RE: Manistee Forest Rally
the following is a concern forwarded from my brother
From:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pdf_files/road_rally/2005_Manistee_Road_Rally_scoping.pdf
Dear Forest Neighbor or Visitor:
The Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests
has received a request from Scott Strenzel, a local liason of the Sports Car
Club of America (SCCA) for a special use authorization to conduct a one-day
sports car race on Wexford County and National Forest roads in Wexford
County, Michigan. I am seeking input on this proposed event. The race would
occur on September 10, 2005 and involves the use of approximately 25 miles
of roads (See attached map). Participants are timed while racing short
segments of roads. Start and finish line locations would be established on
the roads and spectator areas would be delineated. Approximately 35-70
vehicles are expected to participate and from 150-350 spectators are
expected at one of three spectator areas, along the racing routes. Roads
accessing the race segments would be closed during the race with a road
guard present at all locations. A tow truck, ambulance, and sanitary
facilities would be provided by the event coordinator. An operations plan
which details the event activities would be developed in coordination with
the Forest Service, Wexford County Sheriff's Department, Wexford County Road
Commission, and the event coordinator.
For your convenience, we have provided a comment sheet for you to write your
comments on and returned to us. It would be most helpful to have comments by
March 11, 2005; however, comments will be accepted any time during the
planning process. Please contact Ramona Venegas, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
at (231) 723-6121, ext. 108 if you would like to give input beyond the
comment sheet, have questions regarding the proposal, or would like a copy
of the decision (once completed). If requested, a copy of all comments,
including names and addresses, will be made available to the public.
The Forest Service will inform the requester of its decision regarding a
request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the submission
will be returned and the requester notified that the comments may be
resubmitted with or without name and address.
Sincerely,
JIM A. THOMPSON
District Ranger
Questions from a (former) potential competitor:
1. Why doesn't Scooter/StevieZ66 use his REAL NAME in registering for
Specialstage, which not only violates their terms of use, but immediately
creates the impression he's trying to hide something?
2. The scoping letter shows that Scott Strenzel appears to have associated
himself with the SCCA in trying to obtain the road permit. Whether
deliberate or a misunderstanding, it would seem critical that he take the
steps needed to convey accurate information to the Forest Service.
3. If Scott is concerned about what the Forest Service reads on
Specialstage, maybe he needs to cut out the crap, starting with owning up to
his real identity rather than continuing in this cloak and dagger crap.
"tread lightly" and "get along" should include "be honest".
There are a lot of potential entrants, mostly new guys, who certainly would
love to see a Michigan rally, but at least deserve to know the REAL NAME of
the promoter to whom they are sending their money.
4. NASA Rallysport, in my opinion, should suggest that their event promoters
take some efforts to represent themselves as a NASA event to government
officials.
Any confusion or sleight of hand during the permitting process would reflect
poorly on the competence of the promoter, sanctioning bodies, and the sport.
5. If there were problems in the past, fix the problems, and don't turn this
all into some kind of egomaniacal personal pissing death match.
Because it would appear that the prime organizer of this event is either not
capable, interested or able to accurately representing WHO he is, and WHO he
represents to the Forest Service and to the public, I am left wondering what
else is distorted, omitted, or ignored.
When we run events, we are asked to TRUST our LIVES to organizers and
volunteers. I can't TRUST someone who isn't sure WHO he is.
A little honesty and effort to be clear would go a long ways here, but as it
stands now, we're going to Canada that weekend.
matt(at)jive.net
