slalom_specialist

Just wanted to let everyone know that ITSA is now on Facebook. It is still a work in progress, but feel free to post items related to Twin Shock and/or Vintage Trials, including posts for upcoming events. (Like ITSA events, Modern riders are always welcome)

64 is a good turn out now a days.....I think the days of 100+riders is gone until the economy turns around........ when I looked at the results of the AHRMA replacement event in Windham, I only counted 12 or 13 entrants. 21 DNF's seems high, was there any particular reason there were so many DNF's?

Did anyone ride this event?? How did it go?

I use ELF 2 XT TECH synthetic mixed 70:1 with 105 octane avgas in my 2.9

Ishy, Someone with NTA might know other wise, but I would think Burlington Vt would be the closest for a commercial flight......

Kip, Do you take PayPal, or would you rather I just send a check? Gray???? Dan, Looking forward to a home coming in Vt.

Sorry Glen, But next weekend is rounds 1 and 2 of ITSA's North American Championship at Little Egypt Off Road in Marion Il................... but good luck with your event, I hope you have a good turn out,..........maybe I can make the next one.

I guess it depends on how long and at what levels you have been competing in AMA sanctioned events...... As someone who grew up racing Motocross in the early the 70's and competed in multiple AMA disciplines ever since, (to me and many others) an AMA #1 plate is the Holy Grail........................ besides, I have lots of high and low tech jackets that can keep me warm around a camp fire.....

Allen, The four (4) lines, are really the same as AHRMA, with the exception that Novice = Beginner and Amateur = Novice. .... The only area I find fault with here is that the Intermediate/ Amateur riders (Intermediate and Novice) will be riding the same line. I am not sure how this will be pulled off, but I suspect this means the intermediate lines will be considerably easier. (So I guess you can flip a coin as to what class you ride at this one) As for the rest of the rules, I personally think the class structure and rules in place for Mid Ohio are confusing to a lot of riders, including myself. First of all, the classes have been dissected to a point where in 3 of the 6 classes you will only have a handful of bikes at best. Vintage Hardtail Any non-swingarm motorcycle with a separate engine and gearbox (Even in AHRMA events there are very few rigid bikes competing....I don

Cope, At this time it is hard to foresee what the future has in store for AHRMA, except whatever it is, it will be without me. According to Dave Janiec

Cope: I agree with you on most of what you said, and yes the way AHRMA handled the law suit would P*** off even the pope............... it's even worse if you go all the way back to how that whole mess started......... but that

Part of the problem is that most fiberglass tanks are made with polyester resin which is more susceptible to the additives in modern gasoline. (its not just the ethanol) As a general rule it's not as much of a problem when the tank is built using epoxy resin such as in most carbon fiber tanks, but even with the epoxy resin, there are still some additives that can cause a problem when you use modern pump gas. (Which is why you see failures even with the use of epoxy sealers) Unfortunately, the oil companies are very secretive about all of the ingredients in their blends and treat the formula's as proprietary trade secrets. While the change to epoxy resin does make the tank less susceptible to problems associated with ethanol, because of other additives, it does not completely eliminate the problem. Based on my experience, I would still have a epoxy resin tank coated with some sort of epoxy sealant like Caswell sealant, but try to use race fuel if possible, and pump gas only when race gas is not available. And lastly, never leave any fuel in the tank for any extended time. While overnight may not hurt, I would not leave any fuel just sitting in the tank for more than a few days. I know that sounds like a bit of a pain, but it's the only way I know to extend the life of your expensive fiberglass or Carbon Fiber tank.

Well guys, it looks like once again AHRMA has chosen to lie to it's membership about issues that effect the very core of AHRMA and Vintage Racing.............I know some of you have bought into the AHRMA spin on the controversy between AHRMA and the AMA and may have even read the press release posted on the AHRMA web site on April 15............... Well guess what guys ..... AHRMA lied AGAIN........ which really is no surprise given the actions of their leadership over the last few years...... Here is a link to the April 16th press release/interview with AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman who speaks out about the dispute that has arisen with the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA). http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=793 The other interesting item is AHRMA's response, also dated 4/16, that they chose to call an "Update and Clarification"......and comes across like a 10 year old who has just been caught lying and try's to avoid punishment with a vague attempt to cover up the lie. (Ya,... That's the ticket) ....................... Based on the actions of the AHRMA leadership all along in handling the whole Iannucci/TO matter, I wouldn't be to hopeful AHRMA will be able to resolve anything in the next two weeks................... the only thing I am sure of is......... If AHRMA does not reach an agreement with Iannucci and/or the AMA, they will spin it as being all Iannucci, and/or the AMA's fault or anyone else's fault but their own................. when the truth is, they were equally wrong all along and it has cost the membership dearly............................... Yes it is just politics............. but the politics of any sport effect all of the participants in that sport.............. no matter how deep you want to bury your head in the sand..

Dave, I am always amazed at the naivety of some people who love to follow AHRMA's tyrannical leadership in pulling the company line. First off, there is no question that there are lots of insurance companies that would be glad to underwrite AHRMA's insurance needs, some of whom I represent on a daily basis. That said, I can assure you that it will be at a higher premium than that charged through the AMA, if for no other reason than the difference in volume between the AMA and AHRMA. Additionally, most underwriters would also take into consideration AHRMA's recent past (Bankruptcy) and it's issues with the AMA, which would also have an effect on AHRMA's premium, which could end up being considerably higher than a policy offered through the AMA. All of which are costs that will cause AHRMA to raise entry fee's, membership fee's and/or both. Lets face it, any increase in costs has has no place to be passed on except directly to the membership. Don't get me wrong, I have been a member of AHRMA over 16 years, and while I have met a lot of great people and made life long friendships through AHRMA, based on the the current leadership that has been in control of AHRMA the last few years, only a fool would believe the costs to the individual rider will go down by AHRMA losing it's AMA Charter. (and for the record, I have been an AMA member 38 years) The thing you have to ask yourself is,... given all the issues that surround AHRMA, can AHRMA really continue to operate without an AMA Charter or it's Sanctioning? I seriously doubt it. By the way, I don't think you have to wait till April 30 to find out......... (see AMA Vintage Replaces AHRMA At Mid-Ohio Vintage Days at super bike planet http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Apr/090409a.htm and for those who might think soup is to tongue and cheek, the same press release is on the AMA web site, http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=781 )

While I agree there are some unscrupulous people and/or businesses out there that the government needs to regulate for our safety,... such and Food processors etc. (had any peanut products lately)...............but what strikes me as funny is the fact that based on what those fools in Washington now say is dangerous, (hence the need to pass laws to protect us), none of us over the age 30 should be alive... I guess I better make sure my sons don't chew on their bike parts.

To me the choice is simple.... CANON............. I have been using nothing but Canon equipment since I got my Canon Ftb as a graduation present back in the 70's. (which I still own and use) Over the last 35 years I have owned other brands as well, but I always go back to Canon. (I also have a1984 F1, an EOS-40D, an EOS-1D, and a compact A-95 (which I like because it fits in my pocket and uses the same Compact flash cards as the D-SLR's)). The only suggestion I would make is that you take look at the Canon 40D, instead of the EOS 1000D(Rebel) ........ with the release of the Canon 50D, you can pick up a 40D at a very reasonable cost, and from what I have seen and read about the EOS-50D, even with the increase in pixels, the EOS-50D does not perform any better than the 40D, (except for the HD LCD screen) and in fact, it is not as good as the 40D in low light situations. (also the 40D has a magnesium alloy body as opposed to the rebels plastic body) Another thing to consider is the Sony is the old Minolta Brand......... while I have nothing against Sony/Minolta, my dad completely wore out two Minolta's and an Olympus OM-2 since I got my Ftb, which is still working great despite the abuse I have given it over the years. PS, While all of the Camera ad's want to push live view as the next great feature, it is something 99% of us will rarely use, I don't think it should be a big consideration in the purchase of a D-SLR of any brand. I can see some rare situations where live view would be handy, such as close up (macro) shots, but in everyday situations it is more of a hindrance than help. Not to mention that live view will drain the battery much faster. Personally, I have never used it.

Murray, This is just another one of a growing list of reasons against AHRMA as far as I am concerned. There are several people in AHRMA, who for one reason or another have been pushing for the series to be more west coast originated for a while now. Additionally, guys like Dick Mann, who has a vested interest in selling his heavy weight trials bikes, (mostly to west coast riders because his bikes don't seem to like eastern terrain) has been pushing this agenda hard for the last 5 or 6 years. The Ironic thing to me is that the NATC, in creating its new twin shock class, recognized the majority of twin shock trials riders in the US seem to be on the east coast, which is the reason the new NATC twin shock support class will debut this year at TTC and include the events in Vermont and New York. (go figure) NATC twin shock class: Twin Shock Class Rules: This proposal is for a new NATC Twin Shock class. It is designed to be simple for all involved. It is only open to riders of an advanced or expert caliber on Twin Shock bikes. Twin Shock (TS) will be just like any other Support class. There will be no age classifications. All AMA/NATC rules and requirements will be observed. EXPECTATIONS: The hope is that this new class will grow to be comparable to the size of any of the other Support classes. If the series is to be centered on the East Coast in 2009 this would be a good year to try it out as the strongest concentration of TS riders is in the East, South East and Mid-Atlantic states. See www.mavt.org and www.twinshock.org. GOAL: This class is designed to be the most challenging and competitive Twin Shock series in the US. It is not for riders that are afraid to scratch their bikes.

Then again, as stupid as it might be, if it goes through, it could make my used Sherco 290 worth more

I roughed up the metal plates on my 290 with a SS wire brush on my dermel.......... scoring straight lines from the center out. I put 4 runs about 1/4 inch wide on each metal plate and it improved the sticking a great deal........ Now it only seems to be a problem if the bike sits for a month or more and even then is easily freed by rocking it in high gear a few times before starting. Prior to roughing up the plates, if it sat for more than a few days, I would have to bump it into gear, get it up into 4th or 5th gear, pull in the clutch and lock the rear brakes a few times to free the clutch. (also something Ryan had recommended)

Not to mention the addition of a twin shock class beginning in rounds 3 & 4 at TTC

Allen, I agree that one develops some skills by competing in events,.....but I think a rider needs to have a level of basic off road riding skills before entering an AHRMA National event........... I guess we will just have to agree to disagree,....and that is ok too. Change for the better can only come about when all sides of an issue are aired. Maybe the answer for beginning riders is to hold a separate beginner trials the day before or that morning with a number of 4 line sections placed close to the paddock area, sort of like the STRA does with youth trials and was done back in the 70's by a lot of clubs. That way they can also learn from the more experienced riders who are always willing to help out beginners (which is hard to do when you are also riding your own sections at the same time)...... I do agree with you about changes being needed at AHRMA, I think there needs to be a complete house cleaning of who is in control. Which is why I will not be renewing my membership. To be honest, after all these years in AHRMA, I just do not believe the changes needed will happen, which is why I will be riding only ITSA events next year. I also agree with you about the need to bring more young riders into the sport. I completely disagree with the opinion of AHRMA's legal counsel regarding riders under 16 (for a lot of reasons new legal counsel is another change AHRMA needs) and more women riders would also be a good thing............ Over all I think you and I agree on many more things than we disagree about. (I think we just have different ideas on what constitutes a National event) The most important thing is we both care a great deal about our sport and both of us want to see it grow and be a family sport, where everyone has fun. Cheers, Pete

Allen, I have ridden events in New England, and the Mid west, but mostly in the Southeast. Mainly AHRMA, ITSA, STRA. I can't speak for Barber's this year, (the event was in a new area) but I was one of the riders that 1st scouted Barbers land for both the trials and CC, and know the terrain very well. (I also lived in Birmingham for 20 years and rode in the area around Barbers track long before they started construction) Most of the time I ride the 3 line in AHRMA events, (mostly due to not spending any time on the bike due to my work schedule), and at times when I can ride regularly, I am comfortable on the 2 line. As for the gravel downhill & opposite uphill you refer to, are you referring to the down hill across the spillway and up to the parking area? If so, I have been up and down that hillside in the dry and in a hard rain and I don't see how it was remotely dangerous, even for someone riding the 4 line. (it is a gravel road used mostly by Kawasaki mules and like work vehicles.) In fact 80% of the loop at Barbers was made from old jeep roads, some of which are used by the Porsche experience off road school based at Barbers. If we are talking about the same hills, it would be my opinion that if a rider was scared off from the trials event because that downhill and up hill section of the loop, they would not be able to ride the 4 line, and should not have entered the trial to begin with. I think they would be better served attending a beginners trials school to learn the basics of off road riding before attempting another trials event, AHRMA or other wise. Please remember this is after all a competition event, and while some riders take it more or less seriously than others, it is still a competitive event. It is also important to remember that in a trials event, like all forms of motorsport, there will always be inherent dangers and risks. As an attorney, I make my living defending civil law suits, as well as doing risk management consulting to several sanctioning bodies, including the AMA. I am also one of the 1st persons to be pushing safety issues that concern all riders......(next time your asked to bring your helmet to sign up for inspection, you can thank me),......... but the truth is, nobody can eliminate all of the dangers and risks from our sport and riders need to understand the risk and have the basic riding skills to properly evaluate those risks and determine if they should compete or not. If a rider is worried about how hard the loop at any given event is, they can always walk the loop before sign up,......... if they feel it is beyond their abilities, they can either speak with the trials master to see if there is a easier way around the difficult section, (ITSA events generally have an easy route around harder sections of a loop for the beginner class) or choose not enter the event. I am sure you and many others won't agree with me, but there are always several beginner and novice class riders at AHRMA events that do not possess the basic riding skills to enter and had no business riding in the event in the 1st place,......................... and in most cases, pose not only a danger to themselves, but also pose a danger to me and everyone else entered.

Well put

Michael, I am not sure you if realize it or not, but AHRMA is actually opposed to kids on Yamaha 60's competing. This comes from AHRMA's moron of a legal counsel who has advised them that children under 16 are an added liability. As far as the loops being too hard, I have never seen a loop (not counting NATC Nationals) that a novice class rider could not navigate safely......... granted that doesn't always mean riding feet up, but there is nothing that says they can't sit and paddle through a short section of the loop if they feel uncomfortable. Because of the nature of our sport and the terrain required to create sections for the various classes, it is difficult if not impossible to create the cart path type loop. As for the guy "on some early 70s enduro bike that they dragged out of a shed " "or the kids on Yamaha 60 minienduros" if they can not ride well enough to navigate an AHRMA loop, (which for the most part is equivalent to a 4 line section) then they have no business entering the event in the 1st place. And in regard to the fraud you mentioned, the greater fraud comes from the rider on the clapped out early 70's enduro (who's skill level should be limiting him to riding in a 40 acre field) who endangers not only himself, but other riders as well by just being on the loop......... Don't get me wrong, I am always in favor of sharing our sport with new riders, but like all competive sports, there has to be a basic level of skill required before one can compete. In other words, they should at least know how to ride a motorcycle..........