Keeping the Supermoto Glass at least “Half” full

(or how instant information in Supermoto Land is not necessarily always the best thing)

 April 25 2008

 I’m writing this little reflection on the wonders of today’s modern media….how it makes available to us the unbelievable array of everything and anything we want to know about, WHEN we want to know about it, and how sometimes we have to downshift and step back in spite of our desire to post everything immediately just because we can.

In the motorsports world, not that long ago, before there was Satellite/Cable TV, SPEED Channel, and the plethora of individually focused websites, you had to wait till Cycle News landed at your local bike dealership or specialty shop to find out the latest news, results and what was happening with your favorite two-wheeled racing series. The articles that you read were written by a professional journalist….(as opposed to yours truly typing this right now), and then proof read for accuracy and fact by at least two others before it went into even the fastest of print publications. Of course, this process of distributing information to the motorsports hungry masses was bound to become somewhat obsolete with the expansion of the internet, and it’s capability to bring that same printed word to us instantly.

 For the most part, being able to find out what’s going on, and being privy to all the latest news, virtually in real time, is a fantastic leap forward from the days of waiting for that Cycle News arrive.  However…..nowadays anyone with a PC and a mouse can be a journalist, and while that in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, the levels of fact checking, proof reading, and impact considerations of any particular story can easily be a quality control chain made up of a single link.

 In most instances, points of view, commentaries and observations that are generated from an individual not aligned with a major publication are noted as such and taken with a grain of salt…….however, when the writer is an industry insider, the words that are typed and presented online are pretty much read as complete fact and the final word without necessarily being 100% correct.  Unfortunately, in this day and age of gonzo cyber journalism, the purveyors of negative news tend to grab the headlines faster and with more impact than the positive stories, a situation that needs to be avoided if at all possible right now in Supermoto.

Again, it’s wonderful to know what’s really happening, especially in this very “fluid” period of our beloved sport here in the USA, but those that are at the forefront of this sport….(and it’s not a huge community) need to take a step back before instantly posting, writing, e-mailing ANYTHING that may have a negative effect on this already struggling sport that they purportedly love, and want to see succeed. I’m not saying the media shouldn’t write anything but rosy stories, but at this time it's very critical to go above and beyond in trying to make a positive impact on Supermoto AND the public perception of it.

Perception IS everything, and the rumor mills feed the rumor mills. One can always find negative storylines when the subject concerned is going through difficulties. Just as you know who your friends are most sincerely when times are tough, so too this period of readjustment and evolution regarding the AMA Supermoto Championship series needs the persons at the front of the public’s eyes to consider the big picture before adding fuel to a doomsday fire.

I spoke briefly with Gavin Trippe yesterday who was kind enough to take time from his hectic schedule to call me regarding some issues that have been raised recently. Gavin stated unequivocally to me that it is NOT up to individual promoters to remove events from the AMA calendar and that he and the AMA are 100% committed to six races, and Stafford Springs Raceway IS still on the calendar the weekend of August 10 until they say otherwise. There are always two sides to any story, and the Connecticut pullout article is certainly a prime example. I personally find it hard to fathom that all the issues that were stated in the "New England Supermoto Classic Cancelled?" article were vigorously pursued, as I've been able to contact the powers that be in a pretty timely manner. I don't know what Chris precisely did or didn't do. All I'm saying is that sometimes going public with dramatically negative news really damages the perception of the sport as a whole and should be considered seriously before writing.

I was at the Connecticut round last year and it was probably the most exciting round of the year….(in the 450/Premier class that is) with Ward and Burkhart, the two title contenders, taking each other out on the first turn followed by a ride by Jeff Ward all the way up to second spot on the podium to an ecstatic crowd. It was a fantastic show last year, and Chris Fischer did a great job putting it together and making it happen. I can relate to the fact that there very well may be communication and managerial issues right now with all that has transpired in the last five/six months surrounding the AMA’s delegating the different pro series out to independent entities. However, to get to the point…...the persons that are intimately involved with this sport and claim to love it, need to continue to consider the impact of their actions as the sport progresses through this critical period. This incredible sport has nothing but untapped potential, and with the proper packaging, the sky is the limit for everyone involved!

To beat the dead horse one more time..……perception is EVERYTHING, so if you’re an event promoter, a racer, a sponsor or ANYONE directly involved in the AMA Supermoto program and you have a serious issue you can’t seem to get assistance with, call or mail me, and I’ll be glad to do anything “I” can to help direct your issue to the powers that be. I guarantee that they ARE committed to making this sport viable and healthy and will do anything in their power to work with you. 

SuperMotoOnline will be digging to continue to bring all the really great projects and developments that ARE coming together now, as the AMA series approaches with the first round of the 2008 season in Seattle, in July!! 

 Dennis Anderson/SuperMotoOnline.com