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MOTOCROSS
Next Event North Forty June 29th Double Points |
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July 19,1999
To: John Maxson, Rick Humphreys and Fellow Vintage Enthusiasts, In response to the "From the President" letter in the latest T.V.R.C. newsletter, let me say that I share the concerns outlined by T.V.R.C. president John Maxson. What follows is an overview of some solutions that may lead to the betterment of our local situation as ft pertains to vintage motocross racing in the Texas region. First, let me give you some of my background. As a "newcomee'to Houston and the great state of Texas in early 1998, 1 was ecstatic to find vintage MX racing here. There was no organized vintage racing program in the New Odeans area. The group in the Houston area was very friendly and with the help of Lawrence Lucia, I jumped in with both feet and really enjoyed the program. We even attended a few AHRMA nationals which exposed me to a VERY successful vintage racing group and format. AHRMA is nationwide with regional subgroups across the country. It was immediately apparent that the finest tracks on our local series were in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.. After a few races, I was exposed to some of the T.V.R.C. mem. bers and was astounded to learn that there were two Texas groups scheduling separate races at separate, often conflicting, dates. I immediately joined the T.V.R.C. also and have tried to make all non conflicting races, with a priority for my local series. Having raced with both clubs, I can say objectively that the members of both clubs are experiencing similar concerns about our future. How to increase participation and revenue? Consolidate the two clubs into one. Now, I realize that this presents a power struggle and some insecurities to the "officers' or leaders of both clubs, but the truth is that each club has voiced the need for additional leadership and volunteers to help with various tasks to keep things running smoothly and facilitate growth. There is room for everyone who wants to be a contributor to the group's success. We must put aside egos in order to move forward. The newly formed group will vote on officers and establish a structure that is beneficial to all. The schedules and results should be sent to Cycle News and the AHRMA newsletter as the other regions are doing, thus increasing exposure. It is important for me to voice a deep thanks to all organizers, officers and volunteer leaders who have come before and their individual efforts which have brought us this far. What is the best class structure? There is a quick, easy path to growth for our group. It is to follow the AHRMA guideline for vintage racing and become a bonafide "region" within the AHRMA structure (these are already established in Southwest/Southeast/ Midwest/etc).We could label ourselves the South Central or Texas region. That way, all group members who wish to compete at AHRMA nationals could do so seamlessly. Heck, we could sponsor a yearly national on the AHRMA circuit as the other regions do! Most regions also have addressed the "Evo" or "GP" growth and have established guidelines. We must offer these classes also. The southern Texas group has a strong Evo attendance and the classes are easily meshed with the GP classes of the TVRC group. In addition, a minibike class encompassing just about any machine, but restricted to minors should also be available to encourage children to accompany their parents on raceday. There are a few details to work through, most of which are readily solved by simply following what other regions have already done to be successful and by using the established AHRMA guidelines., with the widely accepted regional addition of Evo (or GP) styled format. If the two existing groups want to remain "separate" and "stand alone", fine, but ff everyone truly wants to grow and continue to race vintage motocross in an organized and FUN atmosphere without having to rewrite all the concepts, solutions, classes and details, then we should follow the successful vintage movement of AHRMA. Divided, we fall! The first step is to include a 'joint' race with both groups in the fall schedules so that an open discussion and vote may take place. The Houston group is already racing the majority of it's schedule in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Let the riders' majority speak to the direction vintage racing takes in Texas. I challenge you to forward this letter to each of the members in both groups and see if we can reach common ground and increase class entries. A move in this direction is not the "death" of either group, but a 'birth" to reflect the latest trend in successful vintage racing. Respectfully, Chris Richardson AMA / AHRMA / TVRC / EVO / MGNOC
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