MXP: What is it about the sport of Motocross or Supercross that attracts Monster Energy so much? The two seem to go hand and hand everywhere you look.
NP: I think there are a lot of things; the adrenaline factor is a big one. I don’t care what anybody says, the start and the holeshot at a Supercross or Motocross race is the most exciting thing in sports. I have taken people to races from other industries that have nothing to do with motorcycles and they are blown away by the excitement and the intensity of the start. This is the answer to your question. Why wouldn’t a company like Monster want to be associated with a sport that can produce moments like that? For instance, at the Toronto Supercross we hosted 350 people at the Roger’s Centre. Some of these people have never been to a race before. We always make sure we bring their attention to the start of the main events. Their faces are priceless watching it; they are blown away. It is such an awesome spectacle!
MXP: I think also that our sport is a very clean sport and the athletes in it are clean. Motocross, at the grassroots level, is a family oriented sport so the riders grow up with good values. Iknow there are exceptions, but generally speaking, this aspect of the sport must also be very appealing for sponsors such as Monster.
NP: Definitely. I always say that Motocross athletes are the best in the World. Not just on the bike but off the bike as well. This is why Monster Energy not only sponsors events and Series but also specific athletes who compete in these Series. The sport of Motocross, whether it be the CMRC Nationals or AMA Supercross, gives us exactly what we want.
MXP: I guess the next question for you would be where do you see the sport going in Canada in the next few years?
NP: Motocross in Canada is our project. We obviously don’t run it, Mark Stallybrass and the CMRC do a great job of that. But as far as supporting it, we love it and we continually look at new ways to do it. We are in for the long haul despite the rumours that come up at the end of every season that Monster is pulling out. We have so much invested in the sport, we couldn’t just pull out. We have made a large commitment to be there and we aren’t leaving anytime soon.
As far as where it is going, we at Monster recognize that some people have put their life’s work into Canadian Motocross. Who are we to dictate change? The sport has a deep history with athletes and events and we love that. One of the great things about working with the CMRC is that we are constantly in contact with them and are involved in their decisions. We support the two rounds this year that will be on Saturdays and we think the Series returning to Edmonton is a positive step. These two things alone, I think, will add to the Series in 2012, not to mention the great list of riders that will be lining up on the gate in Nanaimo.
MXP: Well Nelson, I know you are a busy guy so we appreciate the chance to speak with you. All the best in 2012 and thank you for Monster Energy’s continuing support of Motocross in Canada.
NP: No, thank you. I love Motocross, always have and always will. I am just really grateful that I am involved with a company that loves the sport as much as I do. I think 2012 will be an exciting year for all of us.
