By PJ Larsen
If you’ve looked at Racer X Online in the past weeks, you’ve probably noticed quite a few posts titled “Company X is now accepting rider resumes.” Sponsorship in our sport is not only beneficial to the rider, but to the company. It’s more complex than giving away product, though. There are strategies behind every pair of gear, boots, gloves, helmet, etc., that are sent out. Full-on race teams, especially, have a lot to consider. In part one of our mini-series “The Business of Motocross” we dove into the sponsorship aspect from the point of view of a smaller company. In part two we look at sponsorship from the side of energy drinks. This week, we look at it from a rider’s perspective.
Since turning pro in 2008, South Carolina’s PJ Larsen has bounced around a number of satellite teams—from Canidae MotoSport Kawasaki (now Rockstar Energy Racing) to JDR/J-Star KTM—and countries. Larsen has two Australian titles on his resume, and an AMA Horizon award from Loretta’s, but has also spent the last few years trying to secure rides. He let’s us in on the process on how it can play out.
The off-season is an exciting time for fans who eagerly await news on team and rider changes. But if you are the one being talked about online, it can be a nerve-racking few months. There are always circumstances where a rider has a multi-year agreement. Those guys rarely get talked about because there is no news or drama involving them. There are also guys with expiring contracts who already know where they will be heading next year.
The most talk, though, and the most stressful time, is reserved for the ones whose contracts expire at the end of September and don’t yet have another deal setup. They are eagerly awaiting a phone call from their agent or are on the phone with team managers looking for open spots to fill. This side of the boat that is extremely stressful. The time of the year from mid August to late October is busy with meetings, phone calls, and even some cases try-outs. Stress levels are at an all- time high, and wondering when you will be getting a paycheck again never helps.
A lot of guys will take initiative and call team managers and owners, even if they have an agent. In this case, you don't always have the person’s contact information to get ahold of them. Luckily, we have social media and direct messages these days. It’s amazing how many deals come about via social media. If you aren't the tech-savvy rider and can't figure out how to send a "DM," then you can text an old mechanic or fellow racer for the contact information. I personally always liked to call teams without my agent knowing, just to keep them honest and on their toes when they find out I was calling around also.
In an industry this small, word spreads fast on who is out of what team and into another. If a guy is well aware of what is going on, then he can jump the gun and be one of the first to call a team manager or owner about riding for their team.
For example: In 2009 I got the opportunity of a lifetime. Word spread around the globe to Australia that I was available for the 2010 season. Lucky for me an old trainer of Dan Reardon, Andy Cunningham, contacted the team and let them know the details on me. He was impressed with me and let Jay and Derek Rynenberg know. Since they were down in Australia, they had to jump through some hoops to get ahold of me, eventually asking others for my contact information. We talked it out, and after a trip down under to see how things worked, I signed the dotted line.
This happens often, in either direction. Sometimes it’s a rider trying to get in contact with a team, and sometimes a team trying to track down a rider. People in the industry can be your best friends or your worst enemies—sometimes without them even knowing!
Team managers and owners look for riders who will be the best fit for their program. Results are by far the most important thing in this game, but having a positive attitude and the will to work is also important. When a rider finally gets the phone call from an interested team, it doesn’t always mean it will work out. Sometimes they’re looking at a long list of riders. Even when the list only has one name, it still isn’t guaranteed. Riders must be ready to prove they are the right person for the team.
If they get past the elimination round, they then negotiate travel expenses, salary, and bonuses. This is the simple side of things, giving riders a chance to finally take a big breath and get ready to get back to work. Throughout all this, riders are still trying to train and spend time with family and friends after a long hard-fought year. Professional riders never truly rest. There is always going to be work and stress. Motocross is not a normal job; it is beyond the nine-to-five, five-days-a-week.
Don’t think that the stress only falls on the riders within the team. Mechanics and team managers have contracts just like the riders and don’t think for a minute that these are not competitive jobs also. A team owner wants a team manager who shows leadership skills, finds sponsors for their team, and maintains the relationships of sponsors and affiliates. From keeping mechanics and riders on task to making sure the bikes are going to be up to par with the best suspension and motors they can provide, the team manager oversees the entire operation.
Mechanics are skilled technicians who must have good track records without DNFs or mechanical issues. But beyond that, they need to work well with their rider. They will make a team within the team that has to be solid and ready to battle anything.
As you can see, it isn’t just the rider that has stress in the off-season between contracts. Every person on that team has a contract with an expiration date. Truck drivers, crew chiefs, motor builders, suspension/chassis techs, mechanics, and riders all endure the same stress at some point. The rider gets some publicity throughout these stressful times, but everyone involved would love to just get a deal signed and move on to the next year!
