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The following is a letter that was e-mailed to me, apparently posted on another forum, under the topic “Twilley’s Big Series Schedule Change!!!!” It was written by Allen McWilliams, the owner of Mill Creek and the SCCS promoter.
It is posted in its entirety, as I received it, with the exception of numbers I added to specifically address the major points. My responses will follow.
“I typically refuse to get into all the forum conversation, but I have been singled out, my experience questioned and unfounded acquisitions have been made*{1} , I feel I must set the record straight.
First let me start by saying, we raced in a series called the GCS or Georgia State Championship Series, then it was the Best of Southern States (BOSS), and now it is the Best in Georgia or BIG, what happened to those series? I started a series called the Southern Classic Championship Series or the SCCS, and it remains today the SCCS, and is going into its fifth year. Furthermore, when the SCCS was started, we had our own contingency program and still have it today. As far as which tracks we race with, it is no different than the GCS, SAS or BIG. Tracks change from year to year. I could be wrong, but since you started the BIG Series two years ago, you have not raced with the same tracks each year*{2} either. Tracks come and go. I can assure you it has nothing to do with a dictatorship. I would define a dictatorship as telling a track owner when he can or cannot race and who he can and cannot race with, better yet, which series he can or cannot run in, or giving races to tracks and then taking them away*{4} ! Please look back over the history of the SCCS and note that this has not happened nor do we change the race schedule during the middle of the year once the series starts*{3} . I can provide you with all the original schedules since we have been around, in a consistent manner as the SCCS. Let me also referesh your memory, the 2007 race season kicked off with the first round of the SCCS and the BOSS on March 3-4, 2007 at Pecan Valley Mx, with the contingency provided by the SCCS. This was one of your larger races. Since the inception of the SCCS, we have co raced with different events throughout each race season, with series such as the Mega, Southern AllStars, Northeast Alabama Tennessee Series, the Gulf Coast Series, the Central Alabama Series, Moto Madness, the Frozen Winter Series and the Big Chill. We still race with these same promoters today! You question my experience? I do not know about you, but I work on gaining knowledge and experience each and every day of my life. *{5} Over the years, I have listened to the riders and promoters trying to meet their needs when possible. My resume speaks for itself, and it is available.
One crucial lesson I have learned by racing with all of these different promoters is always being consistent. Consistent in every aspect from rules, starting times, class structure that conforms with each other, crews, flaggers, track prep, banquets and all other items that would pertain to a well run qualified series.
At the end of the day, my goal on being a promoter is to know that I have done all I could to promote this great sport that I have so much PASSION for and knowing that I brought the highest quality racing to every participant no matter which state they are from or race in. *{6} We pride ourselves in quality events, which are run in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida and Texas, all of which bring racers, tracks and promoters together for the growth of the sport, for the success of the tracks, the local economy, dealers, contingency program and all the industry involved, instead of drawing a line in the sand, suggesting that riders should only race and support events in the state they live in. *{7} We are thankful to the individual track owners that see the value of racing together and we appreciate each and every family that is in this sport.
Allen
RPM Sports”
1 ~ “... I have been singled out, my experience questioned and unfounded acquisitions have been made....”
I did not single you out. The riders/racers did within their posts. Just as you intended to do, I felt it necessary to clarify a few issues which is why I mentioned your name/series. In my letter posted on Jan. 31, 2010, nothing I said was derogatory to you. In fact, I was trying to dissipate any perceived lines in the sand. Your experience wasn’t questioned at all, nor any accusations made. Please re-read my letter.
2 ~ “...since you started the BIG Series two years ago, you have not raced with the same tracks each year either...”
Yes we have, with exception of Hillbilly Hills. The track owner/promoter, at the end of the 2008 race season, decided, for personal reasons, that they did not want to race. I have the race schedules if you would like to review them. In 2009, a race at Silver Dollar was added, and in 2010, the much anticipated return of Paradise Off-Road Park is a part of the series. These tracks have been a part of a Georgia series in previous years and are operated by BIG Series promoters.
3 ~ “....nor do we change the race schedule during the middle of the year once the series starts...”
Outside factors can play a big part on the schedule when you have to plan a year in advance. We made one track change, not the date {from Silver Dollar to Echeconnee, because of a drag race & their insurance issues}, and the last Echeconnee race was re-scheduled because of the large amount of rain they received. You are fortunate if you have never had to cancel a practice or a race because of the weather.
4 ~ “...Tracks come and go. I can assure you it has nothing to do with a dictatorship. I would define a dictatorship as telling a track owner when he can or cannot race and who he can and cannot race with, better yet, which series he can or cannot run in, or giving races to tracks and then taking them away!”
I can assure YOU, that my inference to a dictator was not directed towards you, but in response to comments directed at me. The BIG series does not tell track owners what to do. Each makes his/her own decision. You learned this when you spoke with all the other promoters in the BIG series. I believe the schedule was presented as “tentative,” as there are always a few details that need to finalized. We wanted to get the series made public as soon as we could, so other series could work their races around our dates, and riders/racers could begin planning their racing schedules.
5 ~ “...You question my experience? I do not know about you, but I work on gaining knowledge and experience each and every day of my life.”
How and where did I question your experience? I don't know how you conduct your business. Anything I hear is usually through a 3rd party. With the exception of an e-mail concerning one track, I haven't spoken with you in quite a while. As I hope everyone does, I, too, work on gaining knowledge and experience daily. I don't put a lot of faith in rumors, I try to deal with facts.
6 ~ “...At the end of the day, my goal on being a promoter is to know that I have done all I could to promote this great sport that I have so much PASSION for and knowing that I brought the highest quality racing to every participant no matter which state they are from or race in.”
I agree. If you read the letter I posted, referred to earlier, we share a common goal. But my approach is different. I feel for the BIG series to continue to grow, we need to stay the course which we planned. A limited number of races {11/12}, as many contingencies focused on the BIG series as we can. Riders can participate in the BIG series {which does include 3 SCCS races}, and are still able to be a part of others, if they choose to do so. The BIG promoters want this sport to grow just as much as anyone. You can’t be a motocross promoter without passion for the sport.
7 ~ “ instead of drawing a line in the sand, suggesting that riders should only race and support events in the state they live in.”
My responsibility is the BIG series and that is what I am promoting, just as you are for yours. To be clear, our series riders are not just from Georgia. We want the riders and their families to follow the BIG series, and are encouraging them to do so. Isn’t that the promoters job?
I wasn’t aware that you had drawn “...a line in the sand...” I guess I have gained some knowledge today. I’m not a willing participant in any imagined feud. It is not in anyone’s best interest, least of all, the riders.
As I said in my letter, I don’t believe in dealing with a lot of this on the internet, where every idea and comment can be dissected, with erroneous conclusions drawn, and where only a portion of the truth is revealed.
Allen, if you have anything you would like to discuss - new ideas, series conflicts, misunderstandings - please give me a call. You have my contact information.
Riders/racers and families, I felt I needed to publicly address this, not for me, but for the BIG series. A lot of inaccuracies were being treated as factual. However, I prefer to explain in person. So don't hesitate, take a number, and yell at me at the races!!
Thanks,
Ron Twilley
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