Ohio Motorized Trail Association to Unveil New Trail Maintenance Rig

The Ohio Motorized Trails Association plans to unveil new trailer and trail maintenance equipment during an April 12 media event at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio.

The event is open to the public.

The OMTA was able to purchase the trail maintenance vehicle and equipment after receiving an $8,318 check from Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, through its Yamaha OHV Access Initiative grant program.

"We are elated that Yamaha recognized our efforts to help maintain the off-highway-vehicle trails throughout the state of Ohio," said OMTA Director Matthew Mesarchik. "This grant enabled us to buy much-needed equipment that will help ensure continued access for responsible OHV riders for years to come."

The rig consists of a 12-foot trailer and trail maintenance equipment, including chainsaws, shovels, a dump cart and a log skidder.

"The OMTA works very hard on behalf of AMA members and the OHV community here in Ohio," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "Yamaha has proven to be a valuable partner to the AMA, OMTA and OHV groups throughout the country. It’s only fitting that we host this event here on our campus, and we are pleased to do so."

The equipment will be used by OMTA member clubs throughout Ohio on public trails, such as those in the Perry State Forest, and by the OMTA/AMA club Buckeye Dual Sporters during preparations for the AMA Hanging Rock 200 event at Lake Hope State Park in May.

The unveiling of the OMTA rig is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 12 in front of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, Ohio.

Invited guests include officials from Yamaha, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and state legislators representing affected districts.

The boards of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) voted unanimously to appoint Scott Schloegel as acting president and CEO of the associations. Diana Sanchez was appointed acting chief operating officer.

Schloegel and Sanchez, whose appointments are effective immediately, will also continue to serve in their current roles as senior vice president of government relations and vice president of operations respectively. The interim leadership was selected to ensure a seamless transition as the associations’ search committee continues to conduct a comprehensive review of the position of president and CEO, and a subsequent search to replace outgoing President and CEO Erik Pritchard.