RENO SCCA MINUTES

October 6, 2004

 

Dave called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.  New member Norman Higo was welcomed to the meeting; Norman joined SCCA San Francisco Region, and is a Reno resident.

 

Attendees: Dean Benz, Debbie Kerswill, Matt Roy, Scott Perry, Dick Lewis, Annie Lewis, Mike Kapic, Joanne Kapic, Christine Capen, Larry Capen, Lee Mitchell, Teri Geck, Jim Geck, John Townley, Lucas Kunze, Jim Kunze, John Riggs Jr., Deb Goins, Kyp Johnson, Dave Deborde, Patty Evans, John Evans, Greg Benson, Matt Benson, Mike Mulhall, Jim Uchytil, Heather Money, Eric Gangloff, Norman Higo.

 

Secretary Report:  Dean moved we accept the September meeting minutes; Scott 2nd. Carried

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Matt reported a beginning balance for the Solo II checking account of $14,794.15.  Expenses for Solo II for September were $2,628.15; income was $3,179.00, which included fees from the August and Labor Day events; Solo I beginning balance was $2,065.28.  Expenses for Solo I for September were $793.75, which does not include the October Solo Trials event site fee; no Solo I income was included on this month’s report.  Two CD’s for $8,220.60 & petty cash for $100.00, September ending balance is $24,937.13.  Matt is working on a cost analysis report, by event, to be available by end of year.  Patty moved we accept the report, Dean 2nd.  Carried.

 

Old Business:

Reg. Championship Solo 2 Event #14 & 15 @ Lovelock: Dave thanked Matt Benson and Jimmy Geck for chairing their first event; he was impressed by their attention to details.  Group agreed the course was very fun, and Saturday night banquet was enjoyed by many.  Matt thanked Dave, Larry and others who arrived early to help put up the course. 

 

Solo Trials – Aug. and Oct. events:  Greg Benson thanked those who participated and supported these events, he appreciated everyone’s cooperation and willingness to do whatever it takes.   Greg and others refined the course, and applied painted marks on the pavement to indicate placement of key cones for future setup.  Much interest was shown in Solo Trials this year, Greg hopes to get even more people involved next year.  The Oct. event had a number of new participants, including 2 from the Bay Area.  We also saw more off-course incidents, resulting in damage to some airport lights.  Dave noted that a number of drivers are pushing the limits, and when we have ‘offs’ we need to back down a notch.  Larry thanked Greg for all the hard work on Solo Trials.

Lee prepared some Solo I statistics – looking to get a feel for where we are starting next year. 

- 6 events across 3 weekends, with 40 different drivers

- 11 drivers attended all 6 events

-          10 drivers have race suits; 8 drivers are using window nets, 7 drivers are using arm restraints

Lee said he had no significant difficulty with vehicle tech readiness, only 1 questionable vehicle that made corrections, and the remaining were legitimately up to road race specs.

 

New Business

SCCA is backing out of ProRally and ClubRally in 2005.  The SCCA Board of Directors made this decision due to high risk in these events, causing insurance premiums to be significantly higher than other venues.  SCCA is working with Rally America to take over the operation of these activities.  SCCA will continue to sanction Rallycross and Road Rally.  Additional information is available on the SCCA website.

 

Discussion of the double-fatality at Thunderhill Racetrack last Friday that occurred during a qualifying event.  It was reported a car on the back straight made contact with an inside wall, traveled across the field to turn 7/8, and made contact with another car.  Despite heroic efforts of other drivers and track officials on the scene, both drivers did not survive.  It is probably too early to know if any track changes will be made as a result of this accident.  Scott Perry attended a track event on Monday, and noted there were barriers added near this area.   This is a tragic reminder of the risk involved with motorsports.

 

Solo National Championships in Topeka, KS.  Dave said the results (of Reno competitors) don’t reflect their performance.  Despite how we finished, it was a great event, and Dave is ready to go back next year.  Dean also noted it was alot of fun, but is hoping for a better course surface by 2005.  To prepare drivers for 2005 National-level events, Dean is proposing a 3-run challenge in our 2005 Solo II season, which would be in addition to our normal scoring.  If interested, please let Dean know.  Debbie also commented on participation in the Pro Solo Finale and found it a fun and challenging variation of Solo II. 

 

SCCA Runoffs, Ohio.  The Debordes, as well as Loren Enstad, worked at the SCCA Runoffs in Ohio.  Dave reported it was a great event at a beautiful track, with tons of camaraderie and an excellent opportunity to see a number of races in a short period of time.  This race may move to Heartland Park in Topeka KS, after 4 more years in Mid-Ohio.  Dave also mentioned the SCCA is very close to announcing site plans concerning event sites in Topeka. 

 

Lee Mitchell is racing at a Vintage Race at Laguna Seca Raceway on Oct. 29-31, let him know if you are interested in crewing for this.

 

Dave invites other interested Reno members to join him and Carol at the Western States Shootout (enduro event now hosted by Racing Drivers Club), Nov. 5-7 at Thunderhill Motorsports Park.  This event needs workers in all specialties, they have great facilities, they feed you, camping and showers available.  If attending, be prepared for rain.

 

Reg. Championship Solo II events 16 & 17 will be held at Stead Airport on Oct. 9-10.  John Riggs, Jr, and John Riggs III are the event chairs.  They have planned a fun end-of-season event which includes prizes for 16th fastest PAX (Saturday)/17th fastest PAX (Sunday); closest to guess-your-own-time; best poker hand; closest 2nd place finish.  On Saturday night a social activity is planned, details will be available at the event. 

 

2004 Awards Banquet:  flyers were distributed during the meeting; they are also available for download through www.renoscca.com.  Banquet will be at Amelia’s Restaurant, $30/person (same price as 2003).  Please let Dick and Annie know if you can donate prizes for door/raffle prizes, the Lewis’ will arrange for pickup if needed.  Think about asking your sponsors, employers, or those you have done business with this season to donate door prizes.  For example, Peggy Jones is donating a nail job (manicure). 

 

2005 Elections Nominating Committee.  Doug Driver will participate in the nominating committee; Jim Uchytil was also requested to be part of this committee.  A brief description of positions and roles for the upcoming election are included in the September newsletter.  Also seeking recommendations on by-laws changes.  As an example, Jim Gandy has proposed we have a definition for spending limits and approval procedures for club expenditures over a certain dollar value.  Dave prepared a draft of this proposal and will be reviewing this with Jim.  We would like to have ballots with nominees and proposed by-laws changes available by November, to allow for ‘campaign time’ before the election – scheduled for the General Membership meeting on Dec. 1. 

 

Walk on Items:

2005 Event scheduling committee:  Dave requested committee volunteers, to meet and establish 2005 event schedules.  Schedule planning should include Solo II events, Solo Trials, Race events, research site locations, consideration for the Snake River Challenge (we are host region in 2005), determining the number of events and whether we will hold drivers schools.  Committee will include Dave, and Solo II and Race Activities Directors John and Greg.  John Evans volunteered. 

 

Dick Lewis asked the group if there is interest in a gimmick or Monte Carlo-style rally.  Based on interest from the group, Dick will look into this for next year. 

 

Discussion related to publishing event results, which includes listings of driver and car information.    New car owners are advised to be aware of their warranty requirements when participating in events; however, Solo II is not defined as a race and should not be construed as an activity that can void a warranty.  Several ideas were discussed on long-term direction for publishing results.  Dean proposed we do not change our procedures for the remainder of this season, but give thought towards a process for next year.  For additional details on this topic, contact a Reno Region board member.

 

Moved to adjourn by Patty, Annie 2nd.  Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm

 

Respectfully submitted by:  Debbie Kerswill, filling in for Carol Deborde.