FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: The VIR cancellation is particularly difficult for privateer teams with small budgets. We have lost out on our non-refundable tickets etc. We are out money that we could have used for tires or fuel to get to Laguna Seca. With the way we have to purchase in advance to get good rates we are now out of luck trying to get that money back into the budget for team use elsewhere. It’s so wasteful and does no one any good. And, if AMA Pro brings in a replacement race we have to spend additional money not accounted for in the budget for that. Where do people think the money comes from? How much to they think we can keep coming up with? Someone needs to be thinking before they willy nilly make these decisions so close to race weekend. Philip Rispoli Punta Gorda, Florida FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: God, I love a good John Ulrich is on the war path editorial! Edward H. Gray Waltham, Massachusetts FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I am an employee of VIR. I have been employed there since 2004, so therefore I feel as if I can speak a bit candidly regarding the demise of VIR. I have noticed since 2009 the attendance not only on spectator weekends, but club days as well have diminished. The morale among the workers have also taken a downturn. I feel as if we, F&C and rescue workers did our jobs very well. But as of recent, they have handcuffed us to our stations, putting many more rules and regulations in place. My point in this rambling is that greed and sloth has been felt not only by the racing community but also within the track gates as well. It simply appalls me that one or two individuals can make such an impact that affects an entire industry. As a motocrosser and motorcycle fanatic, the one event that I have looked most forward to each year since 2004 has been the AMA race in August. They (VIR) pays us flaggers and runners $9.00/hr to work the race weekends. Understanding it’s not a lot of money, but the excitement of being there and participating and camping out was the offsetting factor for many of us workers knowing the long days and hard work. Furthermore, we did it with pleasure in order to have the best seat in the house to watch some fantastic racing by some of the best in the world. In 2009, the track made us (flaggers & safety) start camping in the south paddock and paying the regular price to camp. Even after paying the regular price, we couldn’t camp where we chose to, it had to be in the south paddock. I live 30 minutes from the track so I just started going home each night. I guess my point in rambling is that I (along with many others at VIR) are disgusted with the decision made. In my presumptuous mindset, knowing the rate increase that VIR has placed on clubs who frequent the facility, I will be really surprised if the track hasn’t locked the gates by this time next year! In closing, I am regretful for the decisions made, but I certainly hope that I will have enough of a connection with AMA officials that I can get my foot in the door at Road Atlanta and Mid-Ohio and other venues on the East Coast so that I will be able to get out there and be a runner again. Very Respectfully, Tom Bushley Altavista, Virginia FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Thank you Mr. Ulrich for the follow up to the cancelation of the AMA Pro road race. My wife and I went the first 4 years at VIR and love the track and the locals as well. We have not been back due to the high temps at the that time of the year but would like to attend again at some point. We both hope the track will be hosting an AMA Pro race in the near future. Scott Bunn Doylestown, Ohio FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Always have my suspicions on how stuff goes down, but its good to hear the same from an industry insider. Let ’em have it! Ken Sotero San Diego, California FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Ms. Nyholm, I am very disappointed to see that you will not honor their obligation with AMA. Myself and a large group of riders have made the 1000 mile plus ride to VIR every year. I have always loved the place and have been coming to the track from the very first AMA event. I would tell everyone that would listen that they just had to visit this place. This very late notice that you will not honor your word has ruined a highly anticipated vacation. My group will be saving our pennies to head to Texas for MotoGP in the future. I hope that AMA will do the same. YOU HAVE LOST MANY DIE-HARD FANS FOR GOOD! You have also done your community a great disservice. No longer yours, Brandon Giles Sarasota, Florida FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I hope John Ulrich can handle the truth of the VIR-DMG situation. He seems to have made up his mind that DMG was wronged. What will he say if it turns out the other way? VIR is not the first or only promoter to have problems getting a contract or response from DMG. Lack of contracts and un-returned emails and phone calls are this group’s hallmark. Call around and ask. I dare you. (Of course, it might not comport with the narrative in John’s mind.) Hal Raimey Sandy, Oregon I can handle (and will report) whatever happens. I am a big fan of the legal system in the United States because it often exposes–and puts into the public record–exactly what actually happened. And no matter how this dispute turns out, the VIR decision to ditch M1 and go it alone should make it into business-school texts on how to make a really, really bad decision! Can you handle it if it turns out in court to have happened exactly as I described?…John Ulrich.