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GuyB
7/19/2017 4:41am
7/19/2017 4:41am
Edited Date/Time
8/2/2017 3:29am
Whoa, things happen fast sometimes. After some years of acrimony between the promoters of the MX Nationals and the Youthstream, things quickly took a turn for the better this year when they agreed to cooperate on events here in the U.S. That resulted in a USGP scheduled for Labor Day weekend at Gatorback Raceway in Gainsville, FL. The sudden turn was remarkable, and good for all parties involved, including fans in the Southeast who had been clamoring for a world-class MX race in the Southeast.
But...suddenly, it was announced that there's a new venue for this year's USGP. WW Ranch, near Jacksonville, FL. That's only about a 70 mile difference, and it still works for the logistics of the arriving GP equipment. So what happened? Well, as we understand it, it goes like this...
Wyn Kern, the longtime promoter at Gatorback, had been leasing the track from a group of owners. In the past, every time it came time for renewal, a new agreement had been worked out, and the lease was extended. The most recent lease ended in June, and Wyn assumed that he'd be able to renegotiate a deal to continue into the future.
Apparently there was also a provision in the lease that if there was ever an AMA National (not GP) there, that there would be a relative increase in price.
We've been told that when the owners discovered that a World Championship GP had been scheduled there, they weren't happy, and boosted the cost of a renewal to an unreasonable level...far beyond the double price. More like in the realm of 1000%. Negotiations went back and forth, but were still too far apart to come to an agreement.
Attempts were made to even rent the facility for that weekend only. Those also failed.
For all intents and purposes, it sounds like Gatorback is now done, and it's likely that the Mini O's will also be moving to WW Ranch.
So that's it in a nutshell. We're looking forward to checking out the race on September 3rd.
You can check out the WW Ranch web site at: http://www.wwmotox.com
But...suddenly, it was announced that there's a new venue for this year's USGP. WW Ranch, near Jacksonville, FL. That's only about a 70 mile difference, and it still works for the logistics of the arriving GP equipment. So what happened? Well, as we understand it, it goes like this...
Wyn Kern, the longtime promoter at Gatorback, had been leasing the track from a group of owners. In the past, every time it came time for renewal, a new agreement had been worked out, and the lease was extended. The most recent lease ended in June, and Wyn assumed that he'd be able to renegotiate a deal to continue into the future.
Apparently there was also a provision in the lease that if there was ever an AMA National (not GP) there, that there would be a relative increase in price.
We've been told that when the owners discovered that a World Championship GP had been scheduled there, they weren't happy, and boosted the cost of a renewal to an unreasonable level...far beyond the double price. More like in the realm of 1000%. Negotiations went back and forth, but were still too far apart to come to an agreement.
Attempts were made to even rent the facility for that weekend only. Those also failed.
For all intents and purposes, it sounds like Gatorback is now done, and it's likely that the Mini O's will also be moving to WW Ranch.
So that's it in a nutshell. We're looking forward to checking out the race on September 3rd.
You can check out the WW Ranch web site at: http://www.wwmotox.com
The Shop
Greedy landlords.
What a bummer for the entire MX community.
Given the same proximity, and the good stuff we've heard about the WW Ranch, there were definitely worse outcomes available.
Junior is a great human being. He goes out of his way to talk to old vets like me and make us feel at home. I think he and the crew there at WW will put on a fantastic show.
I would've walked too after that first meeting.
Given the same proximity, and the good stuff we've heard about the WW Ranch, there were definitely worse outcomes available.
I disagree. A last-minute cancellation would be a disaster, depressing, a mess, and plenty of other things.
A change of venue months prior to an event after people have already made travel plans is a bummer (a thing that is annoying).
I think a last minute cancellation is significantly worse than a bummer or "a thing that is annoying" according to the Google definition of the word. I think a last minute cancellation would have people furious... not simply bummed out.
Just an opinion though. To each his own.
Edit: I agree there are worse outcomes available. That is definitely true. I just think the situation is a bummer for the sport as there is an easily observed pattern here with MXGP and venues.
Pit Row
Now its moved haphazardly and at the last minute to a facility that has never had a national caliber race. How sure are we that this promoter has even gone through the proper channels to get permitted to have a race this large? Honestly, this could fall through just as easily or be a cluster if the race does actually go off.
It takes time to prepare for a race this large.........I was really excited about attending and now I'm out, I've looked at the overhead views of the facility. Sure its positive that the even hasn't been totally canceled yet but I'm not excited about the track at all.
I've ridden at both tracks and this is likely an improvement. Yeah, it would've been cool for nostalgia sake to have another national caliber race at Gatorback, but I think WW will be better for spectators and fans, and maybe better racing.
How were the owners notified? If from other than Mr. Kern, then the rescheduling lies at the promoter's feet. Are the owners acting "greedy" for demanding a ludicrous rate hike? Probably. Was the promoter acting greedy by using the "hey, it's not a National" clause? Probably.
In the end Mr. Kern likely knew the owners would increase the lease if he informed them of the MXGP, and hoped they would abide by the terms of the lease. It's not hard to imagine that the promoter hoped the lease would be renewed before the owners were aware of the race. It was a gamble that didn't pay off.
MXGP: Hey Wyn do you have a secured lease for the Gatorback track for the specific date of the MXGP?
Wyn: Not yet but I super promise I'll get one.
MXGP: Okay that's good enough for us.
Ate (drank) at Mr. Chubby's!
Maybe the mini o's, 3 or so hare scrambles, MX races, track rentals plus a GP added up to too much $$$ for wyn and not enough for the property owners. Add to that late payments or something, property misuse and liability concerns and that is probably closer to the truth. Of course I am just guessing.
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