I pulled this thread together because I've not seen this kind of vendor support to this extent, and I want to applaud it... Motorsport Fabrication Services (MFS) is new to this scene, though the folks involved in it are anything but new. I met these guys on Memorial Day at Ellis Creek, and they were jazzed to be on the trail, and interested in what Rubicon Trail Foundation (RTF) was doing with the Ellis Creek Counting Station. I saw them next at the first big work weekend of the year, and they were tossing rocks, pulling trailers, and getting right into the work-load -- and when fun and games came to fund-raising with bad haircuts and mohawks, the MFS guys threw down big dollars, and resulted in a nice donation to RTF.

They have been nothing but friendly towards the Rubicon Trail, so it ain't much of a surprise that the anti-recreationists put them in their cross-hairs and blasted a YouTube video they put up to show off the capabilities of their shop buggy. The anti's sent a letter of complaint in to the Water Quality Board, and I'll say that RTF delighted in taking apart that letter piece by piece, with the help of our lawyer. Nothing in that letter of complaint had any real grounds against MFS, and there's a case for libel with real damages to MFS' income, since their buggy advertises and directly affects their business.

Randii
Randy Burleson
Rubicon Trail Foundation

RTF has acquired this from the public record.


>>> "Monte Hendricks" <montehendricks@comcast.net> 6/10/2009 9:06 AM >>>
All:

We hear that times have changed on the Rubicon. Here's a look at the Little
Sluice Box area Memorial Day weekend 2009 that candidly shows otherwise. Its
a video that has a bit of everything - big extreme vehicle in the box,
carrying a California license plate but obviously illegal for a street
licensed vehicle, being driven with only the right hand because of the
beverage can in the left, big crowd gathered, public drunkenness in the form
of a passed out man drug out of the way so he's not run over, no law
enforcement present, dirty muddy water, and the American flag waving in the
wind. Welcome to the Rubicon, an El Dorado County road. I know many cannot access YouTube from work computers. I apologize, but this is worth
forwarding to a computer with access.

Monte



YouTube - Rubicon Little Sluice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpSfXlCJTIU)

It's unfortunate that MFS's rig is the poster child for Monte's rhetoric. It could have been anyone's rig that ran the box that weekend.

And yes, it is the same group that donated a few thousand dollars to RTF.

They were doing nothing wrong, the drunk guy had nothing to do with the rig. But it has everything to do with drinking to excess, and that can happen anywhere.

To whom it may concern...everybody. This was our buggy. We pulled the video, in order to avoid any more negative criticism towards the Rubicon Trail, Little Sluice, or MFS. We have never touted our buggy as being street legal. The registration and insurance has been kept up so as to some point, in the future, it may be reformated to a street legal vehicle. It is now Green Stickered, which will hopefully solve any issue someone may have. We did donate to RTF. We, personally, and as a company, are staunch land use proponents and will continue to fight for our right to use this and every trail. If you would like to comment please forward them through PM to MFS_CA or mfs_ca@yahoo.com . Thank you,

Eric & Jeff
MFS
Lincoln, CA

It's unfortunate that MFS's rig is the poster child for Monte's rhetoric. It could have been anyone's rig that ran the box that weekend.

And yes, it is the same group that donated a few thousand dollars to RTF.

They were doing nothing wrong, the drunk guy had nothing to do with the rig. But it has everything to do with drinking to excess, and that can happen anywhere.

Reality is that he is innocent in this Country until proven guilty. That is why Jeff and Eric fly that flag. Apparently it is something monte is ashamed of.

Maybe the guy was just really tired. He did wake up and stand up.

Here is a snippet of our response:

Thus, while the video is sensationalistic, there is nothing in the video that: (a) warrants closure of the trail, (b) invokes RWQCB jurisdiction, or (c) makes my clients less proud to display the American flag. There may be abuses depicted in the video, but no more than the abuses you might find in any large segment of the population at any other sporting event and we cannot police every perceived infraction.

The full letter from RTF's attorney -- we've learned to stay vigilant for these attacks, and respond quickly to their misinformation with detailed facts:

I have reviewed the video that Mr. Hendricks attached and have the following comments.

The video, while sensationalistic, depicts nothing more than a group of individuals sharing a common legal interest with which Mr. Hendricks apparently disagrees. In an attempt to persuade his audience, Mr. Hendricks characterizes, unsuccessfully I might add, what the video depicts in an unflattering manner. I am unaware of Mr. Hendricks' qualifications to determine whether the vehicle in the box is not legal for street use, or what this has to do with use of the Rubicon. There is nothing illegal about a crowd watching someone engaged in a personal challenge to climb a rock, or watch golfers at the US Open, or other similar sporting event. It is not illegal to drink a beverage while driving an automobile or watching such events. And as far as the man lying on the ground, I do not know what was wrong with him, and neither does Mr. Hendricks. There is a puddle at the bottom of the crevice, but it is isolated and not part of any flowing water body. And yes, an American flag is affixed to the truck, but at first I could not understand why Mr. Hendricks was upset by this. Since Mr. Hendricks' entire statement below is based upon negativity, sarcasm, and ridicule, the clear implication is that Mr. Hendricks is as disgusted with the American flag as he is by the other things he thinks he sees in the video. By grouping his observations together in the way that he did suggests that the American flag and the freedoms it represents is not something to respect, but something to ridicule, similar to a man passed out on the ground.

Thus, while the video is sensationalistic, there is nothing in the video that: (a) warrants closure of the trail, (b) invokes RWQCB jurisdiction, or (c) makes my clients less proud to display the American flag. There may be abuses depicted in the video, but no more than the abuses you might find in any large segment of the population at any other sporting event and we cannot police every perceived infraction.

Thank you for forwarding this to me, and as my other email requests, please let me know when more come in.

Jesse Barton
Gallery & Barton
1112 I Street, Suite 240
Sacramento, CA 95814


I wish we didn't have to respond to this kind of propoganda, but there are a few regular participants in the Rubicon Oversight Committee (ROC) who persistently go around the established process even as they rail for change within it. :rolleyes: I welcome participation in ROC, and understand why some folks elect not to participate, but I will never understand working both sides agains the middle like these anti's do, and then they wonder why they're unpopular, and fail to see their own responsibility? :shaking:

Randii

I welcome participation in ROC

Randii

When and where is the next ROC Meeting?

Thanks Dale! We will be there!

August 13th @ 8:30am

El Dorado County Department of Transportation
2441 Headington Road
Placerville, CA 95667

Map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?addressInput=2441+Headington+Rd%2C+Placervill e%2C+CA+95667-5215&city=Placerville&state=CA&address=2441+Headington+Rd&zipcode=95667-5215&country=US&latitude=38.71482&longitude=-120.842358&geocode=ADDRESS

After meeting Jeff on the trail, and watching his video get blasted unfairly by the anti's, I've been wanting to check out their shop, so I called a couple of times this week until we could set a time to meet up. Eric, Jeff, and I wound up spending almost three hours talking about MFS and the Rubicon -- it was a good evening and I'm glad I brought beer. Next time will get pizza. :p

I'm really stoked about the energy and commitment that Jeff and Eric are bringing to the table. Their ability to jump in and start to work has resulted in a growing coalition of vendors, organizations, and clubs the likes of which organized OHV recreation has not yet seen. They are organizing from the peer level, and walking straight up to their suppliers and competitors and asking them to join forces and work together (business competitors!). These guys have the potential to pull together an impressive array of volunteers, vendors, and donors, and meaningfully track Rubicon's economic impact -- and drive expanded education and volunteerism on the trail.

The alliance they are putting together is game-changing -- this new information is something I'm stoked to see considered in the Rubicon Oversight Committee (ROC). Ill admit that I've sometimes wound up feeling pretty beat down on issues in the ROC, in spite of the good things that get done on the ground. Having this new coalition of vendors and organizations as support has me ready and rarin' for the next ROC. :mr-t: Grr, baby! :laughing: (well, as much as one can really look forward to a county administration meeting with unfriendly anti's)

Eric and Jeff are spearheading a meeting on the 15th to bring together local vendors, organizations, and clubs to propose solutions to "Save the Sluice." If your business benefits or derives benefit from the Rubicon, call Jeff up at (916) 541-6882 ... he's building an army of vendors and clubs. Beyond that initial meeting, they are planning to attend the August ROC meeting to formally weigh in and announce their intent, as well as the September ROC meeting to present their team's findings.

MFS clearly stated that their main objective is to keep the Rubicon Trail open to all users, including Little Sluice and its legal bypasses. They have put their own time and money in play, and more than that, are bring other vendors and organizations together... I'll say it again: this is new information that may fundamentally change the battle for the Rubicon.

I'm jazzed about this!

Randii

MFS - thanks guys for stepping up and putting some peer pressure on other vendors to do the same.

This is unprecidented in this sport.

I have never met you guys, but would love to buy you a beer.
I will be leading the next FOTR work weekend in August.
Hope to see you guys there.

Thanks

Todd

MFS thanks for you donation to help keep the trail open.

NOW Thanks to RTF for making other vendors feel like shit for not donating.

I am 24 years old, have been running my own business,eating cup o noodles,and sleeping on a mattress on the floor for awhile.Why do I do this?
BECAUSE I LOVE ROCK CRAWLING AND BUILDING THEM! If i had the money I would gladly donate some.I appretiate everything you guys have done to keep the trail open.BUT don't think just because we are not donating money means we don't care.

Thank to MFS again for your donation.

It's not about money. You, as a vendor, along with every other vendor, (i.e. Sillyfab, TrentFab, and every other vendor/fabricator) has been pouring your heart and soul into Rock Crawling and wheeling for years. For this I not only applaud, but envy you. I am relatively new to this industry and know how to do business one way. The quality of product you have been turning out for years has shown not only your dedication to the sport but also your customers. I hope that I can continue to learn and grow from your example. I believe that we as wheelers need to contiue to stand together or our sport will die. Complacency is the friend of my enemy and the poison that rots from within. And, as a personal note...I lived off Top Ramen and Kraft Mac and Cheese for a looooong time. - Eric

MFS thanks for you donation to help keep the trail open.

NOW Thanks to RTF for making other vendors feel like shit for not donating.

I am 24 years old, have been running my own business,eating cup o noodles,and sleeping on a mattress on the floor for awhile.Why do I do this?
BECAUSE I LOVE ROCK CRAWLING AND BUILDING THEM! If i had the money I would gladly donate some.I appreciate everything you guys have done to keep the trail open.BUT don't think just because we are not donating money means we don't care.

Thank to MFS again for your donation.

No one will forget everything you have donated to the Cantina, and the time and energy the whole Zombie crowd puts into the Rubicon.

You are very appreciated, and I know you care.

Going forward it's going to be about time, and if you ever feel like eating something other than noodles, you're always welcome in my kitchen. :D

PS it's a 24 thing, I was still in school and working eating PB&J, and Hot dogs w/Mac 'n Cheese. That was over 20 years ago :smokin:

PS it's a 24 thing, I was still in school and working eating PB&J, and Hot dogs w/Mac 'n Cheese. That was over 20 years ago :smokin:
hahahah, I am almost twice that age and I ate PJ's two nights ago! :smokin:

Thanks for the call Eric. I am not looking for sympathy for the way I live or what I have done for the cause,nor am I trying to put down MFS for their financial position. Randii makes it sound like vendors who dont donate don't care.Thats all I was getting at.

edit-Have a good weekend, Trouts OUT

trouts out


:laughing:

NOW Thanks to RTF for making other vendors feel like shit for not donating.
Sorry if what I said read the wrong way, it definitely ain't about the dough, Dan -- though my Board of Directors may have my hide for saying so (non-profits core business is raising money). The real key 'game-changing' information is what I'm excited about, and with no disrespect intended toward MFS, their numbers alone won't change the game... it IMHO will hinge on their ability to reach out to peer/competitor businesses, and hang specific numbers on economic impact of Rubicon Trail.

BUT don't think just because we are not donating money means we don't care.
I would never think that... nor would RTF. Our bylaws specify a range of Directors/Officers, and we run a range of revenues, experience, businesses, and tire size. We have retirees on fixed incomes, blue-collar/white-collar, employees/managers/entrepreneurs, etc... hell, they even allow a Prez that drives (parks?) an Isuzu. We all give as we're able, and sometimes that means passing the plate without adding coin.

You can help add new information to this fight by synching with other vendors and defining the dollars and impact of Rubicon and the Sluice. That's what stokes me most about MFS, well, that and the chance that they might take Monte Hendricks to court for his libelous statements about the YouTube video.

Sorry if I laid down the wrong message... when my wife is outta town, I'm living on Taco Bell / Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas and ring-top Progresso soup. I still remember munching uncooked Ramen just to have some variety from boiled, noodle-y stuff, and in this economy, there's always a chance that I may have to go back....

Randii

p.s. -- I saw more than a few American flags this weekend, and heard at least three times that the flag was there to peeve Monte. :laughing: