brilliance last year, there is no doubt the kid is talented. I video surfaced on Transworldmx showing him play riding...and I have to say, he has skills! He was touted to be the new RV, but at times, people thought him more likely to live in an RV park than to become a champion. I think with a certain distraction gone, he will finish top five this year in the series.



Tim Ferry is like the little energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and going and going.... Red Dog is quite the story, but come supercross, you can expect to see him doing one thing: going and going and going...


Rumor has it that the wild child Jason Lawrence is riding 450's this year. I can honestly say if that is so, expect a short career. I think he is the one guy who truly has the talent to stick a wheel in on anyone. But he is missing something that will allow him to. I do hope he proves me wrong, last season I actually liked his head games and antics....it's interesting. He brought back the excitement of the old days where block passing was expected, not rejected. Instead of block passing on the track, he block passed with his mouth.


Coop a loop Cody Cooper is joining Josh Grant at JGRMX. No one knows what he will do, but talent is talent, anywhere you go. Here's to hoping he stays healthy all supercross season to debut the bike strong outdoors.


Josh Hansen. I bet you forgot about him already. Heck, I did, even with his X Games win. The guy is talented, no doubt about it. If I could ask him one question, it would be: Is it more important to know you're talented, or show you're talented?

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Mike Alessi should never ride a supercross track. If you didn't know, he's hurt, yet again, from supercross.

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Jeff Alessi is racing on something, be it a mini bike if he has to. The kid is tough, fast, and I bet a cool character. He will qualify for most races....and maybe squirt into the top ten.

Josh the Charles Summey. I have not heard word on what he is riding, if he is riding, or anything mentioning the Words Josh and Summey in the same sentence. He proved he had some speed last year, it's a shame the JGR thing didn't work out.

Gavin Gracyk is another lost moto soul. Could that kid catch a break for once? If I started a race team, he is my first pick, but for outdoors....and that's a problem.





Travis Preston is yet again looking for a ride. He was quoted saying is it too much to ask for a good bike? Well, yes actually. In fact, all the bikes are good these days, and I think you could give Stewart, Reed, and even Windham a stock bike except for suspension that they could buy (say a Pro Circuit kit) and they would be top ten week in and week out. And I mean a stock everything. He also said he doesn't want a team to take motors from a guy doing it out of his garage....I got news dude, some of those garage mechanics can build some pretty darn fast motors, that will easily hold up for supercross. Now I know the point he is trying to make, but Tavis, it's one of two things. You sit at home with the sums of money you already made (some sarcasm here....but don't think I'm dissing you...I don't even know what money looks like!) and not ride, or you go racing for free on some team. I like racing, I like riding, and if it were free, and I wasn't doing anything else...

Aye' Sea Red

Davi Millsaps is returning on Red Bull Factory Honda. The guy has talent, he has balls, and rides the big bike well. I actually think he is the biggest spoiler of all the riders in the field.


Andrew Short is Mr. Do Good! In school, everyone hates Mr. Doo Good, but in the work force, bosses love em! Andrew wins most Americans over with his Texas Drawl (yea yea Colorado), up beat demeanor, and incredible....biceps???? He is the All American of Motocross. He has also shown great speed as of late, and is finally getting adjusted to the 450. GO SHORTY!!!


Ivan Tedesco is ready to finally campaign a healthy 450 year. The once 250 champ is hungry, training hard, and on a great bike. Does this mean a successful year for him? I hope so, he has drawn a large salary for a small amount of seat time in front of the Tele! I have seen Hot Sauce rail around corners better than anyone at times, if he can do that this year, he may find great sucess.

There you have it. 20 riders who think they top five candidates. WHAT!!????!?!? That doesn't add up! Should make for a great season, don't you think?

Don't forget...Many more riders are looking to make the show! What about BHEP, BT101, Blose Brothers? Man I can't even come close to listing them all.