* Where's the News?

I have gotten a few emails, where are the stories? Well, truth be told... I have another hobby, motorcycle competition. Next week our family starts another season of National competition. In the next three weeks I will be in Texas and Tennessee.

The past two years my nephew Patrick Smage has become a top notch observed trials motocycle rider, earning back to back American Motorcycle Association, National Championships. He is just 14 years old.

Over the winter we have been lobbying for Patrick to compete internationally. Our sport is obscure in the United States, but overseas, it is huge. Like soccer.

For Patrick to be competitive at the international level in the future, he must be able to measure himself to the countries that set the bar in our sport like Spain, Great Britian, Japan and France. We were raised that... if you feel you are good enough to compete... you should be able to compete. Why keep beating the weaker, go after the champ...right?

As of this week our efforts failed. Yes folks, we gave it our best shot. The governing bodies, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme-(FIM), and the American Motorcyclist Association-(AMA) didn't see the argument we presented as valid. Why am I sharing this here? Well, it has politics involved. Here was the request and response.

Mind you, Noel is just a farmer, he is just my big brother ( sort of speak, his parents raised me ) and we are two small timers, a couple of independant racers, fighting the establishment, the future of our sport is offering young riders a chance at a World Championship. Something the Untied States currently doesn't have in place. We are in un-chartered waters. There is no map.

I haven't included the letter I got from the official at the American Motorcyclist Association today, as it needs to be looked over by a lawyer before going public in the cycle community.

The American Motorcyclist Association isn't happy we went over their head on this age discrimination case. Some may be saying, Craig, can't you just go with the flow, he is only 14?

To those I say, Patrick is a fine young man, who is responsible, caring, listens to his parents ( and me sometimes ), does what is told of him, is a good student, does his chores, doesn't cause trouble, hasn't committed a crime, doesn't do drugs and loves motorcycle competition. Where do we go from here?

FIM
11, rte de Suisse
CH - 1295 Mies
Switzerland


To the FIM Committee:

In the seventies, a young 14 year old youth wanted to compete at the highest level of our sport. His name was Bernie Schreiber. The rest is United States History as they say, Mr. Schreiber was our countries only World Champion and inspired a
number of United States riders to follow his lead.

Thirty years later, my son Patrick has the same aspirations, to become a World Championship competitor. My son wants to represent his country in a sport he loves. My son would like to compete in the FIM GP World Trials event in Duluth, Minnesota in June 2005.

This is his choice, not mine, I am supporting him 100%. My son and I are having to hurdle an obstacle far greater than any section he will encounter during this event. Regulation number 052.7.1.1.

Age of riders:

FIM Junior Trial World Cup: Men between 18 and 21 years old, Women from 18 years old and holders of a valid driver’s license.

Riders more than 21 years of age may ride in this class but will no be eligible for awards or Championship points. Exemptions are made for this class.

Yet no such exemptions are in place for the FIM "Youth" Trial Cup 125cc: between 16 and 18 years old and holders of a valid driver’s license.

Our cases for allowing Patrick to compete, points out two key elements.

a.) All off road events held in the United States, the Duluth course has no road work thus competitors participating in the event need not hold a valid drivers
license.

b.) "Youth" national class in the American Motorcycle Association only allows the ages to 15 years old. Patrick is now competing in the AMA National Adult, Expert Class .

On behalf of my son Patrick Smage, who was the 2003 American Motorcyclist Association "Youth National Champion", finalist for 2003 Youth Sportsman's of the year. In 2004 my son became the youngest AMA Expert Sportsman Champion.

In delaying his progress to the World Championship level this year hinders our chances to measure his level and ability for future competition. I too want to know if it will be worth the effort of traveling to compete overseas, as I pay for everything, we have only Ryan Young from Sherco USA as a sponsor.

We are praying the FIM council will offer a United States Youth Athlete named Patrick Smage an exemption to compete in the FIM "Youth" Trial Cup 125cc class for the US GP World Trials hosted by the United States of America in 2005 Duluth
World Round competition.


Sincerely,

Noel Smage
Craig Gernhardt

--------------

Dear Mr Smage and Mr. Gernhardt,

On behalf of the FIM Trial Commission, we thank you for the email and for the interest of your son to participate in the 2005 Trial World Championship in Duluth.

However, we have to inform you that no exception to Article 052.7.1 of the 2005 Trial Regulation can be made. We thank you for your understanding and we kindly ask you to contact the A.M.A. for any further request.

Best regards.

With best regards, Meilleures salutations,
 
Alex GOLDENBERG
CTR & CIE Coordinator / Coordinateur CTR & CIE
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)
11, route Suisse - 1295 Mies - Switzerland
Tel. (+41-22) 950 950 8 (direct)
Fax (+41-22) 950 950 1
E-mail : ctr@fim.ch / cie@fim.ch
http://www.fim.ch