This is a subject very near and dear to me, as a long time enthusiast of the sport It's a subject I have been thinking about for many years and I have done a lot of research into the history of the sport.
When talking about Growing the sport of Motocross it gets a little complicated rather quickly, it isn't the easiest conversation to have because it's easy to go down a rabbit hole or branch off into a different direction than you had originally intended, and this starts to happen almost immediately in most conversations about ways to help the sport grow, because there are multiple sides to the sport so it makes a difference if you are talking about professional or amateur motocross racing, and it also makes a difference if you are talking about ways to grow the sport as far as more participants or talking about how to help it grow as in getting more fans into watching pro racing.
And then even in amateur motocross there are two sides. There are the big amateur Nationals like (Loretta Lynn's) Then there are local motocross series in most states. So if someone were to say for example, that amateur motocross racing is way down in participants and popularity, or that there are only a handful of competitors in most classes at the amateur level, that could be debated depending on the persons thoughts of what amateur motocross means, because one side of amateur MX is doing great and enjoying huge turnouts and full gates.
(Lorretta Lynn's and other big national am events like it are doing very well with participation)
But one side it is way down in participation and popularity, vs the past and that is at the local level.
Also participation levels fluctuate from year to year, so some people would still debate even that and say in my local area it's growing and doing great, and that could be true, there are a handful of areas around the country that do have a strong local moto scene, but unfortunately overall it is definitely down in participation levels, especially now vs the 1970's, 1980's, and even 1990's, and that is true even after the pandemic spike
It's easy to see why there would be more participants at the Amateur National type races because people come together for those races from all around the country, but that's not the usually the case at the local motocross races, even in many areas where it once was popular, its struggling now, some people would even say it's a dying sport.
And as someone that loves the sport and believes that kids get a lot from it, I would like to find ways to increase the popularity of the sport and increase participation levels nationwide.
So to clarify when I say I want to help the sport of motocross grow I mean at the grassroots local level.
However I do believe in doing that we will help all facets of the sport, I believe that a rising tide raises all ships. It's a very family oriented sport, with a strong social aspect, so helping to get the sport growing locally in participation we will also bring in more fans, the riders all have family and friends that are likely to come to the tracks with them, as they become fans of the sport they are also more likely to watch the pro level racing. I also personally believe that to even fully appreciate watching motocross racing that you have to have ridden at some point in your life. It helps at the very least.
Increasing participation will also bring more money into the sport with more bike sales, gear, safety equipment, aftermarket parts, memberships, race fee's and more.
Another thing is that from what I've seen know about the sport, the people that are into it are usually very into it and down right passionate about it, so by helping introduce more people to it and letting more people try it the people that do get into it are likely to become life long enthusiasts and much more likely to become fans of watching the pro side of the sport as well.
Also if more people are starting to ride at the entry level even on smaller bikes many of them are likely to move up to faster bikes as they gain experience and eventually advance to higher levels, which have become the normal levels, with even some even making it to the pro level, by introducing someone to a sport they maybe never would have tried otherwise we can gain more pro riders, there is a lot of untapped potential.
I think the sport of motocross is a sleeping giant just waiting to be re-introduced to the masses again. There are many things we could do to help the sport grow that aren't currently being done, things like:
Creating new ways to let more people try riding for the first time.
Lowering the barrier of entry. Making more affordable options, creating more entry level classes, doing a better job of Stair stepping,
New Creative marketing campaigns that show relatable sides of the sport to the general public, creating more publicity and getting the industry on the same page, So we can all work collectively towards the same goals.
