    |
 |
|
|
|
It is a seemingly hopeless situation and I don\'t want to sound overly optimistic. BUT. My position provides me with a bit of an overview and I can see just a faint glimmer of hope that we may receive something from the superb efforts of just a few battling motorcycle sport fans.
So, what are you doing to help them (and yourself) ??
If you are reading this - you have access to the internet. All it takes is an email..... The addresses have been well documented, but if you can\'t find them, email me and I will provide them. It won\'t happen without your input..........
Vicki reports:
I have spent some considerable amount of time on the telephone to Kevin Cameron @ SKY TV and Murray Needham @ TVNZ - Shell Helix Motorsport.
SKY .... they have responded to veiwership and purchased the NASCAR series, which means the motorcycling funding was redirected into this budget centre. I did ask how veiwership could be measured for motocross...and he agreed that if it was not being screened then there was no way to measure it. He explained that they have budgets that must be adhered to and the motorcycling was this years casualty. .... he was unable to name a NZ NASCAR driver :-(
TVNZ ... their programming has been set for the season....which unfortunately does not include the World Grand Prix races. Also they have budgets which must be worked and at this time they would not be able to purchase coverage for 2004. He did acknowledge their lack of coverage but was not in a position to make any changes to this at the current time. He also suggested that the \"sporting body\" get behind us ... they should be the spokespeople making a case for these guys.. so where are MNZ ? Do they have personnel that may have job descriptions that encompass this area ???
James Belfield .. Sunday News Journalist .... Is astounded that there is no coverage of these guys. He is English and has a complete understanding of just what these boys have had to go through in Europe to have achieved at this level. He also made the comment that Kiwi\'s are always so proud of there sporting achievements in the international arena...and he can\'t believe that there has been \"next to nothing\" anywhere. He writes sports articles in the Sunday News...buy one and read his work this weekend.
Vicki Townley...it is sad that we have not had the opportunity to celebrate these guys recent success\'s. Josh has had some footage on the breakfast and lunchtime sport news on TV 1... how appropriate that is eh ! ... his fans & supporters all at work or school at these times ....they might as well have played in the 2 am ...
I have been trying hard to get something underway for us all to enjoy and share with our mx heroes.... Ben & Josh\'s press manager is having another meeting with Youthstream media again this weekend to see just what is available and the costs etc... unfortunately there is little more we can do ..... apart from getting the races taped by a friend in Europe then getting them posted and having video race viewings at TMCC after each club round ????? perhaps we could get a gold coin collection going so we could purchase the coverage next year !!!!!!
Guess we won\'t be seeing anything of Portugal ... will let you know when the first of the tapes arrive from Europe .. would be great if they are here for our first club round.
Yours in mx.
Vicki T.
Gerard.... who is also putting in a spirited battle against all the odds has been communicating with Youthstream has received this email:
Because NZ is a small market let say around 10.000€ for all MX 52\' = 17 shows including the MX of Nations (where Kiwis did well last year, they finished 4th, maybe this year on the podium..) Then you have to consider the technical costs (tape dubbing & shipping costs). If you provide a courier account number to forward each tape, you will be charged 70€ per 52\' for tape & dub costs. If we have to use our own courier account then the total costs will be of 130€
Now you get all the figures, good hunting!
All the best
Philippe
Those costs are being confirmed but if so - Gerard calculates that the cost is 30 Grand, thus just 10 sponsors @ $3,000 each would get the MX GPs.
