We appreciate being approached for comment after being accused that participants from our motocross event damaged the Sand Flats area. I don’t believe I was misrepresented as much as it was rewritten a little too vague.

First and foremost, it is intolerable for any damage to our public lands. After exploring the details, it was discovered that the offending riders were not from our event. They had paper decals, which is an unacceptable practice at our track. Those are traditionally used for trail events, which has nothing to do with motocross.

We were also contacted by members of the Wasatch Trials Association, who were equally concerned over the tone of the article and wanted to convey they had no events in the area either.

For those who have not enjoyed a motocross event, it is a self-contained activity. Race events are held non-stop from roughly sunrise to sunset. It’s highly unusual in motocross for participants to leave the track at all, let alone to go on a trail ride.

We appreciate Sand Flats staff and Kim Schappert of their Stewardship Committee correcting their original assumptions that our group was at fault. We can understand how those unaware of motocross practices could come to quick, emotional conclusions and place blame squarely upon an innocent group. But one irresponsible and inaccurate public statement based upon hearsay and assumption can bring unfair judgments that are very difficult to overcome in the public’s mind. We respectfully request this to be considered before public statements such as “they just go up there and raise hell,” are made.

The Redrock Dirt Riders have managed a great deal of success in a very short period of time, establishing ourselves as hosting the premier opening and closing sanction events in the state. All of the impact from our events is contained at the track, which has been designated, created and maintained for this purpose. Moab benefits from the participants who spend their money here, staying in motels, eating in restaurants and buying souvenirs throughout the weekend.

We all know there are a few bad seeds in every group, whether it be mountain biking, ATVs, off-roading, even hikers can cause damage to our treasured public lands. We’d like to remind all that the offense lands squarely upon the offender, and not the entire group that enjoys similar outdoor activities.

We encourage offenders to be reported, and want to work towards helping to protect what is all of ours to enjoy.

—Jason Parriott, president, Redrock Dirt Riders

Moab