Mid Ohio Vendor Info

[Paul Danik]

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

[tomale]

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)

[firstturn]

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

[rob w]

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.

[454MRW]

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

[auto]

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.