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Please Write In Jeff Gruetter, AFM #704 aka TrackHo for VP on the AFM Ballot

Trackho

Trackho

New member
Joined
Sep 23, 2002
Location
Los Gatos
Moto(s)
04 CRF230, Ibis Mojo HD & Mojo SL x 2
Name
Jeff
Sorry I couldn't do this before as I was sent to BARF's ban'd camp for a week.:rolleyes:rolleyes

This was posted on my behalf WITH Budman's blessing, so now that Im out of camp maybe I can answer additional questions.

I will NOT banter back and forth with Berto. However if he asks a "new" question, I will happily answer it.

Hi, Im Jeff Gruetter #704, aka "TrackHo" on BARF. As many know, I am not thrilled with the current state of the AFM's management especially in the realm of proactive decision making and action. I would like to offer my time/services as the board's VP to try to improve the current state of affairs. By "writing in" my name you can both nominate me/vote for me at the same time. I am not affiliated with any trackday or other motorcycle trackday/racing company.
As a board member my priorities would be as follows:
1) Racer Safety
2) Revenue Generation of the AFM
3) Long term viability (I guess I cant say profitability of a non-profit entity)--but money can definitely be spent in a manner to grow the club sustainably.

I know a "write in" election is a long shot--but we have to try to improve things
Thanks,
Jeff Gruetter AFM #704

This endorsement was approved by the TrackHo for VP Official Campaign

Any Questions?? Let them fly:thumbup:thumbup
 
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This Might Help--Q & A with Scott Story (Current AFM Secretary)

summitdog wrote:
Jeff,

Before deciding how to vote for the VP I would like it if you could respond to a couple of concerns of mine.

1) From what I can recall, you have attended two Board meetings since I have been attending board meetings. Will you be able to make the commitment to attend every board meeting?

2) If you are less than thrilled with the current AFM's management, why did you not attend the meetings and suggest changes?

3) Do you have any specific changes you wish to implement? If so, what changes?

4) My interaction with you is very limited. As such, I have to form my opinion based on your presentation at the board meeting and your posts on various forums. That being said. often your comments come across as caustic and incendiary. Do you believe that you will be able to work together with the other board members to implement positive changes for the AFM?

5) At the last meeting you told the board and the attendees that if you were in Eric Arnold's position that you would sue the AFM and even if you did not, your wife surely would. (Please note that I am paraphrasing my understanding of your comments) Why would I want to vote for a member to the position of VP if they seem very inclined to take the AFM to litigation?

I understand that you may likely consider these concerns to be some type of attack on you. That is not the case. I have legitimate concerns and if you can convince me that my concerns are unwarranted then I will certainly give your request due consideration.

Scotty


Scott, Sorry for the Delay, I was at Miller getting Erics helmet signed, got Spies, Biaggi, and most of the others--even had a nice chat with John Ulrich and Kevin Smith about the current "state of the AFM" and its many issues. These two hours might have cost me Haga's signature--as he was in the Medical center most of Sat. Anyway....

Question 1)

Its been closer to 5 or 6, Kevin Smith can vouch for me as can Ken Hill. Lets see if I can remember
1) Michael Ernest and I over T3A Oil Incident
2) F40 ridiculous grid combining with two strokes/singles/etc
3) Trying to get Kevin removed form race days decisions; Hill/Stanton starting from back/other
4) Trying to CAN the BW backwards deal last year (or 07??)
5) Eliminating grid stuffing at the last meeting

Question 2)
I didn't realize how bad it was until I went to the board meeting last month, after about 2 hours of telephone discussions with Berto--lets just say I got REALLY concerned (civil enough Berto??). The fact that ZERO board members AND the saftey director were NOT even aware that "grid stuffing" existed. Now I have spent an hour and a half face-to-face with Shawn--and I believe he is doing all the right stuff--and IF i think its in the best interest of the club--I will back him--if NOT or it is in the best interest of ZZ Ill fight him "tooth and nail"

Question 3) Shawn knows them
1) Eliminate Grid Stuffing FOREVER--I think I actually already did that
2) Map track, get Bob Carrol to calculate where we need more airfence at INf, and put it there--for Example T8A needs more as the SV dude (there a vid floating around BARF) can really close to finding out why more is needed--Lets do it BEFORE someone repeats dies/get paralyzed
3) Grid Races by sat practice times--we're almost there
4) Maintain 4-4 gridding as Shawn already did last month

Question 4)
Scott Story calling someone caustic--thats just plain old funny:rofl:rofl

Yes I can work with people just fine ask Ken Hill,Kristin Hill, Kevin Smith, Shawn Riley, Barbara.... and Obama--they'll all vouch for me. Yes, Im passionate--so what?? The board needs some

Question 5) If I and my kids (theoretically) or more likely Eric have to live in a box on a street corner because we CANT work, because the AFM did something GROSSLY NEGLIGENT which contributed to my paralysis, and the AFM has a $5 Million dollar liability insurance policy--why wouldn't I-- whats the policy for?? When my kids ask why we live in a box, Ill say so "Berto can race" Rolling Eyes.

Some will say the AFM will become "un-insurable"--maybe, maybe not, but if they don't clean up things like "grid stuffing" they certainly will be.

BTW--Vincent Hascovek--just lost his house--wanna guess why???

How about we ELIMINATE the GROSSLY NEGLIGENT behavior/actions of the AFM----and miraculously the "issue" and fear of lawsuits goes away. Now in the case of "grid stuffing"--None of the board members even knew it was happening--so I'm not sure what the answer is. Probably better communication with the race director and less "freedom"

I went down in the T3A oil that was mis-flagged a few years ago with about 10 others, including Earnest--No lawsuit

I got taken out on the start much like Eric, last August , BUT I didn't get run over--No lawsuit, and as far as I know there was NO grid stuffing either..so it was simply a racing incident...funny how that works

I could go on, and on about 1st hand bizzare race incidents--how about the back straight on T-Hill in the 750/OGP race when Kowalski got launched to pluto after running over a downed bike at speed.

IF the was NO "grid stuffing" in Erics incident, there would be NO talk of a lawsuit--it would be PURELY a racing incident. Funny as I, Eric are totally cool with Randolph too, because his part WAS purely a racing incident

Odd as I spoke with John Ulrich last weekend at Miller for about an hour--funny as he agrees and what SHOCKED that "grid stuffing" ever could happen.

So, other things I can do as a board member
1) I know Ulrich fairly well, and I have a GOOD relationship with him...that can help ALOT
2) I spent an hour speaking with Kevin Smith last Sat at Miller, it was an interesting discussion--he is also a valuable asset to AFM
3) I will most likely replace Ken Hill as the safety director--so why NOT do the VP thing as well and have some real voting power

Scott, hopefully that answers your questions/concerns.

Berto--For someone that came over to me after the races at Inf a few weekend ago--and the first words out of your mouth were "Gruetter, You HAVE to knock that shit off"--Later, we discovered you were talking about my posting on BARF RC--and there were about 20 people that were there, including BudMan--I cant believe you have the audacity to question "how I interact with people"--but you know that from our telephone calls.
This "holier than thou" attitude of certain current board members is precisely why I NEED to be on the board.

Thanks for Asking Scott :thumbup:thumbup

PS--I asked Budman (BARF owner) if it was OK--that someone post my candidacy on BARF RC and -- hes fine with it
 
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Jeff has the full support of CARA ( Crippled AFM Racers of America), a group I just founded and God willing will remain it's sole member.:cool

Seriously I know Jeff is very serious about this and committed to try and make a difference. While some may have issues with his style, his passion and dedication to things and people he cares about are unmatched, and I hope folks write Jeff in and give him the chance to do good things for our club.
 
Trackho said:
Question 5) If I and my kids (theoretically) or more likely Eric have to live in a box on a street corner because we CANT work, because the AFM did something GROSSLY NEGLIGENT which contributed to my paralysis, and the AFM has a $5 Million dollar liability insurance policy--why wouldn't I-- whats the policy for?? When my kids ask why we live in a box, Ill say so "Berto can race" Rolling Eyes.

Some will say the AFM will become "un-insurable"--maybe, maybe not, but if they don't clean up things like "grid stuffing" they certainly will be.

BTW--Vincent Hascovek--just lost his house--wanna guess why???

How about we ELIMINATE the GROSSLY NEGLIGENT behavior/actions of the AFM----and miraculously the "issue" and fear of lawsuits goes away. Now in the case of "grid stuffing"--None of the board members even knew it was happening--so I'm not sure what the answer is. Probably better communication with the race director and less "freedom"

I went down in the T3A oil that was mis-flagged a few years ago with about 10 others, including Earnest--No lawsuit

I got taken out on the start much like Eric, last August , BUT I didn't get run over--No lawsuit, and as far as I know there was NO grid stuffing either..so it was simply a racing incident...funny how that works

I could go on, and on about 1st hand bizzare race incidents--how about the back straight on T-Hill in the 750/OGP race when Kowalski got launched to pluto after running over a downed bike at speed.

IF the was NO "grid stuffing" in Erics incident, there would be NO talk of a lawsuit--it would be PURELY a racing incident. Funny as I, Eric are totally cool with Randolph too, because his part WAS purely a racing incident
Click to expand...



Jeff, what is your stance on members who favor lawsuits against the AFM?

Do you still believe the "AFM will be sued out of business and then a private company will come in and run the racing better. The AFM deserves to go out of business", per our conversation on the Tuesday following the Sears event?

In that same conversation, we both agreed that we'd not let anyone in our house who voiced an intent to sue us. What is your policy on members who voice an opinion to sue the AFM? Should we allow them on track? Should other riders who do not safely prep their motorycles, say by not checking the tire pressure, and take out another rider, be held liable and be open to suit as well?
 
Jeff,

I know you are passionate, and for that I applaud you. I also believe you have very good intentions and motives, for that I also applaud you. I believe a number of your solutions and requests should be submitted a proposals to the board, and I assume you have already done this for the betterment of the club.

As for running for VP or a write in slot, that's a tough one. No malice intended, I do respect you as a person, but your delivery leaves a lot to be desired. Not to try and validate Scotty, but 'caustic' I think is a pretty good adjective to a good number of your posts. How am I to believe that 'all the sudden' you will be willing to compromise and work with the BORD when I have seen years of posts that suggest otherwise. I respect your passion and conviction for what you believe in, but I just don't see you being 'workable' with the rest of the BORD members when your opinion is not shared. I think that was Alex's great flaw as well, good intentions but when 5 members were rowing west he just could not let go and went east. Was he right? was he wrong? I don't know. I respect his conviction, but his actions seem out-of-line. I forsee similarities.

On a more personal note, I am bothered by the pot-calling-the-kettle-black tone of your campaign note. Your third sentence in you proclaim that you "will NOT banter with Berto", but in your next post, not 3 minutes later, you place an unsolicited jabs at Berto in your answers to Q-2 "REALLY concerned (civil enough Berto)", again in Q-5 "So Berto can race, rolling eyes". Hell, when I read your response to Q-5 it seems Berto is somehow responsible for Eric's very unfortunate accident, is that assertions your intent? The coup-de-gras is your entire last paragraph crafted specifically to get your last punch in. To quote you again, from a post 3 minutes prior, "I will NOT banter back and forth with Berto." How am I to believe you will work well within the board?

To add to this I also could not help noticing the outright jab towards Shawn, "if NOT or it is in the best interest of ZZ Ill fight him "tooth and nail"", insinuating that the elected 'Prez' is acting with the best interest of ZZ, that's hard to swallow as I know Shawn is a stand-up guy, I would trust him with my kids, nuff said. In another separate incident in the past few months you villainized another rider whom I personally know well enough to know is a stand-up guy. What I read in your online personal attacks did not add up to the character of the rider involved. Again, someone I would trust my kids with and I don’t take that lightly.

What does add up is a consistent pattern of blame, poignant written jabs and hypocritical remarks. I can’t say it enough, I respect your passion and conviction, but I just can’t respect your delivery and unfortunately I don’t see a ‘bettered’ congealed BORD with your addition.

“ This "holier than thou" attitude of certain current board members is precisely why I NEED to be on the board.” I am beside myself that this is your closing statement.

BTW, my associate membership forms are in the mail, I am really hoping to get squared away quickly enough to have an actual say on this matter. I may not be racing this year, but I still care about the club.
 
lokisdog said:
Jeff has the full support of CARA ( Crippled AFM Racers of America), a group I just founded and God willing will remain it's sole member.:cool

Seriously I know Jeff is very serious about this and committed to try and make a difference. While some may have issues with his style, his passion and dedication to things and people he cares about are unmatched, and I hope folks write Jeff in and give him the chance to do good things for our club.
Click to expand...

+1
As people have said many times before, you don't get the full picture on the internet. I know this is the case with Jeff. Go look for him at Infineon in a couple weeks and meet him in person. Better to make a decision that way IMO. Still have plenty of time to send in the ballot after the next round.
 
Carey322 said:
+1
As people have said many times before, you don't get the full picture on the internet. I know this is the case with Jeff. Go look for him at Infineon in a couple weeks and meet him in person. Better to make a decision that way IMO. Still have plenty of time to send in the ballot after the next round.
Click to expand...

June round is at THill, in case any associates aren't checking the schedule.
 
lokisdog said:
Jeff has the full support of CARA ( Crippled AFM Racers of America), a group I just founded and God willing will remain it's sole member.:cool

Seriously I know Jeff is very serious about this and committed to try and make a difference. While some may have issues with his style, his passion and dedication to things and people he cares about are unmatched, and I hope folks write Jeff in and give him the chance to do good things for our club.
Click to expand...

We still hope you'll only be a temporary member.
 
Holeshot said:
Jeff, what is your stance on members who favor lawsuits against the AFM?

Do you still believe the "AFM will be sued out of business and then a private company will come in and run the racing better. The AFM deserves to go out of business", per our conversation on the Tuesday following the Sears event?

In that same conversation, we both agreed that we'd not let anyone in our house who voiced an intent to sue us. What is your policy on members who voice an opinion to sue the AFM? Should we allow them on track? Should other riders who do not safely prep their motorycles, say by not checking the tire pressure, and take out another rider, be held liable and be open to suit as well?
Click to expand...

Wow--talk about taking things out of context--to make your case.:rolleyes:rolleyes
This mentality is precisely what is wrong with the AFM--sounds ALOT like the witch hunt you are putting Alex through.

What I have said many, many times--is if the AFM does NOT behave in a grossly negligent manner, the likelihood that they will be sued and LOSE will go down exponentially. So, to answer your question, NO I don't think highly of people that would sue the AFM for something that was purely a racing incident.
I think maybe YOU need to spend some quality time talking to Art Chambers about where the AFM is vulnerable and where they aren't. I'll give you a hint--per Art "Those liability releases really work".

The example you are referring to on our telephone discussion was:
Would you let someone in your house that could sue you.

My response was: How do you know who these people are?? Then I added, It probably wouldn't be such a good idea if my three year old daughter was walking around the house with my 9mm Beretta, loaded (with the hollowpoints) and with the safety unlatched. Now that would be plain old "grossly negligent"--do you get it now:wow:wow

Where I live, I have a private road, guess what the Mid-Penn district sued us to gain access to a trail head at the end of our road. You wanna talk about liability issues when bicyclists bomb down a single lane road with tons of blind corners--with the residents cars coming the other direction?? Yes Mid Penn is WIDE open for a lawsuit when one of these guys gets nailed. I hope they have a good insurance company.

Berto--I know that you are trying to make me look like "the guy that is dying to sue the AFM"--your motive?? Prolly to get me banned from racing in the AFM--reduce my chances to get on the board or whatever---I dunno, don't really care. But what I DO care about is how you try to constantly mis-inform the racers that belong to the club, over and over and over. Personally, I dont think that its working, certaintly not with the ones I know. But keep going, kind of sounds like a broken record..your deal.

Now--I got some very interesting estimations last night, seems that the ZZ crowd/affiliates have the number of votes to vote in Donald Duck for VP, if they want to....so I am hoping that ALOT more racers actually pony up the $0.84 (or is it $0.88) to send in both the recall ballot and the mid term ballot.
If they dont were already run by a private company called ZZ--but with the racers $$$, so Berto's big fear HAS ALREADY happened...thus my candidacy:wtf:wtf:wtf
 
Trackho said:
Now--I got some very interesting estimations last night, seems that the ZZ crowd/affiliates have the number of votes to vote in Donald Duck for VP, if they want to....so I am hoping that ALOT more racers actually pony up the $0.84 (or is it $0.88) to send in both the recall ballot and the mid term ballot.
If they dont were already run by a private company called ZZ--but with the racers $$$, so Berto's big fear HAS ALREADY happened...thus my candidacy:wtf:wtf:wtf
Click to expand...

Jeff,
If you want to be a serious candidate, you need to refrain from online ad hominem comments. I know you're a better guy that the above statement would lead someone to believe. You should step away from the keyboard sometimes.....
 
For the record, Budman said it was ok for someone to post your candidacy on your behalf before your suspension was up (which turned out not to be necessary), nothing more. In no way shape or form does Budman, or BARF endorse any candidate for any position on the AFM BOD.

As to the topic, Jeff do you believe you will be able to work productively with the AFM Board of Directors, or do you think your presence will be a polarizing and destructive influence?

What are your short term and long term goals with regard to the AFM, and how do you intend to achieve them/measure your progress towards achieving those goals?

What are your ideas about getting more people to join the AFM and get people interested in racing that might otherwise be turned off by all the problems in the ruling ranks of the AFM?
 
Trackho said:
Wow--talk about taking things out of context--to make your case.:rolleyes:rolleyes
This mentality is precisely what is wrong with the AFM--sounds ALOT like the witch hunt you are putting Alex through.

What I have said many, many times--is if the AFM does NOT behave in a grossly negligent manner, the likelihood that they will be sued and LOSE will go down exponentially. So, to answer your question, NO I don't think highly of people that would sue the AFM for something that was purely a racing incident.
I think maybe YOU need to spend some quality time talking to Art Chambers about where the AFM is vulnerable and where they aren't. I'll give you a hint--per Art "Those liability releases really work".

The example you are referring to on our telephone discussion was:
Would you let someone in your house that could sue you.

My response was: How do you know who these people are?? Then I added, It probably wouldn't be such a good idea if my three year old daughter was walking around the house with my 9mm Beretta, loaded (with the hollowpoints) and with the safety unlatched. Now that would be plain old "grossly negligent"--do you get it now:wow:wow

Where I live, I have a private road, guess what the Mid-Penn district sued us to gain access to a trail head at the end of our road. You wanna talk about liability issues when bicyclists bomb down a single lane road with tons of blind corners--with the residents cars coming the other direction?? Yes Mid Penn is WIDE open for a lawsuit when one of these guys gets nailed. I hope they have a good insurance company.

Berto--I know that you are trying to make me look like "the guy that is dying to sue the AFM"--your motive?? Prolly to get me banned from racing in the AFM--reduce my chances to get on the board or whatever---I dunno, don't really care. But what I DO care about is how you try to constantly mis-inform the racers that belong to the club, over and over and over. Personally, I dont think that its working, certaintly not with the ones I know. But keep going, kind of sounds like a broken record..your deal.

Now--I got some very interesting estimations last night, seems that the ZZ crowd/affiliates have the number of votes to vote in Donald Duck for VP, if they want to....so I am hoping that ALOT more racers actually pony up the $0.84 (or is it $0.88) to send in both the recall ballot and the mid term ballot.
If they dont were already run by a private company called ZZ--but with the racers $$$, so Berto's big fear HAS ALREADY happened...thus my candidacy:wtf:wtf:wtf
Click to expand...


Sorry Jeff but you making these accusations doesn't help your bid for the board. ZZ doesn't control the voters of the afm...if a zz instructor/employee wants to run for a position on the board they are more than welcome too...doesn't mean Shawn is going to appoint them...they need to be voted into position...and just because ZZ employees seem to be the only real ones participating in the afm doesn't mean that its a big conspiracy...PTT people could do it...keigwins people could do but they don't...nothing wrong with that, but because the ZZ people seem to be more involved you give them shit for it......it's wrong....use your fucking head on this one.....you are so fired up about finding something wrong with the current board for issues that have happened....you mention that you've got a relationship with john ulrich......sorry... don't buy it...Dave Stanton use to ride for the guy and knows him quite a bit better than you do so does Ken Hill but neither of those guys have been able to get much outta him...nor do i blame John for not wanting to get involved in this mess......Kevin Smith has been at most of the meetings i'm told so not quite sure why your using his name like you have access to him and nobody else does. You don't have a whole lot to offer the club other than your pissed off attitude towards people. I feel that we'd only be trading one maverick for another....of all the people to run for that position i would find it more possible that you would pull the same shit alex did...going against the boards decisions....trying to find a better way to do things...the first board member to question you would get be-raided with verbal abuse by you.....we've seen it here on barf.....sorry jeff......i'm sure your a good guy but like alex...don't belong in a political forum, your just not cut out for it. Nothing wrong with that.


we get it....your upset over the eric thing.....you gonna live the rest of your life crying over erics tragedy?....not trying to be insensitive to eric's condition but life needs to go on and we need to learn from the mistakes plain and simple. I've had 2 close friends killed on motorcycles and i was very upset about it...but life needs to go on and it did.....i think you need to do the same. Not saying to forget what happened, but no need to be so dramatic about it all the time. You're full of emotions which can hurt a situation and i think that is exactly what is going on here.
 
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:hand Dude if your goal is to somehow smear Zoom Zoom as a track provider you're going to have to try a lot harder, because there are hundreds of us who are satisfied customers and I count myself among them.
 
I know you are passionate, and for that I applaud you. I also believe you have very good intentions and motives, for that I also applaud you. I believe a number of your solutions and requests should be submitted a proposals to the board, and I assume you have already done this for the betterment of the club.

As for running for VP or a write in slot, that's a tough one. No malice intended, I do respect you as a person, but your delivery leaves a lot to be desired
Click to expand...
+1
 
Jeff: Have you ever served in a similar capacity? Are you going to enter the situation as a member willing to compromise and negotiate to make changes, or are you entering the forum as a crusader who is going to force them regardless of the consequences?
 
afm199 said:
Jeff: Have you ever served in a similar capacity? Are you going to enter the situation as a member willing to compromise and negotiate to make changes, or are you entering the forum as a crusader who is going to force them regardless of the consequences?
Click to expand...
+1 inquiry

Seriously consider toning it down, I doubt anybody would be very understanding after this recent fiasco.
Good luck in you quest for a stomach ulcer Mr. Gruetter
 
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