Just a reminder to everyone, that our next race is scheduled for the 16th of October. Even though our OMRRA posters and cards say the 14th and 15th, we can use the track for the weekend. Not sure if the dates were a typo or not. No matter at this point. There will be open practice on Friday and Saturday for those who want to trek out there. Racing will be on Sunday as we have done in the past.
I will be the director at this event and plan to be there Saturday and Sunday only.
For those that are not familiar with the McMinnville Kart track, Portland Karting Association (PKA) runs the practice sessions and there is a fee you will need to pay them prior to accessing the track. An OMRRA race license is not required for practice days. Please be aware that we will need to share the track with anyone that shows up! Karts & YSR's are whom I'm thinking about. We have a good relationship with these folks and will adjust practice times as needed. There should be plenty of practice time available.
There was some discussion at the OMRRA Board/General Meeting about having an endurance race, but that will not be taking place due to scheduling reasons.
We will be holding a novice school at McMinnville on Sunday. If you are considering to race and do not have an OMRRA race License, this class is a must. I encourage anyone interested in racing with us, to come out and practice as much as you can on Friday and Saturday.
Oh, and for the new racers, if you can have your Pre-registration forms completed before race day, that will be a tremendous help. The biggest challenge to filling these out is getting the Notary Public to sign your membership documents if your rider is a Minor. Pre-registration is ‘The Preferred Method’, as this will have the class/classes you have entered on a pre-printed form that will be available during morning registration. It will make the morning registration go much smoother. If you are unable to find a Notary Public, one will be available on Sunday.
Please checkout the OMRRA web site at http://www.omrra.com/ for all the information you need and be sure you checkout the rules for pocketbikes and be familiar with the big bike rules. Some big bike items do apply to pocketbikes. If you need, please contact me at tony_martinez@eli.net. I will be happy to answer your questions that I can. I do hope you all plan to attend; everyone is welcomed.
It was my understanding that little Mario was injured not too long ago. I can't imagine that he would be ready to race yet. But hey, you know kids, they heal fast!
This is a suprise. Mark was doing a great job and seemed to be having a good time with it. I was under the impression that the race director was an appointed person (By the board). I would think that a race director should be a neutral party to keep an even playing field.
Robert will be bummed out about Mario bagging out, he was ready to go, we may just do the track day instead. I hope all gets worked out with OMRRA.
Yes Mario has received the go ahead from the doctors to race. Just not sure if he will be attending now.
You are correct sir.
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Originally Posted by shadowanne
Just curious...So if Mark isn't race directing, lil Mario isn't going to ride?
Yes, unless they cay find a neutral party to be race director.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hillsmith
Wow!
This is a suprise. Mark was doing a great job and seemed to be having a good time with it. I was under the impression that the race director was an appointed person (By the board). I would think that a race director should be a neutral party to keep an even playing field.
Robert will be bummed out about Mario bagging out, he was ready to go, we may just do the track day instead. I hope all gets worked out with OMRRA. SDH
+1, maybe we'll come down together with you guys and test out all of the new bikes and get ready for Phoenix, but we'll have to see...
Yes Mario we have had a change here. Out of my respect for Mark, I will not talk about it. Sorry.
As you all have now heard, after the last board meeting I did resign as Race Director, and I will NOT be returning as an omrra pb racer. I do feel bad about leaving a job un-finished, and I am not the kind of guy that quits just because something is tough, but in retrospect I still feel I made the right choice. Posting my reasons in a public forum as to why it ended the way it did would serve no real purpose except to throw mud, and I'm not going to do that. But because I really do respect all the OMRRA PB *RACERS* I would like you all to know know that my reasons for leaving have NOTHING to do with any of you who actually do the racing.
Race hard, race safe and Good luck to you all
mark
As you all have now heard, after the last board meeting I did resign as Race Director, and I will NOT be returning as an omrra pb racer. I do feel bad about leaving a job un-finished, and I am not the kind of guy that quits just because something is tough, but in retrospect I still feel I made the right choice. Posting my reasons in a public forum as to why it ended the way it did would serve no real purpose except to throw mud, and I'm not going to do that. But because I really do respect all the OMRRA PB *RACERS* I would like you all to know know that my reasons for leaving have NOTHING to do with any of you who actually do the racing.
Race hard, race safe and Good luck to you all
mark
Mark, dood, I'm so bummed that you are done. However, we hope to continue seeing you at the NWRL events. Good luck mang, and we'll see you soon....
As you all have now heard, after the last board meeting I did resign as Race Director, and I will NOT be returning as an omrra pb racer. I do feel bad about leaving a job un-finished, and I am not the kind of guy that quits just because something is tough, but in retrospect I still feel I made the right choice. Posting my reasons in a public forum as to why it ended the way it did would serve no real purpose except to throw mud, and I'm not going to do that. But because I really do respect all the OMRRA PB *RACERS* I would like you all to know know that my reasons for leaving have NOTHING to do with any of you who actually do the racing.
Race hard, race safe and Good luck to you all
mark
Mark;
We respect you decisions and wish you the best. Thanks for the time you did do the job, especially considering you didn't ride yourself for the benefit of the rest of us.
Now the NWMRL is a whole different story, Its mandatory that you attend for those 1st and 3rd places!!! See ya there.
Shawn
I'm sorry to hear about everything that has transpired surrounding the recent unhappy events.
The OMRRA board has every confidence in Tony (as do I). Tony has shown nothing but integrity in his role as Referee, Technical Inspector, Worker Rep (board position) and the 15+ years he has been a volunterr with OMRRA. To say or imply otherwise is silly.
There is precedent of the referee stepping into the director role as necessary in OMRRA with another volunteer taking referee, so it really shouldn't be a big suprise to anyone. Sounds like folks may be confusing the referee and the dirty job they have to do (review and enforce rules, protests) to keep the sport clean.
If folks choose to not attend the event for some reason that is their call. But under no circumstances is it fair to pretend Tony integrity has anything to with that decision. And if it honestly is the reason, you don't know Tony very well and should give him the chance at this coming race weekend.
Firstly, THANK YOU Mark for all you have done. I only recently knew that you drove down several hours to each race just to direct. WOW, you rock! I'm sorry that we no longer have you as director but I understand your position. I hope to see you at races, where ever they may be.
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In case anyone was unaware, the Race Director is a volunteer position. Unfortunately, this sport is so small, that pretty much everyone involved is related to someone in the sport.
Let me think... Hmmm yeah there's not many other choices for race director. Everyone I can think of has a racer in the org already. And I definitely want someone who is very familiar with the rules and procedures not just someone from the outside of PBs who just studied up the week before the race. Also I agree that a Race Director should not racing in the event... so that narrows the choices a bit more.
I have every confidence in Tony. I feel he is definitely an un-biased party. I'm a bit shocked anyone would say otherwise of this gentle, honest man.
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I think it's really unfair to 'request' an unbiased director when NWMRL has biased directors... NWMRL directors are racers! Not that I'm saying that Mitch and Chris are biased personally, but as they are racers at their own event, anyone from the outside who don't know them could definitely question them.
I don't see any other unbiased parties stepping up to the plate.
As a member of OMRRA and the parent of an OMMRA member, I have every right to question the politics of the organization, including the pocket bike aspect of things as that is where my interest is as well as having the right to request a neutral officiating body. Yeah, we may have not raced at all this year with you guys, but it doesn't change the fact that I want to make sure that when we do (IF) that there is a neutral governing body in place to assure fair and equal treatment of all racers, not just the kids.
Now, on to Tony. You guys are right, I don't know Tony, I have spoken to him on maybe three occasions and that is it. However, I have seen Tony in action as a race day staff member and that is where I take my point of view from. The issues that I have mainly lay in the kids class as there seems to always be lots and lots of drama going on, last year it was Mario and Cody, this year its Robert that are on the receiving end of things. If its not protests, it something else. Its kinda funny that if the podium is filled with SPB kids, there is no need for plate checks, but if anyone other then them is on the podium, they must be cheating! That is the kind of stuff that I want to avoid and when you have someone as involved in the SPB team as Tony is, it is hard to expect fairness and neutrality as I have seen it first hand. BTW, I'm not the only one that feels this way.
BTW, I'm talking about OMRRA, not any other club, juts OMRRA
But hey, you need not worry about us, we are just gonna come down on Friday and Saturday and prepare for the Nationals in Phoenix. Mario will not race on Sunday, besides we don't want affect anyone's points race. Again folks, this is just my opinion. Flame away....
As a member of OMRRA and the parent of an OMMRA member, I have every right to question the politics of the organization, including the pocket bike aspect of things as that is where my interest is as well as having the right to request a neutral officiating body. Yeah, we may have not raced at all this year with you guys, but it doesn't change the fact that I want to make sure that when we do (IF) that there is a neutral governing body in place to assure fair and equal treatment of all racers, not just the kids.
Now, on to Tony. You guys are right, I don't know Tony, I have spoken to him on maybe three occasions and that is it. However, I have seen Tony in action as a race day staff member and that is where I take my point of view from. The issues that I have mainly lay in the kids class as there seems to always be lots and lots of drama going on, last year it was Mario and Cody, this year its Robert that are on the receiving end of things. If its not protests, it something else. Its kinda funny that if the podium is filled with SPB kids, there is no need for plate checks, but if anyone other then them is on the podium, they must be cheating! That is the kind of stuff that I want to avoid and when you have someone as involved in the SPB team as Tony is, it is hard to expect fairness and neutrality as I have seen it first hand. BTW, I'm not the only one that feels this way.
BTW, I'm talking about OMRRA, not any other club, juts OMRRA
But hey, you need not worry about us, we are just gonna come down on Friday and Saturday and prepare for the Nationals in Phoenix. Mario will not race on Sunday, besides we don't want affect anyone's points race. Again folks, this is just my opinion. Flame away....
Couldn't have said it better myself. See you all on Friday
As a member of OMRRA and the parent of an OMMRA member, I have every right to question the politics of the organization, including the pocket bike aspect of things as that is where my interest is as well as having the right to request a neutral officiating body.
McMinnville Practice/Race Oct. 14 - 16! 
