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SJR Race Planning Committee Meeting Minutes

South Jersey Region-Sports Car Club of America, Inc.

Minutes of the February 2, 2009 Meeting

Chairman, Bob Childress, called the meeting to order at 7:55 PM on Monday evening, February 2, 2009.

Bob began his opening remarks by stating that 2008 was a very good year and we made a few bucks in the process which did not seem possible at the beginning of 2008. We have dates for 2009 with JD and Terry conferencing with NJMP and we are looking at doing some things this year that we did not do last year.

JD went over the dates that have been scheduled with NJMP for this year. The first is our combination Drivers School and PDX on the Lightning course scheduled for March 20th, which is the classroom session, March 21st and 22nd which are the on-track days. Saturday, March 21st there will be an annual tech scheduled for 10:00 AM at Lightning, also, for those not in the race school but want to get their race cars teched. June 5th, 6th & 7th which is our National to be run on the Thunderbolt course in conjunction with a Pro IT event. We then have a short break until July 17th, 18th & 19th where we will be on the Lightning course for a combined MARRS/NARRC event. On August 21st, 22nd & 23rd is another combined MARRS/NARRC event on Thunderbolt. Then there is nothing scheduled until October 16th, 17th & 18th on Lightning which is the NJRRC event. JD felt that we have our home events are fairly well scheduled to give some breathing room. Terry stated that our partnership with Northern New Jersey region known as the JRB (Jersey Racing Board) we have identified the March event is a joint event. The National will be a South Jersey event and the July and August events will be joint events and the October event will be also be a Pro IT event with be a Northern New Jersey event. David asked who the sanctioning bodies are. Terry replied that the JRB is the sanctioning body. We should be in Sports Car as JRB.

Brian reported that we are doing an annual tech on the drivers school weekend and he has made arrangements to also have an annual tech on Saturday, February 21st at Lightning. It seems that NJMP wants their flaggers to observe this annual tech to gain additional knowledge. He will post the February 21st information.

There was a discussion about holding a flag school the same weekend as the drivers school. The classroom training would take place at Thunderbolt. This came out of a conversation that Dan Zane had with Don Colanaro (NJMP flagger) about having a general review of flag procedures for the track flag personnel. It was suggested that we contact Stan Wantland to be the instructor for this flag school. David will contact the Wantland's.

Terry spoke about the staffing for the drivers school. For the PDX and club trial, he has arranged for Matt Green as chief instructor and Matt Rowe as chief steward. He is arranging for the chief instructor for the drivers school. Terry has spoken with Jack Oliver about the timing and scoring support. Meg asked who is going to deal with timing as the PHA has expressed their support in this area. JD stated that once we have the DLB site ready to accept the workers and instructors sign ins there will be no sense in broadcasting that we are ready for this aspect. Terry stated that Dave Hoffman will act as race chair for the drivers school and he will coordinate with the chiefs of specialty from both regions just what is needed. Dan stated that he is working on getting his license upgraded so that he can act as a chief for flag and comm. The June, July and August events will have test days on Fridays - so that there will be a need to share responsibilities in both regions. Discussion centered on license grades and what events can be worked. Terry and JD will be coordinating this aspect of the events. It was suggested that those in a chief capacity get their licenses upgraded. JD felt that with the MARRS and NARRC series we should draw sufficient workers. The National could be a challenge. JD is working with NJMP to have the track flaggers participate with the idea that the track will pay for their SCCA membership and we would have a good core of workers. Terry felt that we have to work more closely with Northern New Jersey region - we have worker resources and they have physical resources - thus making this a win, win situation. The region identifies will be maintained as they are now. David wanted to know if any of those who acted in a chief capacity last year is still interested in doing the same thing this year. There being no comment it appears that all will remain in their chief capacity - Mike Murphy, chief of tech, did get an influx of new folks in his specialty. Discussion centered on how to go about increasing the information feed to our worker base. We need to cultivate our membership to come out and work. JD asked that if anyone at this meeting has any ideas on how to do this that they contact either Tom Smith or himself. It was asked if there was any response to the forms that Sue made up for the motorsports show. Meg replied that she will follow up on this. Terry reminded all about the credits you get for your volunteer status when you renew your membership - you can get up to $30 off your renewal.

Bob wanted to know if there was anything in general that we need to go over for our first event. Dan brought up about whether we should purchase radios for F & C or should we still rent. Our rent ran approximately $3,000 for 2008. Dan felt that we should look into purchasing at a cost of approximately $6,000 - maybe we should look into a rent to own program. Terry suggested that Dan and JD be a working committee on this aspect. Dan suggested that we should look into mounting a broadband UHF/VHF antenna on the Lightning building. Discussion centered on our transponder wire. JD reminded all that we have six weeks to get this done. Dan would like to have Millville Rescue on the same frequency as the flag net.

Bob asked if we had a schedule for the March weekend. Terry has a preliminary schedule and discussion centered on how to get the word out on what a PDX is. JD suggested that we pull information on this from the SCCA national website and that Michael Allenbaugh contact Matt Green for further information.

Bob asked if all the chiefs of specialty are ready for the March event. Terry suggested that we get the word out about what the drivers school requirements are and especially what a PDX and club trial requirements are.

The next meeting of the Race Planning Committee is scheduled for Monday evening, February 16, 2009 at 7:30 PM. Meeting place will be a Ventura's Restaurant on Rt. 73.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue King
Secretary

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE RACE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING - February 2, 2009

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