MxLarge Story
Wolfgang Srb interview - 2011 Calendar
Interview Friday 17th September 2010 By Geoff Meyer
Many people know that Youthsteam and the FIM have formed a very strong relationship for the growth of the sport of Motocross. FIM/CMS President Dr. Wolfgang Srb is the man behind many of the FIM’s decisions in the sport and somebody who has been working for the sport of Motocross for many years.
We decided to ask Mr. Srb about the 2011 FIM World Motocross calendar and what he thinks of the new changes made.
MXlarge: Wolfgang, can you explain to me from the FIM’s side why the FIM World Motocross calendar was changed for 2011?
Srb: There will be change for the calendar. As everyone knows we will start later for both MX1 and MX2. The reason is to give the young riders the chance to race both the AMA Supercross and FIM Motocross. Some of our young lions like Herlings and Roczen will do it I think.
MXlarge: Are you excited about this new change?
Srb: I think it’s a win, win situation for everyone. The sport benefits, the riders, the Federations, the teams, the sponsors, the mechanics the fans, everyone wins. There are young talented riders who play on the bike, they ride the whoops so well and they can all ride Supercross. But also they want to be in the best series in the World, which is of course the FIM World Motocross Championships. It’s a brilliant solution to start the year racing in the FIM World Supercross Championship and then move over to the FIM World Motocross Championship.
MXlarge: What we are seeing is more major sponsors joining the sport. Big companies like Red Bull, Monster, Teka and so many more. Will this calendar change fit into their plans?
Srb: We get more and more global sponsors and this is a trend that we see even more in the future years. These sponsors want the best riders to be seen in the best series and the best series is this AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship, which is unchallenged as the number one series in the World, and then you have the FIM World Motocross Championship which is unchallenged and the best series in the World. Isn’t it great to have the best riders in both series?
MXlarge: Countries like United States, Australia and Brazil have been included in the calendar for possibly 2012. The Australian GP taken from the 2011 calendar, but will be included along with possibly another couple of countries like New Zealand and possibly Japan in 2012 or 2013. Why do we move into this direction?
MXlarge: It has to be, it’s a World Championship and the meaning is World. We have to do it step by step, we can’t just do this all in one go. There was a big meeting in Lommel with the teams to go with a smaller step. Australia is a must for us, it’s a great country and it’s a great outdoor Nation. We want to go back to Japan, it’s a must, also United States is the biggest colony in the World, we want Brazil, because of the growing economy, it makes it sense to go there. Our promotional partner talks to manufactures and sponsors and asks where your markets are, we have to have a plan, and we go where the markets are. This is a global game and we have to understand it.
MXLarge: The Grand Prix of Great Britain will return in 2011 and with Steve Dixon at the helm. How important is this event?
Srb: When I say all Grand Prix’s are equal, I mean that, but a Grand Prix in Great Britain is a must, we don’t need to talk about why, everyone knows why (the sport started in Great Britain). I am really happy we go back to England and back to Matterly Basin, which is an amazing track. Everybody who was there for the Grand Prix and also the MXoN in 2006, they saw the beautiful track, the flowing hills, the atmosphere, it is unbelievable. With Steve Dixon and Youthstream and also the backing of the ACU it’s really important for the sport.
MXlarge: There was talk of the USGP running on the same weekend of the last round of the AMA Nationals, on September 11. Will this happen?
Srb: I tell you one example and I use the example of Formula One. Mr. Ecclestone makes the calendar, and only then everybody else moves. In Motocross we (FIM) make the calendar and then everybody moves. Do you really think we wait for a National championship, the answer is no. I don’t know the 2011 calendar of any National Championship, but it works like this, World Championship, then continental Championship and then National Championship, we mustn’t forget that. We make the calendar and then they see it and everybody can look at the calendar and act accordingly.
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