We went round and round on this. We applied for the contingency for Battle as it being AMA sanctioned, and never gave the Spring Series much thought in terms of it being AMA or not, but I did check the AMA box on the application. Then we landed Honda and 3 rounds with Suzuki. Then the debate began.....It can be argued back and forth both ways. I think in the end, I believe once you take out the faircross portion of our members, I think that 50-75% of our members already have AMA. So if it helps us pull in more riders from out of state and possibly from areas of Ohio with a strong background, then I say why not try it? I think within a couple years we could possibly have another Battle like series in the spring time, that involves all the tracks in the OMA. And I agree with John, this isn't so much a double sanction as it is like having a district fee with an AMA fee too, this is nothing new. Except we spend all of the OMA money on the riders at the banquet.
On another note, If I didn't see the potential here, I wouldn't have pushed to do this. I have seen more effort out of picktown in the last 18 months than most of my life. I think we do have a lobbyist at the AMA, he is one of us, he is on our side, he is fighting to get us more benefits.
This is a big picture type of decision. Time will tell if it proves to be a wise one or not. I don't fear being wrong, I fear wondering what might have happened if we had tried something different. No regrets.
BTW, I wanted to announce this after we had the rulebook wrapped up....gee thanks Gregory.