Spreading the off-road word
By TMX Archives on 26th Nov 09
JD makes the point that we need get more people involved in our sport and also to find ways to encourage them when they do...
YOU may have noticed that the motorcycle industry's major bike show, the snappily titled Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, which kicks-off its mighty ten-day run at the NEC on Thursday this week, has a newly-introduced dedicated Off-Road Zone.
T+MX and DBR have even taken a stand – the main idea behind which is to attract some new blood into off-road and in order to assist this we have produced, and will be giving away to anyone who shows interest, an off-road guide. Which I'm sure you'll agree is a worthy project; let's take this opportunity to spread the word and get some new faces doing it in the dirt, with our tarmac-riding pals prime suspects for conversion! And there will be a lot of them wandering round at the NEC.
The guide gives basic details of how to get involved in the different off-road disciplines, trials, motocross, enduro, supercross and which authorities to contact in order to get a start. Pretty basic stuff to us but invaluable for a newcomer.
Let's face it, we are collectively pretty precious about our sport and could be argued that we appear to do our best to actually dissuade newcomers. We guard it, whether the ‘it' is trials, motocross, enduro or whatever, jealously from outsiders and openly bask in the knowledge that we are different from them. My own managing director is a ‘biker' and he has pointed out to me, several times, that T+MX is not an easy read if you are an outsider. He is right.
Taking this a step further, it is a fact that, unless you already have knowledge and connections, it is actually incredibly difficult to get started in off-road sport – compared to other sports, it is!
A few years ago myself and a road-racing pal decided to take up badminton in a desperate attempt to keep fit in the winter. Yes – to get my retaliation in first – it was obviously a failed experiment but the actual bit of taking up badminton was the easiest thing in the world. We rolled-up at our local leisure centre one evening, rented a court for an hour, two rackets and a shuttlecock to whack and we were away. And while we were busy making tits of ourselves, lashing away at fresh air, much to the amusement of those watching from the first floor glass-fronted cafeteria, a nice lady approach-ed and enquired as to whether we would like to join the local badders club. The whole episode was as simple a that.
Now, let's imagine that I'm a badminton player and I fancy taking up motocross, or trials, or enduro... Just assume that you know nothing whatsoever about our sport – where would you start?
Trials: A dealer can flog you a bike but where are you going to learn to ride it unless you are lucky enough to own your own ground? I think we can forget about showing up, paying a few quid and away you go.
Motocross? More or less the same applies, although there are more opportunities with practise tracks. But the very rules we employ, especially in Youth motocross, can appear to dissuade anyone thinking of taking up the sport.
The whole system of Youth MX is based on kids starting young and working their way through the classes on an age/ capacity system. This is fine for those riders already in the system, i.e those whom their parents started-off in the Auto class. But given the performance of modern MX bikes, not to mention the costs involved, it makes no sense whatsoever if you are trying to draw in new blood – of any age.
Why? Assume you are a 14 year-old with no motorcycling experience whatsoever, never mind off-road, and you fancy a shot at motocross. After locating a local club the next thing you will find out is that your riding class is for expensive, fire-breathing 250Fs, as used by MXGP riders. Considering that our theoretical keen newcomer can't even ride a bike, do we really think this is the way to encourage newcomers into Youth MX?
I truly believe that if we really are to encourage genuine new-blood into the sport we need an alternative to the current age/ capacity limit competition system. There are alternatives out there that could be utilised.
Mini-bikes are one possible alternative, another is a class possibly utilising cheap 125cc four-stroke imports. We are not looking to find the next World Champion, just to find a formula that allows a fresh influx of kids the chance to have a go at our sport.
Of course we need to get out there and get more people involved – but we also need to be ready for them when they do arrive...