[ehardy339]

i am sure that most of you have read this on racer x but if not read on - just what we need more government in our lifes

Michigan Motocross is Under Fire
State Senate bill could regulate motocross
By Davey Coombs 09/23/04

You’re not going to believe this, but a Michigan Senator named Mark Schauer (D) recently introduced a bill that creates a new act entitled the “Motorcycle Racing Regulation Act.â€￾ According to a state government website, Senate Bill 1348 (as introduced) “requires that motorcycle racetracks be licensed by the Department of Labor & Economic Growth. A non-refundable $50 application fee is required and the licensee must also pay a $50 licensee fee at the time of application. The license fee is refundable if the application is denied. A racetrack license is issued for a period of 4 years. The license must be displayed at the racetrack entrance.â€￾

Furthermore: “The department director is required to promulgate rules to establish standards for the conduct of races, participant and spectator safety, and the administration and enforcement of the act. The bill provides for interim standards until the rules are adopted. These are the 2003 American Motorcyclist Association Sports Rules Governing Pro AM, Standard, ATV and Youth Competition and the 2003 AMA/NATC Supplemental Riding Rules for National Championship Observed Trials Events. These standards are adopted by reference in the bill.

“The bill provides for an administrative fine of not more than $250 for a first violation during a single calendar year, not more than $500 for a second violation, and not more than $1,000 for a third or subsequent violation of the act or rules,â€￾ it says. “A license may be suspended for 30 days for an egregious violation. An administrative hearing is required before imposition of a fine. Operating a racetrack without a license is classified as a misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500, or both. A person guilty of operating a racetrack without a license is also subject to paying the cost of prosecution.â€￾

Amy Ritchie of Red Bud Track ’N Trail, the largest and best-known motocross track in Michigan, has already contacted her district senator, Ron Jelinek (R), to express her concerns, “Specifically that over-legislating our sport could have a negative impact,â€￾ she explained. She also has contacted the American Motorcyclist Association.

This link gives a summary of the bill: http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-15 ... --,00.html

From this link you can click Bills, then search the bill number (1348) and see it in its entirety: www.michiganlegislature.org.

[crfsonly]

ehardy339...thanks for the post. as one who lives in california which has the most restrictive off-road use regulations in the union i urge everyone to do all they can to keep their state from becoming another california. our trails and tracks are absolutely in jeopardy if we stand by and let the anti-motorcycle/off-road activists muscle us around politically.

if you're already involved...excellent. if not and you'd like to get involved (read: if you have off-road vehicles you MUST get involved) the group Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) is an excellent place to start:

http://www.arra-access.com/arra/home.html

thanks again!

[Team Bob]

All of you reaing this need to be members of the AMA, if you're not already.