While Matt's "campaign" may have inspired additional focus, I am convinced the outcome would have been the same regardless. The Fred Clark "proposal" floated at the SEDIV Mid-Year meeting was, from the start, just an idea to spark conversation about possible solutions to a problem encountered by multiple regions. Fred was also at Friday night's meeting and apologized to all for having initiated the furor by his poor choice of words ("proposal" vs. "idea"). Add in the fact that his "idea" was misunderstood by almost all that read it and the situation got even worse.
Where I lost it was because Matt (and his invisible sources) refused to accept that there was NO proposal to be voted upon and did not allow for the possibility that PERHAPS they may have misunderstood. Throw in his bullying rhetoric, constant ridicule of volunteers and threats of physical abuse topped off by his apparent disregard (or lack of comprehension) of his own RE's January newsletter article, and I'd finally had enough.
The reason Atlanta Region is working with surrounding regions to conduct the Labor Day events in Nashville is because it's the right thing to do. Not every region can suddenly acquire 2000 members and the infrastructure to host racing events even if the DO have a facility in the backyard. But Alabama, Chattanooga, TVR and Tennessee have expressed an interest in building interest in racing among their membership while we "control" the Labor Day dates and need their help to put on an event - I believe that's the definition of a win-win situation. We had already looked into the possibility of running at Nashville (I ran Chattanooga's Time Trial there last October primarily to see if the facility will work for road racing - it will) and when the Labor Day dates became available last Monday we jumped at the chance. Matt's tirade(s) had absolutely nothing to do with our regions working together to provide a better program for all SCCA racers.
Yes, we all need to be aware of what's going on that affects our sport. Lord knows there are enough personality differences/clashes that can sometimes appear to inhibit progress, but we also need to have respect for those who volunteer their time and energies to help make it all happen. Everyone won't be happy with every decision that's made, but at least try to understand WHY the decision was made the way it was.
Now that I've found this board I'll use it to improve Atlanta Region's racing program. We've already tossed around ideas for the 2006 Pro-IT series and I think it'll be better because of the changes we've made. I also became aware of a concern about running our ECR's first thing Sunday morning, so we'll be looking at that for July (I'll post a separate thread for that).
As far as Mr. Weisberg, I now know what he is and will react accordingly in the future. If he's indeed joined the Stewards program as rumored (yet to be confirmed), then perhaps he'll gain a better understanding as to how much work actually goes into making a race weekend happen and display a bit more respect for those who work together so (us) racers can play. Then again, maybe he won't. Doesn't matter either way...
Butch K[r]ummer
Butch Kummer
Former SCCA Director of Club Racing (July 2012 - Sept 2014)
2006, 2007, 2010 SARRC GTA Champion
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