Feld Must Know Something We Don't
With the PR that came out today announcing Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto is entered for the Monster Energy Cup this October, it's clear that Feld Motorsports definitely can see into the future. You see, RV's Kawasaki contract is up this year and like most factory deals, it expires September 30th (when a rider's contract is expiring and they're picked for the Motocross des Nations in October, an extension must be agreed on). With the ME Cup coming in the middle of October, Feld obviously knows that A- RV will have a contract with someone by then and B- He'll be racing that race no matter what brand he's on.
When I reached Villopoto, he didn't know anything about this release. I was simply wondering if he had done his deal with Kawasaki and maybe I missed something. Guess not, though. The rumblings in the pits last year about the pressure put on the teams to commit their riders to this race was everywhere and I guess no one learned anything from that. The teams weren't happy with the PR's getting put out when the guys at Feld clearly knew that certain riders weren't racing the event. Who do you think the fans got upset with when saif fan walked up to a truck and didn't see the person that they read about was going to be there? That's right, it wasn't Feld getting the grief. It was the riders and their fans.
For instance, Chad Reed had been saying for weeks he wasn't going but there was the PR stating that he'd be there. And at no point was there ever a release stating who had actually pulled out of the race.
I like the ME Cup, I said as much in everything I wrote and I understand there's no promotion like self-promotion but this is ridiculous in my opinion. There's half a supercross season to go as well as the outdoor national series. There's so much that could happen from now until the middle of October, it's not even funny. Contracts are up, riders are unsure of what they're doing but that doesn't stop this PR, and many more to come, from getting churned out.
The guys at Feld read what the media says about the supercross series, they're concerned with what's put out there and they can be, at times, very controlling and get easily upset when the boat is rocked. If I wrote something as irresponsible as a PR commiting a rider to a race when clearly his contract is up and he has no clue if he's doing the race or not, they wouldn't be happy with me as media guy. I'm just holding them to the same standards when it comes to the Monster Energy Cup.
The PR is below if you'd like to check it out:
Villopoto Goes ‘All-In’ to Defending his Monster Energy Cup Title at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium
AURORA, Ill. (March 6, 2012) – Ryan Villopoto became the first rider in off-road motorcycle racing history to win $1 million in a single night of racing at last year’s inaugural Monster Energy Cup. The Poulsbo, Wash., native quickly pushed his chips to the center of the table to defend his championship at the 2012 Monster Energy Cup at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on October 20 when he announced his return to this epic hybrid race.
“I’m really excited to head back to Vegas in October for the Monster Energy Cup,” said defending Monster Energy Cup winner Ryan Villopoto. “There is so little time in between races, it’s tough to recover for all three Main Events. It also becomes demanding for the team to get to the gate ready for three races on a track that requires different set-ups; it’s a full team effort. The track had some cool features last year that made it exciting, so I hope that they have more surprises in store come October.”
“It’s pretty unreal,” said Villopoto on winning the $1 million. “I’m happy we were able to pull it off. To back it up in 2012 will be hard, so if we do, it would be great. Although the race is not until October 20, I want everyone to know I am ready to defend my title.”
At the inaugural Monster Energy Cup, Villopoto swept all three races. He earned the holeshot in the first two races, and in the third and final race, he passed holeshot winner Mike Alessi on the opening lap and rode to the $1 million victory.
“Heading into the final Main Event, I just needed to get another good start like I’ve been doing,” said Villopoto after the second main event.
The Monster Energy Cup Championship rounded out a perfect season for Villopoto having won the 450cc AMA Motocross and Supercross Class championships as well as the Motocross des Nations. Villopoto currently leads the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
The unique Monster Energy Cup hybrid track will make this race unlike any other stadium race in the world. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and for the second consecutive year, $1 million will be paid to a rider that wins all three Main Events.
Tickets for the 2012 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com, or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.
About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.