To fellow N.A.H.A. members:

With an exciting new year of hillclimb competition upon us I would like to express my feelings and concerns as we move forward in 2005.  I am very grateful to our previous board and the hard work and dedication that was put forth for our association and sport, and hope they continue to work in support of our goals ahead.  I am looking forward to working with the fine group of men and women that represent our members for the 2005 season. Annette Long, Kenny Kimball, Don Beer, Jeff Smith, Brian Osborn and myself are very motivated and excited about the future of our sport and the direction we need to move to support our current professional riders and those that have aspirations of being the next Travis Whitlock or Jeff Thomas.

Significant milestones in motorcycle hillclimbing were met or exceeded in 2004, such as the Hillclimb des Nations in France and for the first time an A.M.A. Pro hillclimber crossed over and won an N.A.H.A. class title. Congratulations to Jeff Thomas and all the many that supported and participated in the Hillclimb des Nations.

The momentum in our sport is building and it is most critical that we do not allow anything to stop the movement of taking our riders and their best interests to the next level of professionalism. Our newly proposed promoter agreements have been welcomed and accepted for four events so far, with at least two more in the negotiation stages. The professional format that will be followed with consistency at all N.A.H.A. sanctioned events will allow us the exposure and recognition that is necessary for the next level of media coverage and corporate sponsorship. For the future of our sport it is timely and most necessary that we move in this direction.

It saddens me when I hear of a move to divide our hillclimb community rather than unite it. The sport, the promoters, nor the riders can afford this division and I sincerely hope that all involved realize the long term effects that this will have on a competition we so dearly love.  I have seen and experienced the family joy and happiness associated with our sport for a long 33 years, however I have yet to see the professional recognition that our riders so justly deserve as exceptional athletes in one of the oldest forms of motorcycle competition in the world.  The 2005 N.A.H.A. board is committed to working with our promoters and members to change our sport for the better, and we ask all for their support and confidence in our efforts for this year and beyond in an environment of challenges, but enormous opportunities.

Sincerely,

                                                                                Kerry Peterson