Guests:

Rob Rasor VP of Government Relations for the AMA

Dave Oakleaf District 37 Board of Directors / LAO

Josh Mackenroth Mammoth Bar Riders Association

Chris Sykes reported:

One race was held during the last reporting period.

Virginia City Grand Prix Classic – Western States Racing Assoc.

Referee: Michelle Danson (775)853-6911 (before 9pm).

May 13-14, 2000

Saturday rider total: 419 Sunday rider total: 178

Alan Plumbridge reported:

One event was held during the last reporting period:

Fool’s Gold Enduro on 5-7-00

194 riders rode the event, conditions looked like they were going to be dry and dusty, this quickly changed around 4pm on Saturday evening when the rain started and didn’t stop for any amount of time in the next 24 hours, longer I am told by club members. Due to an issue of the spotted owls not hooting the Forest Service required approx. 3 miles of the 1^st loop to be eliminated. The course was laid out well but the continuing rain on the clay soils created major bottlenecks on the hills in the area for all but a few riders. The 2^nd loop became the eliminator loop for most as bottlenecks caused many riders to hour out. C riders that had houred out prior to the second loop were sent back to camp and those who were very close to houring out were encouraged not to start the 2^nd loop due to the backup on the hills. No C rider completed the entire course along with about 55% of the B’s and 20% of the A’s. Although soaked, most of the riders I spoke with at the event and since enjoyed the event with the challenge that Mother Nature put in front of the riders. The club did a great job dealing with the adverse conditions and the problems associated with, making sure all the riders got back to camp, the check workers probably still haven’t dried out. The Forest Service required that CERA perform air monitoring at the event at a cost of $2500, the club was also required to provide a water truck to water down the start area. The water truck was not needed and I am sure no dust particles found its way to the monitor unless in the way of a flying mud ball.

Preliminary results posted on 5-15-00

Part of the monitoring costs included a ranger taking photos before and after the event. He commented that it was not bad. It was noted that the Forest Service is trying not to include monitoring in the permit costs.

George of the Oakland Motorcycle club reported that the Forest Service is now requiring a permit to run OMC’s dual sport event through Cow Mountain. Also, they are required to pay $4 per rider.

Ralph Lee reported:

Three out of four events were run. The May 6^th event was canceled due to weather. There have been no major problems.

Dave Wertham, who broke his neck in an previous event, is getting better. Get well soon Dave.

The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club held the Hangtown Classic. Details on the event can be found in the District website, including links to other websites and photos.

Rob Rasor, Vice President of Government Relations for the American Motorcyclist Association was present and reported:

He appreciated the opportunity to be at the meeting. He reported that the are many issues in California, but there are many other issues all over. The AMA’s key interest nationwide is the Roadless initiative. The Draft EIS is out. It has been characterized as a contest to get our GRASS ROOTS efforts going. It will effect OHV use within our National Forests and BLM land. An issues specific to California include the reauthorization of out Green Sticker program. He stated that the best bill that we can expect out of Gov. Davis won’t be one we like. We should be trying to organize our members in mass so we can have a voice to support the Green Sticker Program. It is important because California’s program is often viewed as a model for other states. WE NEED TO DEFEND OUR PROGRAM. The AMA will be soliciting support from the members, clubs and non District 36 members.

"Clinton is just the starting point if Gore is elected."

Bill Dart reported:

OHV Commission: Don Amador was replaced by Daphne Green. Bill stated that she was involved with a consulting business, the Land Rover Association, The Sierra Club and the League to save Lake Tahoe. Overall she should be real good. Also appointed was Amador County Sheriff Michael Prismich.

Mammoth Bar: the plaintiffs have asked for a reduction in operations of Mammoth Bar (controlling hours). Dave Widell indicated he will not support closing the park or the motocross track. A meeting scheduled with lawyers was rescheduled until July. We have not been a part of the negations.

Roadless Initiative: No total bans on timber or OHV use has been introduced. The draft EIS does include "no new roads" in roadless areas.

Each National Forest is having 2 meetings. One meeting is for information the second for comments. Bill Dart will supply the Webmaster with meeting information. Verbal comments will not be recorded. Written comments need to be submitted.

The Sierra Nevada Conservation Framework is finally out. It is being reviewed.

The Black Sands Conservation Bill was introduced in Nevada. All counties on record oppose the bill. It won’t pass this year.

The first of the stakeholders group meetings to "reauthorize" the Green Sticker program was held in May. OHV and "green" groups will be involved. It will be a struggle to have a program that will work for us and makes other groups happy.

Sanctioning:

The hare scrambles scheduled for November was canceled.

Ed Santin of the Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club contacted the District to express his strong displeasure with the Hangtown / Sopiago Springs date conflict. The District recommended that Sopiago not be run the same weekend as Hangtown. There were other issues that made it necessary for the event to be run in conflict with the National.

Barb Haymond reported:

Card sales are slower this month due to fewer events.

Kevin Yost reported:

The banquet will be held on JANUARY 20, 2001 at the Vacaville Community Center, the same location as last year’s banquet. They are looking into format options to keep time and costs down. There is a 500-seat theater on site and we are looking into having dinner and the award presentations separate. We are lucky enough to have Kevin’s wife Tina on board again this year. They did a great job with last year’s event.

The Enduro scoring software software should be released and in use this fall. There will be a meeting in June or July to review the software. For more information contact Alan Plumbridge, the Enduro Steward.

John Hartvickson proposed an annual Jim Hutzler award.

It was suggested that we put the reason a person received a life membership on the front of the cards.

If anyone has a record of past presidents with dates served, please send to Edd Haymond.

Some of the Virginia City Elders approached Chris Sykes at the VCGP. The city wants the event to continue as it generates about 30% of the town’s income. Possibly a location for a future Dirt Days?? Bill Dart will contact VC officials to talk more.

Pete Francini of P&J Promotions suggested that a space for riders birthdate be added to all race entries since that is the way the District double checks memberships.

Jim Matheson received information from EBC Brakes. The may be a possible contingency sponsor. Jerry Fouts will contact EBC Brakes.

Jackets for this year’s Dirt Track champions will be provided by Dumontech Oils.

Reviewed some of the information regarding Dirt Days. Dick West and NCWR have volunteered to help. We have already received 30% off coupons from IMS for dirt days and we can possibly get a trailer at cost.

Dave Pickett was on the Tom Sullivan Show, a call in radio program, and spoke about Roadless issues. He made some great points. District 37 representatives and Dana Bell have also been on various radio programs. Dave Wood encouraged the LAO, D36, D37 and the AMA to release talking points so more people can be involved.

LETTERS TO EDITORS, RADIO CALL IN SHOWS, ETC. ARE GREAT WAYS TO GET OUR VIEWS AND CONCERS HEARD!!!

A road-rebuilding event will be held in Jarbridge Nevada on July 4^th. The road was closed by the Forest Service.

Some interesting notes:

Some of the money from environmental plates issued by the DMV is donated to the Sierra Club.

Camelbak supports the Sierra Club.

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream supports various green groups.

It was clarified that one-day card entries will be issued championship and B/C series points.

Kevin Yost and the stewards will discuss year-end awards.

Bill Dart is still working on a proposal for Track and Trail.

Chris Sykes to follow up with Michelle Lee to see if Cycle News covered the Saturday race at VC. Jill Patterson already has a call into Cycle News.

Paul Iwanaga was named as a new Dirt Track Committeeman.

Questions were asked in regards to a member’s request that his membership check be returned after a meeting with the District last year. Eddie Diaz to research.

Jerry Brown and Bob Cavakas need new committeeman cards. Ron Cash asked to be retained as a committeeman.

Dave Pickett reported that he has heard that some riders want to run their District numbers.

Dave Pickett did not use his new knobby to roost Stephanie at VC. Ha ha. It is worn down now so she is out of danger.

Regarding the AMA $15 introductory membership, The AMA will have to evaluate the program before they expand or extend the program. It will be available through 2000 in District 36. The District conveyed that we feel the program is a success and we want it extended.

The AMA currently has 263,000 members, only about 35-40% are off road riders/competitors.

The District requested that a lawyer be put on retainer. That is not in the AMA’s plans at this time.

There is a possibility of the AMA and D36 joining to raise funds for specific causes. Only about 4% of motorcycle owners are AMA members.

Discussed the ORVLC. The AMA is not inclined to support them because there are some differences in opinion.