AMA Districts

[ODEI]

This is jsut a question on how the riders or a series would benifit from becoming an AMA district Series?

 

[wardy]

some what of a biased opinion but

here it goes.

District organizations if ran correctly can benifit a number of tracks/clubs. slightly less if your only asking for only one club.

Benefits are a 20+ year process in which a rule book was developed to govern all kinds of events.
A proven amatuer level sanctioning body which has keep Insurance premiums lower over the years. Along with that in case of litigation AMA is there to defend that track/club. Of course the bigger picture of lobbying congress and influence on laws, ABate is possibly even better at that, but AMA is there and in the mix.

We here in D-17 are a "club council" in which our tracks and clubs are the ruling body of the district. The riders in order to have a voice have to belong to a club to be heard.

bottom line it works for us and has for a long long time. I feel it has to be instituted totally, and a certain committment made to doing it that way in order for all the benefits to prevail, but of course there are always ways to improve the system and thats why I personally work at helping that issue.

 

[sfc crash]

hey wardy, i hope this question is not too vague, but what do you mean "to have a voice a rider must belong to a club" i'm an ama and southfork dirtriders member, what is voice, per se, and when is input needed? i've emailed my club and have recieved no response but am trying to put together a news letter/ riding-non riding events and build my own track on 4 acres. now that the racing season is over down here i might have better luck with contacts but is there some type of d 17 "help" point of contact. ha! i'm all over the place on this one.:think

 

[wardy]

here is the d-17 make up

D-17 is a club council, meaning that we as directors, aj, myself, jeff, jay etc all are voted to office each and every year. By the clubs and tracks. Riders coming into an open meeting like these could sit in, listen and voice opinion to a point.......but when comes down to it if they don't represent a club or track then we don't have to listen. Of course we as a board don't run it that close to the cuff, but the way our by laws are written that is the way it works. Lately many "clubs" sign up to ama that way but really are promoted and the "club" members are nothing more then paid members to that organization with no real voice or power. That is why I sign up my promotions as a Promoter and have a team that works with us at our events, not a "club"

hope that helps

 

[sfc crash]

yep,thanks wardy. i've e-mail southfork club owner again. it's kind of confusing to me though, our club needs some work and here's a guy trying to vollunteer and i'm getting no response. btw...WOW, i was looking at the winners payout at southfork dirtriders!!!:eek: i thought these guys raced for-fun/trophies. i guess not. no wonder there are so many sand-baggers out there. another thing, does the d17/ama leadership/club offer any assistance to some one wanting to build a track on his private property? i've got 4 acres that could hold a nice practice track, but that's about all i've got at my disposal.

 

[wardy]

on the board level

or district level no, there is noway to institute help in track building. However some of us are invovled in doing that stuff. I would suggest talking to Todd Sheedy, Alex Rosetto, or some others that race alot down there and have them give you a hand. At least they would have ideas on how to do what you need.......make sure zoning in that area don't mess ya up!

thanks
wardy

 

[sfc crash]

thanks wardy, it's kinda late in the season now, but i would appreciate an email address that i could use to contact these guys. to me it just seemed like a waste growing weeds( suposed to be clover) when i see guys riding by on dirt bikes to go back to a small woods track when i could have a nice lil' mx track. thanks.:D

 

[cedarchopper]

Odei! I think the problem is where we live! It appears that some places it really works, wonder if they want to hear our concerns?

 

[wardy]

cedar,

texas is not a very strong ama place in the nation no question. I have sat in on some meetings where AMA has done special promotions to try to get tracks and clubs to join. The hard part is if a large number don't belong to the AMA then it's not the same playing field for the riders, and tracks in that area.
if I am not mistaken Cali has like 5 different sanctioning bodys and a rider if wanting to ride all has to have like 5 cards! that would be wild! bet there is some serious sandbagging going on there!!!
I would have to look and see who your congress delegate is in that district or region......not sure at this point.

Here in IL we had a lot of growing pains and still go through some sticky times, but we usually as a whole know that we all work better as one group. We feel that our numbers and size helps us when places not as organized faulter.
What are the concerns?

wardy

 

[cedarchopper]

Why can't anyone answer how a Districts benefits the rider? That was what Odei asked. Seems really simple!

 

[ODEI]

:p I have come to the conclusion that there is no real benefit to the Riders. Just a lighter pocket book and the racing governed by dictators. It is time for a Change to the AMA make sure to fill out your AMA vote card in your January issue of the American Motorcyclist and vote for who you see fit to to make this decisions for the future of all motorcycle riders Street and Off Road.

 

[gasgasman]

Why don't you all come to the District 20 meeting in Houston Sat.? I'm sure all you questions will be answered.
The real question is. How can it not benifit the riders?
We had a preliminary District 20 meeting about 18 months ago only a few people bothered to show up.

 

[ODEI]

I intend on it. Please don't answer my question with a question and as for the meeting 18 months ago. Nobody Knew about it.

 

[sfc crash]

makes sense to me. i'm not too familiar with the local ama, but i know clubs are only as strong as thier members support.i'll be racing d17 in '02 so i imagine i'll get real familiar with the local ama, but i gotta tell ya. the moto magazines have not been to kind to the national ama. everything from the new weight rules to the race qualifications.it's funny that you never heard the pros(i hadn't) gripe about having to qualify,but after vegas and mcgrath riding through the tape,2x on each start,then he's griping about the starting positions/qualifying rules. hmm...:think

 

[Layton]

I can't say anything about Mx but at a local level in hare srambles and enduros the districts (at least 17 and 22) do a good job.

They keep track of the end of year points for the awards.
They help sanction the events to stop conflicting dates.
They do a good job of making the riders compete in the proper class.
They keep the rules standard at each event.

I have one AMA card and one district card. Every AMA event honors those two cards.

 

[wardy]

thats funny

you came to that conclusion from posts on posts boards>? Maybe I didn't answer all your questions, but maybe you don't want to hear either?

District 17 has been the AMA district in IL for a long time. Riders Like myself have raced here almost 30 years, with advancement systems, competitive classes, very little sandbagging, overall year end awards, and a stepping stone for tracks and clubs to come together and produce places for riders to ride. Its what helps both tracks AND riders work together by putting in place rules which govern the events. that is probably the most important benefit.

maybe it isn't for you? but it works for us. If you are happy the way things are in TX then maybe we should see how you guys do it?

I answered your question more on a how it works level, rather then what benefits thinking you would see the benefits.

next time i guess i should spell it out better.

wardy

 

[mcrider_trh]

wardy,
your "don't want to hear either" comment is right on target. a few of us in south Texas, D20, have been trying to get riders interested in forming a real off road district for a long time now. our 1st real meeting is this saturday (12/15) & the nay sayers are coming out. all the HS clubs leadership have signed on & we are trying to get MXers interested. we can only be strong if everyone gets behind it.

i've been going to congress for 14 years now & hear how you & other areas around the country operate, it got to be a good thing.

we have a very good AMA HS series in south Texas that has been going for several years. the series chairman is retiring at the end of 02. the district is the vehicle that is going to keep it going.

the district only helps the rides if the rider support the district.
GET ENVOLVED!!!!!!!!!

the momentum is starting. lets keep it going with positive thoughts.

 

[AJ Waggoner]

Originally posted by ODEI
:p I have come to the conclusion that there is no real benefit to the Riders. Just a lighter pocket book and the racing governed by dictators. It is time for a Change to the AMA make sure to fill out your AMA vote card in your January issue of the American Motorcyclist and vote for who you see fit to to make this decisions for the future of all motorcycle riders Street and Off Road.

"Please dont confuse me with any facts, my minds already made up " comes to mind here.
If this offends you ,keep in mind you are posting "what does the AMA do for me?" in the AMA forum,
and after someone explains the benefits ,
you are posting ,
in your qualified opinion , that there are none.

They may not be as life changing of benefits as you would like ..however-
No REAL benefit?
Possibly , but it depends on how strong your local racing association is?

I will certainly answer your question with a question.

WHAT benefit do you get now, from the series or regional racing organization /sanctioning body you have?
Simple enough question?

If your current region has:
1. a set of competition rules, covering all forms of motorcycling competition, to keep the playing field even and organized for everyone in the area.

2. a set of guidelines that helps the promotors , particularly new ones ,on how they can or could run an event with less risk of liabilty and what requirements like EMTS and ambulance are needed.As well as volunteers to guide them thru the process.

3.Offers over 300 events per seaeson in 8 disciplines of motorcycling to participate in with $15,000 in year end awards and a scholorship program for youth riders.

4. Has an average of 26,000 entrees per season which attracts
some of the heaviest factory involvement in amateur racing in the nation.

If you currently have all that in place..
then you are doing great!!!!!

and then your local "riders" only benefit to being an AMA regional District would be the support of a national organaization to back your region and its members on motorcycling issues at the National level of Government.

If you have all that NOW?

Simply awesome!! Tell me the name i'll join right up.

I know riders in this region greatly benefit by an overall AMA organization
by having more events to participate in ..overall awards programs and more factory involvement.

This may not be true in your area..
but has anyone else done better?
if someone has, with the number of riders and better overall weather,
your areas participation and number of events should be HUGE in comparison to here.
I have a pretty good grasp of that areas participation and number of events and certainly say noones done it yet..or even remotely close..

Dont take me totally wrong,
Im not saying it has to be AMA..
it could be any sanctioning body or organization..name your alphabet soup or make up your own... ( TTTHAMA - The Texans That Hate Ama)
but certainly a regional or state overall racing orgazation with ALL the tracks, series and promotors working together IS a benefit to its riders..


AJ Waggoner
AMA Congressman
District 17 President

 

[cedarchopper]

Sounds like a good thing if it benefits the riders but, if other motives appear then those responsible should have to pay the price for misleading the riders!:debil:

 

[AJ Waggoner]

Well cedarchopper -
I certainly cant speak for whomever is trying? or attempting to organize that area of Texas into a recognized AMA district.

Bottom line is if the promotors, riders or clubs dont support it..it wont work at any level.
and what benefit is that?
or what do you have now?
As i asked and stated before- if you have already got the situation an benefits you want then changing wouldnt offer much.
If you dont i see little harm in trying?

The officers of any AMA district are always elected volunteers, and do it for the sports best interest.
I'm sure there are exceptions to this as in all walks of life..
but i do know my motivations are simple and i donate my time because i want to at least attempt to make things better.
I make nothing from it..
I do not own a track or have any interest in promoting events as a job or business.
My election is from the clubs and promotors of D17.
If i was trying to unite a "evil empire" ;) with bad motives I'm certain i would not be re-elected each year?

The same would be true for your District if it starts?

Im curious since I run a very large district what ANY district president or officer could gain from misleading its members?
Maybe I have totally missed the boat and should be relaxing and retired on a beach in mexico by now? :)

 

[gasgasman]

By the way. cedarchopper did not even bother to make it to the Distict 20 meeting.

How can any issues he has be resolved if he doesn't come to the meeting?:think