December 11, 2007
American Speedway Riders and Supporters:
USA Speedway is saddened by the departure of our Executive Director
and his company Heartland Media. Mr. Amick/Heartland Media's
contributions will not soon be forgotten.
I know there are many questions regarding USA Speedway that many of
you have and I will try and answer some of those.
What is USA Speedway: USA Speedway is the Exclusive Competition
Affiliate of the AMA for Speedway Motorcycle racing, promotion and
rider development in the USA.
What does USA Speedway do: Here are just a few examples.
Lower Public Spectator & Participant Legal Liability Insurance rates.
Speedway promoters using the AMA insurance plan now pay less for a
million dollar policy than ever before. The rates are almost 1/2 of
what they were before this organization started. Our goal for 2008
will be to work on the lowering of rates for promoters who are
required by some Ca. fairgrounds to have two or three million dollar
policies.
Shift organizing and day to day running of American Speedway away from
Ohio and as of our last meeting back to California.
Start a rules committee. One of their and our first success stories
is the passage of being able to use the 22" tire again. Riders had
asked the AMA to do this for years but it wasn't doable till USA
Speedway was formed. Because we now have local control of our sport
USA Speedway got it done.
Organize two well received Awards Banquet events at the Queen Mary.
They were a huge success and gave Speedway some much needed publicity
but the Board is looking into changing the way these events are held
in the future. At our last meeting I proposed a free Barbeque, Awards
ceremony that would better represent our rank and file membership.
The Board gave me the approval to research this proposal and they will
receive all the details and costs at our December meeting. If passed
our first such event could happen in January or February 2008.
Organized Costa Mesa to run a USA Speedway/AMA National Series round.
Brad has announced that this event will run again on Saturday night
June 7, 2008. Discussions will also continue regarding Costa Mesa
being a full time AMA/USA Speedway track.
Increased management on our World Team Cup races.
www.usaspeedway.
have control of this website. I know everyone has been impressed with
the job he does on the speedwaybikes.
Who is on the Board of USA Speedway: The board is made up of 4
Industry Directors, 4 Enthusiast Directors and 1 appointee from the AMA.
Who are the nine Board Members:
Ryan Evans, Dave Joiner, Bill Cody, Paul Flanders, Gary Hicks Sr.,
Rick Miller, Harald Zechner, Brian Gaines and Ken Saillant who is the
AMA representative.
What does the board get paid: Nothing. It actually costs to be
member. My fees for 06 were $220. and again for 07 were $220. The
only paid salary at USA Speedway was the Executive Director position
and the Board has unanimously voted to totally eliminate it. The
responsibilities of that position will now be shared by the board.
Having a Executive Director was expensive and we have decided that
money would be better served on riders services.
How does the Board vote on things: All nine Board members receive one
vote each. No one member has greater power that the other and a
majority must be reached for any proposal to be passed.
How can I heard:
USA Speedway is here to help organize promoters, riders, mechanics,
supporters, sponsors and do rule changes. We need you all to guide
us. Send us your recommendations. Contact your rider representatives
or any member of the rules committee or any member of the Board. New
contact email address's will be published in the next report. Mine is
still howie@razvideo.
comments and suggestions.
Hope this helps explain who and what USA Speedway is and how you can
get further involved.
Thanks
Howie