Word: motocross
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Still, as David Bailey says, "The credibility of this sport has a long way to go." Bailey should know. Bailey took the motocross world by storm last year, winning an unprecedented three national titles and more than $1 million in prize money. This year he has become the sport's unofficial spokesman and media darling...
Ironically enough, Bailey's erstwhile opponents--the promoters--also have an interest in legitimizing the sport. They say this type of indoor motocross will be the key to increasing the sport's popularity. "It's a better spectator sport in some ways than traditional motocross," says Michael A. DiPrete, promoter of Saturday's race in Foxboro. "From the spectators' perspective, it's a great show because they can enjoy the racing from the comfort of their seats...
Stadium racing has another monetary advantage that promoters such as DiPrete hope to exploit television coverage. It's much easier to televise a stadium race than one on a three-mile track in the boondocks. Currently only one motocross event, the national outdoor championship in Carlsbad. California, is nationally televised. Promotoers say that for the sport to attract a wider audience, it must get more television exposure...
...there are three or four T V events a year," says Tom Mueller, a promoter for Wrangler Jeans, which sponsors a 15 race supercross series around the country. Wrangler sponsors the entire series and has put up $125,000 in prize money for the series championship, but Mueller says motocross needs to attract corporate sponsors for individual drivers and teams to get more attention. "We need team Burger King. We need team 7-11, to make this thing work...
...somewhat unique in advocating careful growth and yet, like everyone else, says the key to motocross's future is in more television exposure. "It's not ready to get big yet," he cautions, and says the only way to change the public's perceptions is to race as often as possible in as many places as possible and maintain a professional image...