First and foremost let's put these tabloidal exploits into perspective. 44 (now 39?) riders are deemed ineligible to compete at Middleboro for the duration of the year due to malicious intent to Norman? It seems to me that the burden of proof should be placed on Mr. Collins to substantiate his allegations of misconduct. Have any witnesses come forward and said, "My life and Mr. Collins' life was in danger". No, because this is a futile attempt to stifle Middleboro's and the New England Sports Committee's worst nightmare. RIDER UNITY. Mr. Collins used the half of his brain that works to formulate "The History of Capeway Rover's" a piece of literature worthy of one of those tabloid magazines. First off he compares the group of riders that chose not to ride due to substandard track conditions to a robbery suspect and his accomplices. His rational was guilt by association. Secondly, he targets a group of riders depicting them as a bunch of money hungry, prima donna's who can't make it happen on the National Level. In reality though I would like to contradict Mr. Collins' slanderous attempt of journalism. You see the sport we are part of has changed exponentially in the past ten years. I realize Mr. Collins and his colleagues have engaged themselves into a drunken stupor thus being totally disconnected from reality. His JoJo Keller glory days are gone when riders could go out Saturday night, get hammered and pull the old, dirty CZ out of the van and race the next day on the oiled TT scrambles track. No, the times have passed Mr. Collins and the NESC bye. It used to be motorcycle racing was left to those who didn't partake in stick and ball sports. Now it's mainstream and with it has come an influx of talent and money. The competition level is so high you have to treat what you do as a job, thus putting in countless hours of preperation. The experts you refer to as not being able to cut it on the National Circuit actually have been quite successful as depicted by the National numbering system. The biggest disadvantage we face is the region we come from-New England. The tracks don't promote a rider's technical ability to make the step to the next level and the factories know this. Having spent the better part of three years racing Nationals and numerous districts throughout the country I realized two things-It's going to cost way to much money to be on the same playing field as factory and satelite team riders and in order for future riders to make it to the next level things needed to be changed in New England. (John Dowd and Doug Henry came through in the late 80's early 90's before this transformation period) The NESC at the time basically was a dictatorship run by one efficient individual. Though this person was not easy to deal with at times things got done. A couple individuals felt it would be in the organizations best interest to "buy out" the executive directors contract and head in a new direction. Upon trying to deal with the "new" NESC these individuals out of frustration walked away leaving essentially what we have now, the track owners dictate the course of the NESC. It is also during this time period the NESC entered it's abyssmal plunge to the depths it currently finds itself in. Track owners now can be described by three words:1. complacent, 2. arrogant, 3. apathetic. Middleboro chose to flatten their decent track in favor of the sand box, gravel trap TT course we see today. I approached them about going up there for nothing and designing a SAFE but challenging track, similar to some of the ones I had seen throughout the country. They denied. After countless times of civil conversation letting them know the track wasn't up to par Paul Letendre offered to construct the track FREE of charge. They denied. After years of the same lame track, and dealing with the same arrogant individuals riders united for the first time ever. Most of these guys were Experts who have been around for years and have been all over the country. They realize your racing experience should not seem like boot camp. The problem does not persist just at Middleboro but within the NESC as a whole. This incident however was the straw that broke the camel's back. It's time for a revolutuion and this could be considered our Boston Tea Party. These 39 or so individuals have been banned by one individual and the NESC has done shit on their behalf. The true cowardness of their character permeates a stench so putrid it makes me sick. Riders, we can't just forget about these 39 individuals that have been unjustifiably punished. Whether you realize it or not there actions were to benefit you and future generations. It's time to carry the torch on their behalf. CARPE DIEM PS Any questions see me Sunday

-- Scott Carter (SCOTTSMC10@aol.com), July 08, 2000

Answers

ok first off.... what does this mean: tabloidal exploits ? lol...i dont use big words like that ! SCOTT HELP ! lmao.. i didnt understand most of the words u were saying...but iz all good. ! im on your side ! ( i think ) lol ! hold on im going to go and read it again ! brb ! :)

-- jenn 520 (mxchik520@aol.com), July 08, 2000.

haha SCOTT i think i understand ! iz all good ! that was one hell of a statement ! keep em' coming ! p.s that must have taken you for ever to write all that ! lol

-- jenn five TWO zero (mxchik520@aol.com), July 08, 2000.

Well put Scott! I couldnt have said it better myself...

-- Ron Sabin (ThefourSabins@aol.com), July 08, 2000.

WOW Scott, It is so true what you wrote. I think people need to understand that the problems are much more farther reaching than the middleboro incident. That day at middleboro was the point where you guys snapped. Tired of riding all of the sub standard tracks here in nesc, something had to be done. I'm not sure what was done was the right way but thats over and done with now and we have to all work together to get this organization as a whole changed for the better so everyone can benifit. Scott has ridden all over the country and he should know a little something about about this whole problem that we are having with these horrible tracks ( and these idiot promoters) in nesc. Thanks Scott for telling it like it is and you hit a homerun with your comments...... Good Job......see you sunday, Digger #29

-- Mike DeGaetano (mx29@charter.net), July 08, 2000.

I NEVER REALIZED IT TILL NOW BUT SCOTT CARTER IS THE SHIT!!!!!!!MAYBE IF NORMAN(WHO TOOK ONE TOO MANY SHOT OF MOONSHINE,WHICH TUNR U BLIND) SOBERED UP FOR TEN MINUTES THEN HE COOD READ THIS LETTER AND HOPEFULLY MAKE SOME SENSE OUTTA IT

-- MATT (YOTMX100@AOL.COM), July 08, 2000.