Officer’s Corner

FTA 2005/2006 Championship Series

Hey, hey, hey! It’s been a really hot and muggy summer -- are you ready for the new season to begin? Hopefully there will be no Hurricanes to alter our schedule and we will get off to a fantastic start, nothing like last year! Following is the proposed schedule for next season so please review it and let us know if we may have overlooked a special holiday or if there are any other conflicts. Due to members competing in the National Championship, please note that the schedule is subject to change based on AMA/NATC’s schedule, which will not be posted until October or November. Barry recently spoke to Don Buckner, and he has offered to let us hold 4 events at Promise Ranch this year – which is great!

Fun Event – September 4, 2005 – Ormond Beach

Round 1 – September 18, 2005 – Crooms – Central Florida

Round 2 – October 16, 2005 - Crooms – West Coast

Round 3 – November 20, 2005 – Promise Ranch – Cahills

Round 4 – December 11, 2005 – Promise Ranch – FUBAR

Round 5 – January 8, 2006 – Hard Rock – Central Florida

Round 6 – February 5, 2006 – Hard Rock – West Coast

Fun in the Sun Two-Day – March 4-5, 2006 – Hard Rock – All Clubs

Round 7 – April 2, 2006 – Promise Ranch – Cahills

Round 8 – May 6, 2006 – Promise Ranch – FUBAR

Fun Trials/Awards Banquet – May 21 – Crooms – All Clubs

Officers/Club Director’s Meeting

The Officer’s for the new season are as follows:

President – Barry Florin
Vice President – Chuck Walker
Treasurer – Wayne Sholder
Secretary – Jean Florin

The Club Directors are as follows:

Central Florida – Barry Florida
Cahills – Dudley Cullum
Fubar – Bob Vennel
West Coast – Marc Waller

Other Positions that have been filled are as follows:

Pointskeeper – Jack Hutson , who is as faithful as Jean, is responsible for keeping track of the points for the FTA Championship series.
Newsletter Editor – Bill Nutting, who is responsible for keeping the FTA members informed on a timely basis of all rounds, special events, etc.
Competition Director – Valerie Cullum, who is responsible for trophies, t-shirts, awards, etc. We will be ordering some type of “Observer” bib that is to be turned into the Cullum’s following each event, along with the punches.
Advertisement Director – Troy Brown, Tim Cone, and Lee Silas, who are responsible for providing flyers about the FTA, notifying Trials Competition, AMA, US Motorcycle Trials Association (more to follow below on this new organization), STRA, etc., about schedule of events, etc.
FTA Website Director – Bruce Ward, Todd Andros, with assistance from Jean Florin, are responsible to ensuring the website is current.
Event Correspondent – Tim Cone, who is responsible for providing an article after each event along with photographs, if any, to the Website Director and Newsletter Editor on a timely basis following each event. Please take note, we would encourage articles from any member of the FTA, especially when Tim is not there.
Supplies Coordinator – Marc Waller, who is responsible for ensuring all supplies needed for events are well stocked (ribbon, loop arrows, entrance/exit signs, section markers, banners, etc.).

Officer’s Corner (Jean Florin)

Year-end Awards

Congratulations to all who qualified for year-end awards. Special recognition goes to Chris Florin for earning the Jack Stites Cup, Chuck Walker for being the No. 1 rider in the FTA, Karl Davis, Jr. for being awarded the “Most Improved Rider” of the year trophy, and Tom Starnes who was awarded the “Sportsmanship” award for his overall good attitude towards supporting the club.

Rulebook Revisions

There are several changes that will be made to the rulebook this year to accommodate the beginner class, tie breakers between riders and review and clarify the requirements for observing, working, and qualifying for year-end awards. We would appreciate it if all FTA members would review their rulebook and please let us know if there are any other changes they feel might need to be addressed or clarified. If so please email your suggestions to cota6@cfl.rr.com so Barry and I can make sure the other Officers and Club Directors receive a copy before our meeting.

Chris’s Journeys

TDN Team

AMA has announced the team of men and women who will be representing the USA at the Trial des Nations, to be held this year on September 24-25, 2005 in Sestriere, Italy. We can all be proud that our top rider, Chris Florin, has once again been selected, along with Geoff Aaron, Cody Webb, and Keith Wineland. This should be quite an exciting team to watch, and I know they will be very disappointed if they do not bring home the Gold this year, riding the B Class because of the younger, inexperienced riders (Cody and Keith). The women’s team will consist of Sarah Duke, Louise Forsley, and Nicole Bradford. Both Sarah and Louise are riding very competitively, and Louise, to her credit, has stolen the win from the William’s Sisters at three Nationals this year, who are extremely tough to beat. I have watched both Louise and Sarah climbing the ladder of success for the past few years, and I heard just recently Louise had to get 5 stitches in her face when she was competing at TTC in the Women’s Open, but even though she was the only competitor in her class, she insisted on completing the event first, winning the Women’s Open championship. We all have to agree that this is one tough chick that portrays one of the true characters of a champion!

National Rounds 9-10 – Highgate, Vermont

Hey Mom – I won today! I will never forget those words as I was carousing Walgreen’s shelves trying to figure out which moisturizer I wanted to try next when I received the call from Chris. I dropped the moisturizer and went running out of the store so I could hear him better. I was jumping up and down. After we hung up, there were a few people in the parking lot staring at me, wondering who this crazy woman was. I apologized to them and explained, as a couple of tears tried to escape, that I have been anxiously awaiting this call all day and that my son had just informed me he had won the National where he was competing in Vermont and that I am just so proud of him”. Even though I was totally embarrassed, they congratulated me and him. Round 10, when we didn’t hear from Chris right away, I knew it was a bad sign but we waited patiently for him to call us. Usually, this is a very bad sign. Around 6:00 pm he finally called to let us know he was so angry – I thought he was going to tell me he had finished last, or something had happened to him or his bike, but he said he had tied with Geoff Aaron for the win but he finished second because Geoff had one more clean than Chris. My first thought was what’s wrong with you – that’s fantastic compared to what I thought I should be preparing myself for! But the real pisser was that one of the observers had mistakenly punched Chris a 3 on one of his sections instead of a 2 so he actually should have beaten Geoff after all. Even after filing an official protest, the observer said he could not remember his ride so they had no choice but to leave the score as it was. Just one more thing for all riders to remember in any class – they should always check their score card before they leave the section to make sure they were punched the right score. Normally Chris does this, but he said was in a zone and overlooked it this one time – big mistake. The best advice Mom could give him was to concentrate on the last two rounds and make sure he comes in ahead of Bruce LeRiche, as they are extremely close in points, and Bruce is who he needs to worry about since Geoff already has the Championship once this year. So the last two rides will be the determining factor, as to who finishes second and third in the Championship series. Of course we all know who you are routing for!! What an exciting year.

Matt Cullum takes 5th and 3rd in Vermont in the High School class. Wayne Shoulder takes two 5^th place finishes in SR45, and Karl Davis Sr. takes two 5^th place finishes in Expert Sportsman.

National Rounds 11-12 – New York

The weekend was a little “cooler” due to an upper-level high moving colder air into the Northeast, providing pretty decent conditions for both riders and spectators. On Saturday, this was probably one of the lowest scoring professional classes they have ever witnessed at a National competition. Chris turned up the heat on fellow teammate Geoff Aaron and Sherco rider Bruce LeRiche by turning in two clean loops and a 1 point score for the entire day. Bruce finished second, with 7 points, also sporting two clean loops. Geoff finished an uncharacteristically third, happening to him twice in the last 4 rounds, with 9 points. We were all anxiously waiting to hear the results from Chris on Sunday and had already figured the math. Not to put the pressure on, but if either Geoff or Chris won the event, or even if Chris had finished 3^rd with Bruce 2nd, Chris would have taken the Number 2 plate. But Bruce poured on the heat the last day of competition, taking the win and the number two plate for the year. Chris had a yucky second loop, which cost him dearly and threw him out of the contest, but he still finished on the podium in the number three spot for the day. Congratulations to Geoff Aaron, who now sport his fame and claim to his 9^th National Title, with Bruce LeRiche No. 2, and Chris Florin No. 3. I’ll tell you what, between Bruce and Chris, it made for a very exciting championship series and it was a well-fought battle by both of them up to the very end.

Overall, Karl Davis finished in 8^th place in the Expert Sportsman, Matt Cullum finished in 5^th place (with two 3^rd place podium finishes this year – way to go Matt), Karl Davis, Jr. attempted his first National riding the High School class with Matt. Now that he has found out what it takes to be a National rider, I’m sure we will be seeing him at a lot more Nationals in the future as he has most likely been bitten by the “National” Bug! Time Cone, riding Sr. 40, was only able to attend two Nationals this year due to his schedule, so we will see if the “bug” has gotten ahold of him as well. Wayne Sholder took the No. 5 plate, riding 8 events this year in the Sr. 45 Class, and as we all know, he was poisoned by the “bug” a few years back, but somewhere along the line, some tick or something must have passed along all the side effects of the “crazy” bug, unless it is merely genetic! Congratulations to all of you for a job well done!

Just a quick mention, Dale Malasek, Chris’s sponsor, won the Sr. 60 Championship this year, finishing with 8 wins and 4 second place finishes - WOW. Louise Forsley won 3 Nationals, placed second 4 times, and had 3 third place finishes, which means she was on the podium at every event. Christy Williams of course won the Women’s Championship, Louise Forsley was second, and Kerry Williams (Christy’s sister), finished third. Another interesting tidbit, just to give you some idea, there were almost 275 riders who participated in the NATC/AMA National Championship Series this year. The most popular bike at the Nationals was the Gas Gas (100), followed by Sherco (69), Beta (50), Montesa (43), Scorpa (11), and (1) Husaberg.

Wayne’s Blurp on the Nationals (as only he could tell it!)

I had sent Wayne an email message before he left and told him I would be praying for him. This is his response: “Well, as you have heard by now, you obviously did not pray hard enough or long enough or loud enough or constant enough for me to get on the podium. But you can bet everyone knows me or heard me or laughed with me or giggled (as one little boy did). I caught this little lad eye balling me as I walked a section. I stopped walking and peaked at him for a quick glance right in the eyes and turned away. I took several more steps and turned around and saw his eyes looking right into mine. In a fun voice I hollered. "You looking at me?" He laughed! I said "Don't you be watching me and telling everyone my secret path through these rocks. He was only about 6 years old but he knew what I was talking about. He chuckled! I turned to check out more of the section and (on purpose) tripped, stumbled, fell, rolled and jumped up standing facing him and he was giggling so hard I thought he was going to pee his pants! I had the whole crowd watching me tease with this boy and once he broke out giggling, everybody was laughing. Then at the end of the section everyone was going around this big rock. I looked at the boy and asked him if he wanted me to go over this big rock instead of around it like all the girls where doing. He said "my dad went around that rock". Everybody laughed again from the look I gave him. A couple guys tried the rock before my turn and what exciting CRASHES they had! So while in the section riding it, I stopped, balanced and looked to the boy. "Should I still try that MANLY rock at the end?” “Yes”, he answered! “O.K.”, I said! I really got some air for the crowd on it. Like five feet into the air but landed it nicely, and the crowd roared! LOL. I had many experiences throughout the two weekends with being wild and crazy and making the fans and spectators and checkers laugh and realize this guy from Florida was missing a few marbles. LOL. I almost always took some strange and difficult path and still finished 5th every time. LOL I suppose now I need a fifth! of something! Congrats Wayne – next time I will pray harder, longer and louder, but I won’t make any promises!!

Travels with Matt

Tuesday afternoon, July 26^th we left for Vermont. Wayne Shoulder accompanied us on our vacation too. On the way there I had to do my school work for AP English. The first night we stayed in Walterborough, South Carolina. The second day we drove to Aberdene, Maryland and I got to play around and impress the fellow RV’ers with my mad unicycle skills. It was really cool also because the campground was right on the water. Wayne and my Dad played Ping pong in the campsite main office but they ran us out after only a few minutes, something about wanting to close for the night. The third day, Thursday we made it to the trials site in Vermont and got some practice in and worked on our bikes. Friday we practiced more and got our bike ready for competition, and also went swimming in the quarry. Saturday I got 5^th in High School only one point away form fourth. Wayne Shoulder got 5^th in SR45, and Isaiah Cullum got 3^rd in youth line 3. After the event we went swimming in the quarry again, and Nick Mantzorros road a bicycle off the cliff into the water, and Patrick Smage road a unicycle off the cliff into the water. Sunday I got 3^rd place in High School again, one point away, from second. Wayne Shoulder got 5^th, and Isaiah Cullum got 2^nd in youth line 3. Sunday night we drove to a campground and again I got to impress the fellow RV’ers with my mad unicycle skills. Monday we drove to Cooperstown and went to the baseball hall of fame museum. After the Museum we drove to my Uncle’s house in Berdgen New York. We stayed there till Friday Morning. While at my uncles we were able to practice some, and Thursday night we went to a AAA baseball game between the Rochester Redwings, and the Buffalo Bisons. Friday we left my uncles house and drove to the trials site in Alma New York, and traveled to the trials site in Alma New York. We then practiced some and got our bikes ready. Friday night Mr. Bill Ibsen took 5 other teen riders and I to see Dukes of Hazard; it was really good you should go see it. Saturday I got 7^th in High School, Wayne Shoulder got 5^th in SR45 and Isaiah Cullum got 3^rd in the youth line 3. Later that night we got our bikes ready again for Sunday’s competition. Sunday I got 5^th in High school but tied for 4^th with Alex Bedley on points, tied on cleans, but he had more ones than I had so I ended up 5^th. Wayne Shoulder got 5^th in SR45, and Isaiah Cullum got 1^st in youth line 3. Sunday after the event we drove home and drove all through the night and got home Monday.

STRA Rounds in Whitesburg, Georgia (20-21 August 2005)

Chris left Friday to head up to STRA’s two-day modern. I know all the Davis’s were making the journey, along with Tim Cone and Troy Brown. Chris finished in first place both days. Karl took a 6^th and a 2^nd place in the Expert class, with Tim Cone finished in 4^th place on Saturday and took the win on Sunday. Karl Davis, Jr. moved into the Advance class with Tim and finished with a very respectable 5^th and 7^th place. Troy Brown rode Sportsman, finishing 15^th both days. Brooks Davis finished in 1^st place and Ryan Davis took 2^nd place in the Youth A Class on Saturday. Way to go guys!!!

Southeastern Trials Riders Association (STRA)

For those of you who are looking to compete outside of Florida, there are two full days of modern trials competition coming up for you to take advantage of. The next STRA will be held on 24-25 September at Shooting Creek, North Carolina, hosted by Brock Sattlemeier, former President, and long-term member of the FTA. For directions, please email Brock at brock.w.sattelmeier@lmco.com or check the STRA Homepage (http://www.setrialsriders.org/).

US Trials Motorcycle Association (USMTA)

This is a newly formed organization, whose main purpose will be to promote all facets of trials in the United States, working cooperatively with AMA and NATC. You can read more about this exciting venture on their website at http://usmotorcycletrials.com/index.php. The volunteer efforts of trials enthusiasts are crucial to the mission of the USMTA and everyone is encouraged to join and participate in this organization, not only from the Club level, but they are looking for individual memberships as well.

Community Service

Matt Cullum is going to have a banner made up and the FTA will, as it has in the past, be offering Community Service hours to any youth who is looking for this type credit from school. Forms will have to be approved by either Barry Florin or Chuck Walker.

AMA Calendar

We recently received a letter from AMA. Beginning with the October issue of the AMA Motorcyclist magazine, they will have a new section dedicated to promoting AMA sanctioned events. Instead of listing the events at the end of the Road and Racing departments of the magazine as they have in the past, they will be moving them to a new “Calendar” department that is designed to highlight the events of the coming month. National championship events will be broken out

in colorful boxes, while the local-event listings will be divided by state to make them easier for readers to find. These changes are designed to make it easier for

riders of all kinds (but particularly new AMA members) to find AMA-sanctioned rides and races near them. Their goal is to bring more people to our event, making our AMA sanction more valuable than ever to the FTA. I think this is a brilliant move on their part, especially since they distribute the magazine to about 260,000 members each month. Speaking for myself, I know I have tried to locate events in the magazine and have found it to be a difficult task. This should make it much easier on everyone.

Jean Florin

Office	Name	Address	Email	Phone Number
President	Barry Florin	7195 Orchid Tree Drive Grant, FL 32949-5336	Cota66@cfl.rr.com	321-723-5728
Vice President	Chuck Walker	10854 Huffner Edge Drive Riverview, Fl 33569		813-671-8577
Treasurer	Wayne Sholder	3822 Dunedin Ct Apopka, FL. 32712	wsholder@na.ko.com	407-886-1141
Secretary	Jean Florin	7195 Orchid Tree Drive Grant, FL 32949-5336	Cota66@cfl.rr.com	321-723-5728

Cahills Club Director	Dudley Cullum	8130 Croom Rital Road, Brooksville, FL 34602	valdudley@netzero.com	352-796-7708
Central Florida Club Director	Barry Florin	7195 Orchid Tree Drive Grant, FL 32949-5336	Cota66@cfl.rr.com	321-723-5728
FUBAR Club Director	Bob Vennel	405 Maggie Circle, Winter Haven, FL 33880	Llteubert@aol.com	865-299-2140
West Coast Club Director	Marc Waller	2509 Shady Grove Lane, Plant City, FL 33565	Trylrd@aol.com	813-752-4459
Points Director	Jack Hutson	39503 French Road, Lady Lake, FL 32159	Hutsonj@earthlink.net	352-753-4316
Newsletter Director	Bill Nutting	801 Bellevue Street NE Palm Bay, FL 32907	WmNutting3@aol.com	321-768-6199 do not call after 9:30pm

Rulebook Change

Due to the extreme rise in gas and diesel fuel, the Officers and Club Directors, along with the members who were present at the Fun Event on 9/4/05 in Ormond Beach, discussed the pros and cons of proposing a major change, at least for the first half of the year, and the following was tentatively agreed upon. There are still some things that may need to be worked through but starting with the Round 1, which will be hosted by Central Florida at Crooms on 18 September 2005 in Brooksville, we have decided to initiate “group scoring” instead of having an Observer assigned to each section. This will permit riders to participate in all Rounds of the FTA Championship series, but they are asked not to pre-ride their lines when it is their club who will be hosting the event out of fairness to the other riders in their class. Members, who are competing for year-end points and awards, will still be required to “work” 2 events by helping to set up the sections before their event. Switcheroos can still take place, pending the approval of Club Directors/Officers, in the event a rider is unable to help with their club’s event. If there are still unresolved issues, a rider will be required to “observe” during the Fun in the Sun two-day event in order to make up for their work credits.

Those who did not make the Fun Trials, missed an excellent event, thanks to Tim Cone, the Davis family, and Troy Brown. It offered a wide variety of obstacles and the spectator loop was terrific. If the property owner is open to our request, we may set up the year-end banquet and awards at this location – just to give ya’ll something to think about and let your Club Director know if you are receptive to this idea.