FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 8, 2009
FROM: Al Roof, Volunteer PR Guy
Inaugural Carolinas White Lightning Cross Country Classic
International Six Day Trials veteran Greg Holder of Pickens, South Carolina will host the Inaugural Carolinas White Lightning Cross Country Classic, rounds four and five of the AHRMA Penton Owners Group Cross Country National Series, on March 14 and 15, 2009 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park near Fountain Inn, South Carolina.
Nestled in the foothills of Upstate South Carolina, Fountain Inn is a charming city in the heart of an incredibly scenic state, only minutes from the mountains and a couple of hours from the coast. You are invited to use this website, http://www.fountaininn.org , as your resource to everything Fountain Inn has to offer.
Novice, intermediate, and expert riders of vintage (pre-1975) and post-vintage (1975 to the early 1980s) off-road motorcycles will compete on four to six mile courses laid out by Holder over Thunder Valley Motocross Park's one mile natural terrain motocross track and acres of surrounding wooded land. The first rider of each race will be shown the checkered flag at the finish line after completing one hour on the course.
Thunder Valley Motocross Park is located at 2420 Scuffletown Road, Fountain Inn, South Carolina. For more information about the facility, visit their website at http://thundervalleymotox.com .
A gate fee of $10.00 per person per day will be charged. In addition, competitors will pay a pre-entry fee of $40.00 per class per day, or an on-site entry fee of $50.00 per class per day.
The event is sanctioned by both the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring and competing on classic motorcycles. With well over 5,000 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes. To learn more about AHRMA, visit their website at: http://ahrma.org .
The American Motorcyclist Association is the largest motorcycle membership organization in the United States that protects the rights and interests of the world's largest and most dedicated group of motorcycle enthusiasts. The AMA focuses on rights, riding and racing through its government relations work, by sanctioning road and off-road riding activities and overseeing professional and amateur racing events. To learn more about the AMA, visit their website at: http://www.ama-cycle.org/ .
For more information about the Inaugural Carolinas White Lightning Cross Country Classic, contact Greg Holder at (864) 320-9796, or AHRMA National Cross Country Coordinator Teddy Landers via e-mail at
[email protected] .
Happy Trails,
Al Roof
Founder & President - The Blue Ridge Pathfinders Motorcycle Club
If I can help anyone on this just let me know. Simpsonville S.C. is where you might want to find lodging, it is within I say about 10 miles of the event and it has several hotels and places to eat also there is a station that sells race fuel there also.
Thomas Carmichael
1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler
To view and/or print the event flyer, go to:
http://ahrma.org/Z-2009/Nationals/Cross_Country/Previews/09_Carolinas_White_Lightening_Classic_Cross_Country.pdf
or, e-mail me at
[email protected] , and I can send you a copy as an attached .pdf file.
I hope to see you all there.
Al Roof, Volunteer PR Guy
Hi Al,
I was talking to Greg tonight and has decided to take out the mx and make it a all woods course.
Thomas Carmichael
1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler
Don't miss this one guys ! Greg and myself rode amd laid out the vintage course this past weekend and it is GOOD!!
Thomas Carmichael
1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler
Howdy!,
Greg Holder, Thomas Carmichael, and I are really looking forward to hosting a bunch of you AHRMA Cross Country and Vinduro guys at the Inaugural Carolinas White Lightning Cross Country Classic on March 14 and 15.
Greg and Thomas have laid out courses that will be enjoyable by all.
I just got the proof back for our event T-shirt yesterday, and it looks great. Hopefully Christopher "Seige" James won't sue us for plagiarizing the design style of the shirts he produced for this last year's ISDT Reunion Ride T-shirts (what a work of art!). I'm sure he understands that "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery....." Seriously, although our shirt will be very similar in design style, it is not a direct knock off of his shirts. I think you P.O.G. folks will be especially pleased since an action shot of Tom Penton is the main image on our shirt. Our event T-shirts will sell for $15.00 in adult sizes Medium through Extra Large, and $17.00 for 2X-Large. What a deal! Most event T-shirts I have bought cost $20.00 or more.
We will also have very unique trophies for the event. I'm not even going to give a clue as to what they will be. You'll just have to be there to see for yourself.
Chris Carter and the fine folks at Motion Pro have generously donated enough product and gift certificates to us that each trophy winner will go home with something nice from Motion Pro too.
Remember, you can view and print both the event flyer and the entry form at:
http://www.ahrma.org/Calendar.htm#cc
It's shaping up to be a really fun event. Greg, Thomas, and I are excited about it, and hope you will be too.
Happy trails,
Al Roof, Volunteer PR Guy :)
The March Trail Rider gave you guys some good press. I'm sure there will be plenty of Pentons there to rise to the challenge.
Jeff DeBell
Hi Jeff,
I have not yet received my March issue of Trail Rider magazine, but I appreciate you giving me the heads up.
Paul Clipper is great about giving our kind of events better coverage than most, and I, for one, really appreciate it.
We hope to see a bunch of Penton Owners Group members at our inaugural Carolinas White Lightning Cross Country Classic.
Happy trails,
Al Roof, Volunteer PR Guy:)
Howdy folks,
I just wanted to remind you all that the pre-entry deadline for our Inaugural Carolinas
White Lightning Cross Country Classic (Friday, February 27) is fast approaching.
Pre-entry fee is $40.00 per event per day.
Our on-site entry fee is $50.00 per event per day.
You can view the AHRMA / Penton Owners Group National Cross Country schedule at:
http://www.ahrma.org/Calendar.htm#cc
There you will find buttons linking you to our event flyer and to the generic 2009 AHRMA
/ Penton Owners Group Cross Country Entry Form.
We surely hope that you can come and take advantage of our southern hospitality!
Happy trails,
Al Roof, Volunteer P/R Guy
Howdy folks,
I just wanted to remind you all that International Six Day Trials veteran Greg Holder of Pickens, South Carolina will host the Inaugural Carolinas White Lightning Cross Country Classic, rounds four and five of the AHRMA Penton Owners Group Cross Country National Series, on March 14 and 15, 2009 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park near Fountain Inn, South Carolina.
Nestled in the foothills of Upstate South Carolina, Fountain Inn is a charming city in the heart of an incredibly scenic state, only minutes from the mountains and a couple of hours from the coast. You are invited to use this website, http://www.fountaininn.org , as your resource to everything Fountain Inn has to offer.
Novice, intermediate, and expert riders of vintage (pre-1975) and post-vintage (1975 to the early 1980s) off-road motorcycles will compete on four to six mile courses laid out by Holder over Thunder Valley Motocross Park's one mile natural terrain motocross track
and acres of surrounding wooded land. The first rider of each race will be shown the checkered flag at the finish line after completing one hour on the course.
You can view our event flyer, including the event schedule, by going to the AHRMA National Cross Country Calendar at:
http://www.ahrma.org/Calendar.htm#cc
then scroll down to our event on the schedule and click on the "Preview" button.
PLEASE NOTE: the pre-entry deadline has been extended to until Tuesday, March 10.
For whatever reason, be it the troubled economy, our recent snow storm, or the troubling letter sent to clubs and promoters by the AMA concerning their ongoing negotiations with AHRMA, pre-entries for our event have been far less than anticipated.
I want to assure you that our AMA Sanction through AHRMA has been approved for quite some time, and our event insurance through them is in place. So, no worries there.
I also want to let you know that, from the onset, Greg decided to donate the lion's share of the profits from this event to AHRMA to help cover the cost of the new electronic scoring system and transponders which will be used at this and all other AHRMA/Penton
Owners Group National Cross Country Series Races.
We have 200 awesome commemorative event t-shirts on hand, featuring a cool image of Tom Penton in action on, what else, a Penton, with a distressed vintage look that you all should really like. Unlike the high prices at most motorsports events, our commemorative event t-shirts will be selling for the reasonable price of $15.00 each for adult Small through Extra Large, and just a couple of dollars more for those big 2XL tents we big boys wear.
We also have 150 really cool, full color, commemorative event decals (about bumper sticker size) that we will offer for $3.00 each.
Finally, in memory and honor of our recently departed friend Stan "Old Husky Dude" Beni, who passed away due to natural causes while riding in the Gatorback Cross Country Race, we will have limited edition 2" memorial decals available too. Proceeds from the sale of these decals will benefit a worthy non-profit or charitable
organization, yet to be determined.
Greg Holder, Thomas Carmichael and I (along with all of the fine folks associated with the AHRMA/Penton Owners Group National Cross Country Series) look forward to showing you all some true southern hospitality at our upcoming event.
If at all possible, please make plans to attend.
Sincerely,
Al Roof, Volunteer P/R Guy
Looking forward to attending the White Light'n. Any info on course or terrain? How long course is? Hills? High breather needed in case of rain?
Thanks -EP
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
Ernie,
Isn't that were they held the Black Water years ago?
:D chuckle chuckle!!!!!!
John D.
No, that was in West virginia, but Ernie should not fret about a little rain, he grew up in a swamp.
Brian
'73 Berkshire
On Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:57:29 -0000 "msh68299" <
[email protected]> writes:
> Does anybody have any info on area hotels for the white lightning
> classic? Thanks Mike
Dear Mike (et al),
Here is a list of area hotels closest to the race site, Thunder Valley Motocross Park.
Holiday Inn Express-Simpsonville - //www.ichotelsgroup.com - (864) 962-8500
Hampton Inn - //www.hamptoninnsimpsonville.com - (864) 963-9292
Days Inn - //www.daysinn.com - (864) 963-7701
Quality Inn Simpsonville - //www.qualityinn.com - (864) 963-2777
I am also waiting to hear back from a young lady with Jewel McClain,
Special Event Management (Courtyard by Marriott, etc.) about a few
hotel properties they represent near Greenville, SC. I will forward any information I receive from her.
Thank you for your interest in our event.
Happy trails,
Al Roof, Volunteer PR Guy
P.S. I still have to book a room for myself!!!
Quotequote:Originally posted by Ernie Phillips
Looking forward to attending the White Light'n. Any info on course or terrain? How long course is? Hills? High breather needed in case of rain?
Thanks -EP
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
Ernie,
The terrain is typical Upstate South Carolina, with rolling hills and a mix of pines and hardwoods. The only water on the course would be whatever the good Lord happens to send from the clouds. Right now the long-range weather forecast is calling for clear skis and cool weather.
I hope this helps.
Al Roof
Howdy folks,
I just wanted to let you know that I will be staying at the Hampton Inn at Simpsonville, SC for this weekend's Inaugural White Lightning Cross Country Classic at Thunder Valley Motocross Park, near Fountain Inn, SC.
I did hear back from the folks with Marriott's Special Event Management, but their Courtyard by Marriott GSP Airport and Fairfield Inn by Marriott GSP Airport are just too far away from the race site for my taste. Also, they are just about sold out for this weekend.
Again, the contact information for the Hampton Inn at Simpsonville, SC
is:
Hampton Inn - //www.hamptoninnsimpsonville.com - (864) 963-9292
I hope to see you a bunch of your at our event this weekend.
Happy trails,
Al
C. Al Roof
Riders Association of Triumph: 1082482
American Motorcyclist Association: 696745
American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association: 3843
Founder & President - The Blue Ridge Pathfinders Motorcycle Club, Inc.
Founder - The Suzuki Kawasaki of Gastonia Riders' Club
Office Manager- Barnes Suzuki, Inc. dba Suzuki Kawasaki of Gastonia
On Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:03:54 -0000 "ducracer21" <
[email protected]> writes:
> My son and I are coming to the cross country this weekend. If I
> bring his dirtbike, is there somewhere he and I can ride after the > races?
Dear ducracer21,
In our planning meeting this past weekend Greg Holder said he would be putting together a rules sheet for the event. I do know that he said specifically:
1. No riding on the motocross track;
2. No riding on the dirt track;
3. Only slow and cautious riding through and around the park grounds.
So I don't know that there will be anywhere for your son to ride after the races.
I am forwarding your inquiry to Greg, in hopes that he will expound on what I have written here. However, since Greg doesn't quite have the hang of e-mail on his new I-Phone, so you may want to just give him a call at (864) 320-9796.
Thanks for planning to attend our event.
Al Roof
Howdy folks,
I'm writing you from the warm, dry lobby of the Hampton Inn, Simpsonville, SC.
I am wet, chilled to the bone, and dead tired, but with a belly full of ribs from Arizona
Steakhouse, so please understand this narrative will have no literary flow, and is short
and to the point for now.
As Referee at today's Inaugural Carolina White Lightning Cross Country Classic, I only
had to penalize one rider for apparent course cutting based on absolutely impossible lap
times.
There were several vintage bikes here that I should have penalized for excessive rear
suspension travel, but gave the benefit of the doubt primarily due to their lack of
competition.
Wendall Phillips of the Team Lillian Swamp Boys suffered the only serious injury on the
course this morning with an apparent hyper extended knee.
However, Corky Root gave us quite a scare back at event headquarters, following his post
vintage race on a 1985 KDX 200, when he appeared to be having a heart attack!
For those of you who may not know, Corky is a tough bird! In 2005 he quite literally died
as the result of a Sudden Death Episode while waiting for his heat at Monster Mountain in
Alabama. At that time Teddy Landers wrote "After he keeled over, the EMTs were
about 100 ft away and they hit him with the paddles three times to no avail. No heart, no
breathing. They did artificial respiration on him for a while and then gave up - he was
gone. Patti was holding his hand and shouting at him to not leave her. After about 8
minutes he gasped and then came back. The hospital credited the fast response of the EMTs
hitting him with the paddles for his recovery."
Today Corky presented the acute chest pain and Grey complexion I know far to well having
seen my father suffer several myocardial infarctions between his first at age 43 and his
death in 1983 at age 59. Wife Patti kept her composer an administer aspirin as I called
911 and one of our riders rode out to meet the ambulance at the park gate, which is
easily overlooked from the main road. Once off the phone with 911 dispatch, we covered
Corky with anything we could find to keep him warm in the frigid, wet conditions,
continuously monitoring his pain level and keeping him alert.
As luck, albeit bad, would have it, the two ambulances required during the race had
already been cleared to leave the premises, and were long gone. The unbelievably slick,
mucky condition of the wet clay roads and and parking lot made it impossible for the unit
that ran the call on Corky to reach our locations, so a local volunteer fireman with
impressive skill in driving and drifting his Ford F250 4WD, drove in, scooped up Corky
and Patti and sped them away to the awaiting ambulance.
About thirty minutes later, just as David Lamberth called out Corky's trophy winning
score, the VFD fellow's truck came slogging back to us, returning his precious cargo, who
insisted he was fine, refusing transport. This feat earned a tumultuous round of
applause!
Regardless, I know what I saw, and saw what I know, so I ask you to raise Corky up in
your prayers tonight, asking that God let us keep him around, in good health, for one
more time.
Please keep Wendall Phillips in your thoughts and prayers as well.
Wesley Simmons was tallied the best overall vintage score today, and will be receiving
not only his plaquard for winning his class, but also one of my, Greg and Thomas' special
White Lightning Gallon Jugs for his achievement.
The Kewl Bike Award for the day went to a gorgeous 1975 CZ 400 Falta, who's owner will
hopefully forgive me for not being able to recall his name at the moment.
Neither can I remember the name of the rider of a gorgeous Husky who won the Post Vintage
Overall, earning the other special White Lightning Gallon Jug for the day, barely edging
out Rokon mounted Mike Murphy.
Short of Divine intervention bringing miraculous drying of the ground, I doubt there will
be any riding of our course tomorrow. Greg and I are thankful to have Dave Lamberth here
to make the call.
Folks, Greg had a WONDERFUL course, that I had the pleasure to pre-ride on Friday, but
our apparently frigid monsoon has put a damper on this weekend.
We worked very hard to put on an epic event, but will have to ask you all to give us
another chance next year.
Wet, cold and tired near Fountain Inn, South Carolina, ace reporter Al Roof signing off.
First of all, let me say that Greg and I are truly humbled, yet extremely proud by the turn out and support of our event by our friends and fellow motorcycle addicts. You folks, both those who came and those who were there in spirit, are wonderful!
Especially after this weekend, I am going to adopt Dave Mungenast Sr.'s prophetic words of wisdom as my personal mantra. When speaking at the Awards Banquet at the 7th Annual Leroy Winters ISDT Reunion Ride in the Berkshires, Dave said:
"I always say that the motorcycle riders are the greatest fraternity that I've ever seen, because no matter who you are, whether you're Malcolm Forbes, or whether you're Malcolm Smith, or Malcolm the trash hauler, when you throw your leg over that motorcycle we're all the same, we're all bonded together....."
As most of you know, it began raining Friday night, and never let up much all weekend. Saturday, following the Vintage (Pre-1975) race, AHRMA officials (and the riders) cancelled the Novice (both Vintage & Post-Vintage combined) out of concern for the riders' safety, but went on with the Post Vintage race.
After that, what had been a marvelous course on Friday was toast. Then
it rained, and rained, and rained, and rained, all Saturday night into
Sunday, so we were not able to run on Sunday. Instead everyone was frantically, yet carefully, working just to get all of cars, trucks, and motor homes out of the park, which by then was a muddy quagmire. The luxurious land yacht belonging to John ?, the nice gentleman from California (most definitely manly man who rode the Yellow 1974 Yamaha SC 500 in Saturday's event) is still sitting in the upper lot. He figured it would be at least today before he would be able to get that thing out of there without tearing it up with tow trucks.
Due to conditions and consequences caused by the torrential rains, it
will be a real struggle for Greg and me to cover our expenses and commitments related to hosting the event. Whatever profits we can glean from the sale of our event T-shirts and commemorative decals will be our saving grace.
Therefore, I have put together a promotional flyer with prices and
ordering details for these items.
UNFORTUNATELY, I don't possess the gumption to post that flyer here on this fourum.
SO, IF ANY OF YOUR FINE FOLKS HERE ON THE PENTON OWNERS GROUP FORUM WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE OUR White Lightning Event T-Shirt & Commemorative Sticker Sales Poster, please e-mail me directly at
[email protected] , and I will reply to you with a .pdf file containing the poster containing all of the pertinent information for ordering our shirts and decals.
I have uploaded our White Lightning T-Shirt & Sticker Sales Poster to the various and sundry Yahoo! Group Sites, and hopefully the Liles have a way to post a link to our promotional flyer on the AHRMA website as well.
Any and all help you can give us in moving these items, to generate some much needed cash flow, will be greatly appreciated!
Ernie, please keep me updated on Wendell's condition, and send me his UPS shipping address (off-list) so that Greg and I may send him a special gift.
Happy trails,
Al Roof