OMRA President

OMRA Racing Points Director

Randy Haugstad

Home: (503)628-0753

About me:

My favorite riding area:

I really do not like just one area to ride in. I do enjoy the open riding east of Bend, but I also like the training of the tight stuff in the Tillamook forest.

My first bike:

1975 XT 500, It was used when I bought it. I was in the Coast Guard and stationed in Kodiak Alaska. It was a learn or die situation!!!!

When I first started riding:

When I first bought my first bike, I had never ridden before, so when I'm watching this guy get the bike ready I asked him how do I shift it and how does one stop this beast? He took one look at me and realized that I wasn't all there. He took me back behind the store, which was an alleyway. He got the bike started and pointed me down the narrow rode, I took off in first and never got past second and thought that I was flying. I turned around at the end of the alleyway again in first and went ripping in second gear back to the salesman just to fall over when I got next to him!!! Like I said it was a learn or die situation.

My riding experience:

I started racing in district 37 in California, I really liked the open terrain!!!! When I got in around the trees in Oregon I was still trying to use my same riding style I used down south - it did not work. The first 18 miles felt like I went on an 80 mile race and on the brink of dieing. I'm still working on the tree thing, I'm getting okay, but a far cry from great!

My favorite saying:

When in doubt gas it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why I became an OMRA Officer:

I wanted to help with organizing the racing. Most of the riders put their heart, soul and usually their last dollars just so they can make it to the races. I would really like to see the numbers in racing increase, especially the younger ones. We need the numbers to keep growing so our riding areas stay open. The young riders are the ones that will be around when we get older, hopefully fighting with us to keep our areas open.

I'd also like to say:

I would like to see more riders join the clubs and take an active role with working on the trails and events. Most riders I see and talk with say, "Ya, I need to do that", but don't put it into action. If we look around, it's usually the same people putting on the events year after year. Not all promoters are there to make money, some take all the monies and put every dime back into the riding area or supporting riders, when they have an opportunity to represent Oregon in national events. I really urge riders to join a club and help ourselves and others.

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