The Season begins.

March brings about the start of the 2009 racing season. Hare scrambles got a one up by racing in January. The hangover motocross was cancelled due to weather this year. The annual hangover race starts the season off, but this month all disciplines except trials and dual sport begin their annual kick offs with races towards the gold. Enduro, dirt track, road riding, and motocross all have openers this month. So let the racing begin.

It’s that time of year to renew old acquaintances and renew those competitive struggles to the top. We’re all one big family of two wheeled enthusiasts that enjoy commradary and competitiveness of the sport. We stick and huddle together when adversity strikes and celebrate like no other when victory is obtained. Respecting your follow competitor and machine is paramount in this sport. At any point in time someone, somewhere will need the support or assistance from another competitor whether it’s a fallen or lost rider ten miles back in the woods, or a fouled plug on the starting line of a short track, we all need each other. I’ve spent many trips visiting fallen riders this winter from youth riders to veteran riders. This sport has many exhilarating moments. It also has those tragic reminders. This is why our bond is so strong. So let’s prepare ourselves for the full season ahead.

While some are enjoying March Madness, your new District 7 Board has been hard at work since January. On the Board we have a great deal of experience as far as riders and racers who realize the expense, training and time that is required to race week after week to pursue a championship and we feel these efforts should not go unrewarded. Thus, some changes to our Gold Series. Here is what’s coming.

Our membership fees have changed. Those of you that signed up after October 1, 2009 will be getting a refund. The new membership cards are in and you’ll be receiving them before you read this. If you haven’t, email Ms. Bell our membership chairperson at district7membership@comcast.net. Your membership fee is tied in with Cycling East. Due to budget restraints and short comings, last year we sent one copy of Cycling East to each household. If you have multiple members in your household and they want individual copies, email district7membership@comcast.net and we’ll make sure you receive the correct amount of copies at your residence.

Let me first start by saying everything that is proposed is coming from you, the riders. The various volunteer chairs have asked for your opinions/comments about every facet of our Gold Series. This year every discipline [motocross, hare scrambles, enduro, and dirt track] will again be eligible for Gold Series cash and contingencies. I am writing this before District Board approval. All proposals are subject to such approval. The Board has been hard at work to bring the riders the best program possible.

Our treasury was in the black for 2008. We have every intent of doing the same again this year even though the economy is looking on the down side. We’ll have increased support from all of the promoters and new sponsorships contributing throughout the year. Expert riders in dirt track, hare scrambles, and enduro need to convey to your chairman what types of awards you prefer for year end. Your cash awards were turned into trophies last year per your chairman’s request. Those were the responses that you conveyed to your individual chairman. Motocross, quad motocross, and quad hare scramble all received cash because they voiced to their chairman that they wanted cash. It’s up to you, the riders, not us. Quad riders kept their forty dollar fee so that their banquet budget would be larger. Each quad rider’s contribution to year end awards is twenty five dollars versus ten dollars for the other disciplines. This money is kept separate and is only used for year end awards. This is the best on the East Coast.

The Dirt track series this year will have 22 races. There are two new tracks coming on and the racing will be intense. The classes are being reviewed at this time. There’ll be changes, so stay tuned and check out the website www.amadistrct7.com. There will be a series within a series, new this year. The Baltimore County Trial Riders will be announcing their program shortly. Go to www.bctra.com for their latest updates. Jack Stedding has been hard at work trying to stay ahead of the times. We have more professional riders come out of this district than any other in the country. That’s making a statement.

This year the motocross promoters are raising and issuing five hundreds dollars ($500.00) of tokens at each gold series race. These tokens can be exchanged in value for admissions (gate) fees, sign-up fees, and/or towards your purchase of year end banquet tickets. These tokens will be in five dollar ($5.00) denominations. Five classes will be selectively chosen at each gold series race. That’s one hundred dollar ($100.00) value for each class. First receives forty tokens ($40.00), second receives twenty five ($25.00), third receives twenty ($20.00), fourth receives ten ($10.00) and fifth receives five ($5.00) tokens. There are thirty two amateur and youth classes. Each class will be selected alternatively throughout the series. The promoters have chosen to give back to the amateur and youth riders as a sign of appreciation for their patronage. Also in addition is a guaranteed one hundred twenty percent [120%] for the 250A and OpenA, all age class experts are guaranteed one hundred twenty percent [120%] payout at all Gold Series races also which is new this year. This package, along with our large trophy presentation at year end, should attract and improve our Gold Series attendance. Make sure your equipment is ready and that you’ve scheduled all your weekends at the race track. Two thousand nine (2009) is going to be the best year ever. We’ve changed the classes in 2009, so go to our website and check them out. www.amadistrict7.com. We have a new contingency chairman, Brandon Kemplin, and he promises a new and better program this year. Every motocross gold series event will have some special happening taking place for old and young, fast and slow.

So with that said, keep you feet on the pegs, go fast, and take chances!!!!