RTRA Management Committee
The current Management Committee was formally elected at the Association's Annual General Meeting held on October 2016.
The committee is:
Xander Kabat (President)
Valerie Pretzel (Secretary)
Steve Pretzel (Treasurer)
Murray McKellar
Brett Grandin
Matt Ackley
Don Martin
Darren Clarke
Paul Neve (Deputy Chair)
Sam Karamfiles
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Name: Steve Pretzel
Nickname: Pretz
Age: 59
Family: Married with 1 child
Occupation:CEO, Technology Assisting Disability WA
Current Bike: Husaberg FE450
All Time Favourite Bike: The blue and yellow one.
Riding Background: Started at 13 on a Honda Z50A, progressed through a Kawasaki 75 mini, XR75 then CR125M Elsinore. Raced C Grade motocross in last year of high school (forged birth certificate to get racing licence early), gave up because I couldn't afford a trailer and got sick of completely dismantling the bike to stuff it in the boot of my MkII Cortina. Took it up again five years ago after a weekend ride with West Coast Safaris (had a huge grin for about a week after that one).
Favourite place to ride: South West.
First Race: UW Mini Wheels mini bike club c 1973.
Hobbies: trail bike riding, snow skiing, photography, music (keyboards and drums)
Favourite Food: Omniverous.
Favourite Rider: Most impressive ride I’ve seen was a 13 year old Jeff Liesk annihilating the field at Amaroo Park
Why did you get involved in the RTRA? At a time when trail riding is coming under increasing pressure I saw that no one was representing the interests of the riders. I’m always up for a challenge so I figured I’d try to do something about it.
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Name: Valerie Pretzel
Nickname: don’t think I have one :-(
Age: none of your business
Family: Married with 1 child
Occupation: Company Director
Current Bike: KTM Freeride 350
All Time Favourite Bike: the one I have at the moment.
Riding Background: was introduced to riding in 2006 by my husband and when my daughter started riding. If you can’t beat them, join them!
Favourite place to ride: South West.
First Race: no racing, just for enjoyment.
Hobbies: snow skiing, trail bike riding, horse riding, travelling, catching up with family & friends.
Favourite Food: Japanese.
Favourite Rider: my husband ... because I don’t know any famous ones!
Why did you get involved in the RTRA?: We started RTRA because trail bike riding has been suffering as a result of riders not presenting a single, united front and speaking with one voice. Whilst other recreational groups are engaging with government about keeping recreational areas open and providing tracks and trails (eg walkers and mountain bikers), we never heard from trail bike riders. Motorcycling WA represents those who race competitively but there was nothing for recreational riders, who are the ones experiencing the issues. I particularly want to get better and more riding areas and trails for families so we can ride legally but have the great riding experiences that we want.
Other trail bike riding involvement: (1) my husband and I started our company Trail Bike Management Australia specifically to tackle the complex issue of resolving trail bike conflicts. This year we have been developing the State Trail Bike Strategy with funding from government. (2) I am on the Off Road Vehicle Advisory Committee which provides advice to the Minister for Local Government on matters pertaining to the off-road vehicle act.
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Name: Brett Grandin
Nickname:
Age: 51
Family: Married, two adult "kids"
Occupation: Delivery Specialist
Current Bike: KTM 400 EXC
All Time Favourite Bike:
Riding Background: Started riding on the farm as a youngster, then progressed to trail riding/ motocross with some mates. have always owned a dirt bike of some sort. i enjoy getting out with mate to have a social ride and go riding with the family. Enjoy taking my two grandsons out riding and watching the passion build in them.
Favourite place to ride: Dwellingup is a great place to ride. Although my main area is now metro road.
First Race: Longreach Qld, 1978
Hobbies: Working on and rebuilding old dirt bikes : presently I have a YZ 80N, 2 xPE175T , Husky XC430 and montesa VB 360 Cappra on the mend. Riding with family
Favourite Food: Rock Road
Favourite Rider: Toby Price
Why did you get involved in the RTRA?: I am passionate about having and maintaining a strong trail riding environment for all whom enjoy the sport. I also want the future generations top have the opportunity to enjoy what i and many others have enjoyed for years.
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Name: Alexander Kabat
Nickname: Xander
Age: 44
Family: Married
Occupation: Owner, Overlander Adventure Equipment
Current Bike: Honda XRV750 Africa Twin
All Time Favourite Bike: Honda XRV750 Africa Twin Marathon (no did not own it)
Riding Background: I started when i was 5yrs old and never took more then a year off. I have raced (local stuff) both enduro, moto-cross and navigation rallies. I was never very good but always had a lot of fun.
Favourite place to ride: I have ridden around the world, so I have far far too many to list.
First Race: Massachusetts under 8s
Hobbies: Bikes, Photography, Motorcycle modifying.
Favourite Food: I just love food.
Favourite Rider: My wife Tam
Why did you get involved in the RTRA?: The RTRA is the most important organisation for the future of non-competitive in Western Australia, how could i not try and be a part of it.
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Name: Don Martin
Nickname: Mentelle
Age: 40
Family: 2 x kids
Occupation: Civil Designer
Current Bike: KTM 300
All Time Favourite Bike: Rockhopper
Riding Background: Grew up in Toodyay so would ride anything from an early age. Graduated to road bikes, then track bikes at Barbagello. Used to surf a lot but was getting a bit dangerous so took up a safer sport - racing Enduro.
Favourite place to ride: Peru and Mongolia
First Race: Was the strongest swimming sperm
Hobbies: Will ride any time I can
Favourite Food: Any protein
Favourite Rider: Toby Price and #46 Valentino Rossi
Why did you get involved in the RTRA?: Want to help out wherever I can
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Name: Paul Neve
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Age: 50
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Name: Murray Mackellar
Nickname: Muzza
Age: 48
Family: Wife and 19 yo twins
Occupation: Ops Excellence Manager, Woolworths
Current Bike: Husky FE501 and KTM 1190R Adventure
All Time Favourite Bike: KTM 380SX
Riding Background: First bike was a PE175 that I bought in 1986, the engine was in pieces in a box. Started riding off-road then and never looked back. My dream was to race motocross, but I only ever raced Hare Scrambles, enduros and Flat Track.
Favourite place to ride: Africa, so much single trail and perfect terrain
First Race: Flat Track on MX bikes, 1992
Hobbies: DIY, Boating, 4x4'ing, but mostly riding offroad
Favourite Food: Curry n Rice
Favourite Rider: Jeff Herlings
Why did you get involved in the RTRA?: I have been riding at Pinjar most weekends since I discovered it, in 2012. I have always been very grateful for the venue and for the work that RTRA have put into it to make it real. I want to help to continue the great work that has been done and make Pinjar a place that riders and families can thoroughly enjoy into the future.
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Name: Matt Ackley
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Age: 44
Family: Single
Occupation: State Manager
Current Bike: KTM 950 SE, Yamaha WR250Z
All Time Favourite Bike: 2002 KTM 520SX
Riding Background: Started trail riding at 8, got into road bikes for many years. I enjoyed racing motocross till recently and now trail ride for pleasure.
Favourite place to ride: Anywhere!
First Race: Condobolin N.S.W. 2002
Hobbies: Motorcycles, 4wding
Favourite Food: Pizza
Favourite Rider: Toby Price
Why did you get involved in the RTRA?: To give something back to the sport we love
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Name: Darren Clarke
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Name: Sam Karamfiles
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