Steve Dixon

Anyone who doesn’t respect Steve Dixon for the effort he puts into the sports must either have an agenda, or is just crazy. The former MXoN mechanic, current MXGP team owner, promoter of British GP’s and MXoN event, and not to mention a really good guy, has his hands full at the moment, as the biggest race (possibly) ever run will return home to the birth place of motocross.

The 2006 Motocross of Nations was probably the biggest crowd at a motocross event in decades, and there is talk that 2017 is going to be even bigger.

With the selection of all the leading teams for this year’s event, we stand to also see some of the closest racing the event has seen, and don’t be surprised if five teams go into the third and final moto with a chance of victory.

We caught up with Dixon and asked him how everything is going with organizing this massive show.

MXLarge: Obviously a week or so ago the British team among others were announced for the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations and it seems to just get more and more mouth-watering by the minute. There seem to be like six teams could win this thing. How excited are you as a fan, but also as the promoter?

Dixon: I mean, I am excited for the event. I don’t think there have ever been so many teams capable of winning. I don’t believe Team USA have a weak team, I believe they have stronger team than they actually imagine. People underestimate the statue of Thomas in the Grand Prix, with start grid and how the series works. There have been weak links in American teams from recent years, but I believe Zach, on the 250 pushing for some wins and Cole, he is the top 450 guy who can come. Dean Wilson gets on the podium and Musquin who gets on the podium and both those guys can’t race for Team USA. Take those guys out and you have one of the strongest guys in the class.

MXLarge: What about Team Great Britain. I was speaking to Mark Chamberlain, and if you line up the Team GB guys up against France, the difference is not a lot, and Team France are the favourites. What is your opinion?

Dixon: I see the team was announced and some people are saying it’s fantastic and some have comments it should be Brad Anderson, or Conrad Mewse or Ben Watson and that Tommy got picked because of the organizer. I had no part to play in it. It’s nice for Tommy to be involved, but I have a lot of work to do there anyway.

MXLarge: I think on past performances you can’t leave Tommy out?

Dixon: Exactly. Even on the 450 last year in Italy, he was a strong performer. Had Tommy had something to go for last year, because something happened to Sean, and UK were out of it. Tommy didn’t get involved with the battle with Holland, France and America. And he stepped aside. We know he rises for the occasion and he proved in Switzerland and Sweden he has the pace. He has six weeks to get fit.

MXLarge: For the European fans, Team USA will be the most popular picked in a long time. I don’t mean as far as wanting to watch a Carmichael or an Emig ride, but as far as the European fans having a connection with Zach, and Thomas, and Cole seems like a really nice guy too. I seriously think people will be screaming and yelling if Zach or Thomas lead a race.

Dixon: Zach has a huge following in the UK, he is adored by so many fans over here. You don’t have to think we won’t beat Jeffrey, or Tony or Gajser. Tonus and Seewer proved in Switzerland anything is possible.

MXlarge: So many good riders in this year, at the moment a few injuries, but a lot of fast guys picked for their country. That should bring in even more fans?

Dixon: I mean, I see Holland with a good shot, France, Great Britain, USA, Belgium, Australia, so many teams, it’s going to be really great for the fans that do come.

MXlarge: What about Tomac not wanting to come. Do you get that?

Dixon: Tomac didn’t go last year and it’s no loss to the event, it was still fantastic last year. I think what is disappointing, it’s his pride not to do it, and we can’t lose that. This isn’t about money, it’s about riding for your country, like the Olympics.

MXlarge: You think putting money into it, it would take away the pride thing?

Dixon: 100%. If you look at guys like Paul Malin in 1994 and Dean Ferris in 2013, it resurrected their careers and that is just two guys. Malin had a terrible career in 1994 on the 250 and I wanted him on the 125 and he went 1-1 and that kick started his career. Dean rode for us on the 450 and had a mega ride in 2013 MXoN and KTM signed him. For the riders, it’s a huge stage. They shouldn’t underestimate that.

MXlarge: Speaking to Mark (Chamberlain), he mentioned he is trying to get some British world champions involved, the 1994 des Nations winning team, and also the guys who didn’t get picked to ride for Great Britain. Making a special area at the race so the fans can get involved. Is that going to be organized from your side also?

Dixon: It should be possible. Kurt, Rob and Paul are around, and as Ricky Johnson said in your interview on MXlarge, those guys still want to be involved and they should be involved. We have Graeme Noyce that lives 10 minutes from the track. For the older fans, it’s nice to see these former greats.

MXlarge: I think it is important to grasp that, and speaking to Mark he is really into the whole bonding thing and getting the country behind the boys. He was really passionate about it, and England can be a country of knockers. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was positive and could help drive this team home to victory?

Dixon: Without doubt. The crowd can have a big part in helping the team to success, give them energy and confidence. It’s a massive event for Team Great Britain, and we have the riders to win it.

MXlarge: Any other news about the event?

Dixon: The track is longer, more loops and areas that brings it closer to the crowd. We have a drop down start, sort of like the Charlotte Grand Prix last year, so that allows the fans to see the start from everywhere. The good thing is, nobody will have ridden or raced this track. We have also brought the crowd down into the infield. Down below the trees, like they were in 2006. We need to get everyone in. We can hold 110,000 and I don’t think we will fill the whole area.