Greg Power is a guy who has been around the off-road motorcyling scene for a long time. In earlier days as a fiercly competititive and talented rider in Trials, Enduro and then endurance events. I have a foggy memory of him competing in the 'Roof Of Africa'? Lately he has been in the business of catering for off-roaders and he know the difficulties associated with keeping everyone happy. He was a member of the MNZ Board for five years back in the 1980s and has first hand experience of the working of MNZ, its strengths and weaknesses.
He makes some pertinent comments that will make for healthy discussion.
Hey Bill
I concur with your comments re: An Official Website for the 2006 ISDE: We need one and dare I say it - we are not six months too late, we are two years too late. We should have had one from the time we were given the go ahead from the FIM.
There are several reasons why nothing has been done communication wise!
1 - MNZ has undergone much personnel change in the past 12 months.
2 - The board is made up of high profile code members so therefore does not understand the vagaries and complications of Enduro. I would suggest than not one of the board members has ever ridden a multi-day enduro let alone organised or helped to organise one. The One (half) day enduros found in NZ over the last ten years in no way represent what we will encounter at the ISDE. Therefore the board does not have any idea what they have got into.
3 - Sean Clarke is a busy man. Like most of us he has to make a living to feed his family, pay the mortgage and keep up his standard of life. He is a passionate man about Enduros and his many, many, many, many, many national titles and the fact that he is the Enduro Commissioner and has been for several years indicates he has more passion than most. However one man alone cannot make an ISDE. Sean is tasked with preparing the course and the working on the day. He is not a political animal and is not comfortable (and I know few motorcycle competitors who are) with the political manoeuvring that needs to be conducted to overcome the myriad of problems faced at a bureaucratic level.
4 - I have sent emails, made phone calls and published editorial on the subject of the ISDE with regards to motorcycle eligibility, team selection and training. Whilst much lip service has taken place, there has been little done and definitely nothing resolved. Having been involved over the years as a National competitor and organiser, I am very concerned that the general public and enduro riders in particular, don’t know the problems they face if they want to ride in the ISDE. Here are a couple of examples: