2001 Kansas/Missouri Forward Motion Series.

[kooade]

I just wanted to say how much fun the series was this year. I think 98% of the people had a good season. I'm hoping things will be more structuredand consistant from track to track in 2002. What did you people that raced the series think.

 

[mikromo]

Great year

I rode every race but one, can't remember the name but it was way out in western Ks. at least for me, and since I had the 45+ class sewed up by then I felt OK about missing it. I had an absolute ball last year and am looking foward to the awards dinner. I too wish there was at least a rule book where every race would be run the same. I know there were some people that werent too happy with the way things were handled at some of the venues. I was having too much fun to notice most of the time. I'm looking foward to next year, hope to see you there.

 

[justql]

Is this years schedule posted anywhere??

 

[CR Swade]

Barcoded scoring and computer-tallied results would cut down on the wait after the race. The Heartland Park race put on by Cyclezone is a great example of scoring effiency.

 

[kooade]

The 2002 schedule is not put together yet. They didn't have it all figured out last year untill a ten days before the banquet. I think if we can get all the races scored by computer that then wait time afterwards would be reduced. The bar code system has been talked about. I really think that If I can get my girlfriend to score the races it would be faster than the scanner. She is the fastest I ever seen at 10 key. Most of the errors that accur are from data entry, or someone does'nt have the right # on there bike. We need to minimize the use of the contact paper numbers. If people would call and get an actual number then put it on there bike before hand, it would make things much easier. The promoters had a meeting on 1/13/02 for the 2002 series. Hopefully to tie up some of the loose ends and establish a set of rules for the riders and some guidelines for promoters. I hope that in 2002 we see more races like Ft. Scott and Blue mound. I think these races are fun because they raise the bar. My favorite track was Willow Creek 2 years ago. It was up and down all the time and at the end of the race it was almost like a 7 mile whoop section from all the breaking/accelleration bumps. That was a killer track. When the new info (2001 points and the new schedule) comes in for the series I will post it on the site. Thanks for your replies and keep them coming. bench racing will have to get me by for awhile, so I will probably be long winded.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Adrian..thanks for working your tail off to maintain a site for the racers to view pics and results. As far as the series..I think people will be looking for consistency throughout the series. The computer scoring would be nice but sometimes hanging out after the race and talking smack w/fellow racers is a cool part of the experience. I didn't get to race much at all in 01' but look forward to attending some of this years events.

 

[ScottZX7RR]

I agree with you about hoping that it gets better. I, in the past have really enjoyed the family-like atmosphere of the Forward Motion Series but this year I wasn't as pleased at the races I was able to attend because of the bickering/complaining that was being done by Paul and some of the promoters. I too agree that more races like Ft. Scott and Blue Mound need to be had. But after hearing Paul complain about them I seriously doubt it will happen but who knows. But I have been hearing rumors about Jim@Letko and others pulling out and starting another series if things don't improve.

 

[CR Swade]

Nope, last I heard it was just Paul-as the Heartland Park races are no more and Jim L. and company aren't doing anything this year. Heartland Park will just run team races, no connection w/ Forward Motion. Mike will run them so as not to conflict w/ Missouri races.

You know, in all honesty, if Paul would just adopt the Missouri style rules (ala GNCC) coupled with quick scoring, Forward Motion could pull so many more riders. This along with not PO'ing the other race sponsors would help. I understand he left angry after the last meeting. Oh well

 

[ScottZX7RR]

I agree with you there Wade. But I am still excited to see the schedule. Should be fun. New bike, new series what more can a man ask for? LOL

 

[CR Swade]

Cool-hope to see you at a few of em'.

 

[kooade]

The last I heard was that we could see more tracks for 2002, even if HPT is not on the schedule. I hope HPT is in the series for 2002 I like the track and it brings more people to the sport. For all concerned about the schedule. It may not be finalized for another month. Since the F.M. runs Late in the year it also starts late. I think that the promoter meetings are going to help alot with the mud slinging. I also have the overall standings infront of me right now. We have to covert to html before we post them @www.kansasoffroad.freeservers.com

 

[ScottZX7RR]

I hope so, as I had always thought that Paul, Shane, Jim, and the others put on a great series but the last two years there just seemed to be to much bickering. Last time I talked to Shane(two weeks ago) he said they should have it done by end of Jan or very early Feb has that changed?

 

[kooade]

I think that it will take them at least 3 more weeks. Usally the hold the hold up is some promoters can't decide on a date or something like that. I would like to put a race on this year, but I lost my possable area. I'm going to call about the Perry Orv tommorrow.

 

[kc-husky]

If you get the OK for Perry, Please try and use a lot of the hill climbs and creek crossings with hills. There just is not enough hill climbs in the races. Just my two cent's.

 

[kooade]

I called about Perry today. For a race it sounds pretty cut and dry. I'm going to talk to some of the other promoters and get some more input. I found out something interesting today when I called. The D.O.T. is going to allow up to$64000 in improvement to this area. The catch is they will provide 80% to our 20% in volunteer work. So if we volunteer $200 in work they will provide another $800. I was also told that they were going to allow $95 an hour towards our %20 to any one that can provide bobcats or other equioment. I can't think of an area that needs more help than Perry. Some of the Improvements are a center profile parking lot, new fence ,children's riding area, and a cabled bondry for the parking lot. I would like to see some dirt work to make a mild mx track. It seems every year this money gets used for something besides are Orvs. I'm hoping that enough people will come forward to help. I know that a lot of people ride at this place it would be nice to have some improvements there for a change. I will post the email address for the corps as soon as I can retrive it from my email ( its down right now).

 

[CR Swade]

I posted on this back in Nov. and also tried to round up dealership support for the 20% needed for the federal grant. Most of the dealerships liked the idea, but were not willing to come up with any coin. Good luck.

BTW, the KC Riders are all more than willing to help-we just don't have the 12K in funds needed.

 

[kooade]

Yea your probably right. Most people want what they want for as little as they can. To me I think dirt bike dealers have an obligation to Orv areas. If they don't support the offroad community why should I buy anything from them. I was also told that our labor would be counted towards the 20%. I know I can give up six days labor this year. As I see it thats got to be worth $900 at goverment pay. I don't think 12K is that unrealist if enough people pay what I consider dues to the Perry Orv.

 

[MO-dirt-AR]

A bobcat can be rented (with trailer) for around $170 per 8 hour day. So, an 8 hour day is worth $760 to the volunteer part. Then, just 5 guys working one 8 hour day at est. $20 rate makes another $800 (what is the actual dollar per hour allowance for labor??), for a total of $1,560 of the toal $12K for one day.

Bottom line; A bobcat and 5 guys for a day returns $6,240 in Govt dollars for a $170 investment in a bobcat rental.

I'd gladly chip in $20 towards a bobcat, and put in a day (I'll even drive the bobcat

 

[ScottZX7RR]

I would donate 20-50 dollars myself plus my time to work on the ORV areas. I think that I speak for most of the KC Riders that they feel the same way. Maybe we can get something going for this spring.


kooade,

Shout me a email at [email protected] and I will get you CC'd into the KC Riders Group that I have created in Yahoo for the area riders. We can also approach Paul at the banquet and first race to let someone bring it up to the racers to get a little more support.

 

[kooade]

I think that geting equipment there would be the key. I called today to ask the $ per amount, but the guy was not in. His Email is [email protected] . I talked to Paul about it yesterday. I'm going to get Volunteer aplication forms and try to get Paul to pass the out at the races. I think they make it pretty hard on us. we got to fill out these forms and send them in. The days that the work will take place is March 23 and 24, June 1and 2, and maybe 2 at the end of Feburary if the intrest in there. I would volunteer all six days and bring at least one person with me. I would if they would count powered post hole digger as equipment. The guy wasn't specific on what they consider equipmen, but I did mention brush hog and they would credit $95 an hr. I know there has got to be someone that has got a brush hog that would help. My email is [email protected]