RACEGUY 'Rites: RACEGUY Reaches Out

Something to Talk About

With the hourglass quickly running down on what many consider the Atlantic Region’s most important day of the year, (AGM and Awards Night), I figured it’s time to give the proverbial pot a little stir. (I prefer to look at it as stirring a pot as opposed to being accused of stirring up s*#t)

While I’m a firm believer that your banquet and awards evening must be free of the politics that often surround organized sports, I am just as firm in my belief that the general membership meeting held earlier in the day should be considered almost mandatory for license-holders and the families that accompany them to race events, whether they are regulars on the circuit or simply take part in one or two races per season. Let’s just say, it’s the proper way to exhaust the “politics” before the party.

Jessica Longname photo

Without being too “hardass” about my personal feelings on the subject (yet), I will again submit that “if you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” Every season, (and I may have seen a few of those), I end up biting my tongue as various and sundry political points are presented both as offhand comments or full blown arguments at racetracks across the region as the year unfolds. Most often I remind the purveyor of said politics that these items and issues can only be addressed properly in the setting of your Annual General Meeting. In most cases, these very same people dredge up every excuse in the world for not attending said meeting, and some of these excuses are so ridiculous they should be shared with Facebook comedy groups.

Like any organization that has HUNDREDS of active members, there will be critiques and concerns regarding how policies, practices, and regulations are arrived at, and whether they might be considered good, bad, or inconsequential for the membership. This is perfectly normal and natural. What I find unusual is, while many sports and organizations are forced to leave these discussions to an elected board, (often behind closed doors), with minimal if any input from the general membership, YOUR region is incredibly inclusionary, giving you the opportunity to offer input and even make motions from the floor during the most important meeting of the year.

As this is being written, tens of thousands of people around the world are “occupying” their cities’ financial districts and downtowns and risking arrest, personal injury, and yes, even death, all for one sole purpose. Millions of individuals on this tiny planet are tired of being tuned out. “Occupiers” and those who support them are simply sick and tired of having no voice where the powers in politics are concerned, and with the corporations they have made rich beyond all imagination. While it may seem a stretch to equate the Occupy Wall Street movement with our tiny little region and our tiny little sport, the point must be made; across this planet, people are willing to go through absolute hell to be heard, while we are given every opportunity to influence at least our motocross destiny, and we turn it down flat.

I often wonder if people have fallen into the trap of believing “someone else” will deal with it. Over the years, I have learned that there are some who consider a shopping trip or a visit to Crystal Palace more important than this one annual opportunity. I see it every year.

Darlene Graves photo

While Atlantic Canada may boast numbers slightly north of 400 licensed competitors, we are lucky to have 40 breathing bodies in the room when the AGM comes to order, and, easily, a dozen or more of those people represent the region and track-owners. Even those who have a valid reason for not attending, most often fail the community by not making their thoughts and wishes known to someone who WILL attend, and giving that person their proxy in the event that a vote is held. Let’s not even start to consider how one could easily find ways to participate on-line or through social media.

Toward the end of this MX season, Dave Hewitson presented us with a brilliant survey that promised to make your thoughts and ideas part of the process, while keeping your identity absolutely anonymous. This was a chance to have your say without even attending the AGM. From the over-400 stake-holders in Atlantic Canada, plus the parents of those under 16, less than 50 have completed and submitted their questionnaires. How can it be that people constantly claim they want to be heard, then take a vow of silence when it comes time to open their mouths? How can people, on one hand, say they DON’T want the decision-making process left in the hands of a few individuals at the head table, while, on the other hand, they have more important things to do than pick up a pen and complete a quick survey? (Or take three hours out for a meeting one day a year). I am left perplexed and, once again, disappointed.

For the 4^th or 5^th time this year, an extensive thread has erupted at MXForum in which the “club” business model, used in most other parts of the country, is both criticized and outright blamed for many of the issues plaguing riders in those regions. Numerous individuals have suggested removing the clubs from the equation altogether and developing a new model centered upon the promoters/track-owners and eliminating expensive “club” involvement. News out of Quebec indicates that region has developed and will implement a new structure in 2012 that will put their series completely in the hands of a consortium of the sport’s biggest stake-holders in Quebec, again, the track-owners/promoters.

Jessica Longname photo

As much as I have pointed this out in the past, it’s a perfect time to remind you, again, that this “producer/consumer” model was developed and refined in this region, and the model has been proven to stand the test of time. Others in this country, and in many parts of the U.S. envy you for the position this puts you in. You have an organization that is, out of necessity, totally in touch with the sport, that takes on all the responsibility for the events you attend, that allows and accepts your input, and yes, even gives you an opportunity to present ideas, make motions, and in many cases, even vote on issues that affect your participation in the sport.

All this is my way of setting up the most important weekend of the year for many of you. I beat my head against this wall year in and year out, but I never get totally used to the painful outcome. This year, I have this particular bully pulpit and, as you can see, I am determined to use it to its maximum advantage.

Our sport in this region is now feeling the delayed effects of the 2008 financial downturn that hit many others much harder and faster. We should have had time to consider and respond to the changing economic climate. The overall health of the sport, from the AMA Pro level on down, is considered sketchy at best. Teams are scaling down, or folding altogether. Very solid riders are without work or even the prospect of a job. Sponsors that are staying in the game are trying to do far more, with far less. Bridging the gap until we all get back on our feet again will be critical over the next couple of years at a minimum. We will not build that bridge on the crumbling structure of “status-quo”.

As a sporting community, we cannot afford to “just keep up”. It is up to all of us to find creative ways to pull out and pass. It is imperative that we get ahead, and stay ahead of the curve. This will not be done without considering the sport from every viewpoint, and being pro-active in making the changes needed to not just maintain, but to build again upon levels of fan and rider participation, of sponsor and community awareness, and of desirability as a “player’s” sport and an unmatched family undertaking.

Emily O'Neil's Facebook pic

Sometimes I feel like I’m taking the military basic-training approach, and, if I just continue to repeat my message long and loud enough, it will finally sink in and become something you respond to subconsciously and completely automatically. Unfortunately, it seems the command is being given, but very few are snapping to “attention”.

I’ve pounded my point long enough. An upcoming AGM puts us back in the “speak now or forever hold your peace” position once again. While it is unbecoming for a man to beg and plead for anything, I am doing just that. I am asking you…PLEASE…invest just a tiny bit of your time with us on Saturday, October 29^th. It will be an investment in yourself and your sport. If you have agenda items, questions, or comments, you can post them here by clicking “comments” below or contact myself or Larry Northrup through any of a number of methods.

I would also like to see your input, positive or otherwise, shared here as food for thought for our readers. Again, you simply have to click “comments” just below this column and you can post your input right here for the whole world to see. You can remain anonymous when you comment here, or, if you send something to my e-mail and ask to be kept out of things, I can assure you, your wish to maintain your privacy will be honoured.

You have the power to make a difference at your fingertips. It doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t cost anything extra. It doesn’t require anything more on your behalf than simply speaking up vocally, or with a keypad. For just a few hours out of one single day…one out of the 365 packed into every year…you can have a significant impact on the sport and the region we all love.