The Scene

THE SCENE

IVAN J. WAGAR

IT TOOK the Class B members of the American Motorcycle Association only a few minutes voting time to lay the framework for a truly democratic NEW AMA.

Long criticized by this publication, the association in the past has only provided for industry representation throughout its 70-year history. This year, however, the Class B members (made up of industry representatives) voted unanimously to change the Code of Regulations to make it possible for two regular dues paying members to serve on the Executive Committee, the body that meets from time to time to establish policy and operating procedures.

This change to the Code stipulates that the two Class A members (the regular $12/yr. member off the street) cannot be employed by, or associated with a Class B member, thus assuring that there will be no industry ties in any way. The travel expenses for the two regular members will be paid by the association.

On the surface the change may not appear staggering. For the first time, however, the 200,000 regular members have a voice in what the AMA does, and how it decides what is best for the majority. I know of no national motorcycling body in the world with such a provision. Although the move is long overdue, and certainly was inevitable, there will no doubt be grumbles from some people behind the scenes in industry. Because, not only does the change accommodate the two regular members, but also restricts the vehicle members (manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles) to a maximum of five seats out of the 12 maximum members. And there is, indeed, a provision in the voting where vehicle members could even be less.

Thus ends an era. An era that lasted almost three-quarters of a century. An era throughout which industry decided what was good for all of us, and called all the shots. In the beginning it was necessary for industry to carry the ball. There were not very many motorcycle riders, and their needs were quite simple. As a result, the main purpose of the association was to promote professional motorcycle racing, and the few manufacturers interested in racing kept the association going so that spectators

could see their brand compete on the board tracks and at the local fairs.

But today the needs are different. Although all too often the Executive Committee still preoccupies itself with professional racing matters, there must be a broader outlook to provide for the needs of the four million motorcycle riders in this country. These past attitudes must certainly account to some extent for the small AMA membership relative to the total number of riders. Hopefully, the new Executive Committee structure will provide the people to come up with the right answers for the good of all motorcycling.

The Class B members voted to further isolate professional racing from the more pressing business matters facing the association, such as insurance, land closure and legislation, by renaming the AMA Competition Congress to the AMA Congress. Previously the Congress, by virtue of its name alone, spent most of its time haggling over racing matters, with little or no concern for the clubs and the road riders.

Now an 8-man committee has been formed to handle professional racing outside of the annual Congress and outside of the Executive committee. Titled the National Championship Committee, the members will be Congress Chairman Russ March; Bob Hansen, Kawasaki; Roxy Rockwood, Triumph, and myself; plus three promoters and one professional rider to be chosen by the Congress. This standing committee will meet at required intervals to decide purses, promoter capabilities, etc., and generally handle all professional racing matters through Executive Committee approval. It will, for all intents and purposes, be the racing arm of the AMA.

And that is very important. Whenever one association must be a catch-all for the needs of the whole motorcycle community it must first divorce itself from professional racing. Amateur competition and road riders have similar needs and problems, but both are very

different from professional racing. Professional racing is an extremely important part of motorcycling, and I am not downgrading that phase of our sport, but just as important are the needs of the thousands of enduro riders that go out each weekend, or the millions of road riders trying to cope with insurance and legislation matters in the various states in which they ride.

Elected to the Executive Committee to serve 1-year terms are: J.R. Kelly, KK Supply; Bob Hansen, Kawasaki; John Harley, Harley-Davidson; Paul Garnant, Suzuki; Roxy Rockwood, BSA/ Triumph; Dan Burns, Buco; Ray Morrow, MCM Supply; Tom Sargent, ZiffDavis Publishing, and myself. The two Class A members will be voted to office by the general membership through a direct mail ballot in AMA News.

Six of the people elected will be serving for the first time. John Penton, one of the new members, received very strong voting support because of his International Six Days Trial involvement over the years, and this year we are the hosting nation. John has dedicated his life, not to mention those of his sons, to ISDT competition for several years, and his place on the committee will provide invaluable input to help make this year’s event a success.

I am not saying that we now have a perfect national motorcycle association, but we are closer to having the makings of one than ever before. Certainly many things have to be done; many things have to be proven. Yet the voting action of the Class B members brought the Executive Committee of the AMA more into line with the goals set by Russ March, Executive Director, when he outlined future programs to the press recently. On that occasion March stated that, while . growing in scope, professional racing would occupy only 15 percent of total AMA effort, which is the same amount as given to public relations. Legislation, on the other hand will take up a full 25 percent of all AMA effort.