Hey gang,
Thanks for all your emails supporting the idea. I put them all together in a bound folder, wrote a cover letter and gave one to each of the 12 board members.
With lots of arm twisting, offers to help the promoters with the cost of trophies (thank you Paul Stannard), and a great 100cc turn out on the Barber MX races, we were able to turn one of the rules committee members from nay to yea, and they voted 2 to 1 for it. Then the Board of Directors voted 11 to 1 (one was in the bathroom) to approve it for one year.
So, get out your Berkshires and let's show AHRMA that there really is a lot of support for this class!!!
Teddy
Teddy, You Da Man![:p] Thanks. We'll have at least two Berkie's at Zink, one of which is a 100cc[}:)]. Thanks also go to the Hodaka crew and especially Paul S.:D
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
That is great news Teddy! All I need to complete my Berkshire is to have Dane "Mr 100" Leimbach sign my gas tank at the ISDT-RR this year.
Brian
'73 Berkshire Team d-Con
//www.d-conproducts.com America's #1 Rodent Control Brand
I almost forgot. It was Brian Kirby that put in for the rules change. THANKS Brian! I hope to see many, many red tank Pentons next season. -EP
One question Teddy, what happens after one year? Will it become permanent if it has good participation? I for one am committed to the class in CC and MX.
Brian
'73 Berkshire Team d-Con
//www.d-conproducts.com America's #1 Rodent Control Brand
Brian it is now a full fledged permanent class. You did it !!!!! Great job Brian on the rules proposal and your follow up with getting the people to write in and support the class. Teddy as always it is a joy to work with you. You are a first class guy that never gives up. I had spoken to the the person who will represent the new 100cc cross country class sponsorship for next year to be certain that having "Hodaka" pay for the awards would not get in the way of what the sponsors were going to do. He was all for it and I am proud to have him as my good friend. This was a total team effort that worked towards a common goal and we did it !! Great job guys thanks for letting me come out and play.
See you in Tulsa. Maybe Brian can leave the D-Con home now :D
Paul
I was told by an AHRMA board member that the class was approved for one year to see how it went. I argued that it would add new riders and not just steal riders from the Classic and Sportsman 200 class. I am hoping that the class will be well attended and will also bring out new riders. He didn't give me any criteria for how "success" would be defined, but I can't believe that if the class is well attended, that wouldn't be a success. If it brings out new, young, riders I know they will be happy. It makes me want to ride my Berkshire at Tulsa next week!!!!!
Teddy
Teddy,
I dont understand their logic. So what if it takes riders away from Classic or Sportsman 200? Total rider count is all that they should care about. What they should be worried about is putting on CC Nationals where (for the second year) only 6 riders total show up instead of the 100 class taking a rider away from another class.
Brian
'73 Berkshire Team d-Con
//www.d-conproducts.com America's #1 Rodent Control Brand
Speaking from a Hodaka standpoint only we have only the 125's or 100's to race the vintage class. This puts us into sportsman 200. So riding a 125cc Combat Wombat in Sportsman 200 was not a really level playing field. Now hopefully it will level out somewhat for Hodaka's at least with this new 100cc class. There are many different 100's that can be made to compete in the 100cc class although the Berkshire seems to be the best bang for the buck in this class.
Just look at what was said about the 100cc MX class even as late as this past February. They said that they did not think anyone would compete. " They" were WRONG ! With Teddy's schedual for next years events and this new class I believe that there will be many new members to Ahrma and many new guys who want to compete. I have been wrong before and will be wrong again but not this time.
Thanks for the space guys.
Paul
I agree Brian, why would it be of any concern as long as it does not reduce the total number of riders. and I can not imgine it doing that. If any thing it could only inhance the numbers... Two reasons, one, It would include those riders who do not feel comfortable on a larger bike.. ie new to dirt bikes or young of age... Two, riders who prefer to ride the 100 class rather than a larger bike or are looking to add another class...Bottom line is that it will increase the fun factor and that always causes to success...[8D]
I for one would love to ride a 100 but that is not even funny... at well over 200 pounds It would be ok as a pit bike but that is it.... Sorry guys....
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)74'
250 hare scrambler (project bike)
72'sixday (project bike)