MARCH MATT NEWSLINE

The February MATT Trials will be held on SATURDAY April 5th, 2008 at Ken Brown’s ranch in Easton, Ks. Yes, you heard right (if you read out loud like I do), SATURDAY April 5th at 11:00am. More to come on this in the next newsline. Apparently the Traction Masters have a trials expo on Sunday, April 6th. And since our trials world revolves around them… So look for the February Trials results in the May newsline and the March event results in the April newsline!

The traditional April event will be held at our club grounds in Trenton, Missouri on Sunday April 20th. Look for lots of MATT members to camp out the day before the event. Come out and get your spring trials and camping season started with all your riding buddies!

March Trails Event Information: The March event will be held at the spectacular venue of the Carpenter’s Woods in Excelsior Springs, MO next Sunday, March 16th at 11:00 am. I spoke to Mike Carpenter on Saturday evening and most all of the preparation have been made! So, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it”, wait a minute! I am tired of the snow! It is already daylight savings time so let’s call it quits with the snow till next Christmas!

Mike assures me that he has ordered great weather so make your plans now to attend. The Carpenter clan always does a fantastic job setting up an event and the grounds are awesome! See you there!

On a sad note: Mathilda Louise Carpenter was working the sections with trials master Mike late in February. Mattie decided to work late, but Mike made his way home. Later, Mattie came home and Mike and Cheryl found her bleeding. She had been SHOT through the abdomen and into a rear leg. Mike and Cheryl rushed her to the vet for surgery. The Vet repaired the damage but the bullet had tore a hole in her lower intestine which caused an infection. Mattie got sicker and sicker from the infection and eventually she had to be put to sleep. Mike and Cheryl adopted Mattie from a rescue couple. She was believed to be part lab and Australian shepherd. She was a great companion for Mike and Cheryl and a welcome part of our MATT family. She was 5 years old. Mathilda Louise will be missed.

On another sad note: MATT dues are due! Do your duty and pay your dues dutifully! Make your payments to MATT c/o Carl Hopkins at 7908 NW Barr Lane, Weatherby Lake, MO 64152. Or give your payment directly to Carl at this weekends event! No increase in dues again this year, it’s the bargain of the century! Still $100.00 per year and can be paid in 2 installments. Club membership gives you access to our club grounds and covers all entry fees for the year at MATT events including the Quarry Cup 2-day! New members must compete in two events first and then be nominated by a club member and voted in by the club. All active members must sign up to assist with one monthly club event and contribute time and talent to the Quarry Cup.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

1) TRIALS de NATIONS T-SHIRTS: Kip Webb is the Trials de Nations team manager. Kip is having a t-shirt designed to be sold with profits helping to fund Team USA. How many shirts can we commit to?

2) TRIALS DEMO RIDE AT HARPERS VINTAGE MOTO X EVENT: Curtis Harper is doing a small vintage trial on Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend. Plus, Curtis would like our Traction Masters to do a trails demo again this year. Maybe do it on Sunday as a half time piece with the big crowd.

FOR SALE: Brad Bennet in Springfield has a 2006 GG Pro 300 and a 2007 GG Pro 280(?) available. Call Brad at 417-353-0888 for details.

GASGAS NEWS: The TrailsComp newspaper had an article by Jon Stoodley in the February edition discussing the new GASGAS 4-stroke. It is a good read. Also, there are pictures of the Factory 4-stroke accessible thru Dale’s website at http://www.gasgas.com . These photo’s are from the Milan, Italy motorcycle show. Rumor has it that Dale will be competing on the 4-stroke GasGas in this years National series! More to come later!

Please, please, please: If you are receiving this Newsline and wish to be taken off the mailing list OR if you now have email instead of snail mail, please contact me (Kelly Echterling) at 816-966-8594. THANKS!