AS for the Day License fee for the Vic DH Series. This is something that has been done to specifically encourage FULL MEMBERSHIP for any interested people. It is quite clear that Full Membership is far more beneficial from at least an insurance point of view. Our series is 100% Club run and volunteer based so we really want to see the Clubs gaining members, who potentially become committee members, and then get their friends/families interested in racing and ultimately VOLUNTEERING. No one makes money out of our series except for the riders, so we need these volunteers. If we didnt care about membership, we wouldnt have any people to run the races = no races = no riders = no champions = no sponsorship = even less Australian bike industry = no fun for all!! You see, its the circle of life...........
Now, Iv been a MTBA member since the very start, and it certainly started of with great intentions, and still has them. Interestingly enough, some of the very issues and criticisms of MTBA today, are the very same ones that caused MTBA to be created in the beginning. So what happened????
Now I dont know either of the candidates for President very well, but whichever way you look at it, its a tough gig. As for Simon's Dirt Art company, there may be a conflict of interest, in plain terms, but surely Simon will know that he and his business will be scrutinized and watched very carefully if he is elected. If he starts rolling into races in his private helicopter, Im sure we can figure out whats going on. The issue at hand is, will the candidates of any role do the job to the best of their ability. Lets stop the criticism and and business bashing and get on with the job.
Trust me, i have learned a thing or two about perceived conflict of interest, and it is quite black and white. You have it or you dont. But the thing is, you can manage the situation properly and be open and transparent, and everyone will learn that your a good guy (if you are), cos if your not, it will be really obvious and people will be able to prove you are dishonest and conflicted, and your out. Lets face it, in the bike game, no one really makes any money anyway. Its a love job.
MTBA has a lot of ground to make up, its no walk in the park, I would like to help by putting my hand up to be the DH rider rep, if still available.
Matt.