For those of you that went, what are your honest opinions about this year?
Imagine my surprize to get slapped for $55 at the gate for a 3 day pass, (last year $45). heard some got caught for $35 for a 1 day pass. Pretty steep in my opinion as to what was there. No featured or secondary marque. Only bike display worth while was the Penton area. The infeild was basically empty, there were more vintage friendly vendors at Unadilla. I heard a few comment that they are going to "improve" Mid Ohio right out of existence. I could go on, but that's a start.
I had a good time, but the price is getting up there. This was the first year I took my wife with me so 2, 3day gate passes and a camping pass set me back a pretty penny. She did pick up a nice little 72 CB350 for $550 so that made the trip all worth while. Just wish the guy with the Penton HS frame and tank for $700 would have sold me that tank! booo
74 250 Hare scramble
68 Six Day
Myself, I am a Vendor (since 95) and had a great time this year. I complain about the bathrooms/showers every year(need to be cleaned more often and by more personnel) I miss the "2 tickets with each vendor space" concept, but overall, I really enjoyed myself. I would like to see more Demo ride participation (street and dirt) I want to buy a new BMW but they wern's there!, more decent shows at the demo ride area, a fireworks display on Saturday evening, a Military appreciation day (Saturday) more vendor participation with demos, i.e., TP Tools, Plating Companies, Jesse James for sheet metal work, painters etc. Have a short Poker run on Saturday or Sunday. More American flags flying on the facility (made in Ohio of course) Get Billy Joel to visit and put on a small 1 hour show, he loves bikes, so does Lyle Lovette and others. Put a huge big screen in the Swap area for racing coverage. Bring back the "Wall of death" bring back the Dyno for personal use. Open the main median for bike parking. Invite more food vendors like the old days, i.e., KFC, Pizza hut, Burger King, Real BBQ. Sure miss the auction on Saturday too. I would like to see an annual event that everyone would like to come to. The economy sucks and we have to be picky about what we are able to do each year and I want this event to be first on everyones list! My 2 cents! I have relayed these ideas to the AMA already.
I agree with Kip. I understand the economy, gas prices, etc., etc. I guess I remember when being a racer you were the show, not just a paying participent. $55 for entry and $ 100 bucks to ride 2 classes compared to getting for free and getting a mechanics pass kinda adds up after race gas, van gas, food , etc., etc.. I don't want to get into a AMA vs. AHRMA thing, but that's my 2 cents.
How about privateer J&J racing beating the " Factory Teams" ?
I haven't gone since they eliminated the extra free pass for your "mechanic" (wife, girlfriend etc). It seems greed has taken over Mid-O or the AMA. Not sure which, maybe both. I agree with Jeff, the riders (racers) were part of the show. Now they're just a ticket sale and entry fee.
Lew Mayer
Have someone do a better job scoring the cross country.
'12 Husaberg TE300
74 Yamaha TY 250
84 Yam IT200
75 Jackpiner w/ 250 eng.
82 KTM GS250II (import)
82 KTM 495 (2)
98 KTM 300mxc
04 KTM 125 SX
00 KTM Duke 2/rd. racer
06 KTM 950 Adv.
08 Suzuki DR70Z
I think Kip really brought up some great suggestions. Aint gonna happen though, because of one simple word - GREED.
I had commitments at VMD so I was obligated to attend. BUT - neither was I about to miss the Wauseon AMCA meet - same weekend. So, I drove out to Wauseon Thursday night, camped over, enjoyed a GREAT event all day Friday, watched the half-mile races there Friday night - AWESOME, camped over Friday night, and drove down to VMD Saturday morning.
Now, here's some interesting comparisons: Admission to Wauseon is FREE! That's right - FREE. Plus, if you are an AMCA member, camping is FREE. Yes, FREE! And, get this: was my campsite a blighted spot in an open field, devoid of any amenities? Nope, how about electric, water, and sewer, for my camper? And, shade! Yes, there were trees. True, I did pay $15 to see the races Friday night, but it was worth it!!! All in all, a great time!
So, Vintage Days: Arriving on Saturday morning, "Can I bring in my camper, with a one-day pass?" "NOPE! You've got to buy a three-day pass to the tune of $55, plus $70 for the camper." "But I can't stay Saturday night!" "Too bad. $55, plus $70, plus another $55 for your buddy who is with you." "What do I get for the $70?" "You get to park your camper over there in that dusty field - no hookups, no electricity, no nuthin."
Know what I did? Drove ten miles down the road, and for $36, stayed in a beautiful campground, with full hookups, shade, a pool, and get this - adjacent ATV trails! It was great!
Oh, and what was going on at VMD? Ah, . . the swap meet . . . Ah, . . . was there anything else going on???? Well, there were those 1-race "championships" taking place, and Mike Seate and those folks had a nice cafe racer display in the infield. Beyond that . . .
Quotequote:Originally posted by OhioTed
Oh, and what was going on at VMD? Ah, . . the swap meet . . . Ah, . . . was there anything else going on???? Well, there were those 1-race "championships" taking place, and Mike Seate and those folks had a nice cafe racer display in the infield. Beyond that . . .
Couldn't agree with you more Ted! I may check out Wauseon next year. Never had a chance to go there.
74 250 Hare scramble
68 Six Day
I may give Wauseon my money this year. $5 per day to park and free admission. Already saved $35 over Mid Ohio. Lots of old bikes, maybe something different than what's at Mid Ohio every year. Still thinking, we'll see what M/O has to offer before I make a final decision.
Speaking of Wauseon, when is it slated for 2013?? I need some parts for my 1928 JD Harley[:p]
Same as Mid Ohio.
Just attend Barbers Vintage Festival instead. I quit going to VMD because of the AMA screwing everyone there and what they did to AHRMA. Barbers actually wants us there.
Don't want to step on sacred ground but shouldn't these comments have been directed to Jack P.?
Ted Atkinson
According to a post on 10/01/12, Jack has left the AMA.
Quotequote:Originally posted by Dwight Rudder
Just attend Barbers Vintage Festival instead. I quit going to VMD because of the AMA screwing everyone there and what they did to AHRMA. Barbers actually wants us there.
They want road racers, they dont want
US. Barber only accepts off roaders because they are forced to. You will never see me at Barber again, and I only live 1.5hrs away. George Barber can stuff it.
Brian
Quotequote:Originally posted by t20sl
Don't want to step on sacred ground but shouldn't these comments have been directed to Jack P.?
Ted Atkinson
Why ? Jack quit the AMA.
Quotequote:Originally posted by brian kirby
Quotequote:Originally posted by Dwight Rudder
Just attend Barbers Vintage Festival instead. I quit going to VMD because of the AMA screwing everyone there and what they did to AHRMA. Barbers actually wants us there.
They want road racers, they dont want US. Barber only accepts off roaders because they are forced to. You will never see me at Barber again, and I only live 1.5hrs away. George Barber can stuff it.
Brian
I think they want us at Barbers more than the AMA does at VMD. There were issues this year at Barbers that I heard were going to be addressed by AHRMA to Barbers. I think they will be ironed out. Certainly you don't believe that VMD welcomes us more than Barber's ?
Never been to VMD so I cant compare.
Brian
Quotequote:Originally posted by Dwight Rudder
Quotequote:Originally posted by t20sl
Don't want to step on sacred ground but shouldn't these comments have been directed to Jack P.?
Ted Atkinson
Why ? Jack quit the AMA.
Dwight:
I meant immediately after the VMD while Jack was still there. Jack was in charge wasn't he? Jack might have, could have should have "had" input? Maybe he quit because he was fed up but we haven't heard from him. All I say is most everyone blames the "AMA" but never tries and find the decision makers. Just my opinion. I go for the swap meet mainly, sometimes to ride. Went Sunday AM last year and 1/4 of vendors were GONE. Been the same as long as I can remember. Rules are there but no one enforces them.
Ted
It's a cryin' shame not to go to VMD, but with Wauseon the same weekend, again, that's where I'm going. True, there's a lot of neat stuff at the Mid-Ohio swap meet, but you've got to go to Wauseon to see what shows up there!
(//%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn155/OhioTed/Henderson1.jpg)[/img
Where is the Wauseon event in relation to VMD and about how far is Wauseon from VMD. If I am mainly interested in just the swap meet, is VMD the better of the two events? It sort of sounds like Wauseon and VMD might be like the Hershey and Carlisle events of the automobile world. Hershey caters more to the older original antique group while Carlisle is more of a Corvette,muscle car,streetrod type of venue.
Thanks, Bob
I am going to both! Will do Wauseon all day Friday and then travel south to Mid Ohio Friday pm (2 hrs drive max) and be at Mid Ohio for Saturday am then head home Saturday pm!:D I need parts for my "28" JD and would like to grab some bits at the M/O swap and see the POG family![:p]
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Events/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays/VMDNews/12-07-25/My_AMA_Vintage_Motorcycle_Days_experience.aspx
Dale Fisher
Penton Owners Group - Memberships
Facebook - Cheney Twinshock Racing Group - Administrator
1970 Six-Day 125
1971 Six-Day 125 (Dave Fisher's)
1973 Jackpiner 175
1974 Berkshire 100
And some silly other bikes...
Ha ha, couldn't get it in to 2nd gear on the line. For a long time I did not think my 74 hare scramble had a 2nd gear. Never been able to find it waiting at the starting line!
74 250 Hare scramble
2 68 Six Day (projects)
MIDO, I wish I was 800 miles closer and gas was a buck a gallon!!
Raymond
Down East Pentons
Hey - I'll weigh in with some XC racing feedback. I'll try not to be too whiny because I certainly did myself no favors with my Six Day preps and a next-to-last lap crash on my MC5 that dropped me one spot on the podium. Actually, I bet Gary Ellis is already shaking his head at me even posting this thread (:D)
Since this a one-off race, they are purely on an honors system for whether folks sign up for Expert and Intermediate. In my Vint 200 Int class, the class leader was turning laps just a tick slower than the leading Experts. Since he still races as an AHRMA Int, I'll give him a break and bitch loudly if he signs for Int next year. In the PV race, there were AHRMA XC experts signed up for Intermediate. Why? Well..I asked them - they said flat out they had no chance of winning against Fredette and another small handful of what are basically AA riders (or almost AA). I guess I get it - there are a handful of guys that show up (or have shown up) that are just gone. And its easy to see in the lap times. But I had to accept I was only going to win the 250 class if the AHRMA expert from my region crashed. He's a great rider in his own right. Didn't obsess about it, but I did drink alot of beer and cry when Gary or Big Dave came around. Of course - hey told me to Man Up.[:p]
So maybe they need...an Exhibition or AA class?
I still have a great, great time drinking it all in (literally and figuratively)and saying hello to you POGGERS. The Cafe Racer tent this year had some fantastic bike builds (and tattooed women!). And I would love to swing my leg over a roadrace bike on the RR course. If someone ever says "wanna race my dirt tracker?" I will just piss myself. And no - I've never raced Dirt Track, but I want to now after watching THAT great show on Saturday night.
Team "Can't Enough Racing..."