Discrimination at Mini O's

MxDaD324
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Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 6:05pm
Tell me this isnt some bullshit. My buddy Darius Glover who some of you know is paralyzed. Drove from MD to Mini O's so he could race and they turned him away. Said he couldnt moto because he was a liability on the track. After an all day ordeal the AMA finally said he could now he is in wait mode for the track promoter/owner to approve. This is complete joke!!!

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Matt Wozney
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11/24/2010 4:15pm
I heard tonight that he couldn't race when I was around his truck and friends.
I hope he races. He's been in races before....what makes this one so different?
Rupert X
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11/24/2010 4:18pm


Can you be more specific ?
RanelC10
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11/24/2010 4:20pm
I had a similar problem with a government owned track here in AZ. It took a call from my lawyer reminding them of the ADA to allow me to ride. Hopefully they let Darius tear it up!
MxDaD324
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11/24/2010 4:30pm
What else would you like to know Rupert?

The Shop

newmann
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11/24/2010 4:35pm
So as I understand this, it's completely fine for a rider to show up and get paralyzed in an AMA event, just don't fucking come back after.
newmann
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11/24/2010 4:36pm
Should I have signed that with my AMA Life Member # attached?
RanelC10
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11/24/2010 4:37pm
Also at our one event of the year made up for disabled riders called the Extremity Games the AMA makes us purchase a license to ride. Darius has a AMA license to ride that was issued at that event over the summer.
Rupert X
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11/24/2010 4:39pm
MxDaD324 wrote:
What else would you like to know Rupert?

What EXACTLY happened ?

Without you being more specific, sir - it's difficult to assume wrongdoing.
MxDaD324
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11/24/2010 4:43pm
Not much else to say. As of right now they are saying he can't ride.
Rupert X
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11/24/2010 4:51pm
MxDaD324 wrote:
Not much else to say. As of right now they are saying he can't ride.


He cannot ride, because :
11/24/2010 4:55pm
I heard tonight that he couldn't race when I was around his truck and friends. I hope he races. He's been in races before....what makes this...
I heard tonight that he couldn't race when I was around his truck and friends.
I hope he races. He's been in races before....what makes this one so different?
Hey matt are you going to get some videos up?
11/24/2010 5:01pm Edited Date/Time 11/24/2010 5:01pm
Rupert X wrote:


He cannot ride, because :
In the first post it says "Said he couldnt moto because he was a liability on the track" That is their excuse I guess.
Rupert X
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11/24/2010 5:12pm
Rupert X wrote:


He cannot ride, because :
lostboy819 wrote:
In the first post it says "Said he couldnt moto because he was a liability on the track" That is their excuse I guess.


I guess I'm not getting the full picture and story.

Like to hear from both sides, but it does sound suspicious.

I do know, with a big EVENT like that - with late entries and what-not - things

do get haywire.

That's why I asked for specifics. It's difficult to establish any sort of culprit - without

more details.
11/24/2010 5:14pm
Rupert X wrote:


He cannot ride, because :
lostboy819 wrote:
In the first post it says "Said he couldnt moto because he was a liability on the track" That is their excuse I guess.
Rupert X wrote:
I guess I'm not getting the full picture and story. Like to hear from both sides, but it does sound suspicious. I do know, with a...


I guess I'm not getting the full picture and story.

Like to hear from both sides, but it does sound suspicious.

I do know, with a big EVENT like that - with late entries and what-not - things

do get haywire.

That's why I asked for specifics. It's difficult to establish any sort of culprit - without

more details.
They aren't letting him ride because he is PARALYZED. Did that clear it up?
TerryK
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11/24/2010 5:16pm
Are there pre qualifiers for the Mini Os?
Rooster
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11/24/2010 5:22pm
Their insurance policy may not cover him to ride.

I highly doubt it's an issue of discrimination but rather an extenuating circumstance that their policy may not cover. IF that is the case then I would have to side with track owner. He shouldn't be expected to let somebody ride or race if they wouldn't be covered under his existing policy.
Rupert X
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11/24/2010 5:25pm


Yes, in fact IF THAT is the reality of the situation .

But , do we REALLY know that to be truthful ?

And I'm not saying it's not.

If so, in like so many areas in American society - it is all about lawyers and litigation.

Keeping in mind - the promoter and his counsel - is there not only to protect himself

and his clients - but to protect himself from himself and his clients.

This is 2010 America. Remember that.

* If it's a case of a dude that wants to just ride - I'm all for it.

mt798
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11/24/2010 5:25pm
So he's on one of those bikes that have the crash bars, seat belt, foot straps and all that stuff on it? Also, he can't get up if he falls? If so, that might be the liability the track is concerned with. What class was he trying to ride in?
ReedyMX
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11/24/2010 5:28pm Edited Date/Time 11/24/2010 5:30pm


Cruel, but if he is going to get lapped 5 times and be a danger to other riders or himself on the track he should not be allowed out there.

RanelC10
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11/24/2010 5:29pm
mt798 wrote:
So he's on one of those bikes that have the crash bars, seat belt, foot straps and all that stuff on it? Also, he can't get...
So he's on one of those bikes that have the crash bars, seat belt, foot straps and all that stuff on it? Also, he can't get up if he falls? If so, that might be the liability the track is concerned with. What class was he trying to ride in?
Yes on all of those things. He is trying to sign up for the c class...
moto48
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11/24/2010 6:11pm
ReedyMX wrote:
Cruel, but if he is going to get lapped 5 times and be a danger to other riders or himself on the track he should not...


Cruel, but if he is going to get lapped 5 times and be a danger to other riders or himself on the track he should not be allowed out there.

cruel, but youre an idiot and if you ride your local track should not allow you out there
gsxrcr28
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11/24/2010 6:29pm
MxDaD324 wrote:
Tell me this isnt some bullshit. My buddy Darius Glover who some of you know is paralyzed. Drove from MD to Mini O's so he could...
Tell me this isnt some bullshit. My buddy Darius Glover who some of you know is paralyzed. Drove from MD to Mini O's so he could race and they turned him away. Said he couldnt moto because he was a liability on the track. After an all day ordeal the AMA finally said he could now he is in wait mode for the track promoter/owner to approve. This is complete joke!!!

That's Bullshit!

YOU CANT DISCRIMINATE.

I think the promoter/owner will realize that and let him race.
mxsuzuki831
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11/24/2010 6:32pm
If they don't realize it and let him race.....I am pretty sure they will realize it when he is telling them what to do next year Smile
AussieParaMX
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11/24/2010 6:34pm
I ride myself with crash bars and whatnot and im definately competitive and have won many races against able bodied riders

It took me a long time and to agree to many conditions before i was able to ride.
I need to have a minimum of two people ready around the track to run and pick me up in case i fall
i had to be assessed by a psychologist to ensure i was mentally stable in making the decission to ride
the bars and modifications had to be approved by an engineeer
and i had to get a letter from my doctor saying that me riding was not putting myself in more danger of increasing the severity of my injuries
and i had to passed a standard balence test

And even after all of that i am still only approved to ride in the state i live in.

Now it all sounds like bullshit but there is definately reasons behind everything - MA (motorcycling Australia) the Aussie equivelant of AMA needs to ensure they are protected by their insurance which is not always easy to ensure. He needs to understand that their is more to this than just the track and officials on the day - it can put the whole of the AMA organisation at risk. I mean i got the shits as much of the next bloke - but i dont see it as discrimination so much as risk management for a large organisation that is esential to the sport we all love.

It can be worked around but if you rock up at a huge event like Mini O's without prior discussion and approval - then really their hands are tied. I dont think he can really expect to just rock up and ride. Imagine if he rode, done a jump, crashed and broke his neck, whos to say that his parents wont sue the AMA or the club or both, or a rider that might land on him, or a flaggie that tries to pick him up etc. Without the paperwork and protection in place this can happen. people have sued over much less
Nielsen277
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11/24/2010 6:35pm
It's not discrimination. The owner isn't saying "screw that guy, I don't like people in wheelcahairs."

It's all about the liability. That's just how it goes. This isn't a reflection of anyone's character.
MxDaD324
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11/24/2010 6:36pm
I just got off the phone with Darius and heres the deal. The call was made by the AMA official not the owner. At the time the official told him he couldnt ride im sure the owner didnt know anything about the situation so it didnt have shit to do with insurance. Basically what i said in my first post was their stance. The official didnt want him out there because HE felt he was a liability and danger to other riders. Apparently he has never seen Darius ride.
After Darius raised holy hell, along with many others the AMA official agreed he could ride only if the owner gives it his blessing. So were waiting to hear from the owner.
Some phone calls were made and now Jonathan Beasley is trying to render some assistance since he is a huge supporter of Darius.
Right now were in wait mode probably until the A.M
Matt Wozney
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11/24/2010 6:37pm
I heard tonight that he couldn't race when I was around his truck and friends. I hope he races. He's been in races before....what makes this...
I heard tonight that he couldn't race when I was around his truck and friends.
I hope he races. He's been in races before....what makes this one so different?
Dirt_Dawg wrote:
Hey matt are you going to get some videos up?
Hey matt are you going to get some videos up?
Videos will be next week. I'm uploading photos from each day for this week.

Footage is looking sweet so far.
Matt Wozney
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11/24/2010 6:38pm
MxDaD324 wrote:
I just got off the phone with Darius and heres the deal. The call was made by the AMA official not the owner. At the time...
I just got off the phone with Darius and heres the deal. The call was made by the AMA official not the owner. At the time the official told him he couldnt ride im sure the owner didnt know anything about the situation so it didnt have shit to do with insurance. Basically what i said in my first post was their stance. The official didnt want him out there because HE felt he was a liability and danger to other riders. Apparently he has never seen Darius ride.
After Darius raised holy hell, along with many others the AMA official agreed he could ride only if the owner gives it his blessing. So were waiting to hear from the owner.
Some phone calls were made and now Jonathan Beasley is trying to render some assistance since he is a huge supporter of Darius.
Right now were in wait mode probably until the A.M
Beasley would help out a lot in this situation for sure.
MxDaD324
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11/24/2010 6:43pm
I ride myself with crash bars and whatnot and im definately competitive and have won many races against able bodied riders It took me a long...
I ride myself with crash bars and whatnot and im definately competitive and have won many races against able bodied riders

It took me a long time and to agree to many conditions before i was able to ride.
I need to have a minimum of two people ready around the track to run and pick me up in case i fall
i had to be assessed by a psychologist to ensure i was mentally stable in making the decission to ride
the bars and modifications had to be approved by an engineeer
and i had to get a letter from my doctor saying that me riding was not putting myself in more danger of increasing the severity of my injuries
and i had to passed a standard balence test

And even after all of that i am still only approved to ride in the state i live in.

Now it all sounds like bullshit but there is definately reasons behind everything - MA (motorcycling Australia) the Aussie equivelant of AMA needs to ensure they are protected by their insurance which is not always easy to ensure. He needs to understand that their is more to this than just the track and officials on the day - it can put the whole of the AMA organisation at risk. I mean i got the shits as much of the next bloke - but i dont see it as discrimination so much as risk management for a large organisation that is esential to the sport we all love.

It can be worked around but if you rock up at a huge event like Mini O's without prior discussion and approval - then really their hands are tied. I dont think he can really expect to just rock up and ride. Imagine if he rode, done a jump, crashed and broke his neck, whos to say that his parents wont sue the AMA or the club or both, or a rider that might land on him, or a flaggie that tries to pick him up etc. Without the paperwork and protection in place this can happen. people have sued over much less
I think its terrible you had to go thru all that BS to ride.
Darius has ridden in many states and has NEVER been turned away!!!

They are discriminating against someone with a disability and thats the bottom line.
MxDaD324
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11/24/2010 6:45pm
Did they ever turn away Ashley Fiolek away?
I rider thats deaf can certainly have its dangers................

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