Morning Espresso: 09/28
Morning Espresso 9-28-09
Motosport, Tag Metals, 661, and Smith Optics join forces with the Vurb Moto Pro Am Classic.
Motosport has stepped up into the Title Sponsor position for the 2009 Vurb Moto Pro Am Classic at Bremen Raceway on Oct 10-11. Tag Metals, 661, and Smith Optics have also joined forces with Pro Am Classic as presenting sponsors. Yes, there is a lot hype behind the event and we are grateful that we have been able to confirm such an impressive line up of sponsors. Keep your eyes peeled as we will be announcing some special events that our sponsors will be hosting to support riders at the Pro Am Classic. Info will flow into our our Current Events section as the week unfolds.
Be sure to visit our sponsors online @
http://www.sixsixone.com/tag.aspx
http://www.sixsixone.com/sixsixone.aspx
Jason Bird, AKA Moto-Bird, suffers severe injuries after jumping 420 feet while attempting to break his own record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmGEw_D_N-E
Rest of story:
http://www.katu.com/outdoors/active/61329392.html
Racer X Tested 2010 KTMs
http://www.racerxonline.com/article/racer-x-tested-2010-ktms.aspx
Ross “ENZO” Maeda Crash Update
Donn Maeda, Editor at Transworld Motocross, posted the following over the weekend in regards to an accident that his brother Ross had at Starwest on September 25th. Our prayers go out to Ross and the entire Maeda family.
From TWMX--
Ross Maeda Severely Injured
September 26 2009
Yesterday morning while getting in a routine moto, Ross Maeda crashed and suffered paralyzing injuries. He broke/displaced three vertebrae in his lower back and underwent a seven-hour surgery last night to repair the damage. He also suffered a collapsed lung, broken collarbone, and a severe concussion among other injuries.
Only time will tell if he will ever be able to walk again. For those who may be unfamiliar with Ross, he is the owner of Enzo Racing and is widely considered the king of motocross suspension. More importantly, he is, and has been, an inspiration and mentor to everyone of us in the motocross industry including his brother, our Editor-in-Chief,
Donn.
From Donn’s blog:
My big brother Ross has been my hero since I was a little kid, and I’ve idolized him for as long as I can remember. He is the reason I started riding motocross bikes, he is the one who sparked my interest in photography, he taught me how to ride and race, and he is the person I bounce magazine ideas off of when I need a second opinion.
Yesterday, Rossi crashed and suffered paralyzing injuries. He broke/displaced three vertebrae in his lower back and underwent a seven-hour surgery to repair the damage. Only time will tell if he will ever be able to walk again. Ross is a bad ass, though, and I know that if anyone can bounce back from this, it’s him.
To say that I am devastated would be an understatement. I’ve always said that Ross is my guideline as to how long I will be able to be the Editor of TransWorld Motocross. At 54, he still hauls ass on a mx track and has been a source of inspiration for me. “If Rossi can still rip at 54, I want to, also,” I’d think. I don’t want to be the editor of this magazine any longer when I can’t get around the track at a decent clip, so that’s why I’ve always looked to Ross for a time estimate. Now…I don’t know.
Ross is a fighter, and I know that he will get through this. All we can do is stay positive, think good thoughts, and keep him in our prayers. Think a good thought about my big brother for me, will you?
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We are all pushing for him, and are trying to stay as positive as he is.
Star Racing Update
Star Racing is one of the few teams that had a multi-year deal with a manufacturer (Yamaha). That has allowed them to move quickly, and as a result they are one of the first teams to have their roster completed. Martin Davalos, Nico Izzi, and Austin Stroupe will all be riding for the Yamaha-supported effort.
RICK ALDEN OF SKULLCANDY NAMED FINALIST IN ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE’S ENTREPRENEUR OF 2009 CONTEST
PRESENTED BY THE UPS STORE
Narrowed down to five CEOs across the country, online voting will determine the winner
(Park City, UT) September 16, 2009 – Rick Alden, founder and CEO of Skullcandy, has been named one-of-five finalists for the Entrepreneur of 2009 contest in Entrepreneur magazine presented by The UPS Store®, perhaps the most prestigious award bestowed upon entrepreneurs today. Now through October 12, 2009, Skullcandy customers and supporters can vote for industry veteran Alden to become the Entrepreneur of 2009 at http://www.entrepreneur.com/e2009/vote/established.php#633
.
“All of the finalists exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and are making a real impact with their businesses,” said Amy Cosper, VP/editor in chief at Entrepreneur. “While they’re at the top of our list, it’s ultimately up to the business community to decide who their favorite is by voting. We encourage everyone to go online now to make their pick.”
“Each of the finalists is making a big difference with his or her business, and they represent the innovative entrepreneurs we see in our centers every day,” said Tom Crockett, vice president of sales and marketing at Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., franchisor of The UPS Store. “We look forward to seeing whom the entrepreneurial community chooses as the winners.”
Skullcandy’s success is a result of Alden’s over 20 year career in the snowboard, surf, and skate industries. Skullcandy was an effort to strap time proven core-marketing techniques onto an entirely new product category for the action sports retail environment. Later, these products were rolled out through more traditional consumer electronic retailers. Alden’s strategy proved to successful as Skullcandy quickly grew to become the second most sold headphone brand in the world.
“The greatest part of Skullcandy for me has been the association with an incredible team of employees. Being blessed to work with these people every day is the best part of the ride,” Alden stated. “I likely have a dysfunctionaly high opinion of the importance of entrepreneurship in America, so to be included with this caliber of other founders in the premier magazine for entrepreneurs, as one of the five finalists is an insane honor.”
In 2003, Alden launched Skullcandy to integrate audio and mobile technologies into skateboard, snowboard and lifestyle products. In just six years, Skullcandy has introduced a line of more than 100 SKU’s of headphones as well as many other audio products, such as backpacks with built in speakers and iPod accessories to over 50 countries. Skullcandy currently has collaborations with artists and brands such as Snoop Dogg, Mix Master Mike, Def Jam Records, Giro Helmets, Smith Optics, Paul Frank, Von Zipper, Dragon Alliance and many others.
To see Alden’s full business profile and video—and to vote, go to http://www.entrepreneur.com/e2009/vote/established.php#633
2009 Honda Australia Junior Titles is under way and Joey Savatgy and Kyle Peters are Looking Good Down Under
MXDaily.com.au Update @ http://www.mxdaily.com.au/articleView.html?articleId=375
Espresso photo flashback, Glen Helen ’09 – Image Campo
Netflix To Offer The Motocross Files
Rent some vintage motocross entertainment
(Credit: Cycle News)
After years of developing and producing projects for television viewers and home DVD’s for endemic retailers, Pipeline Digital Media (PDM) will begin shipping it’s home DVD projects to Netflix and other non-motorsports channels by September 14th, 2009. PDM has signed a distribution deal to market and distribute it’s motocross and other titles to retailers in the mass channels as well as DVD rental giant, Netflix.
"We feel our team’s tireless work on our growing list of home DVD titles will be of great interest to those outside of the motorsports channels. Having our DVD products available to a much wider, audience can only strengthen the interest and demand to keep new projects in production”, says Todd Huffman, Producer. “It’s sort of fun and exciting to see PDM’s work in Netflix lineup”, Huffman added.
The titles that will begin shipping include: One Chance To Win (the beautiful, lost documentary about the 1975 AMA 500cc National Motocross Championship Series directed by Charles Bush), The Motocross Files: Bob Hannah and The Motocross Files: Rick Johnson (Long versions of the widely acclaimed biographical television series about these motocross champions.) Interested viewers can begin putting these titles in their queues at www.Netflix.com as early as Monday, September 14th.
The next titles scheduled to be released are The Motocross Files DVD’s on Roger DeCoster and Brad Lackey as well as the first in a series of DVD’s on the United States Grand Prix’s at Carlsbad, The Carlsbad USGP 1980. All are scheduled for a fall 2009 release.
About Pipeline Digital Media, LLC: PDM is a full-service television, broadband, video and commercial production company offering complete high-definition video and film production services. PDM has recently produced the television series "The Motocross Files" and "Epic Ride" for Speed as well as the broadband series "Toyota All-Access" featuring the Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross Team. They are also producing a broadband series for National Off-Road Champion Carl Renezeder titled "TR17: Firin' on all eight". PDM's television work has also been produced for NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports Net, Fuel TV and OLN.
For more information please contact them on the web at www.pdmtv.com.
THQ Shifts into High Gear for New MX vs ATV Untamed Game
(CREDIT: GAMEDAILY.COM)
“THQ has had success with its MX Unleashed racing franchise, which spawned MX vs ATV Unleashed in 2005 and now MX vs. ATV Untamed. The first two games in the franchise have sold over three million units worldwide since 2004. MX vs. ATV Untamed ships for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP and Wii on December 17 and a Nintendo DS version hits shelves in January 2008.
David Newman, global brand manager for MX vs. ATV Untamed, said this year marks a number of firsts for the franchise. Beyond making its next generation console debut and shipping across all platforms, THQ has bumped up the game's release from its traditional February/March release to this holiday.
"We made a strategic move to the holiday window," said Newman. "We're proud of the game and we want to get it into consumer's hands. We have widgets and blogs and a lot of viral marketing. We're a AAA title and the number one off-road brand in the world. From an exposure standpoint, we need to cut through some of the other games' marketing this fall."
The company is showing all versions of the new game to international press in Las Vegas this weekend, home to the U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Casino on Saturday October 13. A new game trailer for MX vs. ATV Untamed will be shown in the arena at the event and the emcee will tell fans the game ships December 17. In addition, TV spots will air during the broadcast promoting the new game.
"We want to push the brand and the game," said Newman. "This is a one-off event. It's the richest prize in the sport. We've sponsored this event in the past. We'll ramp up marketing for this game this fall and then we're the Official Videogame Sponsor for the World Supercross Circuit, which runs from January 2008 through May 2008. We'll do the same thing again in 2010 for the next iteration of the game, which ships in 2009."
The World Supercross Circuit consists of 15 events that attract 700,000 live fans. THQ will have 20 kiosks featuring the game at each event, in addition to big screen video, banners and interaction with riders, who will sign autographs for fans. Newman said it will be an interactive experience for fans to get their hands on the new game and meet some of the riders in the game.
Some of the real riders from the US Open event will be on hand to test-drive the new title October 12. Newman said most of the athletes log time playing the game, and continue to offer input into the development of the game at Rainbow Studios and Incinerator Studios.
"We have the Top 10 ATV and Motocross riders," said Newman. "In the game, you can pit them against each other. They have this rivalry like skiers versus snowboarders. They don't race against each other in real life but the game allows people to do that."
THQ has been part of the motocross scene since 1998, which has helped the company solidify relationships with over 100 companies and sponsors that are featured in the new game free of charge. Newman said they want to be part of the game because it gives them added exposure, while THQ likes the added authenticity they bring.
"From the fan's perspective, we're on sight at live events," said Newman. "They're familiar with THQ and they have a good association with our brand. Originally, we started with Ricky Carmichael and sponsored riders. Then we sponsored teams like Kawasaki. We were a sponsor of the US Open in 2000. Then we decided to really own a significant space in the motocross and the off-road community, so we sponsored the World Supercross Series. We were the title sponsor for this event in 2003, 2004 and 2005."
Leading up to the December release, THQ is doing a lot of out-of-the-box viral marketing and sponsorships. They're sponsoring the LG Action Sports World Tour in November and the FMX (Freestlye)/Arena Cross Tour in November and December. Come January, THQ is partnering with Guitar Center to offer a new band the opportunity to open on tour for one of the bands from the game's soundtrack.”
World Famous Motocross Rider Ryan Capes to Attempt Record Breaking Jump as Part of Livfast Presents: All In at the Grand Sierra Resort
(Reno, Nev.)— Livfast, a nationally recognized freestyle motocross team, plans to bring some of its top riders to Reno to perform several freestyle motocross jumps and cap the evening with a record breaking ramp-to-ramp jump by nationally recognized rider Ryan Capes.
The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nev. will play host to the Livfast and 56 Solid freestyle motocross event, Livfast Presents: All In on September 26, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will take place at the resort and features world class motocross athletes.
Capes, the newest addition to the Livfast team, will attempt to jump 300 ft. ramp-to-ramp to smash the former record of 253 ft. set in 1999. The jump from metal, man-constructed ramps pays homage to pioneers of the sport, such as Evil Knievel, and is considered much more dangerous than jumps from traditional dirt ramps. Capes' jump will take place at 6 p.m.
"With this jump I hope to capture respect from both modern day and old school riders," Capes said. "I love to push the envelope and take things to the next level."
Also joining Capes are teammates and locals Mike Mason, Dustin Miller and LivFast owner Tim O'Brien for several freestyle motocross jumps to take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mason and Miller are both X Games medalists and O'Brien is a former Olympic competitor.
Event co-sponsor and Livfast partner 56 Solid will be on site with an array of co-branded apparel for motocross enthusiasts. The event will wrap up with an after party at the grand opening of the Grand Sierra's Extreme Sports Bar. Sponsors include The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Monster energy drinks, 56 Solid, O'Briens Moving and Storage, Oakley, Amsoil, Uni, DVS, Mustang Motor Plex and Michaels Reno Power Sports.
This is a free event, open to the public. For more information please visit www.livfast.com.
