Hi All,
I have a couple of announcements to make concerning the TDN this year. First is the fact that throughout the year, the STRA collects $1.00 from each STRA entry fee to go toward the cost of sending the US team to the TDN. This year, we are sending $800.00. However, the cost of properly supporting the team is significant, and the team needs additional support.I am including a message from Roger Ansell of the AMA concerning this. Roger has also informed me that he still has around a hundred TDN t shirts of various sizes available for a minimum donation of $15.00. If you can make any donation large or small, send it to Roger at the address below.

Dear NATC member,



Earlier this year we saw an indication that the fund raisers to send the team to represent the U.S at the Trial des Nations would not be as successful as in the past. Watching how things developed I decided to make some changes in the trip to reduce the cost. We made several changes including going fewer days, Combining plane reservations on the connecting airlines and renting fewer cars to save money. We were able to reduce the cost of the trip some.



Over the last several years El Trial de Espania has been the primary financial supporter of the Team and that has not changed for this year either. However they tell me due to some legal expenses they will not be able to provide as much support this year as in the past. Additionally, the PITS National at Donner Pass CA. also has raised funds to support the team. These two organizations, the NAMU funds and a few other donations have provided enough financial support for the team in the past years.



At this time we have received less than $3000 to support the team for 2003. The ATA support and some additional support from Pits and the NAMU funds will be coming however we still will need some additional money to cover the team’s expenses.



The support people (minders, etc) pay their own way. The importers assist in making arrangements for the motorcycles, helmets etc as needed. Prior to last year the team was made up of four riders. Now with the addition of the Ladies team, we have seven riders to support. The cost of the basic tour is $1499. That cost does not cover the riders travel to JFK in New York, food, gas for the rental cars and motorcycles and other events supplies.



If your organization can help support the team with some financial donations, that would be greatly appreciated. A couple hundred dollars here and few hundread there $25 from someplace else all will help. Anything you might be able to do to help support the seven team members will help.



If you or someone you know can help support the team by donating some money to cover their expenses please send it to my attention here at the AMA. Mark the donations to be given to the TdN Support Fund. That money will go to that fund and will be used to support the team and nothing else. We also accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover card. We appreciate any consideration you can provide.



Sincerely,



Roger Ansel

AMA Sports Manager

13515 Yarmouth Dr.

Pickerington, OH 43147

Ron,
Did the club cancel the idea of using our tdn funds to buy bike raffle tickets thus tgiving the same money to the tdn team but possibly winning a bike that could be raffles off among our members? Thanks


Paul C