Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125821
m AMA Fires March! " i' 0M :;; - Youngblood named Acting Exec. Director, fires Woods co ::I ~ en w ;: Editor's Note: The following press release from the American Motorcycle Association tells some of the changes that have occured within the Association in the past few days. We will release more details as we are able to ascertain them. In the meantime, we fell certain that the twelve dollar member can'rest assured that there are twelve men on the Executive Committee who are watching out for his interests to the utmost. AMA Statement WESTERVILLE, OHIO, AUG. 1 The Executive Committee of the American Motorcycle Association today voted unanimously to' dismiss Russell E. March from his position' as Executive Director of the Association. In a statement released from AMA headquarters in Westerville, Ohio, . J. R. Kelley, President of the Association, stated: "It was made clear to the Executive Committee that Mr. March owned stock in a company providing services to the American Motorcycle Association. Because of this c013flict of interest, the Committee was left with no choice but to terminate the Association's relationship with Mr. March." . Subsequent to this action and in a move to assure the continued· progress of the AMA's programs, the Executive - Committee unanimously voted Ed Youngblood, formerly Associate Director, to the position of Acting Executive Director of the American Motorcycle Association: Youngblood 29, has been with the American Motorcycle Association for three years where he has conducted programs involving public relations and Association publications. A motorcyclist for 15 years, Youngblood holds degrees from Oklahoma State University and Ohio University. and worked as editor of a leading motorcycle publication prior to joining the AMA staff. Z 125 250 OPEN W ..J KENZAHRT U >U BULTACO Youngblood Cans Woods WESTERVILLE, OIDO, AUG. 5 Immediately following his promotion, Acting Executive Director Youngblood decided to dismiss Competition Director Don Woods for reasons not related to those for which March was fired.. Woods was not implicated in any of the affairs with March, bu t was apparently viewed as a rival for Youngblood's job. Woods was formerly editor of Cycle News Dixie. A replacement has not been announced as of this date. Comment And Op.inion Available at all fine Bultaco shops By Sharon Clayton As this Issue \yen t to press, the' only information on the release of Ru~sell E. March from his position of AMA Executive Director was that the decision was based on "conflict Until very recently, the scope of of interest." This expression for those AMA business was relatively small, and who may not be familiar with it, simply the Executive Board members could means that a person holds a position I spare sufficient time away from their with, or stock in, a company doing own occupations to effectively handle business with his employer. It further the business of the AMA. But with implies that the employer has no increasingly rapid growth, in their own knowledge of this activity. businesses and in the AMA, it became By his own admission, Mr. March perhaps inevitable that these men gave held stock in a company called Manus, AMA business less than their fuJI Inc. For the past 18 months, Manus has attention. Past Executive Boards have been the billing company for the firm virtually given the full time Director that prin Is all AMA publications. The carte blanche authority to do as be saw printer bad handled its own billing for fit. The 1973 Executive Board is, the previous 17 years. however, not the same. When asked about this company Mr. It is now evident that the 12 board March stated that it had been organized members are directly involved in the by the prin ter for tax reasons. When reorganization of AMA internal asked why he felt it necessary to own procedures, including bookeeping stock in the company, March said he con trois, insurance requiremen ts and felt that he could control printing prices more systematic defmitions of financial to the benefit of the AMA. While this responsibility. mayor may not have been the case, it It's anybody's guess on wh 0 will fill was the d.ecision of the Executive Board the spot of Executive Director. In the that March had compromised his interim, former Associate Director Ed position with the Association, and thus, . Youngblood has been appointed Acting ordered him dismissed. Executive Director. His first official act The AMA has requested that Manus, was to fire Competition Director Don Inc., produce all financial records for Woods. There is no evidence to examination by next week. Should implicate Mr. Woods in any of the Manus choose to not submi t their activities leading to the release of Mr. rec ords voluntarily, the AMA is March, and I would urge Mr. prepared to file suit. Youngblood to re-examine his position Board members J. R. Kelley, Tom regarding Woods' release. Sargeant and John Harley had earlier. Obviously there will be more changes asked for an audit of the Association's coming out of the AMA, and we will accoun ting systems and internal keep you informed as they develop. We financial procedures. The audit sincerely hope the ch'3Ilges will improve prompted further investigation into the the Association, which will in tum help affairs of the AMA. our sport mo'Ve forward. DOWNE9N~J: CYCLE ,CENTER OSSA cz MAleo SUZUKI YANKEE 11835 E. 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