We are half way through February and the STRA events for the year have begun. The 2017 Championship Awards Banquet was held on February 10th in Jasper, Tennessee at the Western Sizzlin’. There was a good turnout of approximately 75 people including STRA members, family and friends. The banquet recognized the accomplishments of the association for 2017 as well as key people making contributions. It was also announced that the Secretary/Treasurer has been relieved from his duties by the current STRA officers due to a history of inappropriate use of STRA funds and delinquent AMA duties that were discovered in our pursuit to evolve the STRA towards a not-for-profit organization. Proposed rule changes pertaining to membership dues and trial time limits that were tabled at the business meeting in November were voted upon by the 40 members that were present at the banquet. These changes are reflected in the STRA 2018 rule book posted on this site. Championship awards donated by Randy Sharp and RSD Laser were presented to each of our eligible class finishers and champions (see the Results page for final 2017 Championship standings). Most improved rider (Sean Parker) and best event of 2017 (Mark Moon Memorial Trial) awards were also given. Once again we had an overabundance of raffle items provided by the Trials Training Center, Beta and Ray Peters, Trials Store USA and the Niederers, Ryan Young Products, Rod Overstreet at Gas Gas and Jim Snell at TRS. One of greatest highlights of the evening however was the presentation of the Curt Comer Award which is given to the best rider in the STRA (i.e. winner of the Champ Class). Curt Comer, Sr. for whom the award is named was one of the founding fathers of the STRA in 1973. He was also President of the association in 1977, 1982 and 1983. Sadly, Mr. Comer passed away on January 31st of this year. We had the honor of his son, Curt Comer, Jr. attending our banquet and presenting the trophy in his father’s name to Alex Niederer.
A fun trial hosted by the Trials Training Center put together by Charlie Roberts was enjoyed by 30 riders on the Sunday after the banquet. The torrential rains from the day before made the course so over run with water and slippery that only six of the nine prepared sections could be used. It was a great time had by all however and a terrific way to prepare for the upcoming season which begins at Trackrock in Blairsville, GA on March 3rd and 4th. Due to scheduling constraints we head directly to Ocala, Florida the very next week (March 10th and 11th) for Fun-in-the Sun. See the event flyers in the Schedule section of this website for more details.
In closing, excitement should be brewing for 2018. The schedule is posted on the website and flyers will be available along with online sign up appropriately timed for each event. The STRA also has a National event to prepare for and host at the Trials Training Center in June. This is the perfect opportunity for STRA club members to step up and volunteer, to ensure that the event is as successful as possible.
Good luck to all in the upcoming 2018 events. I hope we are able to award a new batch of Class Champions at next year’s awards banquet.
Douglas