Jason Colón, 2024 AHRMA Trustee Candidate – West
I’ve been passionate about vintage racing with AHRMA for over 25 years. In that time I’ve competed in AHRMA road racing, trials, cross country, vintage, post vintage, and next-gen motocross. In my role as Rocky Mountain Offroad Region Coordinator for the past 5 seasons, and Great Lakes Region Event Coordinator prior, I have had the privilege of working closely with our promoters, sponsors, and members in developing a race series that includes all motocross disciplines, cross country, and regional support classes.
Having persevered through tough times in the regions I have led I’ve come to understand that as a race sanctioning body AHRMA generates value for its members through greater access and higher quality events and we create value for our promoters by increased membership participation. There are large areas of the country with no AHRMA offroad races, yet nearly three-quarters of current AHRMA members compete in offroad disciplines. I believe if AHRMA were to have regional events in underserved geographic areas membership would increase further. Without events that are easily accessible, with lower entry barriers for time and cost than the National series, there is less incentive to become an AHRMA competition member. Regional racing is foundational to a healthy future. A stronger regional presence and the increased membership it would generate give AHRMA more leverage to make the National Motocross, Cross Country, and Trials business models more attractive to higher-quality tracks and promoters.
By focusing on details, the flexibility I encouraged in offroad regional operations allowed member feedback and sound business practices to drive what individual support classes Regions offer in their programs, making them more successful. Networking with other offroad region coordinators has allowed me to better understand differing regional perspectives and membership interests across the organization. Giving me a broader perspective on possible opportunities for AHRMA, its challenges, successes, and potential areas of concern. Over the years I’ve learned the value of engaging those with differing viewpoints and building consensus in a leadership role. But listening alone is only the first step, it takes vision, focus, and follow-through to do the best job possible.
Successful organizations evolve, I believe as a Trustee it is important to listen to and respect what each member and every discipline offers. Regardless of the era that you grew up in, what we share in AHRMA is a love of motorcycles and the desire to ride, race, and preserve them. Whether on the track, in the pit, or in the garage the connections we share with our AHRMA family are stronger than our differences.
My fellow members, what is great about AHRMA is still far stronger than its shortcomings. Yes, there is room for improvement in the organization. It takes dedicated leadership to keep an organization like AHRMA together. If elected to AHRMA’s Board of Trustees I will work hard to represent all AHRMA members and disciplines for a stronger future.
Sincerely,
Jason Mark-Anthony Colón
Member #1012588
jason.colon@ahrma.org
347.621.8841
