Friday, March 2

MX Goes Disney With Motocrossed

MotoWorld.com

Motocross and Supercross have flirted with levels of mainstream popularity the last few years, but with premiere of a new film by Disney, the sport may reach new heights among crowds not originally drawn to the sports.

Alana Austin stars as "Andi" in the made-for-TV movie, "Motocrossed," which airs on the Disney Channel five times this month.

To keep up with current trends, Disney will give motocross a shot tomorrow night, Feb. 16, when they premiere the made-for-TV movie, "Motocrossed" on the Disney Channel at 7 p.m. EST/PST.

Director, Steve Boyum, a former racer and stuntman, started riding when he was seven years old. "I'm amazed by this sport," Boyum said. "It's ballet and gladiator sport rolled into one, where you can alternately see beautiful grace and punishing demands."

To give the movie star credibility, Disney brought three well known riders onto the set for cameo appearances: eight-time SX/MX champ, Jeremy McGrath, two-time MX National champ, Steve Lamson and defending 125 National and ESPN X Games champ, Travis Pastrana. The three riders join the set to contribute fancy riding for the movie and a little "inside humor."

The movie's plot revolves around the Carson family's love for riding motorcycles. Andrew Carson (Trever O'Brien) is busy preparing for a championship series that could land him a corporate sponsorship. His twin sister Andrea (Alana Austin) is an award-winning cheerleader but she is also good enough to push her brother when they practice on the track together. Their father, Edward (Timothy Carhart) quits his job to support his son's promising racing career but would rather see Andrea stick with more feminine pursuits. When Andrew breaks his leg just before the big series, Andrea feels it's up to her to help out. Without her father knowing, Andrea cuts her hair, takes up male mannerisms, becomes "Andi" and enters the race in place of her brother. What she doesn't plan on is falling in love with a competitor and having her father find out about the scheme, which could jeopardize the family's finances.

But it wouldn't be Disney without positive values and lessons in life. According to Gary Marsh, executive vice president, original programming for the Disney Channel, "Motocross racing proves to be an exciting, unpredictable backdrop as a teenage girl not only gets to explore situations from the perspective of the opposite sex but also discovers how trying times can reveal the best in her family - themes that resonate on different levels to appeal to viewers of all ages."

"Motocrossed" features the ever-present love story with a twist of extreme sport, but the real question is 'why a motocross theme'?

"It's (motocross) having a resurgence right now," said a Disney spokesperson. "The extreme sports are very popular and as trends change, Disney must change with them."

MOTOCROSSED:

World Premiere: Friday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m. EST/PST

Re-airs:

Feb. 17 (8 p.m. EST/PST)
Feb. 18 (9 p.m. EST/PST)
Feb. 21 (7 p.m. EST/PST)
Feb. 27 (7 p.m. EST/PST)