Loudon Video Delayed Until Tomorrow; Wood Comments On Situation

Loudon Video Delayed Until Tomorrow; Wood Comments On Situation

© 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Posting of the just-obtained video tape of an altercation at Loudon last month has been delayed due to technical problems, and the video will be posted tomorrow instead of today.

In the meantime, commenting on roadracingworld.com’s announced intent to post the video, NHIS Motorcycle Safety Director Jerry Wood wrote:

“I understand that you are going to run a film of Bob and Gary Bahre yelling at (AMA Superbike Operations Manager) Ron Barrick. The thing that I didn’t like was the comment that ‘this is a reason not to go back’.

“I want to make it clear that I am not paid to defend the track or the Bahres. I am a lifelong motorcycle nut who is doing all he can to keep the New England National.

“Let me give a brief summary of the events that led to the reaming.

“Four years ago we have a serious incident and people called out for change. (Track onwer) Bob (Bahre) makes the changes recommended by the TRACK committee and the AMA. The next year Bob is told that we need more changes, Bob does ’em, every single one. The next year it rains and Bob is told that we can’t race because of the slippery spots so Bob buys the best cure known to man and puts it on his track.

“Thursday morning, June Bike Week 2001, we are told that if it rains we will try the new stuff and if it’s okay we race. Fair enough. Thursday afternoon we are told that Mat Mladin assembled a posse and told Ron (Barrick) that if it rains no classes race. None of these folks on the posse rode on the new surface. Ron agrees. The word in the pits is that AMA now stands for American Mladin Association. Bob is told that if it rains have the jet dryers ready.

“Sunday it rains, the jets go out, I am working with them. At about 4 o’clock I called Ron on the radio and told him that the track was ready for practice. I did say that there was only a small amount of moisture left and the line would be totally dry in a short time. Ron said that there would be no practice, he was going to send the riders out for a sighting lap and race. We were told to continue leading the jets around for another hour while the fans waited.

“After all this Ron’s plan didn’t work, the Pro riders did not like his idea and were refusing to race right in front of the crowd, That is about the time that Bob and Gary had enough.

“Bob and Gary Bahre don’t ride motorcycles. They are businessmen who have been willing to do more than any other track owners for motorcycle racers. I don’t think that publicizing a well-deserved reaming is going to do the sport of motorcycling one bit of good. You and I both agree that AMA Pro Racing has been lacking proper leadership. This was the result.

“Jerry Wood”

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