Jeff Pakosta - Dirt Rider Magazine Interview

The WOR 2010 TM Tough One > < WXEC is officially announced!

Never heard of Jeff Pakosta? That's probably because he's been working way too hard to find any time in the spotlight. A behind-the-scenes mover with a major passion for extreme enduro racing, Pakosta is the executive producer at Throttle Entertainment, and he is also the man responsible for organizing the all new World Extreme Enduro Championship.

This new five race series will bring together the toughest off-road motorcycle races on earth in a worldwide championship circuit, and is big news for the sport of extreme enduro. Read on to hear about this wild new endeavor straight from the maniac who came up with the idea in the first place.

• Dirt Rider: How did WXEC come about?
• Jeff Pakosta: I have been making films about extreme enduro races like Erzberg and Red Bull Romaniacs for some time now. This led to filming more and more races like Last Man Standing, Hell's Gate, Roof of Africa and The Tough One. I wanted to turn all of this into a television series but then I realized, why not just put a championship series together? I started talking to the promoters to get their initial feedback, and it was very positive. This was accomplished in August of '09, the WXEC was born.

• DR: What was your role in developing the new series, and who are the key players?
• JP: I guess my role in all of this is being the maestro of the WXEC. I've always been good at executing things I'm passionate about and this sport happens to be one of them. I am the one putting it all together and making sure that the series acts as a positive element for the sport, the riders and the promoters. The key players are the promoters of each of the major extreme enduro events: Karl Katoch (Erzberg), Martin Freinademetz (Romaniacs), Fabio Fasola (Hell's Gate), Ulright Hanus (Roof of Africa) and Steve Ireland (The Tough One).

• DR: Extreme enduro has really evolved in the last few years. What does it mean for the sport to now have an official series?
• JP: The rise in popularity of the sport is incredible to see. From EnduroCross in the U.S. to the indoor racing in Europe, riders are yearning to compete in something different and the fans want to see something new, too. What's the most unique about the sport is that you have guys with background in all types of racing - from motocross, enduro and trials - competing in the most brutal terrain known to man. What's even more unique is that some of the top name riders have day jobs and train in their spare time just to race these events! They do it for the pride of winning, or even finishing.

• DR: How will this new series benefit the riders?
• JR: Now, there is finally an  opportunity for the riders who love extreme racing to compete in a championship series and be rewarded for it. From the pros who do this for a living to the amateurs with big dreams, the WXEC is the platform and the payoff for success. With the World Xtreme Enduro Championship, the riders will be afforded opportunities like never before. We will see tremendous growth of the sport that in turn benefits everyone involved, from the promoters to the athletes to the sponsors.

• DR: In addition to the new series, you're also busy as ever cranking out new films for your company, Throttle Entertainment. Anything cool in the works there?
• JP: We are about to release the 2009 Red Bull Romaniacs film. This year's edition has got some great stories in it, from the hobby riders to the pros. We are also releasing the 2009 Erzberg film, and then going to Lesotho, South Africa to film the 2009 Roof of Africa race. This is the mother of all extreme enduros. Lastly, we will be releasing a documentary on Taddy Blazusiak and his rise to extreme enduro stardom. Suffice it to say I have no life because of work, but that's okay because I truely love what I do.

• DR: What is your strategic goal for the WXEC in the next few years?
• JP: 2010 will be the building year for press and promotion. Then, in 2011 we will officially begin the championship series. I see it evolving pretty quickly. We are bringing a race to the United States, which is very important. Other countries that have extreme races and want to be a part of this are also approaching us. It looks like a bright future for the sport and everyone involved. Over the years I see it as a tour of many different countries on a monthly basis. Imagine the kinds of extreme enduro coming soon to a country near you. Wouldn't that be cool?