Beno Rodi, 2024 AHRMA Trustee Candidate – East

My name is Beno Rodi and my passion, rather my life, is racing vintage motorcycles. I started racing in 1961. By 1967 I Road raced at the Daytona Speedway, ran the Alligator Enduro, and short tracked at the Memorial Stadium. And ever since I helped write the AHRMA rulebook back in the 1980s, AHRMA has been at the center of everything I do.

I’ve been an AHRMA trustee numerous times over the years and would welcome the opportunity to serve again. With the other trustees, officers, and staff, I weathered the difficult years of the organizations bankruptcy and enjoyed the ever-improving era we’ve moved into. I hope that my experience and knowledge will help the organization overcome its current growing pains, alleviate financial pressures and continue on a positive course.

Let me say that I am not a politician, but unfortunately, I feel that the organization has become overly political to the detriment of the members. Personally, my contributions to AHRMA have been negatively impacted by changes in leadership and mixed agendas. After racing my Royal Enfield in dirt track for 34 years (never missing a race), the bike was protested. I won an appeal, but it was at the expense of my reputation. Additionally, after providing dirt track tech as a volunteer (never paid for services or expenses) for decades, I was told by trustee Arthur Kowitz two years ago that my services were no longer needed. Today there is no dirt track tech – no helmet check, no bike check, etc.. This is a dangerous situation for the riders and a significant liability for AHRMA. I have also known at least a dozen long time volunteers fired without any explanation. For an organization with financial troubles this makes no sense.

If I am voted back as a trustee, my main focus will be to help right the ship financially, keep safety and liabilities under control, and make sure bikes and riders follow the rules. I want to restore AHRMA’s reputation and ensure trust, communication, and fairness in its dealings. While we can’t always achieve everything folks ask for, we do our best to give a fair and impartial hearing to requests and to help the organization deliver on the things we commit to. My promise to you is that I will do my best to represent the East Coast membership and our collective needs.

The bottom line is that I bring not only decades of vintage racing experience but extensive knowledge about AHRMA’s organization, finances, as well as the spirit of evolution necessary to sustain and grow vintage racing. Most importantly, I want to see the legacy of AHRMA continue, grow, and be carried forward by future generations of vintage enthusiasts. I ask for your vote this year with the hope that, if elected, my contributions will help deliver great 2024 and beyond racing seasons and a lasting legacy for all AHRMA members.

Beno Rodi
Member #143
beno@rodi.net
678.425.8366