I am posting in hopes of bringing some understanding. If you read this, than you care.
Definition of FREEDOM
The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrances or restraint; Absence of subjection to foreign domination.
Synonyms: liberty, independence
My first ever post on Pit Racer was in defense of OIR 3 years ago when the Hands operated OIR. The thread was titled “OIR Brutal”. Well here I am again, this time in defense and judgment of the owner, the crew, the facility, the track, the operation, the riders, the emts, the fans, the sponsors, and most importantly judging myself first before I judge anything else. The intent is to be honest.
I was there helping. I worked all day at Malvern, went home, got 2 hours of sleep and was at OIR at 6am immediately going to work. I accept responsibility also for the day at OIR. We screwed up. We were wrong. We are sorry. We want to do better. We are not giving up. We are moving forward. We hear you. We will grow and mature. Will you please forgive us for our faults and mistakes? WE DO CARE ABOUT MOTOCROSS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE!!!
On July 4th, 1776 we declared our independence from England to form our own nation under FREEDOM. Freedom - to be, act, say, do, or worship in any way we deem fit. Then what followed was a war for our freedom that many gave their lives both trying to make FREEDOM a reality and others to keep the captive in bondage. WE WON!!! We are here today because of war, struggle, courage, and death. First off, please take a look at your life, remember your heritage with thankfulness and be thankful for all that has been given you, and all that you are able to do. Without thankfulness in your heart, you lose the very foundation of your own character, attitude, and discernment.
In high school from 8th to 11th grade, I was made fun of every single day. They even put a picture of me in the yearbook with the caption “Why does everyone make fun of me!” I am not entirely sure what really happened for all this to happen. I know that my personal life was in shambles from watching my mom get beat, to living in a battered women’s shelter, to parental drug and alcohol abuse, to living without running water, being neglected and emotionally confused about life. This caused me to be a quiet kid in school. I was socially awkward, shy and scared. This lead to one kid starting a rumor about me being gay all because I was quiet in school and then it just went out of control. Every day, in and out I took the abuse and never really defended myself. Why! I had something no one could take away…I love dirt bikes. I would go to Malvern as a boy all the time, all my school projects were about dirt bikes, most of my thoughts were about dirt bikes and hatred towards my family and my peers. In many ways motocross saved my life and has in many ways helped shaped the man I am becoming. A few months ago, 8 years after graduation, I went back to the school and spoke with the seniors about these very things…that you never know what someone is really going through and what gives us the right to put someone down. Some amazing things happened as one kid broke down crying about how he lives with his grandma, his mom is dead and his dad wants nothing to do with him. He is misunderstood at school and an often time takes his frustration out on his Grandma, the one person who loves him most. So there are far worse things taking place in the world we live in the some brutal track conditions and a poor operation of a race track.
Chris Mosher, Owner and operator of OIR. By a chance happening a couple years back, I answered the phone at Kames and it was Chris. After talking with him for about an hour, I was in favor of the man. His attitude is what impressed me most. He had a vision and a passion with zero experience and a lack of knowledge what our local MX community is all about. I once heard someone say that I would rather hire someone who knew nothing and had a good attitude than someone who knew a lot with a bad attitude. This was the case. I have supported the efforts of Chris since then and am more passionate in standing with him now then I was then, the same way I stand with us, the riders.
He announced sometime, I am not sure, that he was delaying the start of the 2012 race season to make improvements. He did not have an entire year, only months, prolly 6-8. Within the beginning of this year he lost some friends that were helping him out. I don’t know why, and it’s not our business. I only know that friends going in together to undertake something they have never done will test the friendships, sadly often times ending up in disaster. Then he lost his main partner just the day before the race. I know all these people individually and would enjoy being parked next to any of them on any race day if I were racing. Hopefully in time, those friendships will be repaired. I know that everything rises of falls on leadership and that when the buck stops with you, it is never easy, NEVER!!! In fact, it will try the very man that you are no matter what you’re leading. I know if Chris wasn’t a promoter and he was parked next to you on race day and you needed a tool, he would give it or that if you had someone go to the hospital, he would help you load up. Please don’t let the performance of OIR let you make Chris out to be a bad man, because he is not. Or thankfully in all cases I know of, other promoters. He does care and he does work and so do others.
Also, his dad, the founder of OIR was recently diagnosed with dementia, causing Chris and his family to move in with his father to take care of him, to take over his dad’s upholstery business, to maintain his own full-time job and operate a racetrack. I really understand this. Last fall I announced on hear that I was quitting the race track and going to school to become a fire fighter. Well, I am back at the track, I dropped out of school and have always been for the last couple years to become a preacher. What happened??? My father all last summer was drinking heavily (the one who told my handicap brother and I that he and his girlfriend couldn’t afford to take care of us anymore due to health issues, and that they were taking all the items in the house including the dogs, bought a trailer, were moving out and that we had to find our own place to live. All before before I started my senior year of high school and before my brother was able to take care of himself.) and he was constantly calling me talking about killing himself. He was drinking 2 bottles of vodka and a case of beer a day. He was crawling from bead to couch, not showering, not eating and pretty much giving up. The dogs were being neglected. It was downright disgusting situation. I finally told my dad, no if, ands, or buts you’re going the hospital. He was nearly dead when the EMTS arrived, they couldn’t get a pulse in his arms and he started to go to into diabetic shock as soon as they arrived. I believe he would have died that day if I hadn’t gone down. He hated me for days, saying nasty things to me, I was just helping him. He was in the hospital for two weeks and then went to the nursing home 7 months. In March he was released, he was sober. He and I moved in together. I had to quit school, It was literally physically impossible for me to work full time, go to school full time, find a place to live, move him in, and take care of him. I had to quit school. Once again, my parents hindered my life. Today we live together in peace.
Just last Friday, I went to the funeral of a man who shot himself because life got to him. These things in life are sad and happen to many. So please, give Chris a break. I know the man cares and wants to do a good job. I know he will hear people. He just doesn’t know what right is for this race track. Will you help him instead of hurt him? You will be better for it!!! I say this for all race tracks. Even with Jason at Malvern, I didn’t tell him, but I was upset when some people would be his friend to his face and then bash him behind his back. I asked them if they voiced their concerns to him, and they said no. REDICULOUS!!! You cannot fault OIR or Malvern for lack of effort, YOU CAN”T!!!
This is the first time I have been truly ashamed of the motocross community as a whole. I understand your frustration about OIR, I DO!!! But for someone to call Chris just to tell him he sucks!!! For people to be downright vicious towards the people working. All the while, you don’t hear Chris making excuses or defending himself by in large, he just stated he is sorry and wants to do better. Who are we??? We can be better people than this. WE CAN AND SHOULD BE!!! I am so thankful for the promoters that really care and put effort in. I will always back you up. I am sorry for the beating and lashings you take from us that hurt and degrade you. I am sorry we lose our tempers. I am sorry we don’t take an honest look at what it takes to operate a race track. I am sorry we disrespect you when we feel we were wronged. I am sorry that we often times default to anger instead of understanding. Will you please forgive us our faults? Will you please keep working hard for us to have places to ride? THANK YOU TO ALL TRACK OWNERS!!! THANK YOU CRA FOR HOSTING A SERIES!!! THANK YOU PHOTOGRAPHERS!!! THANK YOU TRACK WORKERS!!! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR CARING ABOUT US ENOUGH TO PROVIDE US WITH RIDING!!!
When I first showed up that day, I ran into Bob Reddick, father of Ryan Reddick. He was frantic and sweating trying to get water in the ground. I could see the sincerity and determination in his eyes. I could see it in all the workers and volunteers at OIR. Even Ryan himself was running the gate. To say nobody at OIR cares is downright foolish. Thank you everyone who busted their behinds that day in 90+ weather.
OIR even gave all money from their last practice last year to the Reddick family. I know these people care.
None of us are perfect, and we shouldn't expect perfection from others.
This is taking longer than I was thinking; I have to go to grannies for lunch. She is 86 and still swings a hammer!!! I will finish this post tonight. THANK YOU FOR READING!!!
I will be at the upcoming practices to help OIR. This track needs our understanding and help. It will take patience.