Finishing 4th is an accomplishment. Heck, finishing is great! Not many of us could finish a race like this. My hat is off to you!
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Excellent play by play post[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I to could see it all in my minds eye. If you can post a link or something to your first article I would really like to read it. Good Job

 

Here is my first story. Hope you like it.


A word from the Quad side!
by Brian Morris

WOW!
The inaugural opening for the “Quad Scrambles” is here and we are so lucky to be a part of it! I would like to thank FTR and it’s members for stepping up to make this possible. Now it is up to us “Quadders” to keep it going and make it grow!
Right off the bat, due to Mother Nature, we are forced to delay our first race. The first race of the season will now be October 22 and 23. This event is hosted by RCDR in Flagler county. Jimmy Benton is the quad leader of RCDR and he has convinced his club to host this event. We’re looking forward to everyone making a real effort to support this race. Some are saying it will be a real turnout and we’re hoping everyone shows up and has a great time. As the old saying goes”… you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” I will be there!
There is no other club like FTR in the whole world. The support to make our own series is unprecedented. There are 5 “Quad Scrambles” this year. I will be going to all 5 events and hopefully kicking some of your butts! My season will be based on this new branch of FTR. The years following will have more and more clubs hosting races until we have a full season. Until then, I will be attending as many of the regular Hare Scrambles between Quad Scrambles.
The success of the new Quad Scramble series is totally up to us Quad riders. Please volunteer as much of your time to an event or events. Most importantly, join a club, or just help cut a trail. You’ll get to ride more, too!
Responsible riding is more important than ever. The values behind FTR rules help maintain a harmony with opposing forces. Let’s follow them and teach others that responsible riding can be very rewarding. So tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Let’s build this series into something that can carry it’s own weight and have it’s own voice.

Now on to some fun stuff!
My name is Brian Morris. My friends call me Big B. I don’t know why!
I am a native resident of Jupiter, Florida on the South East Coast.
My ride is a Bombardier DS 650 and, yes, it’s huge!
I’ve never written a darn thing beyond a High School English essay and I’ve never won anything besides the toy in a Cracker Jack box.
I volunteered for this Quad column and don’t claim to know everything. I know just enough to be dangerous and I think I know enough to keep this column interesting, informative, and fair.
On that note, I do accept payola!
Seriously, if you feel the need to call me out on something I’ve written, want to talk about something specific, or just have a question, e mail me at: hellobrianmorris@earthlink.net
I will be doing tests, trying out products, and doing cheesy interviews throughout the season. So be on the lookout!

Okay, on to the party!
The annual banquet this year was a lot of fun. There was quite a turnout and everyone looked very nice. It was definitely funny seeing everyone without their riding gear on.
I missed the morning meeting but it looks like we have a committee!
Chairman------------- Mark Campbell
Referee--------------- Amanda Frankowiak
Scorekeeper----------Brian Vis
A-Rep----------------Paul Gilbertson
B-Rep----------------Mark Hammond
C-Rep----------------Mike Rotella
Senior or Spec-Rep---Walter Creswell
Woman-Rep----------Wanda Sturgis
Youth-Rep------------Brenda Gilbertson

These people have stepped up and are going to make a difference in our club. A sincere “THANK YOU!” goes out to them.

The hotel was great and the service was top notch. The bar was packed, but that was from the Soccer Mom and Tupperware conventions, I’m sure!
William Yokley came to support us and I think that is AWESOME!!! He loves our club and it’s members. He signed posters and gave some tips to the kids.
For the grown-ups he wasn’t giving anything! He had to defend his abilities around some of you! He was a great sport as the night went on.
Really though, thanks to William. Your support and dedication is proof that this sport can be a dream come true.
Those that received trophies Saturday night were not the only winners. Some of the losers were winners too, thanks to the many prizes donated by the various companies supporting FTR.
Anyone that got picked from the raffle box walked away with something good. Unless of course you own a quad and won … a motorcycle tire!
Well, I hope to see everyone and some new faces throughout this season. Please help our sport by spreading the word and riding responsibly.
See you at the races!
Big B

 

Here is the Nov issue

A WORD FROM THE QUAD SIDE by Brian Morris




CFTR started the season off with a real test of endurance. Both man/ woman, and machine were tested to the limits. My helmets off to you guys and gals at CFTR.
They are also hosting the 3rd Quad Scramble of our inaugural “Quad Only Hare Scramble” season. You can bet I will be there, too!
Pit riding was not too bad, but could be better. I still see many folks bringing their kids out to just ride around in the pits. Many of which did not even have protective gear. Then, someone who doesn’t care to obey the 1st gear - idle speed goes speeding by nearly hitting the child. SLOW DOWN IN THE PITS OR WE WILL BE WALKING. We are here to race out on a course laid out with many hours of labor. So, save all that speeding around for the race.
This next event hosted by RCDR has NO PIT RIDING. That means we have to walk around the pits. You are only allowed to ride your race machine to and from the start/finish line. Bicycles are okay.
This is what it will be like at every event if we do not work with the Pit Patrol and police ourselves to obey this simple rule. In the pits, 1st gear-idle speed. I know I prefer to ride than to walk. Although, it is so beautiful there in Pinetta, you will appreciate the walk.
Back at the race, I was talking to Mark Campbell and he told me the real fun happened in the weekends prior to the race.
The whole family comes and everyone helps. There is no pressure of the race like on race day. It is being out there, legally, making trails and having fun. What a dream come true for many quadders!
I can see now that our part of the club is going to shift in to high gear. Utility quadders that don’t race will be joining and helping to make the trails for the races. These are non-racers looking to meet new friends and find new riding opportunities, in exchange for trial cutting and helping to host an event. There are more and more quadders joining the local clubs that make up FTR and helping with events. If you know of anyone who wants to help, please read on.
“How do I help?” you ask? After joining FTR, find a club near you and join that one, too. Usually the cost just about covers the T-shirt that you would normally buy.
Most clubs have their meetings at the races. Find out where they meet and see what it’s all about. If they are hosting an event or events and you will then have to get in touch with the “Trail Boss.” He will tell you everything you’ll need to know to begin having fun, helping to make or remake trails.
Some of the trails are up to 15 miles long. That is a lot of riding. But don’t think of it as just riding. It involves cutting and clearing and moving and maybe even shoveling. There are so many fringe benefits that come with that, though! Most of all, the pride seeing the event running successfully.

By the time you get this rag, we will be getting ready for Quad Scramble #2.
It was listed as Gatorback but is in Mayo, FL, just South of Live Oak. This area is so beautiful with elevation changes that you flat Florida riders dream about. I can’t wait! It will be hosted by BSTR. They are also hosting the event at Gatorback later in the HS series. I know many of you wait for that all year!
Make sure to hydrate yourselves days before the race. I saw a few of you pulled over looking awfully pale. I know the feeling! Drink plenty of water before the event, during and after. Don’t want any of you loosing your lunch out there and getting some on my fenders!
I wanted to also touch on rider etiquette. Recently, even pro rider, John Natalie, was penalized for aggressive riding.
We are not pros. We would like others to think of us as such, but we are working class men and women. That little piece of wood at the end of the day is not worth hurting someone or getting yourself hurt to get it.
I myself, have Dale Earnharted someone out of the way (sorry about that) when they wouldn’t yield to me trying to get by. Blocking has it’s place in racing, but not if you are clearly in the way of faster riders. If someone has caught up to you that, is a clear indication you are not as fast and need to yield.
Notice I used the word yield. No one says you need to pull off where you might be stuck, although that usually what happens to me when that senior train comes screaming through! Just be aware of what is going on behind you as well as in front of you. Pulling off just half way to your right is usually enough to let a faster rider(s) get by. 9 times out of 10 you will hear a surprisingly friendly “THANKS!” That 10th time it’ll be me going HA-HA!
There is nothing worse, and funny, than catching up to someone who, instead of just yielding, pushes themselves to speeds beyond their abilities. They usually end up pulling over anyway with a violent upheaval from the stomach! Or a wreck! The latter is not so funny, but it happens all the time. Just find and maintain your pace. To finish is to win. There is always the next race to get some wood!
See you at the races,
Big B

 

I hope you got an "A" on your English essay. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Cause you CAN write. Thats for sure.

Looks like you all have yourselfs a perty nice thing goning on out there. Good job and good luck with it.

 

mudnuri, Nice pieces and well done. I especially appreciate the Mr Earnhardt reference. He is THE MAN. RIP Dale.

Gald that your not Big B from Vegas. That cat has got to weigh 400lbs. Any of you KMK fans out there have probably seen Big B. Ya can't miss him.

Again, well done, look forward to more.