VOL. 54 ISSUE 12 MARCH 28, 2017 P43
WHY CHARLOTTE MXGP GOT THE BOOT
A
fter what seemed to be a successful first
MXGP at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Sep-
tember, 2016, the original 2017 FIM MXGP sched-
ule again included Charlotte in September 2017.
But during the weekend of the opening round of
the 2017 series in Qatar, it was announced that
the event would not be taking place, and there
was hope of a new location in the U.S. Then on
March 11, just before the Daytona Supercross, MX
Sports Pro Racing announced a strategic partner-
ship with Youthstream, organizers of the FIM Mo-
tocross World Championship (MXGP), to provide
cooperative support for a new USGP.
Cycle News talked a little bit to the man behind
the Charlotte MXGP, Eric Peronnard, and asked
him a few questions about the fall of the Charlotte
MXGP.
The Charlotte USGP seemed to be success-
ful but has been taken off the 2017 calendar.
Why?
Where do we start? As everyone knows we
had the best MXGP last year at Charlotte Motor
Speedway, and I could not have been happier
about the end result. We exposed motocross to a
new market in a new environment and everybody
was emotionally pumped. We had incredible ob-
stacles to overcome, politically and weather wise,
but we still pulled it off according to the whole
industry.
What happened after that?
Then the dust settled and we had to realize
the numbers did not add up. The cost of produc-
ing the MXGP was way too far from the income
we could get. We [Charlotte Motor Speedway]
started a very cordial conversation with Youth-
stream explaining that in present terms it would be
impossible to continue. This pretty much lasted
the final quarter of 2016. We got closer to a better
deal but unfortunately did not get close enough.
During the first couple weeks of 2017, reality hit
hard for both parties and we concluded it would
not happen. We were all bummed but had no
other choice. It was a perfect storm since we also
had lot of changes in the big picture with new
management at Charlotte Motor Speedway being
rightfully more cautious and sponsors going new
directions as well.
Of course, we put out hearts into making Char-
lotte work. In the end I had a fantastic opportunity
given to me by Charlotte Motor Speedway and
I know that my associates and I did the best job
anybody could have done. On the other hand,
Charlotte Motor Speedway is still interested to
expand their footprint in the motorcycle industry. It
just has to make good business sense.
Regardless of the outcome, Charlotte MXGP
was a game changer and made a lot of people
wake up and react and that is very positive.
When did MX Sports enter the field?
To be honest, I knew Youthstream and MX
Sports were communicating for the last few
months on other topics but did not know up to
January they were in discussion about the MXGP.
I am glad for motocross that we may still have a
chance to have an MXGP in America and if the
MXoN happens that is wonderful as well. Every-
one wishes the sport the best of luck, but it will
not be easy! CN
