Evo Riders and Contributors defend EVO Sports Promotions

Many issues have come to the surface and this is good! Now we have dialogue, but first remember why we do what we do with those hard earned dollars. Racing Vintages is really fun, but if we can not race with each other, then whom will you race with. To separate yourselves from the rest, nation & state, isn’t good; it’s for profit.

Profit, according to Webster see utility antonyms: damage, detriment, disadvantage, harm, hurt, injury, loss, ruin, waste.

For the rest of 2002, there will be double scheduling. Who will win? No one. For the last 5 years Evo has done just that, you guys need to be more aware of what’s going to happen in 2003 & 2004.

You now have the chance to race two National events, one in East Texas, the other in Oklahoma - Two is better than one!

Slander, to me as a person, by some members was expected, but don’t slander me for my service to our country. That’s the petty things I’ve been putting up with on real racing issues.

The intent on the original letter was to let Rick know that I am not going to assume the same risk he does in running an event, you guys mean a lot and deserve the very best!

Races past have proven to me and other responsible promoters that some areas can not be compromised. Number one is rider safety and care when injured.

No doubt that Doc Hill is a great physician in his field, but he can not transport you with life saving equipment to the closest ER. We nearly lost Jeff Acklin at Whitney a few years ago with a punctured lung, there was no time for anyone to come from town and back, or he would have died. Richard Reeves thought he had broken his neck at the VMX crash in the first turn, I was knocked clean-off my bike too, and received injuries.

The medic on the 4-wheeler asked Richard if he had insurance where he worked, thus he would go, not to the county hospital, but to a better one. Then the ambulance had to be called from town.

You guys want to race without insurance, without an ambulance…. go ahead, but be aware that when some one is killed or permanently crippled, you all may be liable…. think about it!

We must frequently look backwards in order to look forward. Progress is not made by taking pride in our present standards, but by critically examining these standards, hypothetically setting higher standards, and attempting to achieve them. The mind is like the stomach, it’s not how much you put into it that counts, but how much it digests. You can not hold a man down without staying down with him!

Good things have come from this already. Some riders want to get along and race both… that’s what we all want. 7 & 4 will not die unless we let it. In 1995, when the TVRC voted in GPI & GPII classes, I was president and received phone calls from many sponsors of vintage racing. They thought I had killed 7 & 4. Well, eight years later it’s still the class I enjoy the most and it’s still here! Ride ‘em, don’t Hide ‘em!

Real Men are Rough Riders

Bully!

Unless you were truly there to hear the conversations between the TVRC and Evo you won't know the truth. I was not. I only see the results. Is there a power struggle here? Absolutely. Could we all just get along? Absolutely. I believe the leadership of both organizations is responsible. There are many factors ( leadership, lousy tracks down South, huge distances to travel, limited access to some facilities and many more) which have created this mess. There has been alot of comments made about for profit vintage racing. It is said that money is the root of all evil. Capitalism is good. I strive to perfect it every day. I truly believe that once the for profit promoting of vintage racing was established, the inevitable downfall began. Many riders have come and gone from vintage racing. Does anyone ever wonder why? The origional casual nature appealed to many riders in the beginning. Many have left due to the crap of backstabbing and cut- throat behavior. I'm one of them. I can spend my entertainment dollars in a variety of ways. Modern bikes. Did I love vintage racing? Yes! I actually think Bobby Lucas was spot on with his comments. Do I think we need a for profit promoter(another hand in the pot)? No. Do I care about paying to bring Brad whoever and Ron somebody here? No. Do I care about prizes and trinkets and trips? No. Will the TVRC survive? In some form. Will Evo takeover? Probably. Do I care? No. All of this is debatable. You hear the phrase" shut up and race". Sounds like there are some Sargents on both sides. The power struggle will have a winner. At what cost? This fight is about money-pure and simple. Thanks for your time, Cris Barton

Rick, I cannot believe the implications and accusations made by the President of TVRC. I have raced with both groups and have made the decision to drive to Houston and race with Evovintage rather that race at home with TVRC. I have friends that race with TVRC and they understand my choice and why I made it. Many of them have told that they are happy to see a North Chapter for Evovintage and that they will come out and race. I wish TVRC no ill will, but I do wish that certain leaders in the organization would grow up and look past their own petty interests. Until this happens I believe that we will just have to endure more of these infantile out bursts. I think that the vintage racers in this area just want a quality race, at a good track that is ran in a professional manner. Keep up the good work!! Ron King MAICOMIESTER1@msn.com

09/27/02 Ron King [maicomiester1@msn.com]

You may certainly ride where & when you want for now, but if you’re not a part of a bigger picture, you may lose your right to ride.

Join the AMA and race EVO only if you want. You once held office in our club, and resigned leaving others to do your job, we forgive you.

Implications and accusations were made by members and some of your star attendees at the VMX. I can not nor will not tell you who they were. But if Billy has been hurt at Swan instead of at Sear’s Point, could you still be happy about the event? No ambulance… get serious!

My conversation with an injured rider and the 4-wheel operator went like this: “Got insurance? Where do you work? Well, we’ll send you to the better hospital because you have insurance. We’ll have to call for an ambulance from town.” Never again!

I’m sorry but I’m not going to ride any event where there is no ambulance. Doc Hill is great, no doubt about it, but he’s not a life support unit, and can’t transport you to the ER.

Petty interest do not apply here, Ron – life & death do. I feel that the TVRC was mislead about this event and member feel the same way. What if your son or close friend could not get the care he needed in time to save further injury or even death?

I will not put any of the riders at any time in harms way in order to save a few dollars.

Infantile outbursts, well maybe it seems like it to you, but I got all of your attention. People will now listen for better or worse.

Quality race is what we should have, but double scheduling and now another Vintage parade? Who’s going to be in it?

Professional manner – our rules are firm and our conduct matches the national level.

We will continue to keep up the good work. Thanks

This is in response to T. V. R. C. letter.

I find this letter offensive. It is not factual. It is incorrect.

Let's dismantle this letter, piece by piece. It looks like a pro-AHRMA attempt to discredit a local club that has furnished a racing venue for the local racers and former champions. This is a local organization that actually functions as a club. Rick Humphreys is the glue that holds it together. Having helped with the nuts and bolts of most of our races I can tell you that one person could not begin to do it all. The success of the club is based on member participation. The way you get voluntary member participation is to provide a format that motivates people to support that format so they can retain that activity. If someone were ripping off the local vintage racers, participation would go down. If you look at the participation at the EVO events, it is steadily growing. Also, to encourage participation, the rules format has to be simplified and reasonable. The EVO rule format is reduced to the most basic items possible. Because of this philosophy there is hardly any complaining or protest lodging at the EVO events. I have raced in sanctioning bodies that were way too rule intensive and in the opposite also. EVO makes it fun to race!!

Because EVO functions as a club we are able to have things that we would not have if we had to hire all functions to be done. It is appropriate to pay for track rental, scoring, trophies, and other essential functions. Concerning the lack of an announcer, this is totally erroneous. For every venue that has a PA system, we have had an announcer. I was the announcer for the 2nd Annual Swan Pro-Am. My wife was the announcer at Village Creek. Jim Parsons (Blue Sky Cycle Supply) was the announcer for the 1st Pro-Am. If you T.V.R.C. guys could not hear me I can help you with hearing aids. There are many races where Rick does not even ride because there is so much to do that he cannot do both. This has happened multiple times. He has loaned his bike on these occasions so that others can race. This does not sound like a guy who is just in it for the money.

Lets talk about the money.

Any one who has tried to run a race series on a club level (not a professional promoter) has learned that it always seems like there is not enough money to do it all. For each event that is high profile and profitable, there are multiple events that lose money. The high profile events support the others or we would not have the money for track rental and trophies. How do you think we get past national champions and world champions and factory sponsored racers to come to our races? They do not come because we are so important. They come because they like our races, our tracks, and we stretch the budget to pay for their expenses. Rick has been known to use his own frequent flier miles to get these guys here. This is the only sport where we can go compete and hang out with our heroes. This does not happen by accident. This happens because someone puts a lot of effort forth to make these guys feel welcome and appreciated so they will put this on their "must do list." I think most of us would never have the opportunity to interact with these guys if it were not for our vintage club. Try to call Tiger Woods and see if he calls back. I have personally sat down with Rick and tried to figure out how to stretch the club budget and talk club members in to supplying motorcycles so these guys can race with us. This says something very positive about our club. If we all are willing to participate like this we end up with events that are larger than life. Ask yourself would Brad Lackey, Kent Howerton, Warren Reid, Billy Grossi, or the others come ride with you or me if it were not for the club?

It is important to have quality medical care and appropriate equipment available. EVO has an ambulance at every event and at Swan even provides paramedics on atv's. At most of their events they have an F.I.M. certified Doctor on site during the races. This is the only F.I.M. certified race doctor in the United States. EVO provides medical coverage on a voluntary basis by the team USA ISDE and Trials Des Nations Team Doctor. EVO was impressive enough to have the owners of Cycle News attend the Pro-Am. This is pretty strong for a local club.

So for you T.V.R.C. guys, come race with us. There are 10,000 guys out hitting golf balls for each one of us on any race day. We are in the minority. If we work together we get stronger. Rick has found a format that works. It makes racing fun. Quit whining and lets race!!

We even have race photos at most of the races at no cost. When is the last time someone offered you a picture of you racing and did not want your money? We upgraded your website by allowing you to use the picture of the official EVO photographer Cindy Hill in action at Swan.

Lets talk about AHRMA. When Billy Grossi got hurt in an AHRMA event, it took forever and then they gave him one thousand dollars. We at the EVO club raised almost 5 times that amount in one weekend. So much for AHRMA taking care of the racers. The Clayton Foundation contributed an amount significantly larger than the AHRMA amount.

Rick, John, and Cindy Hill FHill69@aol.com

To: Fhill69@aol.com

My sorry judgment, in your works, is not sorry at all. I will not be a part of any event that doesn’t meet the standards of the TVRC, an AMA charter club.

You, above all people, need to understand what has gone on and on. You are a caring and wise person who needs some more information.

Before the TVRC became an AHRMA Region and an AMA charter club, I went to Rick at Village Creek, a race we scheduled so we all could race together. Rick said in no way would he ever schedule an event with us, nor support any legal national…. So be it.

In our minds, we felt Rick would come around, but he hasn’t. You make mention of losing money at events, then why run them? Did you check our schedule? Maybe it was on the same day.

The rules are almost the same nation wide now, so what’s the issue there?

Functions to be run, yes, I know about that my friend. I’ve been president 5 times and VP twice. If we work together, we can get better. We would have paid for an ambulance, if Rick could not.

Where were they announcing from, we could not hear any? I do have bad hearing, cannons, bombs, machine guns… you know, they are not Quiet! Good, what’s that number?

The rental on losing money at multiple events is not our fault. Rick wants to double schedule you lose, maybe I need to talk to you instead.

We at TVRC have pilots as members who have offered to help fly riders to this event, we are never contacted. You’re not using all of your friends, doc!

We also have members with hundreds of motorcycles to loan, but again, we offer and never once get a call back.

Again, you’re right, I’ve played golf 3 times in my life, MX is better. You said if we work together, we get stronger. That’s correct, but going against each other isn’t going to get us anywhere. Rick and you need to talk about joint events. We can help each other.

Think about 2003, your race and two Nationals all within our grasp. If we can stop the finger pointing, and get along, we will have 5 & 6 hundred riders at 3 events in a year or two. So what’s up doc? Call me.

Billy S. fundraising, hidden message you guys again did a great job for Billy. We weren’t invited or the word never got to our office. Maybe this sounds brash, but we could have raised maybe twice what was raised. Now our members send in separate donations because of Rick’s game with us.

Yes, $1,000.00 by the AMRA & Clayton Foundation may not sound like much to you, but in the Army, I raised 3 kids on $800.00 a month, $2,000.00 to some one not working is better than $0.

P.S. Cindy, thanks for your attention with our injured rider at the VMX. We just need to meet the National standards.

Mr. TVRC- competition breeds success,you have to change with the times if not you end up like Bultaco,Maico,Cz etc etc.lets face it evolution/post-vintage is the future as the pre-75 class shrinks due unfortunately to the effects of father time.who can ever forget the shaft job ahrma gave us evo classers several years ago at swan or did you forget that. you need to get your facts straight on several issues- 1) the grand prize is rigged- all the names of the top 3 finishers of each class are put into a hat at the year-end banquet and drawn out usually by one of the youngsters.how simple and fair can you make it and oh yea i haven't won----yet. 2) evo sports is a con/hoax.- i'd suggest you call billy grossi up and ask him how much of a con we are,for when a fellow comrade went down hard and is laid up for a extended time and has a family to support we stepped up to the plate and as the saying goes "put your money where your mouth is" raised a nice chunk of change to help a brother out. and last but not least " would you like some WHINE with that cheese". im out---rhett howell #37 bultokid@earthlink.net

09/27/02 Rhett Howell [bultokid@earthlink.net]

[wamyet] 2 con hoax

Just think how much more we all could have done for Billy. Instead we are excluded and donated separtely.

I’ll have swiss & Louis Jadot 2000 Melot.

Rhett,

Competition breeds success, you are right, my friend. Wish you had your bulls at the national at Hallit & Oak Hill.

TVRC has supported AHRMA Nationals since June 1992. In 1996, my award read 1st place Expert GPI, EVOI, Historic, given by Rick Humphries, it read Swan Ride Hard or Stay Home, May 25th 1996 AHRMA Vintage Iron National MX Series First Place, Baker Boys Omen Promotions.

7 & 4 is not going to dies, more riders are calling daily and older riders who rode Vintage 5 or 6 years ago are now signing back up. So learn to ride 7 & 4, and let’s race.

Grand Prize – you’ve got to be present to win. I gave Rick any award at Village Creek that was several month old. The award was one for the Master’s class, in front of the EVO crowd, it was for all the races we had run together. He wasn’t a paid member, but we wanted him to understand our club.

TVRC has always had good end-of-the-year banquets and awards. Tens of thousands have been given back over the years.

Sincerely, Sarge

As a member and racer of both clubs, I would rather see the limited resources go towards presenting the Splendora race (EVO) and the Burleson race (TVRC) with story and pictures.
Chilly Pepper. mgrider@electrotex.com

my memory serves me right, there was a TVRC race on Saturday at Thunder Mountain, and an AHRMA National the very next day at the same track, and the same people who are touting AHRMA today, pulled up stakes and left on Saturday, because they didn't want to pay to join AHRMA!

       Now I am a member of both organizations, I enjoy racing at both, I am no longer competitive, but I do enjoy the events. As for the awards..................this must be a joke, the awards given out by Evo Sports have always been more than fair, in fact the more you race the more chance you have of winning. There have been Vintage Motorcycles given away in the past, always a Bar-B-Q at the end of the season, and awards for each class, no matter how many races you race.

       Lets just SHUT UP and RACE!                Phil Grundy     Pgrundy1@aol.com
       Member AMA, AHRMA, EVO SPORTS,

: Pgrundy1@aol.com

Phil, you are right, the TVRC raced at the National at Thunder Mountain on Saturday after the flat track events.

The 90 + entries included GPI & GPII classes, and all the money, about $900.00, was give to Steve Yancy, the owner, to defer the AHRMA cost. As for leaving, about 10 or so left, most working on Sunday. ie: Police, firemen, computer guys, etc. They left because they had to work. Granted, a few could have ridden the next day, but had GP machines.

The awards issue should be taken up with some of our members, you want to notify me.... I’ll give you some contacts. I joined EVO and raced events, I can remember Lake Whitney winning and not being given any awards, that’s ok because riding is what it’s about.

Help stop double scheduling and we’ll all be better off. You’re right, Shut up & race….. just get ‘er done!

When was the last time this guy went to a real race? Has he ever raced a G.N.C. event? It cost money to run a race, flaggers score people …… Can’t we just all get along! Racing should be a fun thing. The more competition the better, it tough to race in a class with only 2 people in the race, that’s why we need to stick together. In numbers we all win. Hope to see everyone at the races!
Jim Taylor jet3431@ev1.net

To: Jim Taylor [Jet3431@ev1.net]

Getting a Life:

Yes, Jim, I raced GNC in the very beginning (Garry Need Cash), TCCRA, TX Pro Moto-Cross, TX Series, and even race in Germany when stationed there.

Did you know in Europe to have to belong to a club $350.00, to get a license $400.00 to race. You can practice once a month $50.00 and must work 60 hours a year on your club hack and events, or you have to pay a find.

Join the AMA, AHRMA, EVO… race three big ones! You are right in numbers, we will win!

To Whom it May Concern,

I was a little shocked to read the comments Mr. Lucas had regarding "for profit" racing in Texas. It seems that everything the TVRC does is in response to or in anticipation of the direction Evo Sports takes.

I have raced with both Evo Sports and the TVRC for the past 3 years. Rick Humphreys works his tail off to promote fun, well organized, "vintage only" events. The contingency program is excellent. I even won a motorcycle my first year in the club. Rick dedicates a huge amount of his time and his own money to making these races happen. If he manages to make a profit, then more power to him. He deserves it.

Most of the TVRC races I have been to are nothing more than a half-time dog and pony show where all the classes line up at the same time on 2 or 3 gates and bounce around a track where 700 modern riders have left 4 foot breaking bumps. I remember one race at Village Creek where the second set of motos was cut to TWO LAPS. Some of the races you get to pay a little more and call it AHRMA, but it's the same old program.

All clubs have to charge dues to have the funds to function. However it's nice to have an idea where the money goes. Where do our TVRC dues and entry fees go? For the past 3 years I've heard a lot of talk about year end awards, banquets, etc. I've gotten a bunch of stickers, usually a month or two after an event, and been told they were for my "commemorative plaque." It's been 3 years and I'm still waiting on that plaque.

Mr. Lucas states the TVRC was "shunned and never once thanked" at the VMX National. Maybe I missed something, but what was it that the TVRC was supposed to be thanked for at that race?

I'm not a trouble maker and I have kept my mouth shut up until now, but when a club that talks about unity prints a page of garbage like the one I just read, it's a cause for concern.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hardin Kawieboy@aol.com

09/27/02 Jeff Hardin

Jeff, You are right, we have for 5 years tried to coordinate joint events. We show up, then Rick runs against us some where else on the next race. He will not support us (just show up and race). Well he did once at Mosier Valley, but Rainey brought him to the event. We would be happy with riders not having to chose, or not knowing there is another race close by to go to. Bigger can be better – Talk to Rick. Tell him to stop the double stuff – this is not a cookie!

I was present at the 1st EVO drawing at Rio Bravo when you won that YZ. Remember, out by the old block house by the big beam setting on the ground?

TVRC has run at Village Creek and so has EVO. We scheduled to be there so all riders could be there at the same event. I am not clear on which event you are talking about. Me, I’d rather race on the golf course next door!

Never thanked, well, I’ll tell you this …. if a PA system was working, our members would have been up my ass to make sure everyone knew we were there. I could have scheduled against it, but wanted to be a part. We asked Rick what we could do before the season started to help, and he said we should attend to help the event. I am thinking that would be good, we supported it the year before and were thanked for being there, the oldest Vintage club in America. This year, we were like bad news. How would you feel?

Jeff, I am not a trouble maker either. In fact, I really like racing with you. You race your own race, and always race me clean.

I am head of this club, and will not be responsible for mismanagement for a few dollars. My life and family could be in jeopardy if some one gets hurt really badly, and I am found to be partially to blame. You should agree that’s not the right position to take.

We missed you at the National this year, hopefully you will attend both next year.

Sincerely, Sarge

I am businessman, having been self-employed all of my professional life. Rick and Evo Sports provide a service to the vintage racers. This service requires money, time and commitment. What is wrong with making a profit ? I have raced on and off with Evo Sports for the past five years. In my option, Evo Sports has improved the quality of vintage racing each and every year that I have been involved. I which Rick could improve the quality of my old Maicos. Rick's commitment to vintage racing is the reason that Evo-Sports has grown and continues to improve. I could care less if he puts some money in his pocket at the end, if fact I would expect him too.

Let's go racing,

Russell M. Becker

President - Beck-Reit and Sons Construction Company, LP.

Just wanted to give my opinion on that Bob Lucus nasty gram letter. Being that I am a brand new member of the Evo Sport club, with only four races under my belt so far, it's too soon for me to gather an intelligent opinion about what's

going on between you and Lucus. However, I would like to say, I do enjoy racing with you guys more than the STC series. They had some really huge turn outs, but could never control sandbagging in the beginner or novice classes,

or I should say, in every class. I find that the evo/vintage classes are a little more fair. Even though I think some riders should be asked to moved up to the next higher class after winning the overall at the end of the series.

As far as you making all the money off us vintage riders, you should make all the money! I mean, you're doing all the work, right? It's capitalism at it's best. You give us what we want, and we pay you for it. Hell, I think you should make even more money than what you're making now. Maybe that's Bob's problem, he's not making as much money as you,

and it's just killing him. Anyhow, I don't see this little fuid

I sent you an unfinished e-mail earlier in the day, stating my opinion on that Bob Lucus letter. Anyhow, I got busy with work and had to cut it short. I accidentally hit send by mistake. Please don't copy it to your site. I thought it sounded pretty stupid after I read it. I did however send you another e-mail with a project bike I'm trying to sell. You can post that on your site if you'd like. I'd really appreicate it. Thanks a lot.

Mark Barnett

An open letter to the TVRC membership re: the President’s Page

I can’t tell you how excited I was to receive the recent TVRC Fall Schedule/Newsletter! To know that TVRC is still supporting Vintage racing in Texas, and with many new faces, is a testament to the excitement of Vintage racing in general. My excitement, however, was turned to absolute disgust when I finished reading the President’s Page. I can only hope that this is not the view shared by the entire membership of the TVRC.

Before I express my feelings on what I read, I believe I should give some background as to why my response is a valid one. Many of you new TVRC members don’t even know me. I am a founding member of the club and was very active up to 1993. I won two AHRMA national championships as a proud member of the TVRC.

When I left Vintage racing in 1994 it was because of this exact kind of tension and bickering, and from the same old guys, that is being stirred up now. Bobby Lucus has had my respect as a competitor and a voice for Vintage racing. We have disagreed in the past, but that’s what makes a club tick. I’m afraid this time, Bobby, I can’t even respect your differences. It has become obvious to me that it is a personal jealousy that you and several others harbor for ANYONE who promotes Vintage racing in a fashion other than yours.

Early in TVRC there were riders involved in South Texas. As our numbers grew, we wanted to see a few more races within a couple hours’ drive for us. This issue became a big pissing match in the club. Bobby was there.

Many of us (TVRC Members) wanted to ride the nationals with AHRMA. We hoped to have a national here in Texas and perhaps be affiliated with AHRMA to better Vintage racing in general. NO way! Bobby was there. And now I see TVRC and AHRMA are in bed together…Wow…go figure!

Now Bobby’s target is EVO and Rick Humphreys. I have raced with Rick since the early 1980’s and in Vintage from the start. He’s a great competitor, albeit with a big head, but he loves Vintage with a passion! There would be no Vintage racing in South Texas right now if it weren’t for Rick. Because of him, we have a super program and even some support races for modern bikes that has brought me back out to the track after many years of not racing. Should a promoter make money? Hell yes! And I assure you what Rick makes from these races wouldn’t have anyone lining up to take his job! Here, again, Bobby is leading the fight.

Do you start to see a pattern here?

I would now like to address a couple of statements directly from Bobby’s rant…

“The subject is the “for profit” vintage in Texas. This other group is not like us, nor wants to be. They just want your money.”

You couldn’t be more correct, Bobby. EVO is not a club. It is a Vintage Race Promotion Organization promoting races! Just like the GNC, AMA, NMA…EVO promotes racing!

And guess what you can do with some of that “profit”? You can bring Billy Grossi, Brad Lackey, and Warren Reid to Texas for a race. Can you do that on club dues? What is next, Bobby? Are you going to fault the track owners for making a buck on Sunday so they can improve their tracks?

“Don’t think for one minute that any one of us would win a free trip, etc. “

Well, as far as this statement goes, let me tell you about your bed partner, AHRMA. I won two national championships in 1993 and AHRMA sent me one plaque with a plate listing both classes. That is cheap! Do I still think it’s good that AHRMA is with TVRC now? Yes. Did AHRMA make a bunch of money in Vintage racing? Yes. I personally know of no one who has not received his awards at an EVO-sponsored event. EVO has the largest contingency program I have ever seen for Vintage racing.

“At the VMX hoax the TVRC was shunned, never once thanked and basically ignored by a pompous promoter how [sic] needs a reality check”

And exactly why should the TVRC be thanked? Did you help with this event in any other way than by showing up? Did you help pay for travel or supply bikes so we could see our old MX heroes ride again? And why in the world would you think someone would sing the praises of an organization that has done nothing but malign and insult him?

You know, I was going to address each statement Bobby made, but anyone with any “god given” common sense can see what is going on here.

Here’s the bottom line…

New and old members of the TVRC, Bobby speaks for YOU as your president. Is this the message you want the Vintage world to hear about YOUR club. Or is TVRC HIS club? As a founding member of the TVRC, I personally am embarrassed and ashamed of these comments. I hope I’m correct in thinking this is just Bobby on yet another pathetic attack of someone who does things differently than he would. TVRC has what it takes to be a super organization, time has proven this. But something has to change before you lose the last shred of respect the Vintage society in general has for you. If you want to be in your own world, run races the way you want, then so be it. But any Vintage racing helps us all. Putting bikes on the track on Sunday builds the sport for all of us. If you don’t like a track or the way the races are run, don’t go. But there is no need to put down any organization that puts 50+ Vintage bikes on the line on Sunday. We all benefit from that participation at some point.

Bobby, I’m sorry it has come to this, but you really have stepped over the line. I truly hope for yourself and the club you speak for that you think about the last 14 years and realize you have made some of these issues personal. AHRMA, South TVRC, and EVO. It’s not too late for you to apologize for this last outburst and regain some respect.

Mike Hance TVRC Founding Member Vintage-mx@teamcramp.com

Mike,

As a leader of our club, I will not subject our riders to any event that is sub-standard. No repeat, No on site life support system was on site when Richard Reeves had a suspected broken neck.

At Lake Whitney, 3 years ago, Jeff Acklin fell hard and punctured a lung. I then, as with Richard, stopped and helped as much as I could. He barely made it with an ambulance on site. If you needed to call one from the nearest county or private hospital, Jeff would have died.

No way will I ever support any club or track that doesn’t conduct itself in a professional manner. I will not lose everything I’ve got in a lawsuit because of a half-step effort to save a buck.

Jack Tompson called EVO for profit and while I did the same, you need to read the definition of for profit. Maybe it’s not what it seems.

The AHRMA TVRC AMA jointing is one which I am very proud. You see, when the club voted for AHRMA or TVRC took place, I voted for the union. Also I voted for GPI & GPII classed. Rick asked what to do when the vote didn’t pass… I told him to do it, and he did it.

After the south split from AHRA 1997 or so, EVO started and we still have tried to work with Rick.

Seems you guys get one story, we get another.

TVRC asked what it could do to help the VMX event, airline tickets, bikes, etc…. never got one call from anyone – we contacted Rick.

Now we have a line of communication that can work. We need to work together, if only people would listen and understand what is going on.

You attacked me as a person, and called it my club… pay your dues and run for office. I will not subject any riders or their families to being in harms way.

Not personal…. just the rules --- No Ambulance, No Races. Get a grip, TVRC races with AHRMA because it has taken me 14 years to make that happen. Bring out the old YZ and race with us!! Be responsible Think & Ride!

I liked the part about the promoter being a "pompous" sort of fellow as it fits about 95% of the self appointed vintage gurus I have had the pleasure of crossing swords with. However, in this case, whomever wrote the letter is wrong. I like the way you do business. We have discussed this before. As long as the boss with absolute power is a good guy, life is grand. If, however, as a result of a lobotomy or other traumatic such event, he believes he is omnipotent and won't do the things to be successful AND keep his guys happy, he deserves to have his scrotum sliced and his leg inserted through it. I say screw this naysayer, and keep on doing a good job. You put on good races and that is the key to being a successful promoter. I am having a rough time recruiting someone to travel to San Antonio at the end of Oct. and may be a no-show....but I'm still working on it. Z P.S. reply back to ed.zornes@gd-decisionsystems.com

Hey Ya'll, I could dissect Bobby's letter bit by bit and blow him away but I see others have allready done that. Bobby needs to get a grip and see things as they really are. I've been racing with EVO for the last few years. I've also raced a few of TVRC's events and I've noticed a big difference in the way things are run. For one thing there is much less arguing over who is legal to ride which class. We have an after race trophy presentation where we can all get together and bench race and kid each other. This is part of what makes racing fun. At the TVRC events I've attended we just showed up at the tower and picked up our trophies and left. At the VMX race trophy presentation I heard some TVRC members complain because a Lady was awarded a trophy when there were not 3 or more ladies in the class. We like to give the ladies and the kids trophies to show our appreciation for coming out to ride with us. Show a little sportsmanship TVRC! I believe Rick does a great job, and it takes money to put on a good series. Vintage racing will never be another NASCAR and I don't want it to be but you need sponsors to participate and help the sport grow. This makes the competition and the fun better.

Kevin Bjork #11 EVO Sports member.

I am one of the "Old Guard" in motocross in Texas. I started in the infant days of On Any Sunday. I have been racing since 1970 steadily, with a few breaks here and there. The Dallas area was always a step ahead of the Houston area as far as organization, tracks, and rider quality. One of the things that hurt the Houston area riders and tracks was the infighting between the track owners. Instead of working together for the greater good of the sport, the tracks competed directly against each other. This is one of the things that hurt us. We had as many riders as Dallas did but they were far better organized than us and it showed when the North and South competed against each other. Several of the expert riders lobbied the track owners to try to be better organized and even get a rider's organization going but we were never very successful. So, you had several area tracks trying to compete with each other on the same weekend. This split the riders up and nobody benefited from it. I had several of the vintage racers try to get me involved in racing vintage for several years before Don Rainey talked me into building a bike to go to the last race at Steamboat Springs. It was a memorable trip and I ended up with a trophy and a new enthusiasm. I came back to Houston and raced at Rio and was hooked. The one thing that I found about riding vintage was the comradely and just plain old fun of mixing it up with the "boys". This is what it should all be about. Hey, nobody is paying any of us to do this and it is the love of the sport that we all share. Now, four years later, and a lot of traveling and staying up until midnight to get the bike ready for Sunday I am on the downside of it. The one thing that has made this such a pleasure for me is not having to worry about the politics of racing. Rick has always listened to any rider that has a suggestion or a gripe. He has always treated us fairly and we may not always agree but we did get to voice our opinion and it was taken into consideration. I have really enjoyed the joint events with the guys from TVRC and have what I consider a good relationship with them. When all the vintage riders get together to race, it is good for all of us. The more competition there is , the better. So, I don't really understand where Bobby is coming from. TVRC may do things differently than EVO but so what! The whole purpose of the two clubs is racing vintage motorcycles and getting as many people as possible to participate. What good does it do for anyone to have such a ridiculous feud going between the clubs? After all, when you remove all the BS, it's just a bunch of old guys on old bikes out there having a good time trying to beat each other doing something that we all love to do. Hopefully, we can all put this behind us, kiss and make up and beat each other's brains out on the track! That is what it's all about anyway, isn't it? B FOX vintage # 97

A jealous heart never has a kind word!

Subject: PEOPLE This has been around for awhile, but it's still thought provoking and worth reading.

JUDGING PEOPLE . . . A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President's outer office. The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no Business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge. "We want to see the president," the man said softly. "He'll be busy all day." The secretary snapped. "We'll wait," the lady replied. For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted. "Maybe! If they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave," she told him. He sighed in exasperation and nodded! Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office. The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple. The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus." The president wasn't touched.... He was shocked. "Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who has attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery." "Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard." The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard." For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now. The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it costs to start a university? Why don't we just start our own?" Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about. You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them. And that is the rest of the story!!! What's the old saying . . . Don't judge a book by it's cover.

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