High Sierra M/C

KWJams

~SPONSOR~
Sep 22, 2000
1,167
4
This letter was sent to the Donner Ski Ranch By the Vice President of the NAHA, Jordy Smith;

Dear Donner Ski Ranch,

It is with regret that this letter is being written in an attempt to detail the numerous complaints experienced by the members of the North American Hillclimbers Association during the Old Highway 40 Days event.

Last year we dismissed many of the problems encountered with the High Sierra Motorcycle Club due to it being their first attempt at promoting a motorcycle hillclimb.

To return this year and experience the same problems again is unacceptable. Because there still wasn't an adequate PA system capable of being heard in the pit areas, our members were cursed at with profanity and treated in a manner that could only be considered as un-professional. Two years in a row now there were NAHA members who traveled hundreds of miles and never had the opportunity to even ride in a single class. Protected trademark logos were placed on flyers indicating that it was an AMA event when it was not.

We were assured through correspondence with Lee Moss who quoted his conversations with Chip Comeaux, President of the High Sierra Motorcycle Club that an agreement was reached that set the cash purse for the event at an amount equal to 100% Pro-Pay back. We told Lee that 100% wasn't necessary; that 80% was sufficient and let the High Sierra Motorcycle Club keep the additional 20% for the efforts it took to promote an NAHA event. We announced the 80% agreement to our members and encouraged them to attend. The purse that was paid in our estimation was less than 30%. If this had been known beforehand, there would have not been the numbers of riders participating because the NAHA would have denied sanctioning your event.

Not only are we disappointed with the cash purse, our members arrived as early as Wednesday and participated in work details that wouldn't have been accomplished by the High Sierra Motorcycle Club or Donner Ski Ranch like; rewiring the pump station, setting up and watering the hill, running the timing light wire, getting riders to the line on time, re-grade the starting line area, and provide hill workers to assist the athletics to get their 350 pound plus competition bikes off the hill. Our members also rode there hardest to provide your spectators with the finest hillclimb show available at tremendous expense to their equipment; your rocky hill is very tough on a 20 thousand dollar competition hillclimber. The North American Hillclimb Association also helped finance the expenses of Karel Krammer to write a three page article for Cycle News covering your entire event, not just hillclimbing. After the disappointing cash payout, the un-professional treatment from the High Sierra Motorcycle Club, and other issues that the members of the North American Hillclimbers Association experienced, our members went out of their way to clean up the pit areas and attempted to leave your facility better than when we arrived.

At this point we are unsure of the final results, which are needed to tally points for our members. These results are required to be provided by any club or promoter of a NAHA event. Chip however, would not return my phone calls prior to the hillclimb or after.

It is our understanding that the High Sierra Motorcycle Club may have felt that they were coerced into hosting the hillclimb in exchange for a Hare Scrambles event they wanted to run on the Donner Ski Ranch property. If this were true, then it would serve your best interest to find another hosting club next year that will treat your guests in a more professional manner and not short change their commitment.

Sincerely,

Jordy Smith

NAHA

Folks, We have still not recieved the results or a reply of any kind.

Donner Ski Ranch contact:
marketing@donnerskiranch.com

High Sierra M/C:
http://www.heat-tech.com/hsmc/
 
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Farmer John

T.C.F.<br>(tire changin' fool)
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Mar 8, 2000
1,993
7
For High Sierra we should have :moon: modified with some lip marks.

Their events are always a kluster.
 

NVR FNSH

~SPONSOR~
Oct 31, 2000
1,235
0
So Donner Ski Ranch has to have an AMA club 'sponsor' the event, correct? Was a similar letter sent to HSMC? I had a difficult time understanding who you're upset with and what the requested action is of Donner Ski Ranch.

Hopefully this will be resolved because HSMC is showing the Ski Run Scrambles on their website.

Brian
 

KWJams

~SPONSOR~
Sep 22, 2000
1,167
4
No, the events at Donner were not AMA sanctioned but the HS M/C had the logo on flyers and asked for AMA numbers on entry forms.

Yes they were sent the same letter at the same time.

We hoped that the Donner Ski Ranch would not wish to alienate the NAHA members and have the HS M/C do the right thing.

Read more about this on NAHA message board;

<<--Here-->>
 

Jaybird

Apprentice Goon
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Mar 16, 2001
6,452
0
Charlestown, IN
Sounds like a crew of losers to moi.
 

KWJams

~SPONSOR~
Sep 22, 2000
1,167
4
Well, :( the High Sierra M/C still has not provided us with the final results.
Guess we have no options left except submitting our grievance to the California Secretary of State Office and the Attorney General office.
 

patpipes

Uhhh...
May 5, 2002
116
0
Why are you complaining about a purse anyway? The hare scrambles you mentioned has no paybacks! There is hardly a purse in professional motocross worth mentioning. In the world of motorcycle competition hillclimbs are near the bottom in spectator interest. So go ahead and sue that is all this industry needs, especially in Calif. A law suit is why we have the track closed in Marysville now. I have no sympathy for anyone who puts themselves above the sport especially for a BUCK!!
 

patpipes

Uhhh...
May 5, 2002
116
0
Yes I understand it was all about the purse! Maybe your organization should try to get some corporate sponsors or TV coverage to bring in the big bucks!
 

KWJams

~SPONSOR~
Sep 22, 2000
1,167
4
We had Pro riders there who traveled from all over the country and Canada.
We were told 80% Pro payback, not less than 30%.
Most of the Open bikes have $10-20,000.00 invested in them.
These riders compete in five classes each with entry fees averaging at $75.00 per class---that's $375.00 per rider in just entry fees paid.
One guy flew from back east while his equipment was hauled in a friends rig. His bike probably consumed 1.5 gallons of nitro during the weekend. Ever price how much nitro costs per gallon.
I seriously doubt that he would have made the trip for a 30% purse.
We were just on TV the 18th of Sept.
We are also actively searching for a title sponsor.
 
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