Diplomacy
By TMX Archives on 12th Oct 04
In these troubled times it's easy to lose sight of the facts and, after all, motocross is still only a sport TO BE honest, it's difficult to even concentrate on motorcycles over here these days. Our little republic is in political turmoil and the nation is more divided that I, for one, have ever seen it. All presidential races are heated to an extent but this is another dimension altogether. Two very disparate ideologies are fighting for control of our nation's future and that fight has carried over to the everyday citizen. On the freeway, people won't let you merge in traffic if your car has the 'wrong' political bumper sticker. On a more frightening level, in recent days, gunshots have been fired into the Republican headquarters of two separate cities while two others were stormed by Democratic protestors. The whole thing is fascinating, disheartening and encouraging (if only for the increase in political activism and awareness) all at the same time. It's a difficult time in our young nation's history. I'm not sure that I have the energy to really care wholeheartedly about much of anything else right now. In fact, my patience is gone. So we need to iron out a moto-problem or two and we need to do it now. In the motocross community, as in just about every other community, the internet is quickly becoming a fairly reliable barometer for people's interests. And while the elections and the war in Iraq have begun to dominate even these message boards, certain motorcycle-related topics do emerge every now and again. One of the most hotly contested in recent weeks has been America's decision not to attend the Motocross des Nations - yet another situation that seems stuck between two very different ideologies. Those defending the American no-show point to several factors as justification. The US Open is held the weekend after the MXdN and the event's increased visibility and $300,000 overall purse have become a top priority for factories and racers alike (well, most of them anyway). In addition, the expenses involved in sending a team, bikes, staff, etc from the States to the Netherlands is considerably higher than those incurred by, say, Belgium. There has been talk of covering travel costs or perhaps increasing the purse to help offset the costs of such long-distance hauls. Perhaps the biggest stumbling block is that the race gets very little televised coverage. This year, a highlight-oriented programme is scheduled to air more than a month after the actual event. Those on the opposite side argue that the event has always been this way - you're chosen to represent your country and should be honoured to have the opportunity. Back in the day, nobody paid for the Yanks to go over there and win it 982 consecutive times. The riders or the teams covered the costs because it was about honour, not money. It's the World Cup of our sport. And if the Australians and Japanese, for instance, can afford to field teams from such a distance surely the US can do the same. A possible third side to this story - and one that you're unlikely to actually hear even if it might be true - is that today's riders simply aren't all that interested. The Motocross des Nations, in America at least, seems to hold the most sway over people who were around during the event's glory days, before supercross emerged and began drawing crowds of 50,000 and more to stadiums across the country. We've now got a generation of riders weaned on 90-foot triples, the X Games and extravagant pay-outs. After a grueling, nine-month stretch of supercross and nationals, I'm sure a weekend on the couch might just sound a little better than a 14-hour flight for a single race, no matter how prestigious it may be. Traditions die out when their relevance is forgotten through the generations. Maybe that's what's happening now. As I listen to all the pros and cons and arguments this way and that, everything gradually devolves into blah, blah, blah, blah, blah... The AMA is discussing the possibility of fielding a team for next year. Giuseppe Luongo, meanwhile, has suggested moving the race to September to ease scheduling concerns. As I said, I've got no patience left for this. So here's my advice. First, everybody shut up for two seconds and say to yourself, "It's only a sport. This isn't a huge problem. We can fix it". Second, do something crazy - have a big meeting! The AMA, the FIM and whoever else wants to go. Have it somewhere neutral - I hear Reykjavik is a slammin' town and it's pretty much in between Europe and the States. Meet up for drinks on Friday night, then roll out to the hot springs on Saturday, noonish, with your lists of questions, comments and concerns. Allow the steam to open your pores and your mind and be willing to concede the occasional point. Adjourn the meeting when you've either solved the problems or become unbearably pruny in all that hot water. Any remaining issues can be resolved in the hotel lobby over dinner. Everyone goes home on Sunday, refreshed and with a feeling of accomplishment. Then, when you get home, ask any riders who are interested in riding for their country to submit a request. If the top riders don't want to do it, that's their call. One weekend in a class party town and everything's solved. These are tremendously upsetting times in our world. There's fear and uncertainty around every corner and there are no easy solutions, no matter what the politicians try to tell you. But there are easy solutions here. It's only a sport. This isn't a huge problem. You can fix it. By Jeff Kocan, courtesy RacerX