(liveblogging)
Intro by Bob Introne, Area 1 Director/Chairman of the board
Finances positive results for 2007, $200,000 ahead of the game. There have been a number of good years in a row.
Rallycross growing program, first national championship at Hastings, 50 attendees, event considered quite successful.
Solo successful program, but some ongoing issues. Event safety is becoming a focus due to a few incidents this past year. Solo Nationals were second most successful ever, 1173 entries.
Road Racing generally successful but national entries down 10% or so. Heartland Park improved over 1st year. Contract is 3 years, 2009 venue for runoffs uncertain.
Pro Racing on brink of disaster 18 months ago. consistent money loser, making no progress. Board was revamped, new president hired, increased oversight, more club visibility at events. new tv agreement in place much sooner than last year. pro is now very healthy and will continue.
Annual convention in San Antonio end of january.
Foundation revived. Team driving events around the country.
Comments by John Sheridan, Area 10 Director
Effort to make club activity transparent. Board didn't used to record votes in minutes clearly. Financials are now much more accessible.
Concern about Fastrack migrating from SportsCar to internet (rule changes, board minutes, etc). Beginning in November, BoD minutes synopsis will appear in SportsCar.
John requests more civility and restraint, concerned about intensity of some discussions.
John mentions that Brian Holtz is being term limited out of BoD.
Comments by Brian Holtz, Area 2 Director
Proud to serve the SCCA, urges Area 2 members who haven't voted in BoD election yet to do so.
Questions from the floor
Gee Dub is philly region holding a team driving event in November?
George & Judy BlosserNot on calendar, pushing to do it but not scheduled.
Barry Kaplan Comments on improved National Office responsiveness, thanks Jim Julow.
?? approaching karting organizations for new membership development
Jim Julow various new member projects being looked at, nothing tangible to announce.
?? bar code on membership card?
Jim Julow trying to develop new system to improve registration, etc. trying to cut down on forms. no timetable for completion, being rolled out in modules one at a time.
Terry Roberts regions need to know what's expected as part of this system, some tracks lack infrastructure.
Jim Julow trying to minimize requirements because of diverse situations of regions/tracks.
Peter Roberts runoffs location search for 2009 - requests overview of process.
Bob Introne new RFP being developed, very different from last RFP. Jim Julow will be presenting draft RFP to board in near future. Outreach to tracks in progress to let tracks know that RFP is coming. Also outreach to members to pass word to owners/operators about process. Decision to be made in summer of 2008, news to not be released until after runoffs. Heartlannd Park is not preordained. Previous selection process received 2 credible proposals and Heartland Park won.
Krista Botsford what has the driver feedback been?
Bob Introne survey of drivers being collected now. email comments he's seen run to constructive criticism rather than to "i loved it". 8.5% decrease in entry this year over last year. 5th or 6th largest ever, good event this year, but agreed that improvements are possible.
Brian Holtz moved much further west, feedback from left coasters very positive. improved attendance from Rocky Mountain, SW Divisions. nationals program in SWDiv dramatically improved since event moved.
Bob Introne not all drivers critical, some are very positive about the event.
Kathy Barnes online survey for Solo Nationals very good, is one being done for Runoffs?
Bob Introne/Jim Julow good survey feedback coming in.
Tom McLeod requests status info on Pro, rough driving, etc.
Bob Introne can't really speak to it.
Brian Holtz events are very competitive, 50 minute sprint race, cars are very equal, stuff happens. drivers generally keep their foot in it. great television, great racing. great exposure for scca.
?? does style for pro set style for club?
Brian Holtz/Bob Introne don't think so, different organizations. very close racing in prod races at runoffs this year, no contact.
Sara Bonnier life members, future of community.
Jim Julow can't answer in detail, Colin made changes in program last year, will find out facts and follow up.
John Sheridan what does Sara think should be different?
Sara Bonnier recognition, tokens and incentive for young members
George Blosser will geographical limitations be imposed on runoffs sites?
Bob Introne looking at tracks all over.
Jim Julow from virginia to california
Merideth Croucher are financial benefits to communities being used as ammunition?
Brian Holtz good data available from Topeka, being used
?? how long a contract?
Bob Introne 3-5 years
Jim Julow very detailed RFP by comparison with the past.
Brian Holtz old process worked well for years, but times have changed, process is changing.
John Sheridan sees site moving every 3-5 years in the future. no more 10 year or 14 year stints at one track.
Tina Reeves thanks Jim Julow for showing up here and at Solo Nationals. central location helped solo program to grow over the years. Solo drivers like heartland park except for the sand.
John Sheridan brooms are budgeted for 2008.
Jim Julow promised street sweeper to kathy, been told to never disappoint kathy.
Bob Introne BoD town meetings at Runoffs, Solo nationals, very positive, will continue.
Matt thanks BoD for improvements in transparency. asks about getting visibility into content of RFP when it goes out. wonders about how accurate old RFP info leaked on internet.
Jim Julow will discuss it, probably can't go out before/during process. new RFP will focus on big issues, old RFP was very low level and detailed.
Brian Holtz old RFP doesn't necessarily reflect contract negotiated with runoffs site.
Bob Introne announcement: about a year ago, executive steward selection method changes. now done in November BoD meeting, which will be held tomorrow. however, NEDiv exec steward to be proposed tomorrow is...
Brian Holtz process is customized across the divisions to meed their requirements, NEDiv is somewhat unique. exec steward in NEDiv thankless herding cats job. need to work on national program in NEDiv. Thanks Jack Hanifan, outgoing exec steward for his efforts in peer review, training, working with DAs, great job.
nominee for next year will be Tom Hoffman. long time steward with varied and extensive background. currently on national court of appeals.
Bob Introne closes session. NEDiv council is next.