be able to offer this as a member benefit, the member would approach UFWDA or if we are aware of a need, we could offer to help them by filling out paperwork/send it to ORBA who would then facilitate the process. ORBA is wanting a representative in each central area of the United States. ORBA and its business members know that by the time our local clubs learn of a pending closure or planning, the decision has already been made in Congress. The businesses are fighting Congress. They know that if we lose trails they lose business; they will only thrive if 4x4 recreation thrives. How does UFWDA work into this equation? We have the numbers. If ORBA can make UFWDA and members aware of an upcoming bill or discussion affecting 4x4 trails, they can give direction and guidance on how to be heard and how to make a difference. Whom to call, what to say, or how and what to write. If hundreds of members call or write to their local representative or congressman, then we mimic what and how the “greenies” do. We become proactive not reactive. We become a force to be reckoned with. UFWDA is the voice for “One Voice”. Success drives memberships, and memberships drive decisions. Recently the Kentucky Speedway approached UFWDA regarding use of their facility. Not only does it feature a NASCAR track but also has 1100 acres with it. Tom Mandera asked me to reach out to the track and determine if UFWDA could benefit its members. I spoke with the track management and they basically want to rent the property for events, as most of the time the property sits underutilized. I then reached out to SFWDA president Ray Stanley. The thought process is that UFWDA offers an opportunity to a member group, in turn they offer it to their membership, noting that UFWDA brought this to them. SFWDA invited UFWDA to attend their annual meeting via webinar. After speaking to UFWDA President Tom Mandera, I requested to attend the SFWDA meeting in person. I flew into Cincinnati Airport December 3 and met with the Kentucky Speedway representative. Jared, the facility manager shared my vision of UFWDA and the speedway relationship is moving forward. A working relationship was secured. I then drove to Tennessee to attend the SFWDA meeting in person. On Friday night I met with President of BRC Todd Ockert and Southern’s Ray Stanley. Ray has taken SFWDA from a broken organization to a thriving and membership driven organization in just 2 years. His philosophy is
“boots on the ground”, meet in person, determine what needs to be fixed and developed a vision that many could follow. Saturday December 5th the meeting had 40 in attendance in person and 40 listening online. SFWDA is a proud supporter of United and many others such as BRC, Tread Lightly! etc. Understanding each entity is important and offers something that keeps our sport alive. I learned so much from Southern that could only be achieved by being there in person. I spoke to Southern about UFWDA, ORBA and the Kentucky speedway opportunity by joining their organization personally. Southern has great leadership and members, and it meant a lot that UFWDA attended in person.
Peter Vahry International VP Editor
Another year is upon us and 2016 is notable for being the fortieth anniversary of the founding of United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA). There are probably thousands of four wheelers who were not even born when the founders of UFWDA recognized a need for a nationally based organization to represent a fast growing recreation, that even then was being constrained by closures of public lands to vehicles. This last edition of 2015 contains some blunt messages about the need to face up to the realities of keeping our recreation viable into the immediate future and just as importantly; the future of UFWDA. Jerry Smith, the UFWDA ‘land use guy’, is passionate about four wheeling and what’s needed to keep land access available for the enjoyment of our recreation and the back-country spaces. Please read his comments and encourage others to also do so. We need to get the message out that UFWDA are still working diligently to “Protect, Promote and Provide 4x4 Opportunities” and need your help to do so more effectively. Volunteer, donate or just keep us informed, so that UFWDA can make a bigger difference in our 40th year and beyond.