| Author | Message | ||
     Shanetbolt |
I saw this advertisement for May 21st 9am till 3pm. This caught my eye, "Compete on a slow-speed agility course to win prizes and a chance to win a Buell XB9". That sounds like a Battletrax event with a chance to win a XB9S. Has anyone else heard of this, anyone going? For me it is only 4-1/2 hours. The dealer is Jim Baileys in Fort Wayne Indiana (260)489-2464. | ||
| Phat_j |
its very much like a battletrax, but with no credit to reg......... 4 dealerships in the michigan, indiana, and ohio area are involved... the one here in ann arbor is overwith already.. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Shane, Hal's has talked about buying equipment, and setting up their own version of "battletrax" in the past. | ||
| Shanetbolt |
It would be nice to have some local events again. It's just my luck I find something fun and then it goes away. The year I decide to try it out was the last year there was any kind of series of events in S.E. Wisconsin. But still, anyone planning on going to Fort Wayne? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Phat, where else? I am interested if they are within sane riding range of Cincinnati. | ||
| Phat_j |
http://www.streetbikechallenge.com/ that is the local version, toledo is on there, i know there is another one, just dont know the site for it... | ||
| Spiderman |
No comment | ||
| Jugallo94 |
Is anyone going to these. I dont have my license yet so I might go watch. Just wondering. cant wait until july when I get my license. | ||
| Mikej |
(Curious about the no comment, but won't push for a reply.) | ||
| Daves |
How nice, steal Reg's idea. Unless they are paying Reg for the rights to run these. BattleTrax rip off! If that is what it is I wouldn't go within 10 miles of it or these dealers. | ||
| Bomber |
reg does great things, no doubt -- BattleTrax is pretty similar to SCCA solo competition (aka gymkahna), but, as far as I know, he's the first (and only) one that runs these kind of events for bikes -- interesting, though . . . . | ||
| Flying_finn |
Unfortunately for Reg, and I understand how some feel. I believe Reg can only claim the name, not the sport. Otherwise, he owes the SCCA some dough, since Battle Traxx is pretty much a Solo II competition for bikes. By the way, where are the Battle Traxx events? Are any even happening? Does Reg even care? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I know Reg has posted here stating that he will take legal action against anyone using the name, which I totally agree with. I don't recall him being that upset about holding a similar event though, but I could be wrong. He earns every penny he charges setting up and running a genuine Battletrax, he offers a lot of value for the money, and addresses a lot of the ugly headaches in doing this type of event (insurance, etc). | ||
| Outrider |
Reg cares and Reg runs them with a few Regional Managers/Promoters. Also does the same with KTM. As a result of Bomber chiding one another about getting some timing equipment and doing our own Low Budget BattleTrax Equivalent (obviously more show than go), I went through the whole exercise with Reg a year or so ago and can honestly day that without dealer particpation/sponsorship, BattleTrax is an expensive proposition. Heck, just the insurance alone would choke most of us. Then there is promoting the event, procuring a lot, providing sanitation facilities, learning to read the lot and set up an exciting, yet safe, course. Hey, it is a lot of work. I have no clue as to why the Buell Dealers backed out of BattleTrax rather than continuing the momentum. Here we are a over a year later and Buell/BRAG is still doing some BTX events. Almost looks like the emphasis switched from BattleTrax to Track Days and Suicide Bonzai Runs down Main Street. Ergo, I would think that if you wanted a local BattleTrax your best bet would be to work together with your sponsoring dealer to make it worth his expense and your time both riding in and working the event. I suspect if you promote it among the Non-Bueller's in your area the dealer will be more open to the idea as, like Dave in Appleton and Craig in Waterloo, the Dealer will get some good sales leads. BattleTrax is a two way street between you and your dealer. All Reg does is provide an excellent entertaining experience at a discount as all the major expenses are amortized among all the events. Seriously, if you are interested contact Reg about becoming a BattleMaster to run events in your region. Whether or not you pursue the matter further is up to you, but at least you will have been enlightened. | ||
| S2pengy |
I checked the copyright site about 6 months ago and found that Buell owns the rights to the Battle Trax name........ I was interested in doing a Battle Trax at SMHD for Sportbike day which was later cancelled... Now maybe it has changed????? | ||
| Shanetbolt |
Gee thanks for all the info guys. I called Jim Baileys to get some more info and then checking out the website http://www.streetbikechallenge.com/ I understand this sport has not died totally. And Spidey, it was nice to compete with you at Ukes back in 2003. Maybe we'll compete again someday? | ||
| Spiderman |
As long as it is BattleTrax. The thing that irks me most (and this falls under the no comment) is H-D and all there protection of rights, sounds, names, looks ETC ETC ETC.... They are so willing to do this to a big contributor of their company both H-D and Buell. Reg still writes for the “Enthusiast” now and then, test rides Buells, not to mention started “Thunder Press” and Battle2Win”. Reg is an important man, more than some may know. Nuff said I won’t argue that with anyone and I say that as his friend and fan. Now let’s put all the legalities aside, insurance, waivers, marketing etc. If it isn’t a BattleTrax course run by Kittrel Inc. who do you think is setting up the course? That’s right your local doughnut eaten, poker running, Electra Glide riding non racing enthusiast. (now this is in most cases Specially the dealers up here {now don’t go off sayin I am wrong, quit bashin H-D guys ETC it is just an example}) I know after years of riding BT and as DaveS and some of the other Battle Masters including myself (Yes I am a official Battle Master all though I don’t work for a supporting dealer I can’t hold a event) on here know It is Hard work setting up a course. It is a Two day class on the subtle nuances of BT prep. Now I am not sure I want just any Joe Blow off the street who watched “On Any Sunday” once to set up my track. It may not seem like a big deal with first gear and all. But hi siding at any speed is dangerous. I have seen and heard about some major injuries. Hell even Erik helped me push my bike off a course once. In conclusion, It is just not fair to You guys as Buellers and not fair to Reg as a contributing member of Buelldom. Now I’ll sit back and wait for the calls from H-D corporate to start rolling in LMAO | ||
| Davegess |
Spidy is right. An incorrectly set up course can casue serious injuries. A high side at 40 mph could kill you. To avoid that sort of thing you need to understand what works and doesn't work. It is much harder than settin gup a car course. | ||
| Bomber |
Reg does a great job, and, after investigating becoming a Battlemaster (if nothing else, for the honor of having a t-shirt that sez so!) (JOKE), I am even more impressed with the effort and dough that goes into the holding of one of these events -- it's a great deal of work to do it poorly, and a greater amount of work to do it well (as Reg does) -- can't comment on HDI's involvment (or lack thereof), as I have no data -- it's disappointing that the turnout in WI peaked early, and then tapered off to little (much of the reposnibility falls on the shoulders of SOME of the sponsoring dealers, btw, for not taking advantage of the event) -- it's expensive to put on, beleive me slalom type events are common in the sportscar world, and used to take place at AMA meets (albeit in a very different format), and just because Kittrel & Co. isn't involved certainly doesn't mean that it's a Wall of Death type affair -- though with Reg (or one of his folks) involved, there's a level of certainty surrounding safety, professionalism, and fun that remains to be ssen with other groups at the helm short version, BTrax may be legally (and morally) protectable, but the idea certainly isn't Reg has been a prime mover in the Buell world, and I have nothing but admiration and the highest regard for him -- I'm a fan, too | ||
| Daves |
While it may or may not be illegal for these dealers to set up their own deal it is really tacky of them. They certainly must be aware of Reg and BattleTrax and the professional way that these events have been run. Probably comes down to they didn't want to pony up. After we held our first BattleTrax in Waterloo,the idea of doing the same thing was brought up to me I told the dealer that I would not have any part in it. I informed them that it would be WRONG of us to steal someone's idea and that we would be considered the scourge of the Buell world just to try to save a few bucks. I consider Reg a friend, a friend to me and a friend to all Buellers. If he is ok with this then so be it. Until I hear that directly from him I will hold tight to my opinion that these other dealers are scum, just out to save a buck. | ||
| Mikej |
Food for thought: http://www.streetbikechallenge.com/what.htm
See that part there, "Buell Motor Company", it implies that Buell is part of the deal. If you are calling the dealers scum for this event series then by default you are also calling Buell scum by the same logic, unless the text is incorrect and Buell is not in support of nor sponsoring this series in some way. Like I said, food for thought. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The more I think about it, I am inclined to agree. It would be one thing for a group of buddies to throw something together for fun, but once it goes out at a business level and is actively promoted, it feels slimey. Actually, it feels foolish, I doubt you could do it right on your own for what the normal gig costs, and doing it haphazard sounds like a short road to disaster. | ||
| Daves |
If I get time today I will find out. Emailing now. | ||
| Mikej |
Thanks. | ||
| Shanetbolt |
I like all the pro's and con's on the subject. If you look at it from a business point of view which I'm sure H-D and Buell have done. There must be a reason why they are not calling Reg in to do the events. So we really do not know the whole story. I sense a great support for what Reg has started with Battletrax. But if we as participants begin to boycott this "sport bike challenge" just because they are not run by Reg. That may send the wrong message that no one is interested in these events. Then they go by by. If these events come to town I will be there. We all are motorcyclists and if enough people complain that the course is set up badly. There are two options, the course gets changed or you stop participating. I can understand that these events are expensive and I greatly appreciate that they are free to enter. But even with the free entry fee, I have seen people refuse to enter. I participate in AMA amateur racing and I sign waivers that release the promoter if I get hurt much like Battletrax, but I also have to pay to race. I am not opposed to pay a fee to help reduce costs at these Battletrax events. Heck at the AMA races my food is not free. But at the Battletrax events you even get free food. Just like track days, many organizations put them on. The tracks don't change but is one organization better than the other? People still have accidents at these track days. Accidents happen, heck the first Battletrax event I was at a guy broke his ankle. Was it Reg's fault for the track layout or operator error. All I'll say is no body else had problems with the area of the accident so the track was very do able. Anyway what ever reason the motor company has for banding together and going it on their own, I would hope it spreads to my area. I just want to participate, I'm not in it for the politics. Yes I have met Reg and he is a great guy and I have learned a few things from him and his crew. I do feel bad that he is not being called in to do these events, but boycotting these new events I feel is not sending the right message. Just my two cents on the subject. | ||
| Bomber |
Shane -- amen -- not a thing against Reg, who is a sterling individual and has helped Buell and Buellers greatly -- I klnow there is a BTrax in Iowa soon, so the business itself is not dead -- for all we know, the Motor Company and he deiced to part ways in terms of expanded BTrax business in the friendliest manner possible you're right, we do not have all the data | ||
| Spiderman |
I knew I shoulda posted this with my above statment, I have seen people get injured too, But the whole point is to minimize that risk as much as possible.... I don't think a first timer, never learned from Reg will understand that. All in all It is wrong, it is also one of the many reasons I don't work for one of those dealers in the SBC. | ||
| Davegess |
for all we know, the Motor Company and he deiced to part ways in terms of expanded BTrax YOU ARE CORRECT, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. If someone knows and is able to fill us in please do. I would not be quick to jump on the bash sport bike challange bandwagon | ||
| Spiderman |
Dave you have been pinged | ||
| Daves |
Haven't got it? | ||
| Spiderman |
I met Dave Gess sorry LOL You want me to e-mail you too  | ||
| Mikej |
"If I get time today I will find out. " Was anything found out yet? Or is it not for public consumption??? | ||
| Outrider |
Neither party is talking about it, so let it drop or at least try not to irritate the powers that be. In as much as a lot of Buell riders would love to see BattleTrax reinstated as a national/regional event, if you force the issue and push the wrong buttons, one of the concerned parties could take offense and queer the deal forever. I would think that a campaign both on the BWB and letters to Buell/BRAG expressing your desires to see either BattleTrax (or BracketTrax) reinstated as a National Brag activity would be a good thing as it is both a great event and can be considered "Safe Continuing Rider Education." |
