The AMA and their fight for our rights as motorcyclists is another whole topic that was discussed here on another topic. They do work for all of us and our rights within the government as it pertains to laws in the USA, which is a much needed job that somebody needs to do. But as a group that was the promoter and sanctioned of the MX racing world not that long ago......... they lost their way miserably and then gave it up to other people. Now they have no way to turn the ship around in that respect.
The Coombs acted as smart business people over the past years to take control of a large portion of the off road riding market. And they have been doing pretty well with it, even if you don't like the way they do business. GNCC racing has been strong, MXsports / Loretta Lynns is going stronger than ever even in a down economy, and the 12 race outdoor series is still doing quite well despite the hardship of finding sponsorship in this economic era when SX is the big money earner for our sport. Why fault smart business people who looked out for their own interests when the AMA was faltering and threatening to take it over and run it poorly?
YES!!!!!!!!!!! Someone who knows what he's talking about and is paying attention. The AMA is good for all of us riders - street and trail, for keeping the feds in check. Kinda like the NRA does for gun nuts. The AMA is first in the fight against land closures and radicals trying to exclude us bikers from OUR public land. But as for racing, I have said for years, if I were not REQUIRED to have an AMA membership just to race, I would not. - Then again, I gave up street riding years ago. I'm so tired of the AMA sending me free road service info - it's been clear for a long time that they do not check what membership rides - trails, street, race, etc.
Also clear that the AMA Congress - held each spring, does little to effect good change for the membership. You can all read the minutes from this years AMA Congress meetings on the AMA website and I encourage you to do so. There you can clearly see whom is trying to make changes and who is not. You'll be surprized.
As to the MXSports points, well those that know me, know that I have a very pointed view of them for what they have done to us racers over the past years. You guys that go ride AM days during National weekends know what I mean. Those that deal with LLA's know what I mean - Lord knows it's been rehashed over and over here and other sites. For any promoter to tell the racers that there will be no change "because that's how we have done it for years" , proves that there is no "voice of reason" in THAT organization and it's just old farts unwilling to evolve.