rick hammel

Bummer.



In 1994 or 1995 Nestor was either kicked out (urban

myth ?) or left in protest from a USCF District Rep

Conference. This was soley due to Nestor's belief

that grass roots racing was (still is) being neglected

by the USCF. When I left Ill-annoy in December 1995 I

knew that Nestor was forming ABR and honestly thought

he was alone in his efforts. . . I don't know about

OBRA's history too well; but nationally (by way of his

many connections) Nestor was a giant pioneer in the

formation of grass roots / independent bike racing

associations and should be remembered as such. He

took a big risk when he turned his back on "The Dark

Side" (USCF) and ended up assuring quality racing for

regular people like me / us throughout the Midwest and

beyond.



I just wish he would have quit smoking when we asked

him to back in '95 : (







__________________________________________________

Do You Yahoo!?

Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes

http://finance.yahoo.com

Jonathan Puskas

As one who spent 6 years racing in Indiana, Illinois,

and Michigan...I can honestly say this is a loss for

our sport.



While his races were often a bit lax on safety

(missing lead vehicles, centerline which consisted of

the left-hand gutter)...He always ensured that there

WAS racing...In the often-hostile confines of rural

Indiana, that was a HELL of an accomplishment. He was

also one of the first reps to create his own

federation.



By Mike Hanley

Special to VeloNews.com



This report filed September 5, 2002

Nestor Evancevich, founder and principle officer of

American Bicycle Racing, died in his sleep during the

night of Wednesday, September 4.



ABR is a national membership organization that

promotes the sport of bicycle racing and was the first

of a series of organizations to successfully break

away from the sport's national governing body, USA

Cycling and focus almost exclusively on grassroots

cycling.



During the 1980's, Evancevich was instrumental in the

rapid growth of bicycle racing in Illinois and the

greater midwest. He became the Illinois USCF District

Rep in 1985 when there were just seven races on the

calendar. Over the next several years, with a small

group of friends, he managed to put another 90 races

on the schedule, and double the number of clubs,

riders and officials in the district. Those were great

days that saw the rise of the Illinois Cycling

Association, Mid-America Time Trial Series (MATTS),

Velo-Tech event services and most of the major events

in the state.



During the 1990's, Evancevich became the first USCF

"Super Rep" as he gradually took over first, Wisconsin

and ultimately Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan.



On any given day he was the life of the party. With an

ever present smile and warm greeting for everyone, he

lived his dream of turning the midwest into a vital

cycling community.



There will be a wake for Evancevich on Friday,

September 6, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Thornridge

Funeral Home at 15801 Cottage Grove Ave, Dolton IL

60419; Phone: 708/841-2300



Evancevich's funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on

Saturday, September 7, at the St. Archangel Michael

Serbian Church at 18550 Stony Island Ave, Lansing, IL

60438; Phone: 708/895-8998





=====

Jonathan C. Puskas

159 Fifth Street

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

impu-@yahoo.com



"If you're gonna charge...charge hard!"



__________________________________________________

Do You Yahoo!?

Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes

http://finance.yahoo.com