This Side Up

Now this is a race!

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-15T00:13:14Z

24 hours of LeMons

thanks for the link to Dave Riddle

Must be catching.

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-07T02:01:00Z

another one, courtesy of Dave Theen:

Lesson of the day

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-06T17:37:18Z

Always remember to torque your lug nuts (thanks to Paul Foster for the link).

2008 SCCA GCR -- Section 3.5 -- Supplementary Regulations and Entry Forms

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-03T12:06:55Z

In 3.5.1.H, supps are no longer required to have the names of all members of the SOM, only the Chairman. As supps listing things like "all available SITs" as committee members are not uncommon, this is effectively ratification of common practice.
In 3.5.6, the old section F requiring a medical information card as part of the entry form goes away.

2008 SCCA GCR -- Section 3.3.5.E -- Compliance Surcharge

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-03T12:04:04Z

The compliance surcharge for SCCA Sports Racer (the Formula SCCA car with closed bodywork classed in CSR) goes away. This amounts to what, $50 a year or something?

2008 SCCA GCR -- Section 3.2.2.H -- Double National Scheduling

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-03T03:49:14Z

The criteria for Double National Scheduling has been tweaked. the 1 per division rule is removed.

2008 SCCA GCR -- Section 3.1.3 -- Dual Nationals

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-03T03:46:58Z

Explicit language is added in a new section 3.1.3 concerning national weekends where the nationals are run by regions in different divisions. the old 3.1.3 ("restricted nationals") is now 3.1.4, and so forth.

2008 SCCA GCR -- Section 2.3.2 -- Medical Fitness

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-03T03:44:47Z

This section is substantially expanded in the 2008 rulebook. Drivers should probably check it out for themselves.

2008 SCCA General Competition Rules

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2008-01-02T16:05:35Z

The 2008 GCR arrived last week while I was out of town over Christmas. I haven't had time to go through it yet, but I will be doing a series of posts here about changes as I work my way through the book. I'll be going front to back, and will be including the boring procedural sections at the beginning, so I'll label what chapter I'm talking about in the subject.

2008 NEDiv SCCA racing schedule

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2007-12-29T22:38:58Z

I just got a copy of the 2008 schedule in email. This should be fairly final: 2008 NEDiv SCCA Schedule.

Report from MSR Houston

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2007-12-15T13:34:48Z

(originally) presented without comment

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2007-12-03T12:32:40Z

Link from Dave Riddle

But the more I think about it, the more I think racers need to have some common sense about when things are in a downward spiral and they need to just back off. Clearly this car wasn't going to go straight under full throttle and there was no safe way to deal with it other than giving up.

Lost Speedways II

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2007-11-25T15:26:47Z

Yesterday afternoon I attended a program at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. This was the second session of their Lost Speedways series; the first was held during the spring blizzard last year and still was well attended. The session yesterday was effectively a full house, heavily attended by many old drivers, owners and fans who remembered many of the now missing tracks of upstate NY and New England.
There were a number of speakers focusing on different tracks; the quality and preparation varied. Ken Gypson did an excellent job with a number of tracks in Rensselaer County (Clearview, Pine Bowl, Burden Lake, Route 66/Hollywood Bowl, and Clearview, and filled in for the absent Len King on Empire/Menands. The next presenter, I think, didn't quite realize what he was getting into, but still had some interesting things to say about Sky High over in West Richmondville (I didn't quite get his name, or the exact location of the track, which I understand is still clearly visible on top of a mountain SW of Cobleskill.) Bill Ladabouche, author of the excellent Catamount Stadium site covering Vermont tracks presented on several of those; he did a nice job but mostly covered material already on his site. Gary London came up from Long Island to talk about Freeport and Islip, and finally Lew Boyd of Coastal 181 Publishing (Motorsports books) talked about two tracks at which he used to race, Morris Fairgrounds and the short-lived Cairo Fairgrounds.
This was a really fascinating session and I've already updated a number of the track pages with the more accurate info I collected in my notes. They've promised Lost Speedways III in the spring, and I am very much looking forward to it if the schedule works out. They want to talk more about Whites Beach Speedway among other things.

Alternative racing format

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2007-11-23T22:48:55Z

Thanks to Dave Riddle for the link

NEDiv council

nospam@example.com (Richard Welty) — 2007-11-04T14:33:32Z

(liveblogging)
Dave Panas asks for roll call of NEDiv regions.
Kathy McLeod calls roll
Dave Panas introduces council: Kathy McLeod (Secretary), Peter Roberts (Treasurer), Tom Campbell, Phil Henderson, George Blosser. requests approval of previous minutes.
Terry Roberts some corrections to minutes.
Dave Panas minutes approved as corrected.
Peter Roberts financial report. wishes to railroad new person into treasurer job. jerry buckbee's report from roundtable still relevant, george's budget and jerry's projections basically came true. invoices for annual assessments of nediv regions have been sent by email. will generate paper copy on request. assessments reflected agreed upon fee increases from previous roundtable, mini-con.
full report for 2007 will be made at spring roundtable.
peter greatly appreciates help and cooperation from club members as he has taken over the job.
questions?
Barry Kaplan have you heard Jerry Buckbee snickering and laughing?
Chuck Dobbs how many records?
Peter Roberts a shelf full. jerry very thorough.
Dave Panas request approval of treasurer's report. approved.
Recognizes Kathy Barnes (solo national event chair) and Jerry W (chief steward at runoffs).
George Blosser NESCCA budget. details in March. overview: staying even financially ~$7000 on hand. no major changes in program planned.
Dave Panas can anyone speak to the enduro series? no.
Can Pego Mack speak to rally? yes.
Pego Mack any questions?
Judy Blosser request synopsis of weekend memberships
Pego Mack membership required beginning January 1. Weekend membership is $5. national office recommends $15 entry fee differential, $10 to be retained by region. membership is good for entire weekend (e.g, friday through sunday.) may be applied to full membership within 60 days.
Marc Gerstein limit on number of signups?
Pego Mack no limit. limit that could be applied to a membership is $30 due to 60 day rule.
Judy Blosser administrative method?
Pego Mack region can submit electronically via spreadsheet, etc.
?? concerned that it was sprung on members.
Pego Mack brought up at national convention.
?? very concerned about notification
Pego Mack need to bring it up with Area directors.
John Sheridan brought up in RE's seminar at national convention. not warmly received by all. concerned that it works better for road racing than for solo & rally. board position evolved over summer, board decided to support it in August.
Kathy Barnes NER did trial of program this summer. when 90 day trials from summer started expiring, many converted to full membership. Kathy feels program worked well, accomplished goals.
Donna road racing scheduling - calendar updates from weekend. reminds regions of info, fees they need to provide by mid November.
June 6tth NYR - non race event friday.
June 7th MoHud one day regional saturday.
June 20th NER
August 1st, 2nd NNJR National
Tri-Region trying to move date to July 4th at Pocono.
Millville dates remain tentative until track is inspected.
Tri-region requests double at Pocono in August.
some confusion about lime rock dates.
calendar not official until december 1st.
Jack Hanifan DA Funding. formula for funding DA travel to meetings. money available for training budgets. DAs will make proposals to exec stewards who will allocate funds.
Tom Campbell review NARRC committee meetings from previous day.
15 weekends, 10 races count. new points schedule, deeper into field, cover top 20 finishers per class. still tinkering with formula. simplified track participation bonuses. bonus for core tracks (Lime Rock, NHIS, Pocono). new run group recommendation by drivers accepted with one change. dropping prize money, working out use for funds made available.
Kathy Barnes concerned about safety issues in Solo. wants REs to be aware of safety issues and take responsibility. concerned about course design standards, esp. finish area and viewing area.
Judy Blosser asked Pego to speak to safety issues for Rallycross.
Pego Mack no incidents that she is aware of. Rallycross safety committee and safety steward programs in place.
Ed Z (glen region) incident occurred, now take pictures of lots before event to document condition. points out regions that aren't permitting karts at solos, thinks this should change.
?? New Jersey laws are restrictive about this issue.
Terry Roberts registration report. online registration is improving. thanks all for cooperating on helmet stickers, now stickers are going away. some drivers like medical stickers, should continue to sell them.
has document explaining how new weekend membership program interacts with registrars. wants all registrars to charge same amount for weekend membership. trial program seems to have worked well this year. harder for workers. logistics need improvement. should not sell temp memberships to workers, program targeted at crew. non SCCA licensed drivers can race at a regional on temp membership, not valid for schools, nationals. regions must specify that they accept non-SCCA licenses and which ones they accept in their supps for this to apply.
for workers, first weekend temp membership is free. 3 year $30 worker membership available after first weekend. form not yet available online. new form with referral box, members who refer others get reduction in membership rate following year.
Online registration tracking projections tolerably. current projection for next year does not include thunderbolt coming online. There is an expected shortfall to be covered by driver licensing fees same as previous year. proposal for online registration accepted for next year.
motion about event fees, retain them licensing fees. represent income for the division, have for decades. discussion about what to use them for.
motion passed
IT 7 proposal ITA RX-7s now not very competitive, want to get the cars back out. NARRC will include IT7 for a one year trial. question about compatibilty with MARRC IT7. Proposal is for an RX7 built to IT rules but a separate class.
Acceptance of proposal moved. discussion about possible differences between MARRC and NARRC IT7 rules, apparently there are none. proposal approved.
Phil Henderson NESCCA regalia program. hats for race winners, jackets for worker awards. need to replenish trophy supplies for next year.
Barry Kaplan moves that NARRC & MARRS coordinate IT7 rules and make sure there's one set. approved.
Judy Blosser moved for Tri-Region approval for Pocono Double National. approved.
Barry Kaplan requests roll call vote.
Dave Panas asks if there are any objections. several indicate that they would have voted no.
Merideth Croucher requests info about stats, circumstances in national program.
Marc Gerstein reminds of intention that the double national only take place when there are fewer than 10 venues. with new venue about to come online, double may disappear shortly.
Peter Roberts reminds us of entries at nationals, target for entries, met average across division, but a number of tracks were well under target.
Geroge Blosser proposal for promoting National Races. end of season event for top 6 drivers per class per national point system. "NESCCA Shootout". only NEDiv races count for invitation. use last National, structure resembling NASCAR chase where all drivers actually compete but only top 6 are in shootout. 3 or more active drivers required for a class to participate.
discussion of double nationals ensues some drivers really prefer doubles for cost effectiveness reasons.
proposal not intended for approval today, discussion to continue.
Donna Nelson Ledges dual national to occur memorial day weekend. one NEDiv race, one CenDiv track.
Marc Gerstein would like improved publicity for NEDiv conventions.
Upcoming meetings
Glen Region, Ithaca, 2008 round table, march 14-16, Ramada
Mohud, Albany, 2008, mini con, nov 8-9, Best Western Soverign
2009 round table, no volunteer region yet
DC Region, 2009 mini con, no details yet
NNJR 2010 round table, no details yet
Finger Lakes, 2010 mini con
NEDiv council elections
motion to reelect current board. approved.
meeting adjourned.