what has happend to OTMX nv chapter?

[layne]

What has happened? I’m writing this for no other reason put to try and understand what has happened to the OTMX club of Reno, NV. No, it’s not because I am a board member of Mxwest either, so if think that……I say open your mind, read and quit being such a dork!

I have been going and riding support at the OTMX nationals for about 20+ years now and I have seen a lot of different faces, things change and some of the same faces. I look forward to seeing these things, to see my dad race, to cheer on some of our local OTMX racers. Its important to realize none of us are getting any younger and after with weekend out at Honey Lake it looks to be the OTMX club of our area to be a dieing bred of racers. I have heard rumor that there is 50 members of the Nevada OTMX and there was only 6 members at the Sierra, how sad is that. At a plus 40 national, for and about riders over the age of 40 and going past the age of 70, that all have a lot of things in common, not even an hour out of the Reno/Sparks area and all that could make it was 6 members? I just don’t quite get it? I been thinking about this since Saturday morning….Is it because of the race at Lovelock? (I found out about it this morning) In which I find it weird that it would be scheduled on the same weekend as a local national for one of the supporting clubs that was being held at one of the racings associations supporting tracks. But is that the reason why no local Reno members….I thought to myself…”are they to wrapped up in being promoters of local motocross? No that doesn’t seem right… is it because of the gas prices?” I just couldn’t find answer within myself, so I look for the answers here on this board. Maybe I am way off base but isn’t the whole idea of the OTMX national series is to race with people your own age and to bring racers from all over the western states to form a racing bond with a one goal in common, competition. I saw no Nevada members cheering on there members racing, I saw other chapters doing it. I even had some lady I have never met before ask me who I was cheering for and I explained it to her that was my dad, next thing you know…she to was cheering him on! I didn’t get her name put she was a total fireball! She had a story about every rider from the chapter she was from and what they were doing wrong. It made me remember why I love motorcycle people!

A couple more things, why doesn’t this chapter want any new members? I met a local from Reno who signed up to be a member, went to three meetings, never received a membership card, after nothing happened he asked for his money back and that request was basically refused. What are we talking about, thirty bucks? Twenty bucks? A membership card in return? The gentleman I met didn’t say any thing bad or negative about it all and wouldn’t say any manes. All he said if they needed the money that bad they could keep his and he joined a different chapter.

Lastly, last year there was a member who was very excited about helping in writing the news letter and doing the website. He was also very excited about the club agreeing and voted on a point system that would be fair and be good to the members that raced. At the end of the year that vote being disregarded and the point system being changed all because a member didn’t work any local motocross events and some of the other members felt that rider didn’t deserve a jacket. This totally took this excited member and turned in to a very unhappy/disgruntle member, he basically quit. Was a thirty dollar jacket worth losing helpful member? Or a supporting member that only races and is unable to help?

I did not post this to create any heartache or be political or to cause any ill feelings or issues and PLEASE don’t take any of this the wrong way!

I’m just trying to understand what has happened? So please help me to try and understand!

Layne Kolbet

“When the whole world is wrong, you need to stop and look at yourself.” Richard Thorwaldson

P.S. Sierra OTMX national race report.
It was good to see o’l Rocket Ross out there racing on his bomber bike and doing a fine job I may add!
I know Larry Mulock isn’t a Nevada member, but he put in a heck of ride this weekend against Christine Ellis. Good job Larry! Christine you’re the BOMB!
I’m sorry to say I didn’t get to see Mike Ellis race…
I’m proud to say my dad Richard had a good race with Dwayne Quick. Dwayne end up taking the overall and had a great ride in doing so. My dad end up third and rode very well for never riding any more.

[larry63r]

Layne
Thanks for the good word. I raced as hard as I could out there. I went 3,1,1,2,2=1.
I am glad someone got to see it. That was my first trophy in the novice class.
I joined the Nevada OT last year, this is my second year in the club.
I don't know why there were so few Nevada riders at Honey Lake. The riders that showed were treated to a great track with good weather and fierce racing.
P.S. I love my new 250!!!

[haas31n]

Hey guys I'm one of the members that missed the Honey Lake Race for the second year in a row, The week before in fernley got taken out in the second moto by a racer(unnamed) in the 2nd to last lap of the 2nd moto banging up my rt leg, You DONT know how hard it was to sit at home this last weekend!!!
I sure wished I could have been there, been looking forward to it for a Year! But you have to ride the local series events to stay in shape and put up with the out of controll crowd to compete.

[gregg86n]

Layne, You are saying try to keep an open mind! This is coming from the most closed minded man I have ever met! I'm glad a few members made it there, but a few other members found it more important to support their familys at a local event.I have a better question for you. What happened to the state of motocross in our local area? No, wait I can answer that. It went to hell in a hand basket over the last three years. Heres are a few reasons why I think that. A racing association that never listened to the riders. A promoter/ board member that got us thrown out of some of the best tracks in our area.
Scoring errors that would never get corrected that jiped my son out of TWO awards.A racing association that would not let new tracks in its click.I'm glad you went to Honeylake this weekend, you probably did some good ass kissing while you were there,now I'm glad I didn't go, just looking at you all weekend would have set me off.There is people in our group that are working their tails off to try and bring back good racing in our area and I am so proud of them. And I will support them to hell and back! So let the healing begin.

[layne]

Gil, Wow! I never posted that to try and receive any personal attacks, first I was a bonehead and now I’m the most closed minded person you ever met. So, I asked….What have you ever talked to me once? Maybe twice? You came into my work and tried to talk about a hobby that we all do for fun and what was wrong with it alland what is wrong with the place I work. I was nothing but polite to you and asked if we could talk at a different time, other than my place of work. You never once more approached me about anything else….you don’t know me, you don’t know my beliefs nor what I stand for. I never posted this about Sierra vs Mxwest it had nothing to really do with it. And since you are so perfect I don’t ever see you score an event, people do make mistakes and that is just a fact of life and are you going to tell me it make sence to put beginners with intermediates and yes that happened at the last Fernley race. Thats not what we are talking about either. You going to tell me that you are so blind that a scoring issue might have need to be addressed at the race with the group that is putting on the race.As for some of the same people are doing the scoring now that have done it in the past. Nor did I kiss ass at this weekends race, I went to race and support my father in his racing. I have never had any issues with Larry or anybody at Honey Lake, I in fact love that place and supported way before you came out there to race. I’ve been going to Honey Lake since day one and if you don’t believe me ask Larry yourself. You want to know a little more, I to have friends who are on the board of Sierra and it doesn’t affect our friendship in any way and I to would help them or support them in anyway needed, not bad for somebody with such a closed mind. But that wasn’t what was about, it was a sad thing to be at a national for OTMX members and not seeing any of the locals that I grew up with racing….What about supporting the racing association that was founded for racers for over the age of 40? Isn’t that what being apart of club does, support other club chapters?

The last thing Gil when you think you have the need to go off on me at the races, you might what to think about your actions. I might not be in such a good mood and you’ll be seen me at the races that’s promise.

Layne

P.S. this has nothing absolutly with the other assocation I work with or the place I work.

[gregg86n]

I find the cheap shots and snipes you take at this club a bit maddening. This wasn't the first time and it isn't going to be the last. Thats just the way you are.From this point forward it will be the last time I will ever talk with anybody from MX West, and hell will freeze over before I will ever attend one of your events.I'll just go fishing on those three weekends.Some people in this sport around here just make me flat sick.And every time they raise their heads, I just want to say the hell with it all. The scoring issue was with mx west not the people at the track Mr. Buckpasser.

[layne]

Gil do even read what I post or are you just reacting because I am involved with Mxwest? I stated this post has nothing to do with that racing association, but yet you still keep trying to turn it into one. Whats the deal with calling me names, do you really think they are bothering me in anyway? What buck am I passing? If you know what in the heck you where talking about on this scoring issue, Mxwest doesn’t score any event and the numbers that are turned or gathered by Kim from each event, are then tallied and posted for overall series points. It’s true the some of the same people are doing the scoring now as last year just under a different racing association. (Ask Judy and maybe she can help you understand how it works.) So how could Mxwest screwed that up? I have been involved for a long time and never ever done any scoring at any of our meetings…. I get it now, you think we all sat down and saw the last name Gregg and decided to single him out and screw him out of some points…..Come on man what the heck is wrong with you? Its kind of funny, you say this stuff about me and you have no idea what I have done or do for local racing in our area, on a working level, personal level or with racing association or club level. I love this sport of motocross, but I hate the local politics that surfaced. Whatever happened to just racing and just worrying about how you do and not who is putting on the races? If you were to read my first post, all I did was ask what has happened to the OTMX? Is it a club about racing with people in other clubs with the same ideas or is it about club that is into promoting races. I makes me wonder what happened to the members that normally race and you cant tell me they all went to Lovelock to race either. I could believe what a poor showing there was at Sierra OTMX national there was from the Reno chapter. I truly felt bad for the Sierra chapter, I know what it takes to put on a national. The money, time, effort, the track work and to see other chapters not show up is sickening. I just wondered what has happened and Gil, your just trying to make it a personal issue between me and you. That’s fine I can handle it, but at least know what you are talking about before you go attacking me.

Your favorite, Bonehead, Close minded, Buck passer….
Layne


P.S. Larry 63r, that new bike looks like it really suits you! You were on fire at Honey Lake and you need to keep that momentum going for the OTHG national at the Fern!!!!

haas31n bummer about being hurt and you are right you need to be in riding shape and local events are the way to do it. Its to bad you missed it...great weather, awesome track!

[mcody]

Don't worry be happy!
I just want to ride mister!

[gregg86n]

Let me spell it out for you. Go back and look for yourself. I am talking about the participation awards that MX WEST gives out if you do all the races in a series. Spring 2004 Dustin did the first 2 races in the 125 beginner class. one race somebody spelled his name wrong plus Dustin changed is number and finished the series in the 250 beginner class I tried to keep Kim straight but nothing happened. He missed one summer race. Then the fall series he did the first 2 races in the 250 j.r. class then the rest in the 125 class, again I contacted Kim and nothing happened. Now is that a MX west issue or some score keeper at a track. What the hell makes you think that you can come on this board and so kindly point out our faults with the org. and not get some back about yours. Maybe some day I will tell you why I was ignored

[mcody]

Let me amplify this a bit! Yes Gil by checking the results in the MxWest past it shows exactly what you are talking about as far as the Spring series is concern. Dustin did switch over to the 250 beg. class which he won outright and only got the 1st place trophy. As far as the Fall series it shows that Dustin received his participation award. I will see that Dustin gets his participation trophy for the Spring series.

I think you are going a bit overboard on Layne with this attack on him about what he posted. I don't see anything wrong with what he said. He supports his Dad's racing 100% and he is right when there is a close by OTMX race that should of been supported by the OTMX riders. How do you think OTMX of Nevada will feel if Sierra etc.. only show up with 6 riders this September? Think about it!

[layne]

Well since you’re on to us and our conspiracy against you and your son. Come on Gil lets get real here…… Let’s check the facts you have written. 1. This is all over a participation plaque from two years ago (2004). 2. Your son did the Spring Series. He started out as a 125 beginner and finished as a 250 beginner, correct? So there for he did not complete the whole series in the class in which he started it in, do I have it right so far? And I’m sure in that race that your sons name was spelled wrong you got right with the scoring people and got it fixed, so there would be no issues down the road. 3. The next Series (summer) he did not complete the entire series due to the fact he missed a round. 4. The next Series the fall he once again started in one class 250’s and finished in another 125’s. So according to your fact stated he never did a complete series in one class, he rode a couple in one and switched to another. There for he was never eligible for a participation plaque, he never finished a series in one class or the other. We gave participation awards to racers the completed the entire series in the class that was signed up at the first event. How lame isn’t to be upset over a participation award? Isn’t it more important to have the self gratification of competing and competition of the race and the fact you walked away in one piece? I sure it Mxwest’s fault for spelling your sons name wrong to, isn’t it the riders responsibility to take care of that at the races not after the event is over. The participation award is to say thanks for attending all the events in your class, it’s not something that is guaranteed it a gift to say thanks. I’m going to guess why you may have been ignored and I may add wasn’t on purposes either if it did happen and after some of you comments you have made to me is you probably call Kim some name or how you may have acted towards her. You know the o’l please and thank you deal! We have a post board that you could have asked what was happening or requested to attend a meeting to resolve any of the issues you may have had at that time. I have spent many hours responding to rider’s questions or requests and or issues and resolving them. I know you know how to post and sent IM’s to people on the board.

I started this post to try and understand the lack of turn out at Honey Lake the Sierra OTMX national, it had nothing to do with Mxwest…..Is the Nevada chapter a OTMX club or a +40 Promoters group/org.? If you don’t support the other chapters how do you expect them to support you?

I wasn’t trying to show any faults, I was just ask what has happened and why no members raced an OTMX national in there own back yard?

I was there when the announcer was requesting a representative or officer for the Nevada chapter, it got to the point they finally ask for anybody from Nevada to help. Don’t you find that some what embarrassing, not one officer there to represent your chapter? And its only one hour out of Reno where most of the officers live. It is even stated in your own rule book that Chapter rep is need to meet after the first round of moto’s, check section G. And for no officer to be there at a local national is a sad thing. I’m not the only one to say anything about this either, I was the only one to post about it. As for the membership card and the rider no receiving his, this is right out your own rule book… C. Rider must have current International OTMX membership card showing Name, Age, Date of Birth, Chapter, rider classification, Year of Issue. This card will be required to be shown at sign up at an International event. If a rider’s class is changed during the racing season, it is the rider’s responsibility to obtain a new card for this class change. The membership cards will reflect the class designated by the International Committee, not the club designation. You must understand his frustration, as it stated right in the rule book that you must have that to sign up and race.

Gil at no point have been trying to be mean or vindictive toward you or any member of this club, I just wanted to bring up some points and get some answers. Sometimes when things are brought up in advance it can stop them from happening anymore and they can be corrected….

Layne

[bobjustbob]

The following was received from Duane Quick. He requested that I post it to the "Bench Racing" for him. Duane is our designated/elected chapter representatives for the International races. He knows that he meets with the other reps to discuss any issues. As the Rep he will also represent our chapter members on any issues that they may have at an International race. In the event that Duane is not at the race, our 2nd chapter representative is Jim Hershman.

Bob Fabel


I was at the Sierra National at Honey Lake this past weekend and while I agree with Layne in most of what he says especially with the treatment of Ken Gaddis last year, leaving the club or not racing if you are mad with the way things are going will not get things changed if that is what you want. Only participating in the club and by seeking change will things be changed.

I believe Larry (Mulock) may be a Nevada member and along with the new member I signed up at the race (he was a member last year and rides 40 am) there were eight of us. And the Nevada riders and family that were there supported each other with great enthusiasm. In fact, I even supported a sudo-Nevada (my son) Idaho member who finished a very respectful 5th in the 50 am and received a very nice plaque for his efforts.

Also kudos to Rick Lloyd who won his first moto as a 50 novice and his next 3 to capture 1st overall in that class ( I hope you go to Washougal ). I did talk to Jim the rider Layne was referring to about his membership (now with the Sierra chapter) and it appears we may in deed owe him a refund. Christina had an excellant ride finishing 5th in the 40 novice, Mike also rode extremely well for 5 complete motos in a very fast class (40 expert).

Overall it was a great weekend of racing with good friends, cold beer, few injuries on what I thought was a great track. I hope we all support the Gang National this month I know I will be there taking up space on the starting line. Keep riding,
D. Quick
51R

[bobjustbob]

Larry Brown has requested that I post this message for him.

Bob Fabel


Hi everybody!

There is nothing wrong with the Nv. Oldtimers. There are a lot of us too hurt or poor or both to be racing. We still cheer for our members and other chapter members to do good and not get hurt, but to try and put a finger on just one thing I would say that nobody wants to get old and to join the oldtimers is kind of acknowleging it.

Plus I am a member of the OTHG and hear other members talk down on the Oldtimers. That they won't join until certain people aren't there. These are the kind of things you deal with in any club. But to point fingers and not try to be part of the cure, then you're part of the problem, Lane.

Luv L.B.
Nv Oldtimer Prez.

[gregg86n]

When a young kid expects to receive something for his efforts all year long from a racing association and does not receive it, it takes a little out of his heart. Since when does a rider have to stay in the same class all series long to receive a award for participating? Sounds like crap to me. If you only knew the whole story. I didn't know of the miss spelling of his name until it was posted on mxwest, should have I gone back to the promoters score keeper and got it corrected? There was alot of people in our group that did not like the fact that the Sierra national was on the same weekend of a final round of a race series and they felt that it was more important to either finish the series themselves or support their families. I sure hope that the Sierra chapter Will understand that. And for our guys that did show up JOB WELL DONE! Layne, How dare you insinuate that I would call Kim a name or disrespected her in away way. I feel that you started this post to take a cheep shot plane and simple. Why else would you say the things that you did? The matter with the man that you say was shunned by this group was discussed at the meeting tonight and can be straightened out very easily it he would contact Bob. Layne I only have one last thing to say to you, Pull you head out!!! Mark don't waste your time, I'll just take it out with this Dell computer and fill it full of holes.

[layne]

This post has gotten way out of hand and by no means did I want it to go that way. You have to admit some of what I said had to stop and make you think, right…wrong…or indifferent. I would like to thank the people that took time to respond to my post. I started this post to because I wonder what in the heck had happened and why hardly anybody raced the national. It wasn’t about Mxwest or Sierra, I never had that intent and its getting a little carried away in that aspect.

Bob Fabel, thank you for taking the time and posting these letters and for you for seeing that Jim gets his refund. He’s a good man and it to bad things just didn’t work out. Thank you again for clearing up the chapter representatives, it now makes since why no one was answering the page. I believe Duane was either on the line or racing when the announcer was paging.

LB, I never pointed any fingers or mentioned any names and just trying to get some understand of what had happened to everyone and what was going on. I wasnt looking for a cure or problem just some answers so I could understand what was happening and the only cure is participating within the club. I never said anything in regards to joining the club, I think it’s important to get fresh blood into a club and receive fresh new ideas.

Duane, excellent letter…

Last but not least, Gil. I’m not even sure were to begin with it all. You have always had some issue with me from day one without even given me a chance. Yeah, I’m not a very nice person but I have always had my heart in the right place and have always taken the time to listen all the riders. But your issues are over two years ago and I have to ask does anybody really race for a participation plaque? Or do they races for the competition and the rewards of doing well? At no time did you ever try contact me or did you mention the issue you were have to your club representative of Mxwest? At this point, it’s been two years and what would you like to be done about it? If it’s with in reason, I will handle it. It would help me understand if I did know the whole story, but I can only go off of what you have told me. As for me insinuating the name calling, maybe I have that in my head because you seem to have some name for me when things don’t seem to be going your way or you are upset over something I said or you think I have done. Something that is very special about our sport of motocross is that it is a family sport and the ability of people that are competitors on the track and friends off. I agree with what you are saying about the members who went to support there families. I never, ever, ever started this post as cheap shot any one person or as a shot towards the club as a whole!! And how dare you take it that way….(easy just kiddin, trying to get your blood to boil again.) I am very happy to hear that the club discussed the issue of Jim and were able to make a decision and handle it. But it isn’t for Jim to contact Bob, I know Bob will do the right thing and take care of it without a call. Gil, in the closing you do need to ease up a little or your going to have a heart attack and we don’t want that!

Layne