January 30, 2010 -
It's a sad day today; amidst rumors of John Johnson resigning as a USAC Chief official and the GBRA board it has apparently been confirmed. John was a huge supporter of bike racing in Georgia as well as the Georgia Cup Bike Race Series (www.georgiacup.com) - he will be missed on all levels.
As a Head Official he brought organization, leadership, discipline & commitment to our sport and races we're better for it. On the GBRA board he brought the same keen leadership that has been paramount to our success in Georgia Bike Racing.
John, on behalf of the Georgia Cup, Spincycle Sports and myself personally I want to thank you. Thank you for always being available, your leadership and your professionalism. My hope is that future Moto/Officials will learn from your leadership and model their officiating after you.
Respectfully,
James Lowe
(John Johnson's announcement below)
To: Georgia Racers and Promoters
Thank you for a wonderful "ride" over the years. As most of you know, I have had the opportunity to be Head Official, Moto Official, Upgrade Coordinator and a racer in Georgia for many years. I have enjoyed working with riders, promoters, and helping to develop the sport both at the state level and regionally. It has been a pleasure to see riders develop from beginners to exceptional racers and from juniors into outstanding young men and women. Over the years I have joked with, yelled at, hopefully motivated, and, probably at one time or another, infuriated most of the racers and promoters in Georgia. My primary goal was always to improve the riders, improve the racing, and at all times to provide for the safety of the racers.
Some of the best times I can remember are at the races, standing on the sidelines, on my motorcycle watching the race from best seat in the house, or on the saddle of my bike. I count a good number of you as personal friends and I think it is time a share a decision I have made and try to explain why I have made it.
I have decided to not renew my USA Cycling official’s license. Coincidental with that I am no longer qualified to my GABRA board seat as the Officials' Representative and I have resigned my board seat. Since upgrades are GABRA’s responsibility I have also abdicated my responsibility as upgrade coordinator.
The catalyst for this decision was a couple of new requirements instituted by Shawn Farrell, Technical Director for USA Cycling affecting motorcycle officials beginning in 2010. The net effect of the two new requirements was virtually every moto official in Georgia was disqualified from officiating on a motorcycle. I personally feel the moto crew we have in Georgia has done an outstanding job and by virtue of their efforts have made the races substantially safer than officials in passenger vehicles. I can list time after time when we could have had major occurrences except for the presence and sometime heroic efforts of a moto official. By virtue of the crews constancy, riders also know how rules are applied and can race knowing the rules will be applied to everyone. I think this makes for better racing.
I have been working with Stuart Lamp, the Southeast Regional Coordinator and through him with USAC's headquarters in Colorado to try and get these rules modified and or at least phased in so we can field what I believe to be adequate official crews. I also penned a letter directly to Steve Johnson, CEO of USA Cycling. Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful in my efforts. Given the lack of motorcycles, I feel the races will not be as safe as they have been for the riders or for the officials personally. . As such, I have decided to not renew and to step out of a leadership position in Georgia racing.
I wish Dan Coy, GABRA President, and the other remaining board members the best during 2010 and hope you give them the support you have given me over the years. Dan will be assigning a new upgrade coordinator as quickly as possible. Because I love cycling, you will still see me around on my bicycle so please say hello and share a draft.
Thank you all for some very good times
John Johnson
Source: sadlebred
