Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

. GUEST 'EDITORIAL : . .'By Eric John_on "M an vs. Shark. One must die!" According to a recent article in Autoweek, this was just one of the outrageous promotional concepts proposed by legendary NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler during a brainstorming session for the l'99i Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. At that point in time NASCAR had yet to experience its current popularity explosion. Wheeler was meeting with various NASCAR pubic relations and promotional people in an effort to create revolutionary ideas (some of them pretty hairball) to help build momentum and increase fan interest for one of his Winston Cup events. The first item on Humpy's agenda; a pre-race show that included a huge glass tank filled with salt water in which a large hammerhead shark, and a hapless local celebrity would allegedly take part in a fight to the death. According to the article, Wheeler was well aware that his manshark idea was half-baked, but he purposely brought it to the forefront to shock his promotional people into thinking "outside the box" - that is more creatively. Wheeler is regarded by many as the best of the NASCAR race promoters, and'in conjunction with track owner Bruton Smith, has been largely responsible for turning Charlotte Motor Speedway into NASCAR's premier venue. Drawing massive crowds and sparkling with 150,000-plus seats, Vll' suites, racetrack condominiums, and an opulent speedway club (which hosts everything from trophy presentations to gala masquerade balls), CMS is the glistening jewel of the NASCAR empire. Although some may think Wheeler to be an out-on-the-edge huckster at times, he is also a creative thinker and visionary who has helped take NASCAR to the pinnacle of worldwide auto racing. Farand-away the most sl1ccessful form of motorsport on the planet (even Formula 1 czar Bernie Ecclestone reportedly agrees), the premier NASCAR Winston Cup circuit runs a 32-race series that draws an average of over 100,000 fans per event,. while enjoying unprecl;'dented corporate support and massive television numbers. NASCAR is presently the role model all other motor sports series look up to in reverence. Run by a benevolent dictator named Bill France Jr., and supported by a few creative loose screws (I mean this in respect) such as Humpy Wheeler, the NASCAR philosophy is to to classic dinosaur rock or country and western (which is more suited to the older NASCAR fan base). Crank Green Day, So~dgarden, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, etc. and watch the galvanizing effect it has. It works! I do not want to be too negative on the supercross promoter group; in fact, I very much appreciate the fact that without them there would be no supercross series. 1 would just love to see them take that next step forward towards it more professional, buttoned-up show that can move the sport to higher ground. Instead of looking at things in a myopic box, the supercross promoters need to try new ideas and experiment. It worked for Humpy Wheeler and NASCAR, it can work for supercross. While there are a number of issues that need to be addressed in order to keep the sport of supercross alive and kicking (and growing), there are a lot of positive things that can be learned by imitating a professional circuit that does nearly everything well. While supercross certainly isn't NASCAR, the stock-car fraternity has done an amazing job of tying their sport into the world of general public acceptance and big business. Players Ii.ke Humpy Wheeler realized that in order to keep the turnstiles spinning and the fans coming back, the spectator has to be fully entertained from the minute they sit down in their seats. "You have to do that to get the fan's pulse rates up," said Wheeler to Autoweek. Supercross is an amazing show full of outstanding athletes, and people who come out to attend the races are generally amazed at the great racing and the display of athletic ability they witness. By forging ahead and paying more attention to detail, the promoters will go a long way in solidifying spectator interest and excitement, and in doing so these people will return the next time with their friends in tow. carefully plan and calculate each business move and promotional decision with a strict bottom-line objective; pleasing the ticket-buying customer and constantly improving the show. Which brings me to my point: The AMA and supercross promoters might learn a thing or two from the NASCAR way of doing business. Although currently embroiled in number of controversial issues involving scheduling, event purse money, track construction, a series point fund and a search for a series sponsor, word has it that the supercross promoter group is putting their best foot forward in an attempt to rectify the problems that have had the factory teams, riders, team managers, and, at times, fans seething. The promoters appear to be aware that there are problems and seem to be anxious to sort them out. Supercross is big business and . it- has the potential to be even bigger, and the promoters likely realize this. Supercross is the one form of motorcycle sport in the U.S. th.at has the potential to rise to the next Level of general public acceptance and popularity. A 15race circuit that crosses America, the series draws an average of nearly 40,000 spectators per event - many of them within the prime corporate 18- to 34year-old demographic - and has begun to cross over into the mainstream. Outside sponsorship is slowly beginning to appear on the factory-team level ~d the word on the street is that a number of corporate advertisers are showing some interest in the series. But all is not completely well. lf the sport is ever to shed its somewhat negative "motorized drcus, tractor pull" image and to continue to grow, changes are going to have to be made. There is still a lot of ground to cover. "The audience is not buying a ticket for the race, they're buying a ticket for an adrenaline charge. Anything you can do to get their heart beating, you do. If you succeed, they'll come back," Wheeler told Autoweek. Wheeler and the NASCAR powers that be realized long ago that not only is the spectator buying a ticket to watch the race, but to be entertained in other ways as well. This has long been one of the slags against American supercross events. While everyone admits that the racing is fantastic and the riders are world-class athletes, the supercross "show" comes off as "amateur hour" at times. The opening ceremonies are passable at best and not enough attention is paid in "setting up" the evening's event. The fans should be brought up to speed on things like current point standings, rider injuries and team strategies for that night's racing. Although the promoters have been trymg to liven-up the pre-race festivities with introduction laps, riders circulating the course and commenting on the course via microphone, and big monsterfruck-type vehicles helching fire with Jeremy McGrath on board, they often come off looking shoddy and half-ass. If they're going to make the effort; they should go all the way. The Europeanbased World Supercross Series promoters have made great strides in getting the crowd's adrenaline pumping while treating the riders like the royal ty that they are. The U.s. Supercross Series promoters should take a .good long look at what is being accomplishing across the . pond. It might cost a few more dollars up front, but the fans get charged up and some momentum begins to build going into lithe show." Another point that desperately needs to be addressed is the in-stadium race commentary. While the announcers generally have a great voice delivery, much more attention needs to be paid in detailing the race action on the track. If you ever attend a NASCAR event, you will be surprised at how much effort goes into this key element. The announcers . are very insightful and extremely wellinformed and do an outstanding job of keeping the spectators abreast of the action at hand. There is not a lot of jumping up-and-down and rapting and raving. While the announcing done at the AMA Supercross events can be a bit "over the top" at times, the potential is there to do great things. Additionally, the half-time shows need to go. You don't see ridiculous, embarrassing displays such as DJ tricycle races or tire rolls at prestigious NASCAR races (or any other major professional sport), so why should they be at supercross races? Enough said. Another element that keeps the energy level high at other pro sporting ·events is music. At major-league baseball games, NFL games or NASCAR races, musk is cranked during down time to keep the crowd amped. One key point here: Make sure the music is contemporary. A lot of younger guys who come out to watch the races don't listen experienced collapsing-wh~el syndrome in the second... World Motocross Champion Joel Robert powered his Suzuki to a perfect score at the Trans-AMA in Franklin, Georgia. BSAmounted John Banks fHi:7iJllr."lrrt..-_L finished second overall after following Robert through the whole final race. limbo for months, was canceled, accordfifth consecutive series title and the ing to the banner that greeted riders cover of Cycle News. Larry Roeseler was who gathered for the event in the Calione minute faster than Smith on the 132fomia desert. When the banner mile course between the Nevada towns dropped, the riders hurried toward of Wells and Wendover ... Fabrizio where the finish Line would have been, Meoni and Kevin Hines were the top as ,epresentatives of the Bureau of finishers in the Incas Rally. The 4500Land Management looked on. Bob mile course began in Inca, Peru, and folBalentine was the first to finish the nonlowed dirt roads and trails across race, followed by Scot Harden... Dan deserts and mountains.The final test Smith dominated the Desert Donkeys was a muddy motocross in Rio de Hare Scrambles in Lucerne Valley, Janeiro, where Meoni was lapped California - a sign of things to come? fii7l.n="':"'__ twice but still won the Dan Ashcraft chased him the whole rally by nine minutes... way and finished second, taking top Warren Diem became the 250cc honors. East Coast Speedway Champion, topping 32 Canadian and U.S. riders 5YEARS AGO... at American Speedway in OCTOBER 31, 1990 Oswego, New York. Tuff ay "National Champion Dan McBride and Diem were Smith" five times fast. Smith, battling for the title when finished the final round of the they made contact, sending Hare and Hound series in second ~=~~~S;;;]~ McBride to the wall and place, good enough to sew up his Diem to first place.. eN a Eric Johnson, 30, is a free-lance writer who lives in Manhattan Beach, California. JohnSOn is an avid supercross and motocross fan , who attends many races a year. He works full-time at the Chiat/Day Advertising agency in Venice, California, and is heavily involved with the company's Nissan automobile account. Johnson currently doesn't own a motorcycle, but does have an eye on the Suzuki RF900 and the Honda XR400. He hopes to ha:oe one, or both, in his garage in the nearJuture... Editor. , I' 25 YEARS AGO... NOVEMBER 10, 1970 ictured on the cover, riders fought for advantage at the start of the Los Angeles International Grand Prix. Maico factory rider Ake ~ .. Jonsson netted I, l\llj,l"t!i~-i'ii\':"""'" the overall win in 1,'1 _.••.,.';;;;'j 1,the 500cc Interna- --""-=---..._-=-",,--~_, tional class. Bengt Aberg was incredibly quick around the dusty Bay Mare circuit, but a spectacular crash and a series of mechanical problems left the 500cc World Motocross Champion . with an eighth place overalL. Jonsson's teammate, Willie Bauer, took top 50Qcc International-class honors at the InterAm round in Gardena, California. Aberg's bad luck continued when, after leading the first moto wire-to-wire, he P 15 YEARS AGO... NOVEMBER 5, 1980 upercross Champion Mike Bell ended the season on a high note, winning again at the finals in San Diego, California. An estimated crowd of 40,000 fans watched the Supercross champ best Donnie Hansen for the victory, to finish the series with 400 points over Kent Howerton's 346... The 29th Annual Check Chase, in legal S S

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