Sandbagger Champ at Loretta Lynns????

[Senior KX Rider]

racerx

August 11, 2005

Was Oscar Diaz in the Right Class?

Racer X has learned that MX Sports and AMA Sports have opened an investigation into the status of double-C-class champion Oscar M. Diaz of Costa Rica. Diaz dominated two of the C-class races at the 24th Annual AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships, winning five of six motos altogether. At one point, Florida-based race announcer Wes Kain mentioned that Diaz had only been racing for two months. That raised a lot eyebrows, according to MX Sports' Tim Cotter, "especially in light of what happened at the Attack MX race with the kid from England."

Cotter was referring to Alex Snow, the "Novice" rider who made off with the brand-new pickup truck that was awarded to the race winner, only for the organizers to later discover that Snow was a professional rider back home in England.

In the Diaz case, MX Sports is looking into at least three different mentions on Costa Rican motocross websites that an "Oscar Diaz" has been racing since at least 2002. According to MX Sports' supplemental rules: "In AMA districts where points are not kept in the C class, riders are not eligible for the C class at the National if they have raced prior to 2003."

For instance, according to the Moto Club Inform website, an Oscar M. Diaz was racing "Pre-Expert" in 2002.

"As a rule of thumb, we usually do not accept protests on class eligibility once a rider makes it to Loretta Lynn's," says Cotter. "By then there has been plenty of time for people to offer protests. However, because Diaz was listed as being from Lake Worth, Florida, his Costa Rican stats weren't checked. But this is an internal investigation, and we feel that we owe it to the other 41 riders in each class at that event to check Mr. Diaz's record further."

 

[YZ165]

Jackass......... :think: maybe....

 

[mtk]

If it's true, I hope they pursue criminal fraud charges against the jerkoff.

 

[mx547]

this was posted elsewhere:

This is WMR Competition Performance writing the real story of Oscar Diaz:

In Costa Rica, motocross is a very popular sport and loved by everyone. A child growing up there dreams of riding and racing and someday coming to America to race on some the best tracks in the world. Oscar was one of those kids, he has a love for riding and he always dreamed he would make it someday. Unlike many of the riders in America with their home schooling, big motor homes and five race bikes, Oscar had none of these advantages.

When he was young his father got him a mini bike and they did their best to ride a little at their local track. After only a short time on the bike when he was nine, he crashed and broke his femur. His mother forbid him to ride again and he did not ride until he was fourteen. He was able to convince his family to let him ride and got a 125. With one bike and very little money he and his father decided to try racing a local series that the motoclubcr was hosting. They sacrificed and saved enough to run the whole series and when it was over Oscar had managed a second place. That is the race that has been pointed to on this site. It is true that he rode the pre-expert class, that is the same as the C class in the US. In Costa Rica they have an A, B, and pre-expert or C class.

Oscar and his dad hoped that by doing well in this race, they would receive some help to continue racing but they soon found out that a second place in the C class was not going to get them anything. Without the funds to continue they sold his bike and stopped riding. Soon after, Oscar's father moved to the US to find work and left Oscar back in Costa Rica with his mother.

Oscar did not ride again until November of 2004. In 2004 he was able to convince his mother to let him go to the US to live with his dad. He sold every one of his personal positions to get enough money to come to the states and in October arrived in Lake Worth Fl.

His father got him work at the nursery so he could begin to save money to get a bike. On his birhday he got his 250F. Father and son began riding and racing locally in south Florida. Soon he was noticed for his speed and natural ability. Everyone told him he could make it to Loretta Lynn's if he trained hard. At that time, they had no intention of going to LL. They had no idea how to even go about it but they decided they would give it a try. He and his father worked hard and sacrificed many things to allow Oscar to ride and train three days a week.

When it came time for the qualifiers he was ready, obviously more so than many of the other riders, and he managed to qualify in the 125C and 250C mod. There was some confusion and misunderstanding about how to sign up and how to send in the $10.00 but when all was said and done he had made it in. That's when he came to WMR. They live in Lake Worth only a few miles form our shop. When Mario first came in he was just happy to find a motocross shop close by where he could get parts. After getting to know them we felt the need to help them out. Never before had we seen such a nice polite young man that was humble and appreciative. We let him sweep up the shop and empty garbage cans in return for kepping his bike at the shop, he did not have a garage and was putting the bike in the living room at night. Oscar worked every day at the shop when he wasn't riding as he got ready for loretta's.

Now lets go back for just a second and recap. He had only raced a few local events and the series since 2002. When he came to the US he only raced locally until the qualifiers. This is a kid that has raced less than any typical 50cc rider in the states. The one thing this guy has is he is good, he has natural talent and most of all he has determination and a dream.He trained harder than anyone I have ever seen and he knows he can win because he has been told he can by a very supportive father. Isn't that what we teach our kids, if you dream it you can achieve it? Why then do we chastise a rider who actually lives that dream, who comes form nowhere and makes it in the sport he loves. Why do we say it if we don't really believe it can happen. Do you think our kids can sense that we don't believe they can really reach their goals, we just say it to sound supportive?

Look none of us including Oscar knew how he would do at the biggest amatuer race in the world. He had no idea what the competition would be like. He only knew he had to be the best and work hard and he didn't want to let his dad down after he had sacrificed so much for his son. This is a great kid, he is always smiling and happy, he is always polite and willing to help anyone he meets, he has lots of freinds and is a kind person. It breaks my heart to see his accomplishments tarnished in this way. For just one minute try to put aside your negitive thoughts and accusations and try to put yourself in Oscar's shoes. He just won two titles at Loretta Lynn's we should be happy for him, he is everything our sport is meant to be. Give the kid a break.

One thing is for certain Oscar will always be a champion in the eyes of everyone that really knows him and his real story.

 

[HiG4s]

If this is true, technically because he raced some in 2002 he was not eligible of C class at LL, but sounds like in reality his experience is right for C, and it appears there was no intent to defraud anyone.

So if it is true, I hope they let the win stand.

 

[mxer842]

One thing that doesn't make since to me:

The AMA says that if you raced the C class before 2003 you can't race the C class in LL.

I don't know about the rest of the country but in CO with how our mark out system is structured the top few guys in our 125C class can readily beat all but the top 10 pros in the area. I'm still a C class rider yet i couldn't tell you how many times I've won outlaw races in the B class. It shouldn't matter how long you've raced the C class because the C class in LL is going to be pretty fast and if you've raced the C class at a track where the C class is the entry level class, you will get waxed.

If an organization is AMA sanctioned then the C class needs to be a viable class that gives points and they need a D class for the true begineers so that the disrecpencies in C class speed aren't as big.

There are places in the country where I could lap up to second if I raced the C class yet there are places in the country where i would finish 5th, it all depends on if the novice class is the entry level class.

 

[mx547]

all the tracks here in oklahoma are outlaw tracks. C/novice is the second level class. most riders never make it beyond this class. we have many career novice riders (including me). its usually a very fast class.

 

[teatime]

Oscar Diaz Assasinated.

Oscar Diaz was shot and killed after competing in a motocross event. The rest of his party were also shot, when the attackers tailed after the race before running them off the road.

truly sad news.


http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/septiembre/20/deportes2096834.html

 

[Chili]

Wow, are you able to translate? What is the story behind the murders?

 

[teatime]

Wow, are you able to translate? What is the story behind the murders?

sure,this was picked from our local newspaper,tragedy.
Guatemala (AP). The Costa Rican Oscar Mario Diaz, 22 years old and leader of the national championship motocross of Guatemala, was killed in an ambush while returning after attending the sixth stop of the event, local media reported today.

The athlete was traveling Saturday from the track where the championship takes place in the municipality of San Juan Alotenango, Sacatepequez, 54 miles from the Guatemalan capital.

According to a police officer, Diaz moved along with fellow Boniel Lewis, 20, and mechanical equipment, the Guatemalan Carlos Zuniga Bustamante, when at kilometer 30 were caught by the crews of other vehicles that were shot with assault rifles, police said.

Boniel and Zuniga were taken by paramedics to the hospital in Antigua Guatemala, due to gunshot injuries they suffered. Presumably, they were ambushed to steal the bikes they had.

The Executive Committee of the National Federation condemned Motocross events. Diaz said she had traveled from Miami to participate in the championship.

Police have descriptions of those responsible but has not announced any progress in the investigation.

The deceased, belonging to the team, "Team Green" ran first in Guatemala and had made his debut in the cult edition of National Championship with a win on opening day.

Diaz's murder has prompted the National Federation suspended the second phase Motocross Championship, scheduled for today.

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

This is about the most horrible post since 9-11. My deepest condolences to any family members left, to say the least! Just awful.

 

[Chili]

Very sad.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

I cant believe this thread is still ALIVE :yikes:

sounds like a true tradgedy