Headworks and Jamboree Update
By Dan Nitzel, NOHVA Business Manager
As I write this article, the outside temperature is 9 degrees, the wind chill is -10, it’s cloudy and there is light snow, and about 18” of snow sets in my front yard. It’s a PREFECT day to start planning for the spring/summer 2008 Jamboree scheduled for June 20th and 21st. In fact, planning for the event started as soon as the fall jamboree in 2007 got over.
Fix the Entrance Trail - As you may recall, we had some trouble with wet weather last fall. We were lucky that we could hold the event at all! It rained 2 to 3 inches just days before the event and it was really muddy. The entrance trail was a MESS and the parking areas were barely above water. Luckily, the sun came out and the jamboree was a great success. This year we plan to change things a bit.
First off, we hope to decide what to do with the entrance trail. The main problem involving the entrance trail is the weather and drainage. For the last year or two, rainfall has been about two or three times above normal. There is a lot more traffic at Headworks and is causing problems with the entrance trail. We have tried to deal with the entrance trail in the past, but the work was not always the best solution and did not last long.
Some time during the month of February, NOHVA officers and Loup Power managers plan to look over the situation and determine a solution. Basically a plan needs to be developed were water can drain off the trail better, and a way to keep additional water from other sources from bogging down the trail. Another problem involves the number of ATVs using the trail. When the trail turns to mud, ATVs travel down the trail and the wet sand and mud sticks to fenders. People take the sand and mud home with them and the trail keeps getting lower and lower, making drainage more difficult. We need to find a way to improve drainage, add some fill, and stabilize the trail surface.
My preliminary estimates are that if we hauled in fill material, we may spend $8,000 to $10,000 on the trail. Our board of directors approved spending a maximum amount of $2,000 for improving the entrance trail. In our last newspaper, I asked for suggestions and bids from contractors to fix the trail. I received no replies.
Overflow Parking and Camping Area - Another issue involves what to do with the overflow parking area. The overflow parking area needs to have well defined rules. NOHVA rents the land for each jamboree. In the past we have left it open to the public to park and camp. This year we plan to allow only those who paid for the jamboree to use the overflow parking. Almost all of the people who were causing problems at the fall jamboree in the overflow parking area were non-members who came to the jamboree with no intention of supporting us. The jamboree is a fund raiser for NOHVA projects and helps support Headworks and other places to ride in Nebraska. The dates are well publicized. Certainly there are a few people who come to the riding area “just to ride” and had no prior knowledge of the event. However there is a growing number of people that ‘know’ the jamboree is being held, and attend the event, participate in the races, leave a ton of trash, cause the majority of the problems, use NOHVA’s facilities, and are well aware that there is little we can do about it. This year we are planning to target the non-supporters who cause trouble.
Here are some of the rules we plan to be enforcing in the overflow parking area:
· Only those who are registered for the jamboree will be allowed in the overflow parking area. Everyone must have the appropriate arm band, others will need to leave.
· Camp fires will be allowed only in fire rings or no more than three feet in diameter unless provided by NOHVA. No trash, beverage cans or bottles allowed in camp fires, we have a big supply of trash bags for that purpose. NOHVA has a limited supply of fire rings. The fire rings will require a deposit of $40 with $35 returned ($5 rental fee) or people can bring their own. Ashes must be cleaned up from each camp site.
· All those in the overflow parking area need to avoid areas that are under water or muddy.
· All ATVs and dirtbikes must be operated no more than 10 mph.
· No riding around except travel directly to and from trails and the camp site. This includes children riding around in the parking area.
· Quite time from 12 midnight PM to 7 AM.
· No dumping of human waste in the overflow parking area.
· Anyone exhibiting excessive speed, doing cookies, wheelies, stunts, jumps or not following the new camp, trash, fire and human waste rules will be ordered to leave and may be ticketed.
Drag Race Lights – This year we hope to have starting lights and timers for the drag races. A light system will cost between $5000 and $10,000 and will be available to NOHVA chapters and for county fairs and other events in cooperation with NOHVA. We are looking for sponsors to help purchase the lights. If you would like to help sponsor the drag race lights please contact me. Our sponsor packages start at $50 and work up. Here is an example of sponsor costs and what they get for their money:
· $50 to $249 – Name listed with amount that can be viewed from the side of the track on both sides. Signs will be used at any event the drag race lights are used for a period of at least two years.
· $250 – 2 foot by 2 foot sign with business name, personal name and logo that can be viewed from the side of the track on both sides. Signs will be used at any event the drag race lights are used for a period of at least two years.
· $500 – 2 foot by 4 foot sign with business name, personal name and logo that can be viewed from the side of the track on both sides. Signs will be used at any event the drag race lights are used for a period of at least two years.
· $1000 - 2 foot by 4 foot sign with business name, personal name and logo that can be viewed from the side of the track on both sides and a 2 foot by 4 foot sign on the entrance trail. Signs will be used at any event the drag race lights are used for a period of at least two years.
· $2500 – Primary sponsor of the drag races plus 2 foot by 4 foot sign with business name, personal name and logo that can be viewed from the side of the track on both sides and a 2 foot by 4 foot sign on the entrance trail. Signs will be used at any event the drag race lights are used for a period of at least two years, all references to jamboree will include name of sponsor.
· $10,000 Purchase of drag race lights - Primary sponsor of the Jamboree for one year (plus 2 foot by 4 foot sign with business name, personal name and logo that can be viewed from the side of the track on both sides and a 2 foot by 4 foot sign on the entrance trail. Signs will be used at any event the drag race lights are used for a period of at least two years, all references to the Jamboree will include the name of the sponsor.
· Banners may be used in place of hard board signs.
Jamboree Events – The events for the spring/summer jamboree will be similar to those held last year. Saturday will feature an ATV barrel race for kids and adults, a timed tree trail race, ATV pull, and poker run. Sunday will feature drag races as usual, but there will be some changes or additions. The drag races will continue to allow anyone to race, but there will be additional classes for higher performance machines.
Cost – The cost will remain the same. The price for NOHVA members will be $15 per person 16 years old and over. For non-members the cost starts out at $30 which includes a membership for the weekend. All those who plan to watch or participate in any of the events need to be NOHVA members. There may be an extra charge for those who participate in the newer higher end classes, watch for more details in our next newspaper or watch our web site.
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Sunday, March 01, 2009