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Dear N.A.H.A. members,
promoters and fans,
2007 was another exceptional year in the growth of motorcycle
Hillclimbing around the world. The N.A.H.A. is extremely proud of
its direct involvement in this growth, and most of all, the
awareness and exposure our association, promoters, and competitors
have created for our sport throughout the motorsports industry. This
awareness has given a new credibility to professional Hillclimbing
that has never been seen in the history of the sport. Our race
series and our athletes are now looked upon as equal to others in
professional motorsports, as they so deserve. Like it or not,
Hillclimbing has been considered a hillbilly sideshow for decades.
Silencing the critics has been a very rewarding experience the last
few years as America’s original extreme sport has came out from
under its ugly cloud. Everything is not perfect in all we do, but
rest assured, there is no greater dedication and commitment to
motorcycle Hillclimbing than within the Board members and Promoters
of this association. Our only regrets are that we didn’t move in our
current direction much sooner, as the results speak for themselves.
2007 HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Suzuki and RacerX back on board as series sponsors with
additional marketing support and an RMZ250 given to our Open Class
Champion Harold Waddell.
2. Exciting new venues in Sturgis and Southern California with
incredible future potential.
3. Extremely successful new 450 Pro class with manufacturer
endorsements and KTM Factory Off Road participation.
4. Successful defense of the Hillclimb World Trophy by a combined
N.A.H.A and A.M.A. team and Robie Peterson capturing the individual
World Championship.
5. Television, video, magazine and newspaper coverage of our events
by Racer X, Dirt Rider, Dirt Bike, Cycle News, Speed Channel and Nor
Cal Riderz as well as live television at our Glen Helen event by
KTLA Los Angeles.
6. Official submittal to X Games for future event consideration.
7. Cross over competitors between the N.A.H.A. and A.M.A. Pro
Hillclimb series utilizing the newly adopted common rules and class
displacements, including the 450 Pro class.
8. Communication with members greatly improved with regular King Of
The Hill updates on events, promotion and just a few of the many
things the N.A.H.A. and its members are doing to promote our sport.
9. Many marketing and promotional packages sent out through Troy
Scott and Ken Faught for future potential event and series
sponsorship.
2008 PROGRAM
1. Our schedule of 6 events was out in November, a great sign of
confidence by our promoters with their venues, their sponsors and
the N.A.H.A.
2. Racer X and Suzuki back again with our series, despite a down
economy and slumping sales. Racer X will be increasing their
marketing support and Suzuki will be generously giving away to our 3
class champions an RMZ450 and 2 DRZ125 motorcycles.
3. N.A.H.A. yearly membership dues lowered to $50. Our association
is not in the business to make money, but rather the business of
promoting our sport and providing the greatest recognition possible
to our exceptional riders. This program and these athletes will in
turn provide the show that will fill the venues and provide the
necessary income for our promoters through fan attendance. This has
always been the correct method of promoting professional motorsports
and long term, all will benefit.
4. After adopting the A.M.A.” percentage of gate” program in 2007
the N.A.H.A. promoters have agreed to increase the minimum purse to
$15,000 in 2008. The program allowed the newer venues some breathing
room and now with an enormous upside potential in all locations the
riders will begin reaping the benefits in time, as in events such as
Poags Hole and Devil’s Staircase.
5. Cycle News will be covering all N.A.H.A events with their A.M.A.
Pro Hillclimb journalist David Patten and Nor Cal Riderz will be
providing video coverage.
6. An N.A.H.A. year end awards presentation and banquet will be held
at Pole Position Raceway in Las Vegas. This event will be held in
conjunction with the A.M.A awards banquet and the Las Vegas
Endurocross happening on the same weekend. Speed Channel will be in
town and some kart racing between the Pro Hillclimbers and the
Endurocross stars has been staged for filming!!!!
7. The N.A.H.A. has provided all its promoters with common
boilerplate marketing material for flyers, posters and mailers.
This, in an effort to provide professional consistency between
venues and reduce costs to all.
8. Skip’s Promotions and Ron Dillon of The Big Nasty have moved
their Amateur Hillclimb programs to other weekends or other days in
an effort to shorten the races and provide an action packed Pro show
for the fans and riders. The Horne family is a great example of
understanding the value in separating the Amateurs and Pros. They
have an extremely successful Amateur Series and an exceptional Pro
Hillclimb.
So what does all this mean to our current and future members??
You are a member, or can be a member,of the most pro-active
Hillclimb organization in the world. For this,you should be very
proud, as your Board members are, for the dedication they provide.
It is so easy to see why there is so much excitement within this
association as is so often relayed on King of the Hill by long term
members. It is also disheartening to hear from the many critics that
are so short sighted to see that what we do benefits all. I am
grateful for the ones that decided to boldly go where no one has
went before, it’s a great ride that keeps picking up steam and we
will continue to be their feeding the boiler.
A final thought: We are not the association for everyone, the
N.A.H.A. is the most competitive Pro Hillclimb series in the world.
There is a reason, the most decorated champions of our sport come to
race here. If you think you are a professional Hillclimber, this is
the place to find out how good you are, as well as the honor to
compete and learn from the best.. We welcome all to share in our
enthusiasm and excitement, and we can sincerely promise you as
members, that you will receive the greatest exposure possible in our
rapidly growing extreme sport series. Our athletes have earned and
deserve this recognition that has been a long time coming. SEE YOU
AT THE RACES!!!!!!!!!!!!
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