The Rainman Commeth (Speaking with Ken Abbott)

Here's a conversation that I had with Ken Abbott a couple of years ago. I met Ken when he was working for Clear Channel. He'd just become the General Manager over Team Jordan Motorsports (Michael Jordan's Race Team) and invited us down to Daytona for bikeweek. I had a chance to hang out with MJ, Ken, the rest of team Jordan, and Bullystyle Racing that weekend. It was all love. As much as things have changed, some things stay the same. I decided to post this interview so people could feel what we were thinking a few years back and see if there has been any change since then.

Chit Chatting with Ken “Rainman” Abbott...

[Panama] I’ve mentioned your name to various people within this industry and they all seem to know who you are. That can be a bad thing for some folk but for you, it’s all been good…Just like the raisin toast they make at The Waffle House!!!
[Panama] How long have you been involved in the motorcycle industry and what have you accomplished so far?
[Rainman] Since 1987. I heard about motorcycle races at a local race track outside near Winchester VA, only an hour from my house at the time. I went first as a spectator, then I started working with the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club (MARRC). While working with the club on motorcycle race weekends, I also started attending advanced riding schools like Pridmore's STAR School. I started racing at the end of 1987, and continued until 1997. That 10 year period included regional and national racing with CCS, WERA, and AMA Pro competition.

Within that time frame I also helped coach several riders based on my rider education with Pridmore and other professional racers like Randy Renfrow, David Sadowski, Wes Cooley, and Kurt Hall. Acting as a team or personal rider manager, we collaborated to win over 50 Regional Championships (in 2 different regions), and almost 20 CCS and WERA National Championships. I also acted as a sponsor coordinator for the teams that I worked with.

Within that 10 year span I also had the opportunity to sit on the MARRC Board of Directors which has helped establish the safety standards for motorcycle safety procedures since the early 80s. For a period of time when I was injured, I made a transition where I announced events for CCS, WERA, and AMA. I raced on and off through that time as well, but liked the idea of coming home with money in my wallet, instead of spending it all on tires. In 1994 I also started working with Dunlop Tires at select AMA Pro rounds.

In 1998 I started working for Dunlop - Race Tire Service full time and moved from the Washington DC area to Nashville, TN. Working from Nashville, I helped manage the business as the Regional Manager of Trackside Operations. We ran all of the East Coast AMA Pro tire testing, AMA Pro race support, as well as CCS and WERA regional race support programs. We supplied tires for about 50 events per year, as well as helped with the testing and development programs.

From there, I met my future wife and moved to Indianapolis to be closer to her... still working for Dunlop, but relinquished my office and warehouse duties. In January of 2000 I accepted a job with (then) PACE Motorsports in Fort Worth, Texas to manage their newly purchased Formula USA National Road Race Series. (PACE later became SFX Sports Group, and finally Clear Channel Entertainment - Motorsports).

With the Formula USA and CCS program - we have built the program (which started as an East Coast based racing program) into the largest motorcycle racing series in North America and maybe the World. We now operate in 10 regions of the U.S. from coast to coast and operate over 80 events per year from New Hampshire, to West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, Arizona, California, and adding more. We have grown in double digits each year and expect to have almost 6000 licensed racers by the end of 2005. We have also added LockhartPhillipsUSA.com Sport Rider (Track) Days to almost every event catering to street riders. This program introduces street riders to the safe environment of the race track and introduces them to our race program and instructors that can help them with their riding.

[Panama] What do you want to accomplish with the sport in the future?
[Rainman] Hard to say... I have learned a lot in my time... and would like to continue to contribute. I really want to bring another Moto GP event to the United States (maybe Road America in Wisconsin). The Elkhart Lake facility is so cool, and has a ton of room, over 650 acres. Large enough to host all Moto GP teams, have a concert, a Supermoto race, Freestyle MX, Street Freestyle shows, accommodate camping, with great on-site restaurants, etc. It is such a great facility, and I would love to see the World's largest motorcycle racing event come to the Mid-West region.

I really want to help riders make a living at this sport. Television and licensing revenue, sponsorship programs, connecting outside industry corporations with the motorcycle industry and helping the sport grow to more mainstream recognition. That would be a good goal to accomplish.
[Panama] I know right?!!! We need to bring big money and big players into this game.

[Panama] Well tell me, what happens in the typical "Ken Abbott" day? If I were, YOU, what would I be doing tomorrow?
[Rainman] It all depends on the week. What's going on? Preparing for a Formula USA event, I try to spend time with my family knowing that I am going on the road again... but normally I am sending press releases, working with the facilities and local media sources to insure coverage of our event and media presence. Then packing all of my files to attend the show, working the media, press and rider relations for 4 days... a non-stop feeding frenzy normally. Then back home to see the family and download all of our notes and data from the event, and prepare for the next one.

With Jordan team related weekends, it is the same except that I am also helping to coordinate the hospitality and catering, security, and special promotions for Montez Stewart. The effect that Jordan has had on the World is very inspiring. It is a very exciting time to watch an athlete of his stature enjoy something so much and be a real fan of a sport that I love as well. He is a truly huge enthusiast and it's exciting to watch him at the events. He really has a good time.
[Panama] True. I am noticing more celebrities and athletes catching the ole’ motorcycle fever. I mean, what can you say? It’s a very hot sport right now and duh, all the cool kids are doing it mom!

[Panama] How are you involved with Clear Channel and how did that come about?
[Rainman] Bill Syfan, who I worked with at Dunlop, had accepted a position as Director of Road Race Competition at PACE, and brought me out to Texas for an interview with Mike Kidd (VP Operations at the time). They hired me on the spot as their Nat'l Road Race Manager, and I reported for work February 1st 2000. I moved away from Angi (future wife) for about 4 months and had rented a little loft apartment at the TCU campus in Fort Worth while there. At the time that I started, our first event was only 28 days away to be held at Daytona Speedway (Bike Week)... so we literally had only 24 days to build a successful professional racing series. We amazed the industry when we announced our program and presented it at Daytona. The races were so competitive! We could not have had a better debut. There were about 10 riders fighting for the lead in each class for 20 laps. Some of the best racing that I have ever seen. The key was matching horsepower and weight limits for each class... not mechanical advantage; it all came down to the rider. The format for our racing is still the same, and still provides some of the best racing in North America.

[Panama] What is your involvement and role with Michael Jordan’s race team?
[Rainman] The Jordan team is an SFX / Clear Channel thing. Jordan is one of our SFX Sports clients. (SFX Sports Group manages a large number of pro athletes in the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, Olympic athletes, etc.) Jordan decided that he wanted to be involved in racing with his friend Montez Stewart. His management office contacted Clear Channel Worldwide for support, through The Synergy Group, the Motorsports Department was introduced to Jordan to help consult on the project and I was assigned as a consultant to Jordan and the team, and to help coordinate the effort. With a great deal of industry support, we again pulled off the near impossible by building a team in less than 4 weeks to debut at Daytona Speedway for Bike Week 2004.
[Panama] That was a Jedi move right there. The force was with you. I know because I felt a disturbance.



[Panama] What do you think needs to happen to make stunt riding a legitimate sport, or
at least legitimate enough for the X-Games?
[Rainman] X-Games / Gravity Games... they are all the same, just different promoters and networks. The sport has to first be recognized as an "organized", "sanctioned", series of events; Something that will also bring television ratings. Think about it. The X-Games isn't about giving X-Treme sports an opportunity to shine... it's about TV ratings. They only highlight sports that get good TV ratings. So let's make an argument that shows how and/or why MotoFreestyle / Street Freestyle is appealing enough to get good TV ratings.

It certainly isn't the professional image of the bikes, teams, riders, or competition areas. It isn't because of the beautiful settings of the competition facilities. It isn't because of the large corporate appeal or support of sponsorships that would be turned into advertising revenue. So why? Because it's cool? Cool doesn't always translate into TV revenue and ratings. Because a very small demographic of people, within the very small percentage of motorcycle owners, which is a very small percentage of the primetime TV audience want to perform at the X-Games / Gravity Games? Because they think that they deserve it? Why?

The riders / teams in the Moto Freestyle industry have not listened to me/us over the past 3 years when we tell them that the industry will not support the sport until the safety issues are dealt with. Riders need to wear helmets, leathers and boots. They complain because they are too cumbersome, so is a body cast. They complain because they can't slide back and forth on the tank and seat with leather pants, but don't think about how difficult it will be to slide in and out of a wheel chair if they don't get serious about their personal safety. They complain because road race (type) boots are not flexible enough to do their tricks, but somehow a cast from a broken ankle is appealing. They don't make sense. It's like the dumb no helmet law arguments that argue (quote)" That helmets cause whiplash when a riders head hits the pavement at high speed." How much sense does that make? Your head either hits the ground with or without a helmet... which would you choose?

Look... I have had crashes in my 10 year race career. Everything from a 10 mph street crash, to a 140 mph high-side at Daytona Speedway. Regardless of marks on my helmet, leathers, or damage to my bike... I am glad that I had on the highest level of safety equipment that I could afford at the time. Good helmets, leathers, boots, back protectors, gloves, etc... Why not? There is no good reason.

I have even tried to reason with them and compromise. We have always insisted on helmets and leather jackets, not too much resistance there, but instead of wearing leather pants (to match jackets) we allowed riders to use full knee/shin guard protection under their blue jeans. This would at least protect their knees and possible tibia breaks on impact. It still doesn't protect their ass, but so be it. We have seen riders cut a foot open with sharp rectangle scrape bars, lower back (spine) abrasions, and so on. Boots and at least a MX kidney belt would prevent most of these accidents. It's too simple... but they all think that they know best.

If and/or when we include riders in our scheduled shows in 2005, we will mandate specialized motorcycle boots above the ankle, knee/shin guards if not leather pants, jackets, helmets, gloves, as well as back protectors. No safety gear, no riding. Period. We have a few cool things coming up in 2005. I am working with the Gravity Games (AST) Action Sports Tour, 5 rounds of Gravity Games, as well as several shows that will include XSBA Moto Freestyle shows with Freestyle Moto-Cross. These shows will mandate the proper safety gear. You want in? You play by our rules... same as XSBA has been in the past.

Once everyone accepts and follows our safety standards, plays by the rules, cleans up their acts, and starts acting professional... then we can start looking at legitimacy in the Motorsports market. Until then... it's going to remain an enhancement for local drag strip shows.

[Panama] I hope that people catch on because we really need to organize this sport. There is no organization when everybody is doing their own thing. Stunting on the streets to NO audience is for the birds, yo. No organization means no big sponsorship and no big prize money.
[Panama] So what are some of the problems that you have encountered with stunt riders as a
whole, that seem to be holding them back from mainstream stardom?
[Rainman] Attitude would be first on my list. Everyone thinks that they know best because they have been riding for 3 years. Normally, stunt riding is all that some of these guys know about motorcycle industry. They don't know about road racing, they don't know how it all works, and they think that because they won the "Longest Coaster" Contest at Stuntfest, that they "deserve" sponsorship opportunities in the industry.

Let's put this in perspective again using professional road racing as a comparison. We have the AMA Pro series where there has been a consistent TV package on SPEED TV and other networks for dozens of years. We have AMA Pro riders and teams who cannot obtain sponsors who are finishing in the top 5 at AMA Pro national events and currently sit in the top 5 in AMA Pro Superbike point standings... in the highest level of motorcycle racing in the World next to Supercross, World Superbike, and Moto GP. This is the top level of motorcycle competition in North America! But for some reason, the guy who wins Del's Wheelie competition "deserves" sponsorship. This is the real world attitude in the Moto Freestyle industry.

We need to understand where this sport is at, and what role it needs to take for the moment. Right now, it needs to be a professionally run enhancement at larger Motorsports events so that it can gain mainstream recognition and make the transition when the motorcycle industry allows it to do so. If the riders focused on a more professional attitude, wearing the proper safety gear, and cut the attitude... the whole sport would be better off. That... or give me $1 million. I will have it mainstream and successful within about 4 weeks.

[Panama] It seems like Moto Freestyle is waiting, or should I say NEEDS, something big to
happen. Do you think The Clutch could be the answer?
[Rainman] The Clutch has the ear of the networks at this point. The networks have great advertising affiliates. The Clutch could bring those affiliates together to invest in a promotional program that COULD launch the sport, given that the correct staff is in place to guide and direct the program. The program must focus on TV programs, must be entertaining to watch, must include the motorcycle industry manufacturers, and must provide adequate funding for the riders for them to commit to the program.

There are so many good options for this sport. The best thing for the sport would be a dedicated, no-nonsense staff that can drive it in the direction of success, on their own terms. But without proper funding... it will be hard to make it happen. The motorcycle industry is all about paying dues. Most of the young riders out there right now want something for nothing. Others are willing to keep their head down, pay their dues and continue to make good contacts. There are a few riders that are on my "short list" that know the score, and do shows for me around the country. They have taken my input seriously and have set a course for themselves. They have sponsors, events, and are included in any event that I can coordinate for them. My "boyz" include: Ronnie & Ryan – “Team DV8”, Nick & Matt – “ScooterTrash”, Teach & Chauncey –“ Core 6”, Mark & Jeff – “MotoPsychoZ”, Joe & Chris – “Vertical Outlaws”, Scott & Kevin – “Star Boyz”, Corey & Dan – “dAces”, Johnny & Grant – “KC's Most Wanted”, Anthony – “TonyD Freestyle”, Darius Khashabi – “SBF Freaks”, Dustin Apgar – “Somethangfierce”, and of course Thew Blankstrom – “1096” and Dan Jackson – “Team XMX”. These guys stand by me and are important in the future of this sport.

The 2004 Team Jordan Promo Reel (filmed & edited by Bullystyle Racing)



Check Out The Team Jordan 2007 Footage.



On A Personal Note...

[Panama] People always ask me if I am from Panama because my nickname is Panama. By the way, the answer is no. The next logical question is asked, “How did you get the name Panama?” Okay, you have got to hip me to this…How did you get the nickname "Rainman"?
[Rainman] LOL!!! It's two-fold. The first was the reason that I always went very fast in the rain. There are only a couple of races that I remember that I did not win in the rain. Two were at Road Atlanta (old configuration) where I crashed twice while leading, and won 4 other events that weekend, and the CCS Race of Champions at Daytona where I came from the 3rd wave (of almost 80 bikes) in 5 laps to finish 8th. So "Rainman" referred to me always winning races in the rain. The second is the fact that I am normally very detail oriented. I gather data, and when it gets messed up, or is not organized correctly, I used to (and probably still do) act like the Dustin Hoffman movie character "Rainman".
[Panama] How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck couldn't chuck wood?
[Rainman] I will have to defer to my friends in Portland for that question. I will let you know. If I had to guess, I would venture to say that if a wood chuck could in fact chuck wood, he would chuck about 2 cords a day.
[Panama] Would you agree that Star Wars is the greatest movie of all time? If not, what is?
[Rainman] For a period of time I would have agreed that Star Wars (and it's follow up sequels) was the best movie of all time. However I have seen some pretty inspirational movies. My favorites would include: Rudy (about a Notre Dame football player Rudy Rudiger), Forrest Gump (a simple Alabama boy who never made life too complicated), and Miracle (about the 1984 US Olympic hockey team). There were good lessons to be learned from all of them about dedication, commitment, team work, and never giving up on yourself.
[Panama] Yea, but did Rudy have a light saber?
[Panama] (trying to use the Jedi mind trick on Ken)…”You WILL love Star Wars… I am your father.”
[Panama] Is it just me? Or does J.Lo have a big head, literally?
[Rainman] If so, it matches her other A$$ets.
[Panama] You do have a point there. I hear Celine Dion has no A$$ets. She must be FLAT broke.
[Panama] Do you think that "The Artist FORMERLY Known as Prince" who is actually "The
Artist PRESENTLY Known as Prince", wears lace boxer briefs?
[Rainman] I have always believed that he wears anything that you could find in a couture women's undergarment department.
[Panama] What are the chances of Phil Knight giving me a Nike riding boot endorsement deal?
[Rainman] Slim to none today... and Slim is out of town. Let's talk Jordan boot deal... j/k
[Panama] For real?!!!...dag, man.
[Panama] Have you ever thought about getting into the movies, or at least a rap career?
[Rainman] You wanna make me a movie star? I'm all for it. But just so you know... in real life, I never get the girl. I was an announcer for 3 years... does that come close to rap? I'm a great MC!
[Panama] Not really rap, but I guess that does make you a MC. Keep that UNDERGROUND. Besides, the way rap music is today, anyone can do it! All you need is a gold chain and/or teeth, weed, and some scantly clad women dancing around you and your squad 24/7. Oh and let’s not forget the most important part…Be sure to murder oh, let’s say about 35 people on a regular basis, without leaving any forensic evidence behind to get caught. Obviously, no rap career is complete without this.
[Panama] How many bikes do you have now? What are they?
[Rainman] I have a '99 Honda XR100 that I bought for training, to use as a pit-bike, and to teach my wife how to ride. I also have a '81 Honda CX500 Deluxe. You will have to look that one up. My dad bought it in '84 with 1000 miles on it for about $1000. It still only has about 6500 miles on it and it has been kept inside covered up the entire time... so it's in mint condition.
[Panama] What's your favorite food?
[Rainman] I love pizza…Could eat it every day. I like eating at the "Y" too. Figure that one out...
[Panama] Aww man, you got me on that one….the “Y”?…hmmm (thinking). That doesn’t have anything to do with The Village People, does it? Oh, I get it. You pimp you.
[Panama] Hey, I’m a people person and I love conversation. Sometimes people do tend to get on my nerves. You're a pretty "Laid Back" kind of guy though. I peeped that when we were at the club in Daytona...Are you always like this?
[Rainman] Pretty much... it takes a lot to get me worked up (mad). I really get psyched up at pro road race events though... hard to beat Superbike racing a few feet away from you, while sliding both ends, at over 120 mph! The way to get me revved up is it to get me to the races. But normally, I'm pretty calm and collected. I can have someone yelling at me for something stupid, and it doesn't faze me. I just answer them back in a very low calm tone... it throws them off. They want you to fight with them, so it frustrates them when I don't get upset. Plus, the calmer you are under pressure... the more time you have to think about the situation and react with a clearer head.
[Panama] Now that’s wassup!!! Obi Juan “KENobi”

Team Jordan General Manager, Ken Abbott (filmed & edited by Bullsytle Racing)



Check out the Team Jordan website and tell Ken that Panama sent you...
www.23race.com

~~<<< Panama >>>~~