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| Malcolm Smith poses with kids and supporters after publicly selling three youth OHVs in protest of the CPSIA. |
Many are currently fighting the injustice of the CPSIA – which has banned the sale of youth OHVs – by going by the book to make their voices heard. But Malcolm Smith remembers a time when motorcyclists were rebels. He, and a number of others in the motorcycle industry, decided to take the rogue path and protest to the CPSIA in a more aggressive manner. Yesterday, industry, media and supporters rallied at Malcolm Smith Motorsports in Riverside, California to witness Malcolm publicly selling three banned youth OHVs.
"We're selling a few bikes, and only a few because I can only afford so many fines!" Malcolm Smith said with a laugh. "I'm going to have to ask the public to donate to pay them if they put me in jail."
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| Husqvarna's Scot Harden was ready for the worst... |
While "Johnny Law" wasn't present at the rally, Malcolm Smith Motorsports could still face harsh penalties from the federal government – namely a fine of $100,000 per offense (totaling a possible $300,000 fine).
"I don't think they'll do it, but if they do, it's going to hurt right now considerably," Smith admitted. "I'll have to get a loan to pay it. Hopefully everybody will send five dollar checks in or something."
Smith went into the rally with eyes wide open, aware of the possible consequences. In fact, he's ready to take the next rebellious step in protest if the CPSC doesn't respond in the next few weeks. Malcolm has declared he's going to "Boston Tea Party it" in the Long Beach harbor.
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| Jeff Ward's kids look on as he completes the sale of a banned youth OHV at the Malcolm Smith Motorsports protest. |
One thing is for sure: Malcolm's not going to stop protesting until something is done to resolve this issue.
What does the rest of the industry think of his bold tactics? While the MIC and SVIA are keeping it clean and taking the proper channels, they are (on the record) steering clear of being associated with Smith's renegade tactics. Still, on a personal level, Smith has received overwhelming support from just about everyone in the industry.
"I actually had some high up industry people call me and say, ‘This isn't the official word, but we're personally backing you. We're glad you're doing it,'" Smith said.
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| Glen Helen Raceway owner Bud Feldkamp wheels out his newly purchased ATV. |
"This has been ridiculous for a while so I'm glad Malcolm is putting his foot down and saying, ‘Hey I'm going to sell bikes and I'm willing to face the consequences,'" Troy Lee commented just after buying a KTM 65 SX for his son, Max. "I want to ride with my kid. He's at a really fun age and we have some of our best times on our way to the races and from the races, talking about the day and what happened. I just feel it's so wrong."
Kids made their own picket signs in the parking lot of Malcolm Smith Motorsports, while inside, the "grown-ups" signed letters which were faxed to California Senators on the spot.
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| Outraged by the youth OHV ban, Malcolm Smith is determined to be heard. |
"We're trying to make the government listen to us that we have a right to ride and that the ruling is just absurd," Smith said.
Smith has been in contact with mainstream media including USA Today, and even had a spot on KFI 640 AM with John and Ken on March 19, following the protest.
Smith summed up his intentions to the crowd of supporters on hand at the protest: "It's just a big hill and I'm going to go up it one way or another."
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