Received my vendor info yesterday, kinda different. No passes or tickets sent with package, they are now to be picked up at the assigned gate of entry by vendor (you can leave tickets at gate for late comers). No mention of "pit bikes" other than 16 or under operate "no" vehicle on the property. That was about it, have to see when we get to the front gate.
OOPS, Under 16, my bad[:I]
It's just their way of making VMD go away.Trust me, it will happen with the AMA running the show.
And of course, raising the vendor spaces by $75 per space to $250 each, and eliminating the discounted prime spaces unless you are buying 4 or more spaces won't help anything either. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
Competitors also don't get a free pass for their wife/mechanic anymore. I think greed may be setting in.
Lew Mayer
Still the best Vintage event on the planet and all the dollars go to help fund the AMA Museum which is a must see if you have never been.
Larry P
I agree it's a good cause, but not even close to a good deal for a vendor. The Corvettes at Carlisle PA show is the most expensive vendor spaces at any event I know of, and they are cheaper than this. I bet there will be less vendors this year. I'm still coming, but maybe not next year, at least as a vendor. I didn't sell much over $500 outright last year. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
A friend of mine got his spaces a couple of weeks ago and they told him then that they had already booked over 600 spaces.
Quotequote:Originally posted by Lew Mayer
Competitors also don't get a free pass for their wife/mechanic anymore. I think greed may be setting in.
Lew Mayer
That's a shame. Was counting on saving a little money that way.
I guess I will have to clean shop and bring some long overdue project bikes/parts to VMD just to cover expenses. Possibly a complete 76 250 MC5 with fresh 1st over Mahle piston and POR-15 clear coated original tank, 76, 77, 78, 79 MC5 250 or 175 frames and parts. If anyone is looking for a 76 cross country or any MC5 project bikes, let me know and I will bring them. Mike
[email protected]Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
The question this year is Will the racers come to a once a year event.Last year most were already signed up.They cut the MX track in half.If the racers blow it off,it will die off.
Quotequote:Originally posted by auto
The question this year is Will the racers come to a once a year event.Last year most were already signed up.They cut the MX track in half.If the racers blow it off,it will die off.
Moto-Cross was there? [xx(]
Racing at VMD is a joke, it will be gone in a few years at most.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
I have also received the new instructions for this years VMD event. Personally, I do not like change, but having said that I am old enough to know that sometimes change brings a better way of doing things, and sometimes not. But the reality is I plan on giving it a chance and will also provide any positive constructive comments to the folks in charge on any situations that strike me as needing a tweak, and believe me they sometimes probably get tired of seeing me, but I talk to them face to face and try to provide positive ideas that can help to improve the events.
As far as the racing, I personally like the idea of a one race shoot out. Show up and put it all on the line, sounds pretty darn exciting to me. I am disgusted with NASCAR, but I always try to watch the shoot out at Charlotte as it is some of the best racing of the year, in my opinion. No points to worry about, just go for it...to me that is what racing is all about.
Having said that I also support the AHRMA series and their concept, in my mind there is room for both and I personally think the more folks who race these machines the better it is for all of us.
I agree with Larry that it is great to know that the dollars spent will go to help support the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Paul
I agree it is for a good cause, but I wonder what they did with the $338.00 I gave them last year for 2 spaces and my AMA renewel? Last year I still hadn't got my new AMA card before the Reunion Ride, and after several phone conversation where they had no record of me even being there, let alone paying for any spaces, they finally gave in and sent me a new card. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
Mike,
I totally agree with your concerns and questions. I would like to state that I have had a love / hate relationship with the AMA for many years. I love some of what they do and hate other stuff, pretty much the same applies to many other groups and associations that I am involved in. I cheer for what I like and I try to provide positive constructive comments about what I do not like.
After the POG meeting last Thursday I spent about 2 hours with Jack Penton discussing many issues, as you know Jack is now the Director of Operations for the AMA. Some of your concerns came up as well as many other issues. I whole heartily ask any and all of you to voice your concerns and if possible provide some ideas as to how to solve these issues. I do expect positive changes and results, and I also plan on being part of the solution, and believe me we need to work together.
Paul
I try to be a part of the solution instead of the problem...In this situation I do not know how I could be a part of the solution. But maybe this will help. It is hard for me to get very excited about the AMA or even AHRMA for that matter.. In our region there is only two events a year that is AMA vintage racing and that is nearly nothing.. AHRMA has a few more,,still very sad. Our local vintage club has 15 or more races a year and we average 250 entries per event... and I do not have to pay a chunk of money to get a publication that is pretty much a.....well lets just say that If I had the option to not get it to save a couple of bucks I would do it in a heart beat... I really do hope that Jack can build something exciting that really does what they say they do.. There is just 35 years of disapointment that they will have to overcome.. Even back in the day I raced nearly every week and there were only a few AMA races in Northen Cal.. And that was during the golden age of MX. Nope not very excited.. I hear the words, I am waiting for the action...
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
Since I do not attend Vintage Days anymore I am probably not part of this argument, but I would like to make a few observations and as Paul said be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
(1) Being a life member of AMA I am very excited to see Jack Penton agree to go to work for AMA or as I see it agree to help an organization that NEEDS BIG HELP. But I have Faith in Jack and feel he is a Honorable person that will give it his all, but we as members and people that attend VMD have to give Jack time to help this incredible train wreck.
(2) When I stopped going to VMD I could see the prices of attending going up. Now this could be that AMA was incurring higher costs with Mid Ohio raising prices they charged AMA. I have seen this in the past with other events to where the people that owned the property just priced the event out of reach for a lot of people.
(3) Just to address the costs that Mike discussed and what he sold doesn't include gas, hotel and costs of eating on the road. And as far as AMA stating that they have sold 600 spaces doesn't tell me, as a number cruncher, anything? For example if every vendor averaged 2 spaces we are down to 300 vendors.
To sum up my thoughts I hope that VMD grows and that AMA, with the help of Jack Penton, changes and is a success in changing direction. As Paul stated let people (AMA) know your thoughts by talking or writing them. I hope everyone enjoys VMD and remember that POG has THE GREATEST DISPLAY every year.
Ron Carbaugh
Say and think what you will. VMD is the biggest event of the year in the country.
I attend because I love the atmosphere, and some years, it's the only opportunity I have to see my POG friends.
Yes, everything in the world goes up in price, it rarely ever goes down. That's a fact - Jack.
A price increase is one thing, but from $175 to $250 per space is a lot more than just a price increase. The last time this happened was at the Corvette show in Indianapolis IN. and it only took 2 years for the Corvette show to cease to exist because the vendors didn't come back. There is a huge motorcycle swap meet in Carlisle PA July 23-25th that I may attend, but the Vintage Import, 1979 and older, bike swap meet was May 20-22nd, so I may check that out next year. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
This isn't a matter of rising prices,this is just pure greed.They squeezed AHRMA out.They want the whole bag for themselves.Now their finding out their haul isn't going to be that big.So what do they do.Cut costs.No Fed-Ex shipping of the entry passes,They will not give you your second pass if the second person isn't with you.Why? You might give it to some one who would have paid to enter.Or you might even sell it to someone.If I were closer to Road America I know where my hard earned dollors would be spent.