Then a promoter for both a British Grand Prix and Motocross of Nations, followed by being team manager of the British Motocross of Nations effort in 2009, and finally he is now working with the ACU to try and get the MAXXIS British Motocross Championship to another level.

Dixon is passionate about just about everything he does, and it shows in the professional manner he presents his team. We just had to catch up with Steve and ask him about his relationship with the ACU and what he can do to help the series grow.

Q: Steve, thanks for your time. So tell us about your present situation with the ACU?

Dixon: I am trying to help the ACU carry momentum from 2009 and help give another perspective together with the ACU committee as an active voice from a team’s point of view. I have run a team for 21 years and I think I have a good understanding of what the riders, mechanics, teams, and the public needs. I offered to help out in areas that would lighten the load leading up to the races for the series manager Brian Higgins to have more time on the event production.

Q: Where can you help the ACU, what can you do that they can’t do themselves?

Dixon: Motocross is my full-time job and it is far easier for me to help out the ACU as I am working and speaking the whole time with motocross people, the ACU have to look after the day-to-day interest of all motorcycling in the UK and not just one championship. I will help out with a support team, the promotional side, like the website, program, advertising and also getting in some sponsors for the track and program. It is part of a long-term plan and it will not suddenly change overnight before the first round so be patient before criticising, better still I’m always open to listen to suggestions!

It will also give me more insight to working with the ACU as now in 2010 I will have a lot longer that 20 days I had in 2009 to put an MXoN team together for Great Britain’s assault on regaining the trophy I last helped win in 94.

I was an AMCA and ACU rider myself, I still support a lot of local club riders so it’s not like I am not still linked to the grass roots of the sport. I still know what is going on at my old ACU club, which is Winchester; I was also on the committee and helping out 25 years ago!

Q: So what are the changes for the MAXXIS British Championship?

Dixon: The British Championship racing is good, the new 2010 format of three 20 minute moto’s per class will be very exciting, we need to attract more spectators so the clubs will benefit, but that isn’t going to happen overnight. Crowds are down everywhere, be it football, speedway, or wherever, there are so many choices now.

Q: Do you have a battle plan so to speak?

Dixon: The ACU will take the same approach we did with the MXoN, getting to the schools and spreading the word via the kids and local media. The ACU are already busy with that. It is difficult to bring the attendance money down, because obviously the clubs need money to try and run, if the ACU make it half the price for tickets, then the clubs won’t be there in a couple of years time. A family of 2 adults and 4 children still only costs 45 pounds, you can’t grumble at that can you.

Also the manufactures’ are getting involved with the ACU British championship, giving some tickets away, like two tickets for the price of one. That is on the agenda.

Q: What about the strength of the British Championship. Where can the series improve?

Dixon: We have to look at the World Championship as top class racing, gone are the days that there are 15 riders from one country riding in the World Championship, the national championships need to build their own identity and have close racing and give the younger riders a chance. With the three 20 minute format that will give the younger kids, the ones coming out of schoolboys the chance to compete. They can attack in the early stages and stay with them, and their condition won’t let them down.

The rider coming out of schoolboys might not have the full strength for a full 30 minute moto, but with the shorter moto’s they can come out swinging for the 20 minutes and race with somebody like Zach Osborne and Jake Nicholls and then a team manager might notice that kid because he didn’t die in the last fifteen minutes and finish eight.

Q: I love the idea of the shorter races, it might give a little more

Dixon: All the races in America for the younger riders are like four lap dashes, eight lap dashes, really intense racing and then they go into the Supercross series, as we know Supercross is so intense, but if you look at the French riders at the moment, they have a lot of good riders, and that is because of their Supercross series and the intense racing. I think if we can adopt some of that we can get some of our British riders faster. The total amount of top British riders have gone down in the last few years, after Pichon and Bolley the French seemed to have struggled at the GP’s for a few years, but because mainly of their Supercross series they have gone much better recently. Now we are seeing the French back at the top, quick out the gate and sharp early, gradually they can build up their fitness for the longer Grand Prix moto’s, but they are already used to that aggressive style.

Q: How about the other major series in Great Britain the Red Bull Pro-Nationals or the KWS series?

Dixon: Competition is good, but the ACU British series has been around since the year dot, and everyone talks about how good it used to be, it still is very good but the crowds are not there in the numbers they used to be. There is just more to do now on a Sunday, just shops being open longer and more choice of entertainment for everyone, the work ethic in the UK for most people now is a seven day week, while a long time ago it was five days and maybe half a Saturday. It was also a family thing to do something on a weekend, but that happens less now.

Now there are other races to compete in when the British championships are not on, these races are aimed at the riders not competing in the World Championships. The KWS has been around for many years and now there is the Red Bull Pro Nationals so this is good for our sport.

Q: I also heard that the ACU have put their hands in their pockets and riders will be looking at a bigger pay check. Can you tell me about that?

Dixon: For 2010 the ACU have increasing their prize money over the three races. It used to be 800 pounds for 2 race wins and now it is 1200 pounds for 3 wins and the prize money goes down to 15^th place. It is important for the riders to get extra prize money at British level. I mean the riders can now go pretty much all through the summer going from meeting to meeting and earn good prize-money.

Q: Also the circuits will improve, that sounds like a great move forward?

Dixon: The circuits for the British Championships are important and the ACU want the riders to have fun out on the track. I know when the club allows they will try to enlist the help of track designers like Justin Barclay and Johnny Hamilton working on.

Q: Also some old school circuits on the calendar, tell us about that?

Dixon: The ACU have tried to listen to what the fans want and that is why there is a real mix of traditional and modern track for 2010. Foxhills, Hawkstone Park, Lyng, Farleigh Castle what more can you say! To see the modern riders on the natural grassy Farleigh track will be awesome. The rest of the tracks will be more modern.

Q: The series is also starting early?

Dixon: The first round at Little Silver will be a good race. It’s difficult to get tracks to run in February and March but traditionally the early races in Devon have been pretty good. Even after the bad weather so far in England the track looks good. Hopefully after a bit of work and dressing up it will get the season off to a great start.

Q: Anything you want to finish on?

Dixon: All it needs now is the fans to come in big numbers! Oh is that my first “blag” from MX Large! Don’t miss it ROUND 1 Little Silver 28^th February near Exeter EX6 8BB.