Monday Conversation: Mitch Payton
Monday, December 17, 2012 | 1:00 PM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
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PrintWhen the mighty Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team failed to win a Lites SX title last year—a rarity for them—some started to wonder if the team has lost its edge. But Blake Baggett delivered the 250 Motocross title, and now the 2013 version of the squad will feature a record six riders, two of whom will race 450s outdoors. Is this a time of transition for Pro Circuit, or is it just business as usual—the business of winning? Matthes caught up to team owner Mitch Payton in his office last week to find out.
Racer X: Mitch, thanks for doing this. How did you even end up signing six guys?
Mitch Payton: It was kind of odd, we had the four guys signed [Blake Baggett, Justin Hill, Darryn Durham, Martin Davalos], and no sooner than we had them signed, we had a bunch of injuries. And I wanted to find something for Tyla [Rattray]. We had him last year and wanted to have him on the 250s last year, but Kawasaki really needed him on a 450 as a replacement for Ryan [Villopoto]. But Tyla wanted to do it and I wasn't going to stand in his way. But, he got hurt. I wanted to see him have one good shake at it, have a good full season on the 450 outdoors for 2013. And, he can help us in supercross, where we have a few guys out.
Then, no sooner than we have this finished, Dean's agent Tony [Gardea] called. He said things weren't going to work out, and they needed a home. We were one of maybe three places where he could have found a home. Same thing as Tyla, he wanted to ride a 450, but for our sponsors, we need to be loaded in a good way in the 250 class. So, we asked if he could ride 250 supercross again, and then we could support him for a 450 outdoors. It took a lot of effort on everyone's part, Kawasaki, Monster, and us, Traxxas, Thor, all of the sponsors. Because once everyone's budget is done, they're done! You can't just call them up and ask about a sixth guy! But we kind of consider him part of our family, and we wanted to figure out a way to do it.
Payton hopes to lead the powerful Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team to another 250SX title in 2013, after failing to win a supercross title in 2012.
Simon Cudby photo
Racing a 450 outdoors, how does that go, politically, with Kawasaki? You'll be racing against Ryan Villopoto and Jake Weimer outdoors, and maybe even beating them at times. And you know how that goes.
I would hope everything is going to be okay. I think Ryan Villopoto is, and I think everyone will say, he's the guy to beat. I don't think us having a 450 guy is going to leave him sleepless at night. And we wouldn't have been in the position to do this if Kawasaki didn't want us to do this. And Reid [Nordin] at Kawasaki said he really wanted to find a way to keep Dean on a Kawasaki. Really, when it comes to sponsorship and development and things like that, we've never been closer with the factory team. The truth is, if we don't have some spots for our kids, where do they go? They're going to leave Pro Circuit and Kawasaki and Monster, and if you leave them, chances are you're not going to get them back.
Yeah Kawasaki had Justin Bogle at one point, they lost him to GEICO, and Blake Baggett was a Kawasaki rider and he was gone at one point, rode a Suzuki. Do you look at that as a tipping point? Let's face it, GEICO is turning out some terrific riders.
GEICO has done a great job. They're a great competitor to have. But also I think KTM is really strong, and I don't underestimate really anybody. But GEICO has invested money in trying to sign kids at a young age, more so than we do. But our standpoint was, we're a Lites professional program. We've always been there to support Team Green and other brands on the amateur side. But the way I look at it is, to support these amateur riders with factory rides, where does it stop? I think it's pretty gnarly. I like the way Kawasaki does it. You get five or six kids, we give them equal equipment, and you see what they have, and then we see who is the cream of the crop, and then we can bring him onto the pro team. In most cases it has worked successfully, but we have lost a few riders over the years to other teams. But now everyone is digging deeper. Some kids can make that transition very easily, some don't. We'll see where we are in a few years.
You didn't win any supercross titles this year. Is this team a sense of like reloading?
No, I wouldn't say that. Because the truth is, only one rider can win the title anyway, it's not like all six of our guys can win titles, or all three on one coast. We try to get the best talent we can. Truth is, a lot of people are gunning toward us. We'll speak to a rider, and a team will find out we're talking to them, and they'll offer more money. Some kids are willing to ride for the same or less, but when a team is offering you double the money, it's like, dang, double is a lot of money!
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki will house six riders under their tent in 2013.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit photo
The 450 program, you did it for the first time last year, indoors and out. Every year it's rumored you're going to do it. How was it last year?
I've read on the Internet where a couple of guys said we took our eye off the ball having a 450 last year. I don't think that's true. It takes a long time to test and get parts, and we have that all lined out on the 250s, anyway. It didn't affect us. I say, why not? GEICO does it with Kevin Windham, they used to do it with Mike LaRocco, and it gives them some exposure in the big class. I think it's good—anytime you race at that level, you learn something.
But the circumstances are different. Tickle pointed out, but had a contract. Dean kind of fell into your lap for 2013. Tyla, like you said, you wanted to give him another shot on a 450. So is this a concentrated 450 effort, or is it just case-by-case depending on what riders you have? Will you race 450s in 2014?
I think the plan is to be there in 450 with a 450 team in 2014, both supercross and outdoors, with Dean Wilson as one of the guys. It would be great to evaluate who we can get as a second rider for 2014. This is the step, and we're committed to it. We have to get Kawasaki's commitment to make sure they're on board with it, but I wouldn't expect them to change their mind. I don't think the goal is to go out and steal a top 450 guy, but to give a spot on a 450 for one of our guys.
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good conversation and MP has got to be one the best businessman in our industry. one thing for certain is that Geico has up'd the ante to do business and PC will have to repond with SX championships this year. Further, DW looks like he is going to be very big for a 250 and this may play an advantage in the SX whoop sections, but against him for starts. Either way, the PC team looks formidable an it is going to be a war at every race to even get a podium finish for the 10+ top team level riders on each coast this year
he's got the best job in the industry i think, and that includes being a racer. he gets to play real live action motocross chess. he loves the game and he always wins
The marriage between Pro Circuit and Kawasaki has produced the most successful race team in motocross history. Pro Circuit has won over 200 AMA events and 26 AMA Supercross and National Championships. In no small part the success belongs to Mitch's inspired tuning and his keen eye for talent.
Pro Circuit 450 team in 2014?? Awesome!
Mitch Payton has earned my respect, and when he says something, I believe it. While I am painfully a Honda guy, and I have admitted to having a KTM, I sure enjoy oogling his bikes in the PC Palace. He knows how to equip his people with the tools to win championships to such a level that there are no excuses. That is impressive, and I believe that there isn't a factory team that can boast of running better equipment than PC. All that is left is racing, and that is pretty cool.
Good deal. full 450 team in 2014. another spot for a fast guy. The more the better.
So Deano full time in 14 on a 450 PC bike! Nice.
Bring back the chrome bikes this year!
Full respect to Mitch and Pro Circuit for bringing on Rattray and Wilson late. Both guys are way too good to be left hanging and end up riding for a crap team. Nice to see a guy who actually cares a little about the person, not just the rider.
Did you just refer to Jeff Ward as a scum bag?
Lay off the meds eh
WTF?
The grinch that stole Racer X
"I don't think us having a 450 guy is going to leave him (RV) sleepless at night"
Gotta love a guy that that tells it like it is. Although, I think Wilson has the potential to beat RV in a given moto, if RV got a terrible start, all the planets aligned etc., but on a regular basis, not this year.
@motorhead620 - No one will understand your question, because it looks like the rant you were responding to was pulled. Hopefully no one hates on you, thinking you were suggesting anything of the sort.
@ whomever pulled the post= Thanks
@ MX BOB Thanks bro for having my back on that one
While Jeff Ward was never my favorite rider I have nothing but respect for him and his many accomplishments. He is an ICON in this sport and very well adept at others.
you guys didn't ask mitch about blake going to RCH this summer lol.
Rattray needs to move up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! end o story
MX Bob - I agree. I tired of teams over-hyping their riders.
Not hating on Pro Circuit, but don't be suprised in Pro Circuit doesn't win a title in either coast AGAIN and they may even finish as low as 3rd. I'm mean, lets face it. There best riders are outdoor riders and they're clearly not the same speed at Tomac in SX. So, unless Tomac gets hurt or DNF's, none of those riders will be him. Pro Circuit's best chance is to put Wilson and even Bagget (but won't happen) in a separate coast then Tomac and hope for a title. Also, I don't believe that any of those riders will beat Roczen either and then throw in Suzuki's rider's of Wharton, Izzi & Anderson, not to mention Bogle, Osbourne and it's going to be tough. My prediction: Tomac wins East Coast & Roczen wins West Coast
@xoxo161 Why would Geico want to put Tomac on the east coast.Looks like they would want him to run the number1 on the west coast.
Mitch talks everyone listens. To do what he did for Deano is far sighted and good business. Even on this side of the pond , you never hear a bad word said about the guy. Im not being rude or insensitive, i hope, but how did he loose the use of his legs? i know its not important but he seems such in interesting guy and I know nothing of his story.
@ jammer
Enjoy the ride
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=442
After watching some old supercrosses on youtube and reading interviews from past racers that competed against Jeff Ward I think he is a joke and have no respect for him at all Cry baby and a cheater.
@ ronniebarnhardt
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year { King of Polka- Dots }
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEfz-IY-F28&feature=youtu.be
Mitch is one hard working SOB. It's easy to forget that for every 1 great rider he develops he has to go through 25 stinkbugs.
@jammer - I got these excerpts from the Hall of Fame bio. His accomplishments are so many, you almost forget that how much he's overcome from a personal standpoint.
"By the age of 17, he was the District’s 125cc class champion in desert racing... In 1978, the year after his AMA District 37 championship, Payton suffered a debilitating crash in the desert. Instead of letting the discouragement of never being able to ride again turn him away from motorcycling, Payton refocused his efforts on the business side of the sport."
@Mr-Mx....you have to tell me who you are, its killing me
@Mr-Mx....you have to tell me who you are, its killing me
Mitch is a no BS no PC kinda guy. He is a racer to the core. He can't ride/race so he has taken the sport to a new level because he has had the freedom to do it his way, a racers way
Gotta respect the guy no matter what brand you ride
Dr. Seuss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Steele
Gotta get in bed and lay down had another back surgery today 7 in 9 years need the meds ..................Later all
@Mr. MX - sorry to hear your back is acting up again. Hope they got it right this time.
Thx for the link to Mitch's AMA Hall of Fame bio
@ CR500AF
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Only a handfull of guys can be in the same sentence with MP. They both have a bunch in common with him, David Bailey and Doug Henry. These guys took a tough hit and came back better men. I'm sure there are more that have came back better after that type of injury, I just don't know them. Whenever I think I'm a strong person,I just have to look at these guys and I come up way short. That video of DHenry sliding down a rope then riding was awesome. Nothing but respect for Mitch.