papa smurf

Jim, I'm impressed this thread has run fon for quite a while. We've got namecallin' to international petroleum prices to tubing on the river. As for the professional staff of 3D Trials, the photographer is usually quite prompt with the collection, the marketing and sales staff are beyond reproach, marker manufacturing is always getting the white color just right, but that newsletter dude can't draw very well. Smurf

Living the saga, we seem to have a disconnect within the sanctioning organizations. The controlling group is the NATC (North American Trials Committee) but it is closed to the general rider who belongs to the AMA (American Motorcycle Association). There is no AMA membership voice within the NATC, and with regard to trials the AMA is a rubberstamp for the NATC. While this arrangement does work, we have trials in the USA, it is difficult to move from the status quo. Is there a better way to go, maybe, but as long as the current regime doesn't want to alter their present course, not very likely. Of course there's also hidden agendas, secret agreements, and other Machiavellian activities that work hard at keeping the trials community in line and somewhat placated. In the short term things will continue as they have for over 30 years, but time has a habit of changing the course of events, even if indirectly. And now for my obligitory statement of allegiance to the NATC, "I swear that I shall take no action, unless so directed by the NATC, that will alter the existing trial organization in America". Whew, I don't want them knocking on my door.