We have had several requests for the final results of the 1st Annual Matt Miller Motor Skills Challenge and Seminole County Deputy Motorman George Hart was kind enough to pass them along to us. Congratulations to all of the the participants who demonstrated outstanding precision and control. Their skill provided a great show and we look forward to next year’s event.

Overall Results

First Place                   Frank Santiago          Brevard County Sheriff’s Office          Honda          01:53.74

Second Place              Patrick Smith             Seminole County Sheriff’s Office        BMW            01:59.81

Third Place                  Scott Behringer        Brevard County Sheriff’s Office           Honda         02:00.03

BMW Class

1.  Patrick Smith           Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

2. John Massey            Cocoa Police Department

3. Charlie Fagan          Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Harley Davidson Class

1. Jimmie Smith         Orange County Sheriff’s Office

2. Billy Woolwine       Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Honda Class

1. Frank Santiago       Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

2. Scott Behringer     Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

Remaining Participants

Mike Destefano          Altamonte Springs Police Department

David Miller                Altamonte Springs Police Department

Jonathon Brady         Cocoa Police Department

John Massey               Cocoa Police Department

Bob Wettner                Cocoa Police Department

Sam Howard                Kissimmee Police Department

Mark Hodge                 Osceola County Sheriff’s Office

Will Englert                  Osceola County Sheriff’s Office

Pete Brenenstuhl       Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Eric Chase                   Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Rick Cummings          Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Andy Hoffman             Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Sean Niles                    Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

The great thing about technology is that it allows the average person to produce professional publishing using nothing more than a personal computer. Of course it also allows the average person to produce horrific blunders some of which are completely fatal to any work in progress.

You can see it coming can’t ya? Like a 400 ton locomotive without brakes that sucker was aimed straight at me. A thunderously loud technology onslaught of doom and despair, ready to destroy anything or anyone standing in its path. What did it take to release this beast of hellish fury and inconsolable loss…a mouse. A lousy $2 fit in your hand black and silver mouse that rendered itself, just for an instant, into the harbinger of Gozerian the Destroyer. “Do you want to sync your pictures to the selected locations?” and with the slightest twitch of a muscle the onslaught was unleashed.

What happened? I have absolutely no freaking idea…should have transferred all of this weekend’s ride photos from my phone to my computer. Instead it deleted all of the images from the phone and never moved them to the computer. Hell I didn’t even select the option to delete the original pics….I think.

Thus the Mea Culpa and public flogging that will follow.

First to “Tonya” of Tony’s Liquors in Winter Garden and “Dallas” at JJ’s Lounge in Sorrento who were encouraged to visit our site and check out their photos. Geez does it get worse than disappointing your bartenders after they took great care of everyone? Finally to all of the Members and friends who joined in on this weekend’s ride through Seminole, Lake and Orange Counties and posed for all of the great pics.

Ok….that’s it. Let the flogging begin. But before you get too carried away, remember the first rule of business. “You get what you pay for” and yes I’m still a volunteer.

Enough said.

Oh and if you see that mouse survived its flight out the window and into the street…I wouldn’t touch it if I were you.  Gozerian awaits.

-BP

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The WPMC monthly business meeting is this Thursday January 26th, 2012. This will be our first meeting at the American Legion American Legion 2874 South Sanford Avenue, Sanford, FL 32773-5297 and will start at 7:30 pm. There will be a 50/50 drawing and a social hour after the meeting. You can find a map and additional details by clicking on our Event Calendar link in the right sidebar.

All Members are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on the new venue.

The WPMC was honored to be asked to participate in the independent judging of the 1st Annual Matt Miller Motor Skills Challenge held in conjunction with the Crimeline Chili Cook Off at Seminole Harley Davidson. With representatives from several Central Florida law enforcement agencies in attendance, there was a full slate of competing officers. There were three primary classes, Harley Davidson, BMW, and Honda.  A total of three timed runs were completed by each competitor, with points deducted for any penalties such as dislodging a cone, foot down, stopping/backing, or failure to complete the exercise. President SCRAPE was the head judge and worked in conjunction with WPMC Members assigned to various parts of the course to note any penalties.

The competition was tight and the amount of skill and training demonstrated by all of the competitors was incredible. We did note that both the BMW and Honda had a distinct handling advantage on the Harley Davidson units and that may go a long way to explain the recent trend in switching over by many local agencies. But when it comes to looking the part of a Motor Unit nobody beats the traditional lines of the American Harley Davidson.

It was a great day and a great way to remember Deputy Matt Miller of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

A special thanks to Motor Deputy George Hart and all of the members of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Motor Unit who sponsored the event. Also our thanks to Lt. Sonia Pisano of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office who shared her outstanding photographs with us.

Mark your calendars for next year and join us for the 2nd Annual Matt Miller Motor Skills Challenge.

Be sure to check out all of the event pictures in the Photo Gallery.

-BP

The WPMC will be riding to New Smyrna this Saturday the 14th to visit the “Make A Patch” shop ( http://make-a-patch.com/ ). There are several members who have been looking for a place to have patches made and sewn on. Brother Gary discovered this location and we wanted to give them a try.

We will be meeting at “Wind Walkers” on US 1 at the intersection of Maytown Road in Oak Hill at 10:00 am. From there it’s a stop at Rose Bay and the Hidden Treasure Bar & Grill, just over the bridge on US 1 as you enter Port Orange (If you get to Nova Road you went to far). After that, Make A Patch and then who knows. We will be posting to Twitter as we go if you are looking for updates on our location.

N.G.Q.

-BP

I’m not going to get all up in your stuff about the benefits of taking the time to meet people who share our love of riding. No sir, just gonna share a story with ya and let you decide.

Back in July of 2011 I stopped in for some adult refreshment at what was then Pub 44 in New Smyrna. Nothing too special was happening that day as I sat out on the Tiki bar until I noticed a distinct accent from a guy seated near by. “Greetings mate” Steve said with his well established Aussie hand shake as we struck up a conversation. Steve like myself, had some gray hair and the slightly worn look of someone who knows what it’s like to earn a living.  A big smile and enthusiastic demeanor went a long way to say that Steve was someone who knew how to enjoy life.

Turns out Steve was visiting the U.S. as part of his long awaited semi-retirement trip to tour our country on a motorcycle. Not just any motorcycle mind you, Steve was determined that it had to be a Harley Davidson. Well it’s not like you can pack that in your over night bag so Steve explained that he was at the pub while waiting for the folks at New Smyrna Harley to prep his new Road King for delivery. He went on to say how he had set aside three months for the trip and planned to see as much of America and the biker lifestyle as he could before heading home to Australia.

I secretly wished I had the time and money to just say “Screw it” and go with him but life being what it is the best I could do is hand him my business card and ask him to drop me a note about his trip.  We shook hands and I pulled out of the pub for home.

I thought about Steve a few times over the next  five months but didn’t hear anything and figured he had misplaced the card or if his luck was anything like mine, lost it in a rain storm. I decided it was going to be one of those “Wonder whatever happened to…” stories and sort of set it aside.

Then last week I received the following email:

-BP

Wanna tell folks how to find us?

Check out our new facebook user name www.facebook/WildPigsOrlando which goes nicely with wildpigsorlando.org and www.twitter.com/WildPigsOrlando.

WildPigsOrlando for everything….

Now isn’t that easy?

For those unable to attend the Memorial Service for Brother Matt J. Miller, we would like to share video from the service provided by our friends at Fox 35 Television in Lake Mary, Florida. Below that please click the thumbnails for the service flyer and Motor Officers Poem.

Funeral held for Deputy Matt Miller: MyFoxORLANDO.com

Funeral held for Deputy Matt Miller: MyFoxORLANDO.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Matt Miller who lost his life yesterday protecting the citizens of Seminole County Florida. You will be missed and your sacrifice not forgotten by your brothers and sisters. May God keep you and hold you in his Grace.

- The Wild Pigs MC of Central Florida

Deputy Matt Miller

For those seeking more information on what happened in this tragedy here is a link to the local news story and official press release from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

WFTV: http://bit.ly/rSZP8i

SCSO Press Release:  http://bit.ly/s7gl5X

Just a quick note to let you know that the December business meeting has been canceled due to the busy schedule most of us have at that time of the year. On the bright side we wanted to announce a new location for the January meeting on Thursday the 26th @ 7:30pm.

We will be meeting at the American Legion Post #53 located at 2874 South Sanford Avenue, Sanford, FL 32773-5297. Many of you should remember this location as the place we participated in the Fire & Iron September 11th event in September.

In addition to offering monthly meeting space, Commander Olly Cisko has offered to make the facility available for use in any future rides, runs, or events that we would like to host. Short of our own Clubhouse, this really is a great opportunity and the next best thing. We think you will be impressed with the facility and the amenities it offers (including a full bar with bartender and the option to order in food), so come on out and tell us what you think about making this home base for our Club in the future.

Till then, Melekalikimaka, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka and Happy New Year!

-BP