I appreciate everyone's view and comments. It's all good and I hope everyone see's it that way.
This is the rationale behind CORE-X, and why we believe CORE-X is a good idea for GATR.
Some don’t really know that any work goes on, but GATR Staff does more than set up trail rides and read the forums. We care about the club, and its members. We are focused on:
- Growing club membership,
- Bringing more people to off-roading,
- Educating folks on the right places to ride and how to Tread Lightly,
- Having great social events for the families and spouses,
- Having a forum for helping any that want to take it to the next level in knowledge, experience, and rig modifications,
- Organizing and leading meaningful and safe trail rides,
- And providing the right package of events for our members.
GATR is growing, and we have an awesome group of folks that participate on our rides. To accomplish the “growing, more off-roaders, and meaningful and safe off-road portion”, we realize that the same experience cannot be had by a stock Sahara and a locked Rubicon on 37’s on the same trail. (Yes, I know, driver is huge) Yet we DO mix all the rigs, stock and wild, at every ride so we can include everyone. After the ride we hear about wasting our time on lame trails and questions about “why didn’t we hit the rocks sooner and harder?”. All this knowing that we didn’t hit the hardest trails and the stock rigs had a blast an can’t wait to come back. We can’t lead a stock Sahara with factory side steps on a trail that has 7-9 difficulty with 4’ ledge after 4’ ledge requiring very aggressive driving for an open rig and not expect the Dana 30 or something else to go, as well as having to stop at every obstacle the locked rigs drive up, and spot and/or winch up the unlocked rigs. Yes, we do these things at every ride, and we are happy to help everyone! We will continue to do this at OPEN and CORE rides.
Once we note how important it is as a club to provide a great experience for every level, we must realize that we need more trail leaders that are ready, willing, and able to lead groups on our rides. To find those that are capable leaders, we must identify the skill set and equipment required and recognize who they are, even though all will not choose to lead. Some will chose to lead and serve, and are the perfect CORE-X member. We want capable leaders that can help everyone behind them.
CORE-X is not a higher level of anything except SERVICE. The higher level means that you have MORE RESPONSIBILITY to the levels beneath you to the stockest stocker newb we have, to help, lead, spot, advise, etc. CORE-X is for those that want to lead, and have the ability. It's about personal capabilities and having the right equipment. CORE-X is a way to recognize the individual members that show a commitment to the sport and have the experience and equipment to lead. CORE-X is not based on friendships and likeability; a point that Staff has discussed and all agree on.
Some don’t realize that all of our staff members ride some trails that are not very challenging, to LEAD OTHERS that may be on their first ride, may be scared, and may find it fun and challenging. We don’t take the trail organizing and leading lightly. It takes time and commitment, and service to the club and it’s members. Everyone of us spends HARD EARNED money to go ride, and we all want the same challenges, but on a GATR ride we are committed to leading and helping others. CORE-X has 2, only 2, rides next year for the more built rigs and experienced wheelers to ride more trails and have an experience like the stockers did on the trails that were challenging for them. Seems fair but always looking to improve everything.
Some of you have not had your first trail break yet. Drop a driveshaft, break an axle, rip out a joint, cut a tire, bust a hose, break a ring and pinion, etc. If you continue to wheel, it will happen. We will be there to help you.
So please don't think we are following where other clubs have gone, or making an elite group of friends. We want the club to grow, and we need experienced and capable leaders, and want to recognize them as such.
We hear what you are saying and I believe we can make it even better from your comments.
So I expect you all at every ride in 2013! </BEER/>