Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
OPEN LETTER – Fight against cancellation of motorized events in the Parry Sound area!
From: Kari Malmstrom
Not sure if you have heard but I have begun a fight against the cancellation of various motorized sporting events in Parry Sound and surrounding areas including the local Seguin Township, site of the track and riding trails at the Ontario Camp of the Deaf.
I formed a Facebook site with now over 450 supporters in just over one week and I am now gathering emails (over 100 so far) of support of non-support to take to various council to prove that there are more people in support than against having various motorized sporting events in our area. These include motocross (current track is the Ontario Camp of the Deaf), off road motorcycle racing (latest was the SCORRA XC race Oct 6th), motorcycle events, off road car events, etc. All of these types of events which brought in much needed tourism dollars have been cancelled due to the influence of a handful of people opposed. I have always thought that we lived in a democracy and not governed by the few. The area has been holding these types of events since the early 70’s and now a newly moved in group of people are against this and have been able to cancel all but a few events. More seem to be in their sites based on comments in the local newspaper from one particular councilor.
I need as much support as I can get to get these events back to our area.
Your publication promotes something that I am fighting for in the Parry Sound area. If you agree, can you pass on this email and Facebook address to your members so that I can get more emails of support for the cause.
Here are links to news article and the latest on the local radio station.
Thank you
Kari Malmstrom
Organizer of “Support Parry Sound, Ontario motorsport events” on Facebook
Mobile (647) 391-7202
North Star article link
http://www.cottagecountrynow.
Radio Station link
http://www.moosefm.com/cklp/
Events that were held in the Parry Sound area;
Motocross at Foley Fall Fair (discontinued). Saturday races during the Labour Day was the largest draw for the Fair. I helped organize the races from the mid 70’s to early 80’s
–Oval track snowmobile races (discontinued) These events were held through-out winter at several locations including Pointe Au Baril, Oastler Lake and at the Parry Sound Salt Docks. Championship races were always included on the Parry Sound Winter Carnival (discontinued) schedule of events.
–Motocross and ATV programs at the Ontario Camp for the Deaf which included instruction, recreational riding and sanctioned racing events. These programs and races had been held at the camp for decades until recent noise complaints from disgruntled residents and cottagers forced much of it to be discontinued, including province-wide youth racing events.
– Scorra off road motorcycle race (latest to be cancelled due to noise complaints). Not justified as the required noise levels are below common household items such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and snowblowers. Also Township by-law on noise does state that the races could not be ran as long as they are done during the allowed hours.
– World Enduro Championship (2 years in a row). This event drew riders and teams from around the world and the area benefitted from the tourism revenue greatly. Without the support of local council, the area may never see something of this caliber again.
–Ontario Rock Crawling Competition (discontinued). This was a once per year weekend event of world-class 4X4 rock-crawling teams which took place at the Ontario Camp for the Deaf and a big draw for spectators. This event helped local children’s charities and the organizers donated tens of thousands of dollars for the new West Parry Sound District Health Center ( our new hospital). Again, complaints from locals shut this event down after almost ten years of success.
–The Parry Sound Sportbike Rally (discontinued). This event was held for about 30 years and was one of the only North American motorcycle events geared towards sport bike enthusiasts, although all types of motorcycles participated. The organization of this event changed hands from the Georgian Bay Motorcycle Association to the Town of Parry Sound, who unfortunately didn’t run it well and cancelled it, at a time when motorcycling was reaching a pinnacle and dozens of new motorcycle events are popping up all over Ontario. With an already long-established event under its belt, Parry Sound threw away a winning lottery ticket just as it was worth the most.
