Features 25 Jul 2013

Industry Insight: motoDNA's Mark McVeigh

Big Day Out founder Mark McVeigh tells us more about this vital coaching and mentoring program.

motoDNA’s Big Day Out is back on the calendar this year after a successful inaugural event in 2012. The event, to be held at the Broadford State Motorcycle Complex on 16 September, brings together aspiring racers and an array of accomplished personalities for a series of mentoring and coaching sessions.

We checked in with director of coaching Mark McVeigh, an accomplished racer and engineer at various levels himself, to find out a bit more about the program.

Mark McVeigh welcomes Troy Bayliss to the Big Day Out lineup.

Mark McVeigh welcomes Troy Bayliss to the Big Day Out lineup.

The primary announcement for the second Big Day Out event revolves around the signing of Troy Bayliss as an ambassador. There is probably no one more suited for this role, and it’s a huge coup. What strengths do you think he’ll bring to the program?

Troy’s supreme knowledge of everything to do with motorcycle racing will make him perfect for it. He grew up on the dirt and he’s taken the classic pathway to road racing success – the triple World Superbike crowns and his MotoGP win. He’s just a legend and everyone will be hanging on Troy’s every word. Whatever he says will be listened to intently.

From that side of things, passing all that knowledge and the mindset that it takes to succeed at that level is very important and inspirational, not only to the juniors but all riders there on the day. The other thing is that Troy obviously has fantastic connections in the sport and that will be really useful to the MotoDNA Foundation moving forward as we grow and create other events.

It also helps that he’s a genuine and down-to-earth champion, in spite of his incredible success, doesn’t it?

Troy is one of the most quietly spoken and easy-going guys I know, never mind that he’s a motorcycle racer. Obviously he’s a dad as well, he’s got a few kids and he’s teaching them the craft of motorcycle racing, and he has that fatherly instinct as well, which will be useful.

The Big Day Out is akin to a professional development event on a career pathway. Why do you think it is so important to bring together the proven professionals and these aspiring riders under one banner?

This day is pretty unique. We’ve got people like Kevin Magee, Craig Lowndes, Steven Richards, Glenn Allerton, plus we’ve got a lineup of further stars which we’ll announce over the next few weeks, all of the same calibre. To be hanging out with people like that is a very cool thing and it’s a very unique event.

There’s nothing really like this not only in Australia but I guess around the world, where you have this type of high-quality sportspeople involved. There’s that aspect of it, from the inspirational and motivational point of view. Motorcycling is a tough sport, and it’s a very difficult pathway to get to the top, so from that perspective it’s important to have these people here.

The next thing is the actual coaching itself. MotoDNA has a pretty unique program in that it not only focuses on the rider training but also on the engineering and the dynamics of the motorcycle. The third element is obviously the high-level racers passing on their personal titbits of information is really like gold, it’s something that you can’t get out of a book.

V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes added unique insight to last year's program from a wider motorsport background.

V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes added unique insight to last year’s program from a wider motorsport background.

Last year’s program included V8 Supercar drivers Craig Lowndes and Steve Richards, as you’ve mentioned. They’re obviously from a distinctly different discipline – they’ve got four wheels beneath them, to begin with – but they can still impart some very valuable advice from a more general perspective, can’t they?

Absolutely, again, Lowndesy is such a popular guy. He’s very similar to Troy but in the car world, so very down to earth and a high achiever, and still very focused and tenacious on the track. He’s been in it a long time and I think he has a good shot at leading the championship after Queensland Raceway this weekend so he’s still punching out those goals.

It’s the same with Richo (Steve Richards), he spoke really well last year in the Q&A session and he was one of the guys who was able to add his certain aspect and angle that could be collated with the other stories.

This is the second Big Day Out that has been held. Can you fill us in on any future plans or expansion?

Yeah absolutely, we want to grow the event. All MotoDNA training days include coaching for juniors, so MotoDNA’s school subsidises our junior program which is a little bit unique as far as schools go. We try to incorporate something for the juniors and to help them as much as possible. Kevin Magee, Mark Willis, and Linden Magee are some of the guys that take part in the regular sessions but as far as expanding the actual program we are keen to expand throughout Australasia, and hopefully we will have some more announcements regarding this closer to the actual Big Day Out.

From your perspective, do you believe Australia has a bright future in road racing?

Yes, obviously in Australia it’s not ideal the way the championships are set up, and that’s something that hopefully the powers that be can sort out pretty soon, because in the end it does make it tougher on the rider. And as far as talent goes, there’s a massive amount in Australia at the minute and yes, we’ve definitely got a very positive future.

You can look at the guys in Moto3 and Red Bull Rookies, and also the guys that are racing quietly, like Troy Gunther in Japan, who was second to Olly Simpson in the Red Bull Rookie tryouts. There’s a lot of talent out there and we’re keen to provide that pathway from a mentoring, coaching and financial aspect for the riders.

Click here to learn more about the Big Day Out program

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