Courtesy of Clint EspositoFMX East's Clint Esposito returns in 2012 with the Moto X Challenge amateur FMX series.X Games Gold Medalist, Chuck Carothers, and the owner of FMX East, Clint Esposito, started the Moto X Challenge Series in 2010. Both riders have been in the sport for over a decade and came together with the goal of making the sport last for many years to come. The Moto X Challenge Series unlocks many of the highest quality Freestyle MX spots in the U.S. and invites amateur riders to build their skills into the next professional stars of Freestyle MX. Last week, the 2012 AM FMX series schedule was announced, and we caught up with Esposito to discuss the schedule, as well as a unique benefit they are throwing for the Athlete Recovery Fund in Atlanta, Ga. this coming Supercross weekend.
ESPN.com: Clint, how is the east coast today?
Esposito: A little chilly, but not bad. I'm going to try and ride tomorrow in between getting ready for our Atlanta Supercross benefit bash/after party.

I wanted to get your thoughts on Josh Headford's accident. You have participated in similar shows and are very educated in the circus style show production.
That was a bad deal for sure. I see both sides of the coin on this one, especially since I could very well have been there. This is actually the same circus I rode all last year, and it is just a different tour. They run multiple stops each week. I think when stuff like this happens there is always the "coulda-woulda-shoulda" syndrome. Everyone points fingers and says the other guy is to blame. The floor hand's job is to make sure everything is in place for each act of the show (or out of the way) However, at any type of show you are the professional in the situation and 90% of the time, the people that are running the show have no clue about what we do or need for safety reasons. Ultimately I think each rider is responsible for checking the setup for themselves, but given the pace of the show and ever-changing sets, sometimes double checking gets overlooked. ... Not to draw this out, but I think it's funny when people say that FMX shouldn't be in a circus act at all. As if FMX being in the circus somehow hurts the sport's "street cred." Really? We jump at monster truck shows, state and local fairs and festivals, car lot openings, tractor pulls, bike rallies, you name it. Most of the riders making a living riding FMX will never ride X Games, X-Fighters or anything really cool and prestigious. Only a handful of guys get a million dollar advertising endorsement. The rest of us have found other ways to make money riding a bike and reaching more of the mainstream market. That exposure is just as helpful for the sport, which in turn, means more money for FMX.
Switching gears, you released the 2012 Amateur National schedule for FMX. This year has more amateur events than the sport has ever seen, you must be excited.
We are very excited for this year's Moto X Challenge Amateur Series. As with anything, the more you do, the more you learn, so we are looking forward to utilizing the things we learned from past years to make the series even better. However, the goal of the series is the same as it has always been -- to give guys an avenue into the sport and the opportunity to meet people who share the love of FMX all while having a great time.
This is literally a "cross-country" series. How has it been working with the other promoters?
We are trying to give riders everywhere in the U.S. the opportunity to make it to at least one event. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that traveling is a big and necessary part of the sport, but we are doing our best to give every region an event. As far as working with the other promoters, we have learned from the past and are very confident in the people and events we have aligned ourselves with this year.
Are there any expectations for this year as far as attendance goes?
Quite honestly around 15 riders per event is the norm. To the dismay of the FMX enthusiasts, our industry is still very small and the concentration of FMXers in any given area is pretty slim. Well, with the exception of the south west.

Where can people get more information?
Our Facebook page is the place to go.
You must be pretty excited the the Supercross series is coming to Atlanta. We have heard about a little after party FMX East is throwing. What's the plan for that?
I have wanted to do an Atlanta Supercross after party for a few years now, and it finally came together for me this year. With Tongue & Groove set as the venue, we moved on the actual planning and thought it would be really cool to help out a good cause. Because of the help they gave my long-time friend Greg Hartman during his injury in China, we decided to make it a benefit for the ARF (Athlete Recovery Fund). We will benefit the ARF a couple ways. First, a raffle with prizes like shirts, hats and even a two-day ride pass and one-night cabin rental from Durhamtown Off Road Park. The other is the specialty shot of the night called the "Athlete Recovery Shot." When that particular Lil' Jon song comes on, you can join in the festivities and not feel guilty! Guests have to be 21 to get in, but the standard dress code of the club will be relaxed for us that night. You will get in half off with your SX ticket stub or free if you have a current PRO license. Hope to see you all at the ARF Benefit Bash after Supercross.




FMX ATHLETES ON TWITTER
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