Armadillo Supermoto sponsor Woods Fun Center Keeps Austin Riding.

Progressive Powersports dealer takes fun and social responsibility to a new level!

8.7.2008

 I had a chance to chat with Martha Pena and Shane Talbert of Austin, Texas multi-line powersports dealer, and joint primary sponsor….(with Suzuki) of the Armadillo Supermoto race, Woods Fun Center, yesterday. As the embodiment of their dealerships name, Martha and Shane are F.U.N people and are really excited about infusing their passion and energy into the event that is shaping up to be one of the biggest two-wheel racing shows in the USA for 2008!

SMO: Woods Fun Center??  How long have you guys been around??

Shane: Woods has been here in Austin for over 36 years now. We first opened the doors in 1972 and have been growing and expanding ever since!

SMO: That’s great to hear in this day and age of dealerships coming and going in tough times.  So, tell me how Woods came to be the major sponsor of the Armadillo Supermoto event?

Martha: Skip Jones….(promoter of last years round in Galveston and this years in Austin) just strolled into the dealership late last year and approached us about being involved with the race that he was in the midst of planning, along with his PR guru, John Hessinger, for 2008.

Shane: The vision of what Skip and John were planning, along with the progressive way they wanted to do it, we immediately knew would be a great fit with us and the Austin area, and we wanted Woods to be a part of that! We absolutely loved the idea of a race, especially since there had not been a major racing event in the Austin area since the early 80’s, and the energy and intensity that the Armadillo Supermoto vision embodied totally won us over.

The Austin area hasn’t had a major racing event since the “Aquafest” event that was pretty big around here for a number of years in the 80’s. It was actually a really cool show, with a collage of races and venues, but it faded out and there hasn’t been anything to replace it since. Woods is very much the hub of motorcycling in Austin, and we’re thrilled to be able to expand our ongoing involvement with the powersports community here in Central Texas in partnership with Suzuki and the Armadillo Supermoto event.

SMO: Ongoing involvement??  I get the feeling Woods is not just another retail establishment. What is the shop involved in already?

Martha: We host a Bike Night every Thursday night that is open to all brands of bikes, riders and styles….we give out all kinds of accessories and services and it’s a big hit every week.  I personally try and know everybody by name and what they ride.  “Fun” Center is definitely NOT just a name here! We'll also be hosting a number of parties and special promotional events all week long leading up to, and into the race weekend.

We like to think we mirror what this area is all about. Austin is well known for it’s music, art and progressive attitude, and what we’ll be doing with the Armadillo Supermoto race will really enhance not just OUR relationship with the city but also elevate the perception of motorcycling and motorcyclists as a whole.

 SMO: Tell me more!

 Martha: Well, as SuperMotoOnline’s readership may or may not know, the Armadillo Supermoto event will be the first completely “Green” and environmentally renewable motorcycle race in the United States.  Like I said, we like to think that we are a direct mirror of the community that we are part of here in Austin. Having the opportunity to not only bring a fantastic motorcycle racing show like Supermoto here was great, but doing it responsibly will show that motorcyclists aren’t a bunch of environmentally irresponsible destroyers, but are concerned about the world we play in and maintaining it. Taking these extra steps to be a part of the social consciousness, while setting the bar a little higher for the motorsports community as a whole, is just another reason that we are so so thrilled to be a part of Skip’s event!

SMO: Elevating motorsports to a responsible level is a huge huge part of acceptance by the “non” racing world…..tell me a little more about how you’ll be keeping it “Green”.

Martha: First off, all the electrical power for the vendors and the venue will be supplied by Austin Energy via wind and solar power. All the vendors will be required to utilize recyclable materials which will be sorted and disposed of properly. After the event is over we’ll utilize a company that will measure the carbon emissions emitted from the event, and we’ll be planting trees to offset that carbon footprint! Again, in progressive Austin, being Green is perfectly fitted to this community, and we want to help be a big part of taking the perception of Supermoto and motorsports in general to a whole new acceptable level!

SMO: That is a fantastic guys! What else is Woods Fun Center doing as part of the race week??

Martha: Well, there's a popular old slogan in this area that embodied Austin's off-beat history and character, "Keep Austin Wierd" which we have taken and twisted it slightly into our own "Keep Austin Riding", and we really take our saying to heart!

Saturday will be all about the Amateur races and we’ll be fully staffed to provide parts and service for all the racers. Just about everyone here at Woods rides, and we have a number of our employees that will be racing on Saturday. Our employees are really looking forward to the event as a bonus, not a chore to say the least!

Additionally, race registration will be available at the shop and we’ll be an information center for everything that is going on.

Also, we’ll be hosting a huge VIP area at the track…..on Thursday, our Bike Night will be at “Docs Motorworks Bar and Grill” together with Red Bull.  Also we’re throwin’ a major party Saturday night at “The Tiniest Bar” in Austin.

Pro racer Johnny Lewis will be making an appearance at the shop with a live radio show, showcasing “How to ride Supermoto!”. We’re definitely making this a week long party, not just a weekend show!

SMO: You mentioned earlier the partnership with Suzuki. How did that come about?

Shane: Though we carry all four of the major brands here at Woods Fun Center, Suzuki really embodies a commitment to Supermoto. Suzuki, of course, is the only Japanese manufacturer that makes a production Supermoto bike, which I myself ride, and as we worked with Skip and John to develop this event, Suzuki was the perfect fit! We’re just completely flattered and proud to be partnered with them, and Supermoto will be benefitting from it all!

SMO: Wow!!! The more I find out about the Armadillo event the more I’m anticipating being there!

Martha: Absolutely!!!  Anyone who’s reading this needs to come on down to Austin and see what it’s all about here! This area is SUCH a vibrant, eclectic and growing community it’s the perfect fit for Supermoto!  Anyone who gets their butt down here, we guarantee a FUN FUN time!

SMO: Shane and Martha, I gotta say thanks!!  Not only for the great interview and insight, but for Woods Fun Center being so personally involved in helping take this fantastic sport of Supermoto to the next level of exposure and promotion!

Shane and Martha:  Thank YOU Dennis, and tell everyone if they’re going to make just one AMA Supermoto round this year………THIS IS IT!!!   Also, if anyone has any questions or needs concerning the Armadillo Supermoto please visit our website at http://www.woodsfuncenter.com/  and/or  http://www.armadillosupermoto.com/