Byron Goggin 8-7-07

Byron Goggin was instrumental in the growth of ATV racing. In route to three GNC National Championships in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Byron could often be seen rolling tape with his high-dollar video camera between GNC motos in full riding gear. Byron would then edit through his footage and supply SpeedVision with content – essentially becoming the first to deliver ATV racing to the masses on nationwide television.

In addition, in the hectic craze to do it all, he somehow managed to create seven spectacular videos of his own – all of which showcased ATV racing in a positive and professional manner. If you haven’t checked out any of Byron’s Extreme ATV Videos, you need to; they were and still are masterpieces to ATV racing’s credit.

Not content with making videos, in 1997 Byron and wife Shelli organized the first ATV National awards banquet. Goggin’s well-done banquets went over big in the GNC community. Byron teamed up with ATV Sport Magazine where they involved the race scene and banquet crowd and created the “People’s Choice Awards”, which have become the most coveted awards in ATV racing history. Today ATV Sport Magazine continues Goggin’s vision with their year-end ATV Sport People Choice Awards.

Enough of the past, let’s get to the point of this interview and find out what Byron and his family have been up to after leaving such a positive impact on the sport of ATV racing…

ATV Scene: So what have you been up to these days?
Goggin: I am the Executive of a television program called Wild Weekend Adventures. It is a program about outdoor activities you can do with your family on any given weekend.  We cover everything from sea kayaking to rock climbing, scuba diving, paintball, mountain biking, jet skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, wake boarding, camping and of course, ATVing. The show takes a different approach than typical outdoor programs. We uncover stories that encourage families who don’t typically participate in outdoor activities to get out and try something new together.

ATV Scene: We clicked on several of the video segments on your website. They’re very entertaining and addicting to watch. Looks like you’ve become even better with video over the years. Please tell us more about the show and wildweekendtv.com.
Goggin: The goal is to try to promote family togetherness through outdoor activities. The site is totally interactive and is loaded with videos, ideas, places to check out and things to do with your family.  The majority of the activities are from the Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota area. There are others however including Alaska, Florida, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Nevada. The idea is we go to the adventure, participate in it, and post it to the web so people will be inspired to go to that place and try the same activity for themselves.  It has been a big success and I’m having a blast doing it.

ATV Scene: How did this thing come about? Knowing you, you probably built it from ground up. Are we correct with that assumption?
Goggin: Yeah.  I really felt there was a need for more family based programming on television. Something that does not include Hannah Montana and your typical petting zoo stuff.  I like to watch Jackass and things like that, but it isn’t good for kids.  All the cool stuff you see on kayaking or rock climbing typically feature some chiseled athlete doing some impossible thing.  Pretty cool to watch, but it actually scares the viewer from trying it for themselves.  I try to take these same activities, tame them for the average viewer, and show them where to go for an actual “Attainable” adventure.

ATV Scene: How are segments determined?
Goggin: Mostly by word of mouth.  People send in ideas on the web site as well.  I really try to do stories that are extremely visually interesting and that have not been done before.  I never will do a story on Disney or some high profile place.  People are already aware of those opportunities.

ATV Scene: How’s the family, and what have they been up to?
Goggin: Everyone is great! Shelli went back to college and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Development and got one of those cool yellow things you put around your neck to signify “straight A’s”.  She is now working with special needs kids at the kindergarten level.  Brandon is an accomplished soccer player and is playing on a top tier traveling team.  His goal is to get a scholarship and keep playing through college.  Breanna is a State Champion gymnast.  She is now level 7 and is traveling around the country competing.  I think her neck is sore from all the medals she has to carry away from the competitions.

ATV Scene: Do you have an ATV these days? What kind of riding are you into?
Goggin: I once did an interview with Tim Farr. I asked him if he could ever leave ATV racing. He told me “If I did, I would have to sell everything and never come back to a race” .  I had to do the same.  I sold everything.  My motor home, trailer, all my bikes.  I gave most of my riding gear, (new stuff)  to people who needed it locally.  All I had left was a Honda 125 that I bought from Fred White many moons ago.

 

ATV Scene: So you don’t even ride quads anymore?
Goggin: It was not until two months ago when I did a story on Carolina Adventure world that I even sat on an ATV.  It instantly made me sad in a nostalgia sense.  I got to spin around the track there on the new Polaris Outlaw.  I rode the shit out of that thing.  It was like a 30 minute orgasm.  Every jump was like flying to heaven.  I will say however, I got tired pretty fast.

ATV Scene: Speaking of Polaris, thanks for the well-done video addition to our recent 2008 Polaris piece.
Goggin: No problem. We had a lot of fun in Reno with Polaris. Actually, I’ve been working a lot with them lately.

ATV Scene: So is it safe to say you have the itch to ride quads again?
Goggin: Yeah I hate to admit it but I do. Ever since that day I can’t get it out of my head.  Polaris ended up sending me a Sportsman 800 to integrate into my show.  I keep eyeing that bad boy while the little devil sits on my shoulder saying “go race that thing in a cross country race “.  I refrain.  I think I have only put 20 miles on it and use it only for the show and taking the garbage to the corner on occasion.

ATV Scene: Whether you realize it or not you’re still showing off how cool ATVs are aren’t you?
Goggin: Yeah I guess I am. I  have a huge interest in having one of the manufacturers become a part of the show.  Because of the nature of the program, I have a huge potential to reach “cross-over” consumers.  ATVs are being used to haul ropes and equipment to the cliff for rock climbers, ATVs haul kayaks to streams and shorelines, ATVs are used as pit vehicles for all types of racing and so on.

ATV Scene: Have you been following ATV racing since you moved on?
Goggin: Not really.  It comes on the tube, I watch a bit and get nostalgic and sad and go mow the grass. That’s about it.

ATV Scene: Would you ever consider taking on another ATV project in the future (whether it be a video, an event, or whatever)?
Goggin: I know I will never race again.  I think I would like to continue in the capacity I am now.  It goes back to not wanting to watch racing or participate.  I will say though, I feel like, with this program, I am getting dangerously close to having to cross that self imposed line.

ATV Scene: Have you seen any of the WPSA Powersports Tour events on ESPN?
Goggin: I recently saw the WPSA race at Daniel Boone. It was pretty awesome!  I’m always critiquing video, so I must say that they would have done a better job focusing on people’s personalities and covering the whole field instead of just three guys.  People have to care about the rider if there is to be a sustained following. I have done a lot of freelance work for Speed and ESPN with Chet Burks Productions.  In every race, no matter what venue, the main objective is to introduce the whole field to the viewer and build personalities along the way.

ATV Scene: With the near 90 million households that ESPN reaches, will ATV racers someday reap the rewards that today’s pro bike racers receive?
Goggin: Of course. As it seems to me the industry is already beginning to reap the rewards. The key to making it even bigger is focusing on and building personalities.
Remember this.  ESPN may reach 90 million homes, but how many are watching?  You will always get the ATV riders to watch, that’s a no brainer, but what makes people outside of the racing community want to watch?  It’s personalities, images and the ability for the viewer to “connect” with that rider that will make the sport grow.  As viewership grows, so will attendance numbers and increased competition at the support level. As far as the riders go, salaries are not based on skill but how much the competitor will pay to take them away.  As personalities grow, so will their worth.  Simple on a complex level.  Roone Arledge, ABC Monday Night Football Executive Producer, understood this and look where the NFL is today.  Roone has since passed, but if you watch closely, Monday Night Football is still a player marketing machine.

ATV Scene: We have to ask, what’s your favorite Shane or Jake Hitt memory?
Goggin: When we are attending my kid’s sporting events Shelli and I often quote Shane on some of his off the wall comments. We especially like to use his classic “Ya got to let ’em win once in a while or they’ll quit playing”. He said that about getting beat by Spader and the Duncan Racing team once. I suppose you would have had to have been there – but it was legendary as far as I’m concerned.  I could write a novel with all the Hitt memories.  I think I just might want to keep those to myself though.

ATV Scene: As a professional in the television and Internet industry we have an interesting question for you. With all the high speed Internet connectivity and with new gadgets like the iPhone popping up almost monthly, where do you think all this is going?
Goggin: Far too deep of a question to go into.  I guess the simple answer is; just like everything in life, you have to adapt and change.  No one can predict the future. Just roll with what’s there.

ATV Scene: I know there’s many, but tell us one of your favorite ATV race scene memories?
Goggin: Everything! I miss every fricking second!  Mostly though, I miss the ATV family.

ATV Scene: When you look back on your time in the ATV scene, is there anything you would do different?
Goggin: I would have been less passionate and concerned about trying to “save the sport” – or maybe I should say “build the sport”, however you view it. When you love something as much as I loved ATV racing, I don’t know if I could have been less concerned and passionate though – so I wouldn’t have done it any different. I just hope that my efforts had an impact in a positive way.

ATV Scene: They certainly did, and we’re sure many agree with us when we say that. Let’s wrap it up. Any parting words?
Goggin: I think, by some, I was misunderstood. I just had one goal — make the sport better and the word no was never an option for me. I am sure the AMA/ATVA was thrilled to see me go.  I am grieved to hear about Matt Bartosek, Todd Vescovi, and Jeremiah Jones’s accident.  My heart goes to the families and I pray for Jeremiah’s recovery.  Also, not a day goes by that I don’t regret the way Shelli and I went out.  I felt like we owed people more. That being said, I just want to say to all of my friends, I love you and miss you! All of you!

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