Phil Nicoletti is back for another round of UnPhiltered. This week his answers to your insightful inquiries come to you from Australia, where Phil is splitting his time between racing, and this week, sharing his stance on results vs. social media presence, hanging with the Australian people, and rider representation.
And, as usual, if you want your question answered by the GOAT of grump, send them to phil@racerxonline.com.
Phil Down Under,
You seem to be enjoying a second career as a globetrotting motocross journeyman for hire, which is awesome. From the WSX to Canada, to Australia, where you are now. Congrats on your second wind, so to speak. My question for you is about the Australian folk. I’ve only met a few Australians in person, but they’ve all been super cool and a ton of fun to hang out with. Are they all like that, or is it just the ones who have the juice to cross the ocean? Oh, and does the water really swirl in the opposite way when you flush the toilet in Australia?
-Continentally Curious
CC,
Most of the Aussies are awesome. A lot of great people down here, which is weird since it’s a land of convicts! I have made a lot of really good friends over here, which always makes it so much better when I come back over and vice versa. It’s crazy how big the moto community is in Australia. Like, I raced in Canada all summer and the two countries have a lot in common. But, I’m very surprised in the turnout in the Australian Supercross championship. This past weekend is Kayo Stadium in Brisbane, we had about 8,000 people on Saturday night. Of course Sunday was a bit lower but still a good crowd. But the moto scene and vibe is high. Canada had quite a bit more too, as far as population. It’s just crazy to see the differences between the two countries, teams, budgets, etc. As far as the water, I haven’t even noticed.
-Phil
Phil,
I’m interested to know what your take is on a rider’s union. From the outside looking in we hear all kinds of stories of governing bodies and/or promoters threatening to blackball riders for attempting to organize, but is there any truth to that? It doesn’t seem like it would be in anyone’s interest to ban the sport’s stars who sell tickets to events, but then again, what do I know? To your knowledge has there ever been a legit effort at organizing, or are there just too many moving parts in this sport to make that happen? Is everyone just too focused on their own programs to worry about uniting the traveling circus? And don’t give me a PC answer, you’re retired now and can say whatever you want!
-Kyle
Kyle,
Well, unfortunately this question can be answered in a few different ways. Has there been a riders union talked about amongst guys? Yes. Has anything happened with it? No. Do I feel there should be some sort of “union?” Yes, I do. To the extent of the union, I have no idea. But I do feel there should be some sort of representation on the riders’ behalf. But the issue with all that is there would need to be two separate unions. A manufacturers’ union with Feld Motor Sports and MX Sports, and a riders’ union with the teams/Feld/MX Sports. Because a riders contract isn’t with promoters, it’s with the teams. The riders signs their rights away with credentials. My biggest thing isn’t money, or even merchandising. It’s health insurance. Yes, there is a type of health insurance that Feld/MXSports provide that does help and covers up to $50,000 if you leave by an ambulance. I have used it, and it works. But let’s be real, $50,000 ain’t a whole lot when it comes to the USA and our medical system, especially if you need to be put in the OR [operating room]. To get that insurance to coordinate with your own insurance is also a pain in the ass. That’s more where my mind goes with it more than anything. I do really feel there is a way to make that work, and I feel there is a certain time and place to make small changes like this work.
-Phil
Wise One of Motocross Phil,
You’ve done a great job in becoming one of our sport’s prominent personalities. Do you think it’s fair to say that having a public persona is as important these days as being competitive? Okay, obviously for the guys competing for wins and factory rides, speed is king, but what about the lower-tier guys? If two guys are about equal in speed, is a team like PRMX, ClubMX, Rock River, or whatever, more likely to sign a dude who has a larger fanbase and puts himself out there more in the media (social and traditional)? Do you think your large, middle-finger-waving fanbase has enabled you to extend your career? That’s not to say you’re not talented, you’ve got that part of course, but does being popular with fans help keep things going? Besides yourself, who are some of the riders you think do a good job in this regard?
-Shot Glass Mo
Shot Glass,
Absolutely! For sure having a fanbase helps. Long before my fanbase it was just 5-10 place finishes. There were many years of that. But I can never get behind someone who is just there for YouTube and Insta-bangers with shit results. My childhood I was brought up on racing, and racing only. All the extra clout chasing came last. For me, I find it funny guys that clout around more than they actually race. Because at the end of a Saturday night at Supercross, or at the end of a motocross national, all I cared about was my race result! If I didn’t have a good race result, then what in the F&$! am I even going to the races for?! I guess I’m different or was brought up different. If you don’t race good, or progress to get good results, then who cares about your clouting?
I will always respect a racer who crushes it with results over someone who doesn’t get points but has a YouTube channel that doesn’t score points. Maybe I’m old school, and that’s ok. Because if I was getting shithouse results, I would bury my head in the sand until I was able to perform and make myself worth knowing about. I’ll always always always choose the guy that gets results over someone who is just there to post on YouTube. Don’t get me wrong. There are guys that do unbelievable, and race very well like Dean Wilson, Tommy Searle, etc. Those aren’t the guys. Like I said before……if you don’t have good race results, and consistently finishing in the same position for years and years, what is there to upload?! Don’t worry riders. I would take the 12-12 placing guy that’s invisible over the 21-21 guy with a following
-Phil
