Quad Riders coming together and forming a club

[DOUG]

I have debated back and forth for a while now and have several people encourage me of forming a Non-profit club and putting on a Harescramble next year with the FTR. This has to be done pretty fast if we are going to do so. You have have by laws filed in Tally, I have asked for a set from a club but never received them. These have to be in Tally and they have to approve them before they will grant a NON-PROFIT organization certificate. Then we have to have the Application to FTR by May 8, 2003. Anyone that joins the club would be required to work the H/S both saturday and sunday. And perferably show up friday morning to help finish set up for the race. I think we can use the Williston Airport there is plenty of parking. But more course would need to be cut. There is plenty out there but some work would have to be done to get not only to it but back as well.

If we cant use the Airport I have a couple of other locations that we can use but it would cost quit a bit more.

We would need 25-30 members to pull it off succsesfully. But I think there are enough of us that are farely trust worthy that we could do it very easily.

Just would like your comment or suggestion. And most of all if you can get a set of By laws from a organization that would be most benificial right now.

Doug
Doug@seccrs.com

Thought about calling it FLORIDA QUAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION if its alright with Mark.

[yamadooski]

Doug count me in and I have 6 others that will join too.

Paul.....

[pdavis]

thats a great idea, i would be willing to help out and might be able to recruit a few more

[Mark]

I'm in. Sign me up! Don't worry about the name, we can figure something out later. I like plain old "Florida Quad Riders". “ASSOCIATION” sounds so corporate. :D


Mark

[Albright]

The club idea sounds good count me in,but to put on a race next season would be pushing it.I just don't think you would have the man power perhaps shoot for the 06 season.I would not want the first race to be a flop.

[DOUG]

How many people do you think we would need? Just to let you know the club this past weekend had only 13 marshalls on the course beside the ones on the MX track. 2 where Paramedics.

Doug

[yamadooski]

Well Im not sure how many we need. But the only time I could help cut a course and spend 3 days at race is anytime between NOv and Feb.

But I really think we need to get the ball rolling here.

But all of us that want to get this club going seems as if we are all over the state.
Dont club members need to be near each other?

Paul....

[DOUG]

Nothing says they need to be close to each other. I think this is what we will need if we ever want are own series wich the FTR is pushing for.

Doug

[yamadooski]

Well all ridy then let get this thingy thing rolling...

[Mark]

Originally posted by yamadooski
lets get this thingy thing rolling...

I'm starting to see a trend:D

[Kirklandrock]

Sounds good Doug.....
I could probably get all my buds down this way to join....
count me in..... Lets do some Hare Scrambles, some GP's. and some 6 Hour or More races Doug......
Yee Haw.
Joe

[pdavis]

the only problem i see, is that there are already so many clubs that have races, i am in the sunrunners and we were supposed to have a race this year, but all the people that were in the club decided it was too much work, there are 15 clubs but only 14 races, one club wasnt going to get a race, but when sunrunners backed out it opened up for the seminole tribe race, FTR just doesnt hand out races to any club, you have to prove to them that you have the capible AND expeirenced manpower to put on a succesful race, i dont see them giving a race to a new club with not alot of race promoting expeirence when there are already mor clubs than race dates
just my .02

[DOUG]

Good point but 2 things going for us. They want to get rid of quads and 2 they wont allow FAST a sanction for next year. So this will allow us to start getting a base of money to be able for future seperation.

Doug

[Mike Preslar]

Some observations.

FTR Sanctions will be determined at the Hare Scrambles Competition Committee meeting Sat. eve. at the Seminole H/S.
While I don't know yet who will apply for one my guess is that there will be more applications than available dates, same as last year. This means someone will go home emptyhanded.
The extra club on the list last year received the cancellation prize and agreed to get some experience by working firsthand on the FTR Benifit Race. We'll see what they have learned in May.
Don't count FAST out. They diligently addressed all the concerns about their event and are working hard to receive a sanction.
Any new club will have a difficult time gaining a sanction over more established clubs. This doesn't mean it can't be done but I would be prepared for that possibility.
I can tell you it takes at least 25-30 extermely dedicated people to pull off a Hare Scrambles and many more casual workers. In addition a substantial bankroll is needed to get the ball rolling.

Contrary to popular myth FTR is not trying to get rid of Quads. I won't pretend I don't see the obvious though, some would like to see you go away. Most of the people that get things done realize the popularity of Quads will overwhelm our ability to handle the current schedules though. With only one time slot available they will grow too large, with too wide a variety of abilities, to devote only one race to. That would mean drastic change. Good luck on that.
We all know that the time will come when Quads will need a whole day devoted to them. Until then the friction will continue.

My vision for this is a separate series, possibly a mix of H/S, TT, MX, and GP devoted to Quads only, with more variety of classes that could still be part of the FTR. WE already have the rules and infrastucture to work with. Just like MX and Enduro's are separate a Quad series could be the same.
There is a massive untapped market out there of Quad riders looking for somewhere to ride. If the classes were structured to include the Mom and Pop types as well as the hard core racers the numbers would grow quickly and the bargaining power with entry fees would open up venues to hold the events.

I would begin small with a 4 race series maybe at some of the smaller (cheaper) venues and let it build. As it gains momentum there would come a time, probably sooner than you think, that it could take the current Quad races away from the H/S series and stand alone.

Don't take this as an invitation to leave FTR, on the contrary, I see this as a great oppotunity for FTR to grow in a way that would be benificial for all.

[NucechRacing]

Here is another idea,
Even though It would be good to have FTR backing you as a club. Why not start an OutLaw Series? We have these in MN for quads, dirtbikes, & snowmobiles. You will just need to get sponsors to donate money to the event. If you get more money at that event then a FTR event then "They will come" As you get the word out more and more that this "OutLaw Series" pays better then FTR you will have a bigger crowd, FTR then should be wise and allow you into their series. There is also a negative to this: If no one shows up then it is a pretty good joke for FTR and you may never get into FTR. Marketing is the major thing for an OutLaw Series. People will always go where there is more money unless the FTR track is out there back yard.