July Fastrack

[erlrich]

http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastra...track-july.pdf

So, because we didn't want to go national we now get left out of Fastrack?

just kidding...

[DavidM]

Meh. 2.5 cars to go to the runoffs. Whatever. Just as well IT isn't a part of that mess at the moment.

David

[planet6racing]

You know, I wrote a letter and provided information, and it's not even discussed in the FasTrack!!

I know, I know, it'll be in the next one. But, I really wanted to see my name in print!!!

[lateapex911]

Bill, we're doing some "housecleaning stuff" let's say, right now, and letters have been delayed a bit, sorry.

Also, did you guys see this?

Item 2. Effective 11/1/08, change section 9.3.19.A as follows:
Driving suits that effectively cover the body from the neck to the ankles and wrists. One piece suits are highly recommended. All suits
shall bear an SFI 3.2A/1 or higher certification label or FIA 8856-1986 or 8856-2000 homologation. Underwear of fire resistant material
shall be used except with suits carrying FIA standard 8856-1986 or 8856-2000 or SFI 3-2A/5 or higher (e.g., /10, /15, /20)
Certification Patch.

[planet6racing]

Bill, we're doing some "housecleaning stuff" let's say, right now, and letters have been delayed a bit, sorry.

No worries, Jake. The ITAC has nothing to do with my letter.

[lateapex911]

And, here's the task force comments from the BoD, for those than haven't seen it.

:BOD/CLUB RACING TASK FORCE SUMMARY
In response to declining entries and volunteer support for both the National Racing Program and the SCCA's Championship Event
(Runoffs), a Task Force was established to review these programs and make recommendations on how interest in them might be
renewed. The Task Force which consisted of representatives from the Board of Directors (BoD), the Club Racing Board (CR and the
National Staff reviewed the programs, and along with extensive member input received over several years, made its recommendations
to the Board of Directors. The Board at its May 10, meeting reviewed the Task Force recommendations, accepting some and rejecting
others.
The Board recognizes that change is always welcome for some and difficult for others. The Board also wants to provide member assurance
that the path to be taken will be straightforward and will be stable over a reasonable period of time. For these reasons, the Board
required a larger consensus, a minimum of nine votes, for approval of each item in the proposal. Moreover, the Board is committed
to seeing this program through without any substantive changes for at least the next three years. A few minor points are still to be
resolved, but none will have any substantive changes to the program.
In the course of the Task Force's review, a number of items were identified that could be implemented for the 2008 Runoffs. None of
these items would involve eligibility or the racing program, but would seek to improve the hospitality of the event. The significant
changes in the racing program included in the Task Force proposal, and agreed to by the Board, would begin with the 2009 racing season.
The Task Force report included a number of recommendations ranging from minor changes to the existing program to a major overhaul
of the entire program. The Board reviewed each item being proposed and voted for or against each. The proposal to include
Improved Touring (IT) in the National program generated considerable discussion. At the conclusion of this discussion, the Board voted
to not include IT in the National Racing Program, but because many IT drivers support IT as a National class, the Board will task the
CRB to develop a simplified path for some IT classes to progress, with necessary modifications, to the Limited Preparation National
classes.
Consolidation of classes was also a key item in the report. With the current 30 National classes, not all can be accommodated in their
own race because of time available at the Runoffs. In addition, opportunities for new classes such as those using biofuels and hydrogen
energy sources must be made possible for the future. Consequently, the Board has agreed to a consolidation plan that would
begin with the 2009 season and will result in 23 race groups. The top 10 classes with the highest participation numbers based on
the 2008 results will be guaranteed their own races, and the remaining classes may experience a race combined with another class.
The latter would be based on the number of entries and car compatibility. For 2010 and beyond, there will be 21 National classes
and 21 races at the Runoffs.
Specific consolidations for the 2009 competition year include: CSR and DSR, and SSB will be split between SSC and T3. For the 2010
season, the present class structure will be changed to the following 21 revised classes: SM, SRF, CSR/DSR/S2, GTL/GT3, FP/GP/HP,
GT3/DP, GT2/GT3/BP, FF, T1/ST, T2, T3/SSB, SSC/SSB, FV, GT1, AS, FA/FB, FC, EP, F5, FE, and FM. Obviously, competition adjustments
will need to be made by the Club Racing Board for some cars to ensure parity, and some current classes will need to be split
between two or more new classes to minimize competition adjustments
Beginning in 2009, in order to qualify for the Runoffs, drivers must start and finish four races, two must be in their division of record,
and points may be counted from a driver's best seven finishes. Also, the week of Runoff racing will begin on Tuesday with three days
for qualifying followed by three days of racing. Section 9.1.12 of the GCR will continue to be utilized to determine the retention or inclusion
of the various car classes as National classes.
The Board discussed whether or not to retain the current Club Racing program which provides for the Regional and National racing
structure as compared to a program that would involve "just races." The latter would involve all races being equal but having Divisional
Championships, a national points system or a combination thereof to select Runoffs entrants. While a change to the traditional
Regional/National race concept had some support, the Board voted it would be best for the program to retain the current system.
The Board understands that because the program entails significant changes in many areas which will directly affect many of our competitors,
these changes may cause concern. Furthermore, the Board understands these concerns and will strive to make any needed
transitions as smooth and painless as possible.
Once again, the Board is committed to this program, without significant changes, for the next three years.

Bill, that's good, because I was scratching my head wondering where your letter went!

[Knestis]

Bill, we're doing some "housecleaning stuff" let's say, right now, and letters have been delayed a bit, sorry.

Also, did you guys see this?

Bullshit SFI stuff makes me want to puke. But I'm the only one, I guess.

K

[Chris Wire]

So, because we didn't want to go national we now get left out of Fastrack?

just kidding...

Yes, and we get left out of the 2008 Club Racing calender as well. I hadn't paid much attention to it until the other day, but there is not an IT car to be found in the entire calender. Seemingly innocuous but it makes me mad just the same.

Every manner of car from FV to Rallycross to SM and Pro-everything, to butt-ugly A/Mod autocrossers are all included, but the classes with the finest racing in the club has no representation. Curious.....

Sorry, I know I'm off topic, but crap like that just bugs me.
[/vent]

[erlrich]

Bill, we're doing some "housecleaning stuff" let's say, right now, and letters have been delayed a bit, sorry.

Also, did you guys see this?

Um, did I miss something? Wasn't that from the June Fastrack?

[mustanghammer]

Yes, and we get left out of the 2008 Club Racing calender as well. I hadn't paid much attention to it until the other day, but there is not an IT car to be found in the entire calender. Seemingly innocuous but it makes me mad just the same.

Every manner of car from FV to Rallycross to SM and Pro-everything, to butt-ugly A/Mod autocrossers are all included, but the classes with the finest racing in the club has no representation. Curious.....

Sorry, I know I'm off topic, but crap like that just bugs me.
[/vent]

I noticed it and then threw the calendar away. Yes, it was insulting to me too.

[ddewhurst]

Bill, did you receive an auto response that your letter was received? Please call me with reference to the Isaac devise. Two of us in the phone book I live in Tosa on 67th street.

Thanks

How can you guys be all excited that were not included after being hardened by all the give & shove on this site. Shucks, my buddy Kenny's Spec Miata showed up in Grassroots Motorsports Mag this month, they even mentioned his name & accomplishmet at a Midwestern Council race. Maybe we belong to the wrong sanctioning group.

[Knestis]

The prevailing sentiment here was that folks didn't want to have anything to do with IT integrating into the bigger picture of club racing ("going National"). You want respect? Or do you want us to be allowed to be basically autonomous to the rest of the program? There might be a connection.

I'm just askin'...

K

[Beran]

Is it a typo?
T3 number 3.
"Volkswagen GTI, classified in TB 08-01,"
Should it be "classified in T3"?
Also, 08-01 is this 2008 to 2001?

[JeffYoung]

The latter for me....but I think you knew that....

I likey my rebel outlaw regional class run by Kickin' Kirk, Jivin' Jake, Awesome Andy, Joshin' Josh, etc.

The prevailing sentiment here was that folks didn't want to have anything to do with IT integrating into the bigger picture of club racing ("going National"). You want respect? Or do you want us to be allowed to be basically autonomous to the rest of the program? There might be a connection.

I'm just askin'...

K

[shwah]

ONE sentiment here was that folks didn't want to have anything to do with IT integrating into the bigger picture of club racing ("going National").

Fixed that for you. There was more than an small contingent that felt otherwise.

It's too bad that a vocal group that is afraid to have a higher level of competition is able to hold back the category as a whole.

[Gary L]

Fixed that for you. There was more than an small contingent that felt otherwise.

It's too bad that a vocal group that is afraid to have a higher level of competition is able to hold back the category as a whole.

Chris - I think "prevailing sentiment" is in fact the correct description. It was over 2 to 1 against going National, in the poll held on these pages. That's not just a "vocal group", rather a very clear cut majority.

[erlrich]

Fixed that for you. There was more than an small contingent that felt otherwise.

It's too bad that a vocal group that is afraid to have a dramatically increased cost of racing is able to hold back the category as a whole.

Fixed that one too

[erlrich]

The prevailing sentiment here was that folks didn't want to have anything to do with IT integrating into the bigger picture of club racing ("going National"). You want respect? Or do you want us to be allowed to be basically autonomous to the rest of the program? There might be a connection.

I'm just askin'...

K

Autonomy, with a side of cole slaw please...

[JeffYoung]

But if I don't get my way, I'm going NASA and starting Spec TR8!

[lateapex911]

Boy, you guys sure do jump on red herrings quickly, LOL. They must be tasty.

Jeff...in long past discussions with the CRB, when we were just shooting the s8it, and the national thing came up, the issue of IT being run by us, (as opposed to the CRB and the BoD) came up, and it was met with 100% absolute certainty that if IT were to go National, that nothing would change in regards to the ruleset and the running of the category. (that's the CRB's position) Now, of course, we haven't really sat down and had actual official meetings over it, and the suggestion was tuned down by the BoD, but, that's one concern that I don't share.


I know, call me naive', but remember, i'm on the inside and know the characters.