Monday, October 29

Racewire - 10.29.01

By B.J. Smith
MotoWorld

What's going on in the MotoWorld? Speedvision is losing its vision. A movie about motocross called "On The Line" is starting production soon. Nick Wey signed with Moto XXX. POWERade is sponsoring Supercross and more next year and last weekend we had the chance to talk with Mike Metzger to see what he has up his sleeves, besides lots of tattoos of course.

When we broke the story in June that Speedvision had been bought by FOX and the motorsports channel would most likely turn into a NASCAR-only station, motorcycle enthusiasts went crazy. Other motorcycle Web sites said, "It won't happen." As talks continued over the summer, and more and more announcements were made, tunes changed.

The most recent announcement is Speedvision's name change to the Speed Channel. President, Jim Liberatore has been saying all along that they want to completely re-introduce the network in February and apparently a name change is one of the best ways to do it.

Liberatore wanted to keep the "Speed" reference in the name. And "Speed" is what they went with. This may also be just the right length to get in the TV listings as "Speed" rather than the previous, "SV," which was often more difficult to recognize for non-periodic viewers.

What do we think? Motorcycle programming on the Speed Channel will still be around, at least for 2002. But as NASCAR continues to rule the market, other sports will continue to get pushed to the wayside. But that doesn't mean that motorcycling is so unpopular that no one wants to watch. It just means that it will have to find another platform. And find it will.

Nick Wey has reportedly signed with Moto XXX, ending his verbal agreement with Planet Racing. Check back for a statement from Nick.

What's Mike Metzger up to. Metz rolled into Glen Helen last weekend in a pick-up truck with an RM250 in the back. He was even running his old number "875."

Mike Metzger returning to Supercross?! He told us he will ride the 125cc Class at Anaheim #1. We're sending in an order to Dirt Wurx now for taller and steeper jumps at Anaheim.

When we asked him what the heck he was doing at the RM Cup, he said. "You know, I was just sitting around the house the other day and I thought, 'What the hell, I feel like racing.' So here I am."

Metzger also discussed with us the rough season he's been having and the toll all the years have taken on his body. He also said he will begin training to race the first Anaheim SX in the 125cc class.

In other Metzger news, the freestyle lord said he quit drinking alcohol a month ago, recently bought five acres of land in So Cal where will build a freestyle and Supercross empire, and said the family is doing just fine.

Metz finished 23rd at the RM Cup in the 250cc Expert class. "I couldn't feel my hands out there after a few laps," he said.

We recently spoke over e-mail with Shane Stanley, Writer/Producer of "On The Line" a movie that centers around the sport of motocross. He said this new movie will include major names in racing that he could not yet disclose and that it will be the most realistic motocross-related film ever made.

Here's more info from the site, www.onthelinemx.com:

"Stanhaven Productions, Inc. and Appledown Films, Inc. have entered into agreement to produce the original screenplay tentatively titled, On The Line, which was written by multi-Emmy Award winning filmmakers Lee Stanley and Shane Stanley. The story is about a small-town seventeen-year-old who has a dream to become the world champion of motocross. Ryan Henderson, (our hero) follows the non-pro circuit trying to make a name for himself in racing and secure sponsors. With odds and circumstances stacked against him and the tragic death of his biggest fan, Ryan never takes his eyes off his goals. Through relentless commitment, grueling training, the support of a girlfriend and by reluctantly partnering with a black man, (former-pro, Lloyd Reed) someone who 'can teach any fool to go fast,' but more importantly wants to teach Ryan to be a champion both on and off the track - in his pursuit of a getting a 'factory ride,' his first step to becoming a world champion.

Together, the Stanley team has a combined 45 years experience living and breathing motocross and have lent their writing, producing, and directing talents to such films and television specials as The Desperate Passage Series, (Michael Landon, Lou Gossett, Jr.) Held For Ransom, (Dennis Hopper) No Code of Conduct, (Charlie & Martin Sheen) The Champion, (Michael Nouri, Jeremy Williams, Patricia Monterolla) and many more. The 15 million dollar budgeted film will begin casting (known stars) early next year and will begin production in 2002. On The Line will be directed by Lee Stanley, produced by Shane Stanley, Larry Spiegel and Judy Goldstein. Spiegel and Goldstein are currently producing Café Berlin, the next production from acclaimed director, Wolfgang Peterson, (The Perfect Storm, Air Force One and In The Line of Fire) as well as Remo Williams' TV series, The Destroyer for UPN's 2002 lineup. Currently, the Stanley's are writing, producing and directing Dream Chasers and Saxons River - two television series for network television's 2002 seasons.

"Numerous offers came in on this project from major studio's who were more interested in putting Hollywood's 'take' on the subject matter than sticking to the core of the sport and the integrity of the script. On The Line is like Rocky, Chariots of Fire and Rudy on two wheels. It's a story about commitment, coming of age and chasing a dream even when achieving it seems impossible, says Shane Stanley. Spiegel and Goldstein captured the 'complete vision' of this project and understand how important it is to 'keep it real,' while having a powerful and inspirational story that will appeal to the masses with sequels to follow." Stanley was responsible for partnering five-time National and Supercross Champion, Jeff Emig with Galpin Ford in 2000 for Jeff's race team.

Though cast has not been yet been inked, we can assure that On The Line will include an A-list cast, an impressive lineup for its soundtrack and a major theatrical release. We are looking forward to working closely with the motocross community to make this project everything it is meant to be and something the world of motocross can be proud of." Check this site for updates.

In other industry news, POWERade has announced a major deal with Clear Channel Motorsports, the promoters of Supercross. POWERade will become the "Official Fuel" of the Supercross, Arenacross, and IFMA FMX series.

POWERade has recently revamped its entire ad and marketing campaign in hopes to grab a bigger share of the competitive sports beverage industry and head in a different direction than main competitor, Gatorade. Sponsoring Supercross will help give POWERade more of an edge. Gatorade does sponsor the AMA Motocross series on a minimal level deal but they've yet to dabble in the Supercross market. POWERade's recent new campaign continues to go after the traditional sports enthusiast but they are making a strong effort for the extreme sports market as well.

POWERade has a 15% share of the market while Gatorade dominates with 78%.

What do we think? Drink POWERade.

Go to the MotoWorld.com Newsroom to read the Clear Channel press release.

Charles Holden from Whiteville, NC sent us this touching story about a kid that donated all the money he'd saved to buy a KX 65cc to the relief fund in New York:

"I just read an article in today newspaper titled " Boy saved to buy dirt bike gives victims $300.00 instead." The author is Cathy Balken of the NYT Regional Newspapers. The article goes on to tell about 11 yr. old Kyle Waycaster of Hendersonville who has spent 3 years mowing yards to save money for a new MX bike (Kawasaki KX 65cc). After the September 11th bombing in New York City, Kyle decided to donate all of his earnings to victims and their families through a fund drive at his school. I can remember being a kid myself working in the tobacco fields of southeastern North Carolina all summer to earn enough money for a new bike. Any kid who would work as this young man has, and give it all away in an instance to help a total stranger deserves to be recognized. I say give the kid a new KX 65cc or some Supercross tickets for him and his family or something. Can Kawasaki USA help?"

Now that's patriotism.