History of the VRA
Timeline
1996
VROC Forum is Created
1998
"Odinn" (Jim Sloan) starts the VRA
“Odinn” (Jim Sloan), USA Co-Founder of the Association
1st AEC President
- “Odinn” (Jim Sloan), a member of “The Council of 11” in VROC, starts the VRA with Bruiser (Bruce Irwin) from Australia, and was active in spreading the VRA as a worldwide association from 1998-1999.
- The Association Executive Committee (AEC) is created. The original AEC members include Odinn (USA), Bruiser (Australia), Hexonx (USA), Wrinkles (USA), Falconer (Holland), P’Nut (USA), Viking (Canada), and others.
- Odinn is elected the first AEC President and Bruiser (Bruce Irwin), from Australia, is elected the first AEC Vice President.
- Bruiser uses the bylaws from another bike club and changes them to fit the VRA.
By the end of 1998, the following chapters have joined the association:1-1 Southeast VA ,1-2 San Diego CA ,1-3 Northern VA ,1-4 Piedmont VA ,1-5 Richmond VA ,1-6 Dallas-FtWorth ,1-7 Montreal Quebec ,1-8 Western Carolina ,1-9 Western NY ,1-10 Greater Midwest ,1-11 Atlanta GA ,31-1 Nederlands ,32-1 Belgium ,41-1 Switzerland ,44-1 UK ,46-1 Sweden ,49-1 Germany ,61-1 Sydney Australia
1999
UK joins the VRA
- (Odinn and Falconer prompt Chief (Pete Ravenscroft) to start a chapter in the winter of 1998. The chapter becomes official at the Season Opener Bike Rally in Apr 1999).
- May 1999 – Odinn hits a deer and totals his 1500 Classic.
- Aug 1999 – Having no Vulcan, Odinn resigns as AEC President and leaves the VRA.
- Sep 1999 – Ty Lytle, from Oklahoma, is elected the 2nd International President. Falconer, from Holland, is elected the 2nd International Vice President.
2000
Falconer resigns as VP and from VRA
“Chief” (Pete Ravenscroft), UK
3rd International President (2000 – 2009)
- “Chief”, from the UK, is elected the 3rd International President and remains President until Oct. 2009.
2004
VRA Holland gets a new president
- Holland VRA is established by Geert de Jonge and Ferry Schippers. In 2005, John “Mosselman” is elected as President.
2005
Ferry Schippers initiates the 1st International VRA Rally.
“Fly” (Lorin Potter), USA
AEC Non-Chapter President
1st US National President
- The VRA Chapters in Europe decide to make it an annual event – 2006 was Sweden, 2007 Belgium, 2008 Spain, etc…
- Chief initiates the idea of having National Chapters because of the differences in laws and customs between the countries. Chief falls ill and Lorin Potter, the Non-Chapter Member President over 3,000 non-chapter members, completes the initiative.
2006
- Belgium joins the VRA
- Spain joins the VRA
- Germany rejoins the VRA (Vulcaniers remain active)
2007
Lasse Lahn, Sweden
4th International President
- Norway joins the VRA
- Harold Murray (“The Wizard”), Chapter President of the Bangor 125ers, is elected as International Vice President.
- Oct 2009 – Lasse Lahn, from Sweden, is elected International President.
Badges (Graham Nicholls), from the UK, is elected International Vice President.
2009
VROC CZ joins the VRA
2011
Serbia and Finland join the VRA
2012
Serbia and Finland join the VRA
- Vulcan Riders Mexico, Chapter #52, joins the VRA
- Vulcan Riders Turkey, Chapter #90, is approved as a VRA Chapter. Mehmet Yarbasa is elected the first National President.
- Vulcan Riders Brazil is approved as chapter #55. Rogcorio Castelo Branco is elected as the first National President.
2015
Vulcan Riders in Hungary and Ireland Join the VRA
- Vulcan Riders Hungary joined VRA. Dr.Istvan Palik “Dottore” is the National President.
- Vulcan Riders Ireland joined VRA. Alex Martynov is elected as the first National President.
2017
- Vulcan Riders Switzerland, Chapter #41 joins VRA. Roland Haesler is elected as National President.
- VROC Poland, Chapter #48 joins VRA. Krzysztof Bandurski “Yamak” is the first National President.
- Vulcan Riders Philippine, Chapter #63 joins VRA. Mario Maligard is the first National President
2018
- Vulcan Riders Taiwan, Chapter #886 joins VRA. Steve Lu is the first National President.