This race now in it's 28th annual form. This race has been held in many different places over the years and the tradition continues. there are three different places in Cuba that we have raced in the recent years. These races can be from 20 to 36 mi depending on the layout. Alot of the track consists of jeep trails and some big arroyos. There are some tree areas that you get to ride through but nothing too tight. This is a very scenic course if you stop to enjoy the view. The Pits in this area are the pits. They are covered in short thick branched bushes that like to trip you or scrape up your legs. The other place that this has been held is west of Albuquerque and north of the I-40. This track is setup like a GP with 10mi loops that follow some jeep trails and a few elevation changes and a few areas that wind between the trees. These races are fun and can put your manhood to the test to see just how fast you like to go.
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Well all, it is official now. There will not be a 2007
OMG race this year. SORE declared a moratorium on the
race until we can better understand how to deal new
stipulations proposed by the BLM. We still have 8 years
left on the permit for Cuba area race courses, so the
2008 race and so on may still happen. We will be meeting
shortly with BLM to better understand and perhaps
negotiate some of the new stipulations.
SORE felt it best to not hold the race this
year in light of additional logistics, planning and
personnel required to meet new stipulations. We barely
had enough people to put on the race last year! If we
tried to do OMG with limited resources, we might mess up
on meeting the new requirements, aggravating the
situation even further.
Some of the new stipulations include spectator
fees, rider wristbands, no pit bikes whatsoever,
limitations on course paths through arroyos, additional
course observers, and dragging down berms after the
race. The result would make the OMG essentially a closed
course competition with extensive before/after course
grooming. Too much work for five board members (four
over fifty!), wives, family and friends.
One contributing factor for new rider/spectator control
stipulations comes from recurring trouble caused by a
few uruly racers and spectators. Each passing year we
are under more and more scrutiny from BLM and other land
users, and part of that is our fault.
SORE members have had to escalate the amount of "adult
supervision" to keep the 5-percenters under control, and
man, it ain't fun. Last year, several racers were
disqualified and sent home after tearing up an arroyo
and crazily racing around without helmets following the
pre-ride. During the race, one stupid fool on a
mini-bike managed to scare a cow onto the race course.
After getting busted, he thought he could argue with and
confront the BLM ranger! Why? If I hadn't intervened,
there would have been a fight and an arrest. Guys and
gals, as the stakes get higher, we have to act
appropriately and it is up to everyone, not just race
promoters, to keep the 5-percenters from ruining it for
all.
To conclude, please understand that we have an excellent
relationship with BLM and want to work with them and
other land users to keep the OMG going. Their concerns
about rider/spectator safety and land impacts are not
necessarily unreasonable. Let's reflect that our race
series depends upon keeping public land open and
useable. It is up to all of us, not just race promoters,
to work together, communicate, express appreciation and
collaborate with the BLM.
SORE wishes to thank all the racers, their families and
friends for you support through the years and in the
future. Keep the skid plate shiny side down!
The
Albuquerque BLM office is located at .......
phone number is ...and you can ask for the Recreational
Land Use coordinator. Letters and calls presented in a
positive manner will help.
Thanks!
Dana Dunlap
SORE Secretary
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