A Great Rally Event is done.

We have recently returned form the BMW RA Rally in West Virginia and it was FANTASTIC!! The scenery was awesome and so were the people. The MM1 team had a great time serving you. I must thank the ones that helped to pull it off. First, our team Aida, Graham, Chris, Elsie, Ron and Bill Shaw worked tirelessly to get everything in order. If it had not been for them none of this would have been successful. I am truly blessed to have the best team anyone could ask for.

OF course I can not forget the students!! It was a great pleasure to meet and work with all of you. We had 22 students during the Rally and gave 2 seminars on off road DRIVING, my students know what I’m talking about. You guys did great! And no one complained about being tired or the weather. MotoMark1 students have a special DRIVE inside them that makes them strive to be better and safer. MotoMark1 students are hungry to learn and always want to challenge themselves to go to the next level. To say they are unique is an understatement. Our students encouraged and motivated our team and we loved the energy that was present.

One of the highlights for MotoMark1 was when Bill Shaw introduced me to David Hough. Being able to meet and have coffee with Mr. David Hough was awesome. He is a true gentleman and a pioneer of motorcycle training. He definitely deserves to be in the AMA Hall of Fame. We were able to discuss motorcycle training and the future of where it should be headed. Our conversations were fun, enjoyable and knowledgeable. I could sit a talk with him for hours. This mans insight is incredible when it comes to making others safer and better.

Thank you again to everyone that attended and helped make our first rally a success. We look forward to more in the future.

DRIVE on purpose,

Mark L. Brown

Special Event Planned

We have exciting news about a class being offered at the BMW Riders Association International Rally!! Check out the recent press release for details...

Subject: RA Rally Adventure Rider Clinic, July 23-26, - Canaan Valley, WV
This course consists of 4 hours of seminar and off-road motorcycle riding instruction on a closed course that has been groomed for beginners, yet has challenging areas for more advanced riders to hone their skills. The course enables riders to transition from the basics of off-roading to the more complex techniques needed for multi-day trips on dual-sport machines. This course combines the skill-building of the basic off-road course with advanced techniques for single track and obstacles.

You’ll learn skills that enable you to transition from asphalt to double track, single track, and fire trails. The fundamentals of straight lines, turning, body posture, and braking are combined to handle obstacles, stream crossings, and tight single track.

We'll teach you the fundamentals and demonstrate real-world challenges so that riders can assess terrain and risk, then make good choices using skills practiced here. It's a course that builds confidence and breaks down barriers without destroying you and your gear.

There will be four classes offered during the rally. including one on Thursday afternoon, two on Friday, and one on Saturday morning. Morning classes will begin at 8:00am and run till 12:00 noon. The afternoon class will begin at 1:00pm and run till 4:00pm. Classes will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, so register now to confirm a spot in your preferred class!

BMW RA Rally Adventure Rider Clinic Details
Length: 4 hours (½ day)
Age: 6 years old - Adult.
Class Sizes: maximum of 10 students.
Motorcycle: bring your own motorcycle.
Minimums: Safe off-road or dual-sport motorcycle with appropriate tires for dirt riding and fuel for 4 hours of riding, spare spark plug and basic tool kit (plug wrench, etc), DOT helmet, jacket, sturdy pants, gloves, eye protection, over-the-ankle boots. Hydration packs (CamelBak, canteens, etc) are recommended for all seasons. Long sleeves recommended for summer.
Location:BMW RA National Rally in Canaan Valley, WV
Price: $75
To register, or for more information, please visit www.motomark1.com/dbsra.html

MotoMark1 Adventure Rider Clinic. Sgt. Mark Brown, aka MotoMark1, has been a North Carolina State Highway Patrolman for over eighteen years and is the training coordinator within the Special Operations Motor Unit. He is also the lead police motor instructor for North Carolina State Highway Patrol and when not on his R1200RTP, Mark can often be found helping “civilian” students understand the finer points of off-road riding.

Fortunately for the RA, Mark has agreed to teach several 4-hour adventure riding clinics designed around his eight hour MSF-certified class. If you have aspirations of taking your GS to Baja, Copper Canyon or even on a local fire road, consider Mark’s clinic as an investment in your future. Regardless of your skill level – beginner or advanced – Mark and his instructors work with each rider to help them identify and improve any shortcomings. This is accomplished by working on a number of essential and fundamental off-road skills that include, but are not limited to, posture/riding position, turning, riding over obstacles, climbing, traversing and descending hills, and proper braking techniques. Each exercise is also designed to build confidence and foster a positive mental attitude, which, in the end, facilitates learning. As a result, everyone improves.

Working on 2009

We're spending most of our time these days working up our 2009 plan. Our 2009 training schedule is in the process of being updated and instructors assigned. We are also working hard on a new website update that hopefully will be launched early this year. We're going for a complete overhaul and new look that we think is very exciting. This will eventually include online registrations for all our courses. Keep checking in at www.motomark1.com.

Another new development is the plan to attend several rallies and gatherings in 2009 to help promote Motomark1. So far we are looking at the BMW National Rallies and have an eye open for more. If you have a group meeting/rally that you would like us to attend, give us a shout and we'll try to work it in the schedule!