Fascinating action show: 20 years of Masters of Dirt! Interview with Georg Fechter

20 years of M.O.D. - the Masters of Dirt is celebrating its anniversary this year. The show, where inline skaters, scooter riders, bikers, BMXers, motocrossers and snowmobilers show off their wildest tricks, has been running since 2007. In this FREERIDE interview, founder and organiser Georg Fechter (36) talks about the fascination of the indoor show and the highs and lows of the 20-year history of the fiery-hot action spectacle.

FREERIDE: Georg, the Masters of Dirt is celebrating its 20th anniversary. What makes the indoor show so fascinating in your eyes?

GEORG FECHTER: It's a firework display. Not in front of a screen, but up close. Indoor also means there's no wind to stop the show. I've seen it all and yet it still makes my hair stand on end after 20 years.

You have inline skaters, scooter riders, bikers, BMXers, motocrossers and snowmobilers competing. Who will go down best with the spectators?

The motocrossers show the greatest airtime. Bikers, scooter riders and BMXers, on the other hand, shine with complex tricks. Kids, women and local heroes are the most popular. Our youngest athlete is Samy Fernbach. He started on a balance bike at the age of three and at the age of twelve he pulled off a double backflip in front of 9,000 spectators in Innsbruck.

Crazy, but which sport is the most popular?

The spectators go crazy during so-called trains. In other words, when all the athletes whirl through the air at the same time.

You don't want to commit yourself?

(Laughs) It's probably a bit like with your own children, you don't want to name a favourite.

A show like this thrives on the interplay of action, entertainment and pyrotechnics. How important is the right mix of the programme?

Very important. It's about igniting the fire in the audience and slowly building up the atmosphere - right up to the climax. Of course, the protagonists and the stunts are crucial. Everything is rehearsed and has been practised for a long time in advance. Especially when all the riders are whirling through the air at the same time. This requires flawless coordination. No spectator wants to witness a mass crash.

Has anything ever gone wrong?

No, but the athletes also meticulously rehearse the sequence. We also have special people who coordinate.

Are there any athletes that you would like to have on your show but can't?

Of course there are. Take BMXer Ryan Williams, for example. But that's not so easy, because he has exclusive contracts with Nitro Circus. Of course, a guest appearance by Travis Pastrana would be crazy, I think he's a great role model for all of us.

You mention Nitro Circus, is that a show that inspires you?

In terms of trick level, yes. They have strong athletes. But when it comes to staging, they can learn something from us.

That sounds self-confident. Some claim that Nitro Circus is the original, Masters of Dirt a European copy.

We are Mad Max, Nitro Circus is more of a circus. Unlike them, we deliberately avoid dressing up. We also don't start the show with the words: "Are you ready for a bunch of idiots to risk their lives for the show?" We have a different philosophy. We don't want to stage our athletes as crazy people. By the way: the Nitro Circus guys don't have a live DJ or fuel girls either.

You still have babes, boobs and pyro. Is that still in keeping with the times?

Maybe that was the case when M.O.D. started. Since we started addressing families and organising shows in Saudi Arabia, the Fuel girls' outfits have changed. Sexy curves yes, skin no. It should also be said that these are not just any boxing chicks but trained pyrotechnicians.

Politically well formulated.

That's the way it is. We see women as performers, not as sex symbols. You mention Saudi Arabia. Do you have to listen to criticism? Saudi Arabia is a huge market. People there have a great desire for shows like this. And the athletes are happy to receive appropriate fees. To your question: I'm always concerned with one thing: I want to push our sport. I never get tired of that. I'm not political. My best friend is from Saudi Arabia, we've known each other for 20 years. I know the country and have got to know a lot of very warm people there.

20 years of Masters of Dirt. What was the best moment, what was the saddest?

The highlight? The first events after Covid! As we all know, the lockdown has hit the event industry hard. When it started up again, it was a blessing. The worst moments were when M.O.D. athletes died: Eigo Sato, Jim McNeil, Travis Hart, Tyron Gilks. Not on our show, but during training. And when my business partner Arthur Magnus died in a road accident. That hit me hard.

In 2024, 22 shows will take place in ten cities, four of them in Germany. Which stop are you particularly looking forward to?

Vienna is my home city, so that will certainly be a highlight. Fabio Wibmer will be at the shows in Germany - that's also a highlight.

What can a Fabio show?

Fabio's interludes are special. He often lets himself be driven upwards on a lever platform, then drops onto another lever platform, all at dizzying heights. Plus, of course, his trial shows.

You've also travelled yourself. What is your super trick?

My highlight was doing double backflips in front of over 8000 spectators. That was a powerful moment that I will never forget.

Dates 2024:

10.2.24 Keel

18.2.24 Stuttgart

24.2.24 Turino

15-17.3.24 Vienna

23.3.24 Salzburg

30.3.24 Graz

6.4.24 Innsbruck

13.4.24 Dortmund

20.4.24 Frankfurt

27.4.24 Linz

More information under: www.mastersofdirt.com