Team Blackfoot Yamaha Red Bull Fox Team Owner/Manager Jason Mitchell is one of the most honest stand-up guys you will ever meet in this industry. I first met Jason in 1999 for a brief second when I was practicing at Wild Rose MX Park. Blackfoot had not quite made the move to the powerhouse team they are today, but they had four riders on the four brands they sold. I could see in my brief meeting that this guy wanted to be a part of the growing series and in a big way. Eleven years later, fourteen championships, millions of dollars invested and a team that has dominated since the introduction of their rig back in 2000, Blackfoot has become the Canadian team that every rider wants to join. I gave Jason a call to catch up on how things are shaping up for 2010, his team, his past, his future and how he thinks I made a big mistake back in 2000. Check it out!!

Jason Mitchell is the Team Manager/Owner of the most powerfull team in Canadian history

Gauldy – Hey Jason, how goes it on a Monday morning in Calgary?

Jason – Oh, not too bad. It’s a nice day here in Calgary. How are things with you Ryan?

Gauldy – Well, it’s not too bad here in Ontario. Little gloomy today but some friends and I managed to get out riding on Sunday so that brightens the week up a bit. It has been pretty nice out here for the last little while.

Jason – Weather is so important for the motorcycle industry, for sure. That’s great that you guys can still ride this late in the year.

Gauldy – Okay, let’s get to it, enough of this chit chat. I know that your team just had a very important meeting to finalize things for 2010. I’m thinking that Blackfoot is going to be very dominant in 2010, and I find it hard for other teams to battle you when you have all but a few of the best riders in the series. Tell me how the meeting went and how things are shaping up for another run at the championships in 2010?

Jason – You know it is racing and anything can happen. We are heading into our 11th year as a team, and we always try to put our best foot forward. It is funny thinking back and realizing we have been doing this for 11 years. It has always been our goal to have an all-Canadian team to reach our goals for the team and our sponsors. This year is a special year for us having an all-Canadian line up, and we are looking forward to it. With Colton and Dusty in MX1, and Tyler and Kyle in MX2, we are very excited about our chances to win some more championships next year.

This is how it all started back in 2000

This is how the team looks today

Gauldy – How come it took you guys 11 years to get that all Canadian team? Were you not confident in the other Canucks in the past, or was it because it just never really fell into place?

Jason – Well, you know there are a lot of great riders in Canada, and a lot of different manufacturers that needed guys to promote their products. I think that it just developed over time. I don’t think there was one real reason; some riders had other deals, others had things on the go that didn’t work with us. That’s just kind of the way it has worked over the years. When JSR was going hard for us we always wanted to have a great back up and that’s why we had the Huffman’s and others. We are really excited this year. The meeting we had went well and things look good.

Gauldy – How do you deal with the egos under the tent? Over the years, on numerous occasions, you have produced the #1 and #2 plated riders at the end of the year.  Next year will be no different; you have four riders that could win both championships. Will there be any drama or will it be smooth sailing?

Jason –That’s when I kick in being the dad I guess. I have two of my own boys and they are heavy into hockey so I have been able to build a good attitude with that and I just bring that under the tent. I just try to give them all equal opportunities and make sure they have whatever they need to help them feel good on the track so their abilities will shine. Plus, with having 14 championship wins, there is a lot of respect under the tent that is shown to everybody on the team. They just come there and they all know what they have to do. We talked about this at the meeting; we are a team and we win as a team. Obviously, some riders will be different than others, but it’s about the team and how we can win championships every year.

The most dominant year for Blackfoot was 2006. Dusty Klatt was the champ, JSR 2nd and Morgan 3rd, while Jimmy Nelson won the west coast MX2 title

Gauldy – Has your team atmosphere changed over the years? At the beginning of it all you guys were so serious and very structured. You almost seemed distant from other teams. Nowadays, there are more laughs and smiles under the tent, which seems to make for a more relaxed environment. Have things changed?

Jason –I think it’s just experience, you know. I have had Joe and Andrew on for 8 or 9 years, and over the years we have had some really good sponsors behind us. That helps make things easy for sure. Yamaha stepped in a few years ago, and John (Bayliss), Pete (Swanton) and Brian (Hudgin) are enthusiasts. You can see that when you deal with them and that makes us feel at ease. They signed a two year deal going into next year as did Red Bull and Fox. They have been so supportive of our program that it makes it easy for us to deal with any bump in the road. Having those guys sign a two year deal makes it easy for everyone to know what’s going on and easy to move forward. Being prepared makes the pressure easier to deal with, although what happened with our MX2 program threw us for a curve, but we survived and we are looking forward to this year. Preparation is helping us be more relaxed, and that’s why I think things are a little more open under the tent.

The Championship team from 2009. It will be, for the most part the same squad for 2010. Jason Mitchell says a lot of the success is becasue of the people that are part of the team.

Gauldy – Let’s talk about the Kyle Beaton issue from last year. I know at times there was some tension under the tent. Things were being said that maybe shouldn’t have been, but now you guys have signed him back, which shows that whatever difference there were you are willing to give it another shot. I know Kyle is very excited about it. What kind of things did you guys talk about to make sure 2010 will be a little smoother for you both?

Gauldy –It’s like anything really, there are always two sides to every story. My job is to make sure that I understand both sides of the story. At the meeting, we laid it all out on the table and everybody could share their piece. Now that the meeting is over, we can now move forward and work to make things good for this year. That was basically what the meeting was about. I told Kyle that he has the speed to win and we believe in him. I know when he ran his own program it was the “Kyle Beaton Program”. Now under our tent it’s a four rider show and things are different. Last year was the first time that Kyle ever ran under a program like ours and it was a learning curve. He understood that. So we listened to both sides and we believe in Kyle. We wanted to give him another shot, and that’s what we are prepared to do.

Kyle Beaton is back with Blackfoot and Jason Mitchell could not be happier about it. It was a learning experience in year 1 and now Beats has a second lease on his ride

Gauldy – Give me your thoughts on what’s happening on the superbike side of things. I know Blackfoot is involved in that side of racing. A few manufacturers have pulled out. Do you see this happening in motocross or will we still be around for quite some time?

Jason – Motocross is a little broader as far as reaching out to kids and families that are so important to the manufacturers. It is a different type of sport. I think the number one reason why we will still be around is the fact that Mark Stallybrass has gone out and got outside sponsors such as Monster and Mac’s. He doesn’t just rely on the industry to pay the bills. Whether it is Monster, Pioneer, Mac’s, or MXP, there is money coming from elsewhere and I think that’s why we will stay strong.

Gauldy – Blackfoot has won at least one title every year since 2000 whether it be MX1 or MX2, and the team has been so dominant. How does that make you feel?

Jason – It’s unbelievable actually. You know, I just have to credit the staff and the sponsors really. If this ever came to an end I don’t think there could ever be a team that had been so dominant. There are 11 years worth of parts, tools, equipment, gadgets, widgets or whatever, and then our race shops. The ingredients are there and it shows when we win. I feel that we have worked hard and we enjoy what we do. I just love going racing and so does the team. At the end of the day, it shows when we receive another #1 plate. I am a multi-line dealer and I want to help keep the industry in racing. I feel that racing has helped our shop become what it is.

Gauldy – At the end of 2010, it is quite possible that your team could be asked to go to the Motocross des Nations in Colorado. Would that be something you guys would want to do since it would be a lot less money?

Jason – You know, we have never not supported the Motocross of Nations. The economy right now makes it hard to plan for something like that so far down the road. People have to understand that the budgets are tight, we lost Toyota this year as did Yamaha, and that’s big. Our deal is for the nine Canadian nationals and the Montreal SX. I mean, you have to go to Montreal; it’s the biggest race in the country. We have been going there for 10 years straight, and how could we not. Hopefully at the end of the year, we could have some extra money to help a team get to Colorado. Whether it is our Canadian riders or others, I want to see a team there on the gate. People just don’t understand the cost behind it. It’s tough.

Gauldy – You have been involved in the series for a while now. What is the biggest positive change in the nationals you have seen since Blackfoot started?

Jason – Positive things.....well there has been so many in the last 10 plus years.  The support Yamaha has shown Blackfoot since 2007 has been unbelievable. How the industry, media and everyone has stepped up in the Canadian MX racing world to create a world respected series, Stally and his ability to get outside sponsors such as Monster, etc. to make the series a fully fledged series, and of course JSR coming back to Canada and leading the way in becoming a role model to show the Canadian riders what it takes to be a Champion.  Look how many fast Canadian riders there are out there that can compete for the podium today!!!!

Gauldy – What about the negative stuff?

Jason – Negative things.....I really do not like to dwell on the negatives, however the worst that has ever happened is our friend Blair Morgan getting paralyzed in Montreal. Blair was an integral part of the Blackfoot family for many years, and to have JSR win and Blair injured in Montreal was the most emotional day in our lives.  The injuries we have seen over the years are part of our sport and we realize this, however if we could go back in time and change that night we would.

Jason Mitchell and Blair Morgan at Walton in 2008. Just a month after this photo Blair had his accident. He is still a big part of the Blackfoot Family

The next most negative thing would be the way Honda terminated our dealership and race team in 2007 with what seemed to be no rhyme or reason after 35+ years of Blackfoot being a dealer.  Personally, I had been selling and marketing Hondas since I was 15 years old.  We trusted them as a business partner, as friends in business, and felt that we had been an integral part of their brand’s history, growth and success, and were very proud of our relationship with them.  In racing we had just finished going 1-2-3 with JSR, Dusty and Blair in the Nationals, and Blackfoot was their largest dealership in Canada. Our passion towards the brand was second to none so when they terminated us and the other top dealers that year; it was unbelievable blow!!!! In hindsight, maybe things are meant to happen for a reason as Blackfoot has rebounded stronger than ever thanks to the loyalty and support of our customers, our staff, our sponsors and our other manufacturers!  We cannot thank them all enough for their continued support and for believing in us!!!! Obviously, we have to thank Honda for all their support in the initial years as they were integral with the start of the high level Pro racing and marketing in Canada, however we just didn’t know where things went wrong.

The press conference back in 2006 when Blackfoot let everyone know that Honda was not renewing after the most dominant year in racing with the team. Blackfoot knew in July this was going to happen and held off telling anybody till Walton that year

The day after Walton this year, Colt, Dusty and the team stopped by at Yamahas Head Office in Toronto to present to them the #1 plate, some swag , and to personally thank them for their support for the last 3 years. When we walked in the door, we were totally surprised as there was the complete Yamaha Canada staff standing there cheering and clapping for us in a show of appreciation for winning the Championship and our commitment to their company!!!  It was unbelievable and very emotional for me personally as we had won a lot of Championships in the past, however never had we seen such heartfelt thanks from any business partner as we did that day!  Yamaha gets it.  They treat you like family. They are enthusiasts and are passionate about our industry, and it shows.  It makes us want to work harder for them every day to ensure their success!  I ask all our customers and enthusiasts out there to support the brands that support our industry and our sport...it only will ensure the long term health of the industry we all love.....motorcycles!!!!

Look at the crowd wanting something from the champ. Jason still wonders how did it go wrong with Honda after such a great year.

The final negative issue is the people out there that continue to throw stones towards our industry with no regard for anyone’s feelings or respect towards all the hard work and effort that happens.  Too many people like to mouth off and are not even involved or put anything into MX in Canada. That has to stop!

Gauldy – Okay, let’s get back to 2000. I had just come off my best year of racing and Blackfoot offered me a deal and a contract for the 2000 race year and I turned it down. Was that a big mistake I made in my career?

Jason - I believe it was Gauldy. I know we were pretty young then and Blackfoot was just getting going, but I think it could have helped you. I was just reading that Jason Thomas article that Matthes did the other day. You look back at those days and how pivotal those decisions were; it could have changed your life. I know how loyal you were and I have nothing but respect for that, but back then you could have went right or you could have gone left. I understand the decision for your loyalty, I understand that more than ever now, but sometimes you got to take a chance and go for broke. I keep hearing now that I am trying to hold our riders back. In no way shape or form am I trying to do that. When Dusty got his chance down south, I helped him negotiate his contract. Any one of my riders, I will help them move their career forward. I think back then when you were riding for John (Nelson – Machine Racing) you were very comfy there and your program was good, but that decision could have changed your life.

14 championships for Blackfoot and 7 of them belong to these two riders.

Gauldy - Yes it could have. Okay Jason, let’s wrap this up. Do you have any parting comments?

Jason – I have to say thanks First to my partners, Pat Chambers, Doug Macrae, Pat Archer from Blackfoot Motosports and Dean from BlackfootDirect.com for all their support in the racing ventures. I would like to thank Yamaha Canada . John, Pete and Brian are amazing to deal with and they truly are enthusiasts in the industry. Everybody needs to support the Canadian dealers, and help support the sport.   Also to the guys at Red Bull, Dennis over at Fox, SSS, DR D and Works Connection who have been there from the beginning, my staff and team, Chad From Clear Motive our Design And Marketing Guru and Charles at MXP. MXP is doing a great job with the media side of things and that’s why I think road racing is faltering. They don’t have a great media source. Between the media, the CMRC, the teams and the manufacturers and of course the riders, we all just need to keep moving forward and make things grow together.

Gauldy – Right on Jason, thanks.

Jason –No problem, thanks.