Kevin Schwantz FB Statement Regarding COTA

http://motomatters.com/press_release/2013/03/26/press_release_kevin_schwantz_denounces_c.html


 


SCHWANTZ RESPONSE TO CotA STATEMENT



"Last week, Circuit of the Americas (CotA) issued a statement

suggesting I had nothing to do with bringing MotoGP to Austin. Unlike

others who have had disputes with CotA, I am free to speak my mind. So

let me set the record straight: I am the reason MotoGP is coming to

Texas and no one currently associated with CotA had anything to do with

the design of the actual race track. There's no shortage of evidence to

prove these facts.



On February 2, 2011, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta sent me a letter

confirming that 3FourTexasMGP, my company, is the ‘sole rights holder

for MotoGP in the state of Texas for the years 2013-2022.’ On February

3, 2011, Comptroller Susan Combs sent a letter to me and Mr. Ezpeleta

confirming that the MotoGP U.S. Grand Prix would be included in the

state’s Event Trust Fund beginning in 2013. In that letter, the state

comptroller explained that the annual funding would be sent to

3fourTexasMGP, 'the rights holder for all MotoGP events in Texas.' On

April 12, 2011, at the request of the state comptroller a press

conference was held announcing that MotoGP was on its way to Texas.

Finally, on July 22, 2011, Mr. Ezpeleta sent a letter to the state

Comptroller saying that 'both Kevin (Schwantz) and I are positive that

the measured success of our events in Texas will be fantastic for both

the state of Texas and MotoGP.’ (see links: http://schwantzschool.com/images/pdfs/documents.pdf and http://schwantzschool.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90 and http://schwantzschool.com/images/pdfs/Austin-track-design.pdf )



I have spent too much time and money the past five years on this

project, including helping the Comptroller during the 2011 Legislative

session and CotA in raising money, for me to sit by and allow this

repeated misinformation to continue. CotA's attempt to downplay my

involvement with Austin's MotoGP event is silly, but some of the group's

other actions may verge on something far more serious. It is my belief

that just like the F1 event, they are attempting to rewrite history in

an effort to qualify for one of the Texas Event Trust Funds."


 


I'm glad he's sharing this stuff.  I bet cota is going to hire some PR people soon.

What Kevin needs is a good lawyer keen on making a name for him/her self and bro bono this on promoters rights and contract generally. 


 


Chances are he would get a big fat retraction and sizeable shut-up fee and acknowledgement for not sullying the event further (with the truth of course). 


 


They would have their own logo "Let's buy Kevin". He will be fine with all of this. It will be sorted quickly as Kevin is acknowledged as a legendary rider and tireless advocate for the sport. The business never wants the public to know that the business doesn't really give a .... about the sport. 

Andy Roo

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Chances are he would get a big fat retraction and sizeable shut-up fee and acknowledgement for not sullying the event further (with the truth of course). 

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This is what will happen, and Kevin would be wise to cash his sizeable shut-up cheque.

That's the same thing that happened with Tavo isn't it?

Zootalaws

3465181364357342

A sport he is no longer part of?


 


Talking out of your .... Schwantz is very involved in the sport - he is responsible for the Red Bull rookies in the Americas, among other things like training camps, consultancy, etc.


 


KS has given a heck of a lot back to the sport he excelled at, a lot more than a lot of other old riders.

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Yes, a sport he is no longer part of. Not counting the time he did that Simonchelli honour lap, it's been a while since the man has lined up on the grid, you know? Other than that, thanks for providing a list of examples of his struggle to remain relevant.


 


Again, he was a great rider, someone I rooted for as a kid. I'm sure he makes some positive contributions that support racing. I also think that he has been talking and writing an afwul lot of .... the last few years. The low point being, in my opinion, writing a column for superbikeplanet that suggested Lorenzo only skipped that race in PI after loosing his <strike>thumb</strike> finger because he could at that point not win the championship anymore. With the added self-rightous implied suggestion that, while in his day riders were tough and real men, riders today, like Lorenzo, were a bunch of ........ After seeing Jorge walking through the gravel-trap, holding a bleeding stump where a <strike>thumb</strike> finger should be, looking down to see where the missing body part was, I could feel nothing but utter contempt for Schwantz writing such ......... 


 


EDIT: sorry, was his ringfinger, not his thumb

stiefel

3465471364389584

Yes, a sport he is no longer part of. Not counting the time he did that Simonchelli honour lap, it's been a while since the man has lined up on the grid, you know? Other than that, thanks for providing a list of examples of his struggle to remain relevant.


 


Again, he was a great rider, someone I rooted for as a kid. I'm sure he makes some positive contributions that support racing. I also think that he has been talking and writing an afwul lot of .... the last few years. The low point being, in my opinion, writing a column for superbikeplanet that suggested Lorenzo only skipped that race in PI after loosing his thumb  because he could at that point not win the championship anymore. With the added self-rightous implied suggestion that, while in his day riders were tough and real men, riders today, like Lorenzo, were a bunch of ........ After seeing Jorge walking through the gravel-trap, holding a bleeding stump where a thumb should be, looking down to see where the missing body part was, I could feel nothing but utter contempt for Schwantz writing such ......... 

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You're entitled to have your personal feelings about KS - but this matter has to do with principles as opposed to personalities. KS has demonstrably put in much time and effort to make this race happen. He has used his influence and his stature in the business, as well as his knowledge of how everything comes together behind the scenes - things that he's worked very hard to gain and regardless of anyone's personal feelings about him - should be appropriately remunerated for his time, the same as any executive who puts together an enormous money making deal like this.


 


Just because you  don't see him in front of a camera every week, or see his name in the press for some dumb .... move ala Ezpeleta doesn't mean he's not constantly working to promote motorcycle racing behind the scenes. When he was running the Red Bull Rookies series - you can be sure he was working 40 hours a week. It may have been behind a desk or a cell phone away from the TV cameras - but it's still work, and you can believe Schwantz is still very much relevant.

stiefel

3465471364389584

Yes, a sport he is no longer part of. Not counting the time he did that Simonchelli honour lap, it's been a while since the man has lined up on the grid, you know? Other than that, thanks for providing a list of examples of his struggle to remain relevant.

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.....


 


You think races just happen by osmosis? Or is it every time we kill a Harley, somewhere a race takes place?


 


It takes the likes of Schwantz to put in the effort to make a series like RBR happen. 


 


.... you're ignorant.

Lawyer up <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;Schwantz, Should have done that from the beginning.  If OJ can get away with murder, COTA can certainly get away with this.  


 


 


Also this has nothing to do with how relevant he is. (What Kesh said above ^)  If he did the work he claims, then he should get the recognition and pay he deserves.  

Keshav

3465531364391822

You're entitled to have your personal feelings about KS - but this matter has to do with principles as opposed to personalities. KS has demonstrably put in much time and effort to make this race happen. He has used his influence and his his stature in the business, as well as his knowledge of how everything comes together behind the scenes - things

that he's worked very hard to gain and regardless of anyone's personal feelings about him - should be appropriately remunerated for his

time, the same as any executive who puts together an enormous money making deal like this.

 

Just because you  don't see him in front of a camera every week, or see his name in the press for some dumb .... move ala Ezpeleta doesn't mean he's not constantly working to promote motorcycle racing behind the scenes. When he was running the Red Bull Rookies series - you can be sure he was working 40 hours a week. It may have been behind a desk or a cell phone away from the TV cameras - but it's still work, and you can believe Schwantz is still very much relevant.

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stiefel

3464801364309685

Kevin Schwantz. Awesome rider in his day. Self-serving old fart desperately trying to remain relevant (and pick up a few bucks while doing so) in a sport he is no longer part of. Not taking any sides in this particular case, seems to me like one of those cases where nobody has been on his best behavior.


Bawww, Stiefel, you're only saying that because you're a Stoner fan!


There Jumkie, saved you from making that post.

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Zootalaws

3465601364401857

.....


 


You think races just happen by osmosis? Or is it every time we kill a Harley, somewhere a race takes place?


 


It takes the likes of Schwantz to put in the effort to make a series like RBR happen. 


 


.... you're ignorant.

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A very compelling argument you make there. I'm impressed by your eloquence. 

stiefel

3465471364389584

Yes, a sport he is no longer part of. Not counting the time he did that Simonchelli honour lap, it's been a while since the man has lined up on the grid, you know? Other than that, thanks for providing a list of examples of his struggle to remain relevant.


 


Again, he was a great rider, someone I rooted for as a kid. I'm sure he makes some positive contributions that support racing. I also think that he has been talking and writing an afwul lot of .... the last few years. The low point being, in my opinion, writing a column for superbikeplanet that suggested Lorenzo only skipped that race in PI after loosing his thumb  because he could at that point not win the championship anymore. With the added self-rightous implied suggestion that, while in his day riders were tough and real men, riders today, like Lorenzo, were a bunch of ........ After seeing Jorge walking through the gravel-trap, holding a bleeding stump where a thumb should be, looking down to see where the missing body part was, I could feel nothing but utter contempt for Schwantz writing such ......... 

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Wait. So...standing up for your rights & rep in a legal battle with someone who's trying to .... you in multiple ways = trying to remain relevant?


 


LOL.


 


OK.

Texas

3465731364407745

Wait. So...standing up for your rights & rep in a legal battle with someone who's trying to .... you in multiple ways = trying to remain relevant?


 


LOL.


 


OK.

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Do you want me to quote myself a second time? I'm not taking sides in the COTA-Schwantz case, as I believe neither side is entirely beyond reproach. I do however think that on the whole, KS has been a self-righteous old .... the last few years. 

Steif, u've said ur not taking sides, but ur posts seem to be taking sides. I think Kesh & Tex said it best. I get that some fans may be sore with KS, in addition, a former champ hanging around the paddock isnt something i consider an annoyance. I see Mick often, as well as others waving to the camera. These guys are not trying to stay relevant as if they are some D list celebrity on a reality show. I think u may be a bit harsh on him or any former pro racer hanging about considering these guys are also fans of the sport (who dedicated most if not all their lives to it).

As for me, i side with KS. I think COTA execs used him to raise money, profile, connections, and legitimacy to the project. Then hung him out to dry. Sloth27 said KS should just take hush money and shut up, that the man hasnt should give Sloth a glue about his integrity. KS is not a career businessman like these high power executives lawyered up playing this power game. KS is simply a former champ passionate about this sport we are all on this forum addicted to, who happens to be (through his many years of dedication, participation and risk of life & limb) to promote it. The motivation for COTA execs and the Dorna execs operate under a different aim and personal code of ethics. Dorna could have told COTA, hey, we are standing behind one of our own, we gave him the rights to promote this race, cut the deal with him. But they didnt, why? Because they are cut from the same cloth.

Jumkie

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Steif, u've said ur not taking sides, but ur posts seem to be taking sides. I think Kesh & Tex said it best. I get that some fans may be sore with KS, in addition, a former champ hanging around the paddock isnt something i consider an annoyance. I see Mick often, as well as others waving to the camera. These guys are not trying to stay relevant as if they are some D list celebrity on a reality show. I think u may be a bit harsh on him or any former pro racer hanging about considering these guys are also fans of the sport (who dedicated most if not all their lives to it). As for me, i side with KS. I think COTA execs used him to raise money, profile, connections, and legitimacy to the project. Then hung him out to dry. Sloth27 said KS should just take hush money and shut up, that the man hasnt should give Sloth a glue about his integrity. KS is not a career businessman like these high power executives lawyered up playing this power game. KS is simply a former champ passionate about this sport we are all on this forum addicted to, who happens to be (through his many years of dedication, participation and risk of life & limb) to promote it. The motivation for COTA execs and the Dorna execs operate under a different aim and personal code of ethics. Dorna could have told COTA, hey, we are standing behind one of our own, we gave him the rights to promote this race, cut the deal with him. But they didnt, why? Because they are cut from the same cloth.

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I maintain that on this particular issue, I am not taking sides. Not because of personal animosity against KS, but simply because I don't think there is enough information public yet to make any good assessment of the situation. I fully believe that the people behind COTA are slimy, backstabbing businessmen. I'm however not quite buying the innocent ex-racer who does all for the love of the sport story. As far as I can tell, KS is quite the businessman himself, or at least has people around him who are wise enough in that area. There is something I am willing to admit to, tying to your last sentence. The day that Kevin 'complaining about Dorna means unrespectfully biting the hand that feeds you' Schwantz starts calling out Dorna on this issue, I will be sitting back in my chair, with the word 'karma' on my mind.

Karma? Because KS was on Dornas side and against Casey? Haha. That is a long leap ur attempting.

Jumkie

3465761364413203

Steif, u've said ur not taking sides, but ur posts seem to be taking sides. I think Kesh & Tex said it best. I get that some fans may be sore with KS, in addition, a former champ hanging around the paddock isnt something i consider an annoyance. I see Mick often, as well as others waving to the camera. These guys are not trying to stay relevant as if they are some D list celebrity on a reality show. I think u may be a bit harsh on him or any former pro racer hanging about considering these guys are also fans of the sport (who dedicated most if not all their lives to it). As for me, i side with KS.<span style="font-size:12px; <span style="font-size:14px;I think COTA execs used him to raise money, profile, connections, and legitimacy to the project. Then hung him out to dry. Sloth27 said KS should just take hush money and shut up, that the man hasnt should give Sloth a glue about his integrity. KS is not a career businessman like these high power executives lawyered up playing this power game. KS is simply a former champ passionate about this sport we are all on this forum addicted to, who happens to be (through his many years of dedication, participation and risk of life & limb) to promote it. The motivation for COTA execs and the Dorna execs operate under a different aim and personal code of ethics. Dorna could have told COTA, hey, we are standing behind one of our own, we gave him the rights to promote this race, cut the deal with him. But they didnt, why? Because they are cut from the same cloth.

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this.

stiefel

3465721364407668

A very compelling argument you make there. I'm impressed by your eloquence. 

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I could have done eloquent, but then La Cockaracha would have accused me of Wiki'ing up.


 


Can't win with this crowd.

Jumkie

3465821364418408

Karma? Because KS was on Dornas side and against Casey? Haha. That is a long leap ur attempting.

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You wouldn't see a a bit of irony in such a development? I don't know, perhaps I'm a bit of a vindictive ......, but I would.

Zootalaws

3466041364439350

I could have done eloquent, but then La Cockaracha would have accused me of Wiki'ing up.


 


Can't win with this crowd.

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Ah, stop playing victim. You expect to win with any crowd if every time someone has an opinion different then yours, you start posting like a kid with tourette's? You're bringing it on yourself an awful lot. Well, it's your choice, I suppose. Carry on.

Personally I thought I was doing a good job at the delineation of Kevin in all his forms such as rider, personality, promoter. 


 


He does have a tendency to shoot off his mouth, very very similar to Mr Stoner in that regard. It is why I like both riders, they aren't sanitised or cutesy. 


 


He did do a lot of work for this to happen, and he did get dumped by COTA and deserves something, however if he asks too much he will just get a wall of lawyers and nothing. If he seeks revenge he already has it, the vast majority of the motorcycling world is on his side, the same with recognition, everybody knows that No Kevin = No TexasGP.


 


I think Kevin should have a long hard look at his goals before deciding to either continue the battle or bury the hatchet. But he is a principled man. Like Stoner who walked out of the sport at his peak Kevin probably wants to bury the hatchet between their eyes, which in the eyes of his fans will be great, and to everyone else will look like spoiled posturing. But it is principled. 


 


The truth is no matter what happens all of that has been decided in everyone's mind anyway, why continue it? 


 


Also, this IS about his passion for the sport, he GOT the TexasGP, the only risk now is losing it in a promoters battle. 


 


Settle, be smug and magnanimous, know in yourself it was you who did it, cash the cheque and get on with life.