Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

r I r ames Kern: Togota's Privateer Haven cn: So just what is th€ Togota Zon€ program? iameskern: The program is consumer facing, as well as support lor riders - pri- marily the pri\.ateers. We have a Toyota Zone on the consumer side, where we've got an LED wall [showin8 videos]; we got a fan appreciation experience, and photo ops with some of the stars in Motocross. That's the front side lof the Zone], on the inside ofour container is a lounge for the riders, were they've got lnternet and computer access, Xbox 360 video games - it's a lounge - a place for them to chill out. ln the back yard, we have catering, food, and a plasma screen with movies, so they can come and hang out and get some food. We fo€us on the pri\rateers since the factory riders have got the big rigs and have this kind of set- up for themselves already, but these guys, the privateers, who have been traveling on the road and have put in the hard miles, we give them a place to come and 8et a little comfortable. cn: What do€s a rid€r hav€ to do to take advantag€ of gour hospitalitg? iameskerd: All they have to do is come to the gatekeeper in the front and show that they're actually an Al4A rider. Their mechanics and the rest oftheir team are also allowed in; they just have to show proof that they're on a team, and they get a season pass. Once they're signed up with the Toyota Zone season pass, all they have to do is sign in each time and let us know that they're here. cnr How dld th€ Togota Zonc com€ aboutP iameskem: Toyota signed a deal with the AMA for Supercross and for Motocross and Arenacrosr, a three-year deal, so instead of just writing a check and putting a couple of truck out here lin the display area/pits] and walk away, they wanted to actually do something that supporB the sport and move the sport forward- Toyota's "moving for- ward" slogan is key to everything they're doing, they want to be here moving the spon forward, especially the privateers, who may not have as much of an oppor- tunity to perform at a high level. We give them an opportunity to give them that extra push, and hopefully that's going to help them out on the track. cn: How has th€ Togota Zon€ b:en receivedP jameskern; Every week has been get- ting better and better. We ve been get- ting more and more people, so I think the word is out now that we've kind of proven that we're here for the good of the sport, particularly for the privateers - it's starting to catch on pretty good. It's been positive - gotten a lot of posi- tive feedback. Privateers can't carry all this stuff; we've had a lot of guys over here warming up before the night show and kind oI gettinE ready to race. lt's been good and we're going to continue to evolve. Kit Pdlmer l/ I U l I I Ali Entries Now 0pen fhe foughest lndoor Ofl-Road Bace in Amefica! ln Laalcgaol Here is your opportunity to race with the top 0ff-Road Eacers in the World and a For the Oualifier Round on Friday, ilouember l7 Five Classes To Choose Fron Classes are limited - Enter Today! llovember 18,2006 ,000 P t I r , "."! z'. _ a I I w < I il a a When Toyota stepped up and signed a three-year deal with the AMA to be the official truck of Supercross, l'lotocross and Arenacross, the privateer racers probabt didn't realize iust how good thrs was going to be for them, because out of the deal came the "Toyota Zone." The Toyoa Zone can be found in the pits at all of the Supercross races, as well as the upcoming outdoor Nationals, and you might say that it's kind of a hang out for the privateer We recently spoke with James Kern, the creative director for the Toyota Zone program, who fllled us in on just what the Toyota Zone is all about. r ho I 7 Sr tr I ) / \ t The Biggest Mini Bike Bace on the Planet! Friday ilight, May 5, 2006 ln Las Vegas Tickets Available at www.0rleansArena.com 0r Call BB8-234-2334 E M ;l '! I t, -T I w. MinilVtotoSX.com ForrRa d@ lEEm tu cetlnlffim Tic k ets A Pro- tfi'stiEi6w 16 MARCH r s, 2006 . CYCLE NEws Motion hi PrcduclioL 541- c0m c

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