Board Meeting 10September 2008

Richard Purcell and Peter Bragg attended the recent Directors’ Meeting as observers, the presence of two observers is not in accord with club statutes but as it was a consequence of communication difficulties, was permitted on this occasion.

David Cox has had a meeting with Richard Culverhouse and Hugo Holder of CSCC to review progress of the 2008 season and to discuss 2009. There were several items that required discussion, most points raised by the membership were debated. The bottom line is that there was useful communication between the two clubs and CSCC are willing to continue to provide the bulk of the MRC’s meetings in 2009, if the MRC race committee decides that they are the most appropriate provider.
Mono2000 Technical Regulations were debated. Directors considered a slightly modified version of the paper written by Russ Giles & Nick Harrison, currently published in Startline and debated on the Forum. Peter Bragg addressed the Board on this topic and argued for the early introduction of lightly modified F3 cars on the grounds of expediency and he believed allowing these cars to race with us would enlarge the grids. Directors observed that changes please some but upset others and that the timetable for change be appropriate.

After much discussion David Cox suggested that we accept the modified paper but consider bringing forward the bulk of the changes to 2009 at an October meeting.
Peter Whitmore introduced his paper on Mono1200 Technical Regulations. He outlined his view on the future of what is currently the Mono1200 class. The paper was well received & after discussion was carried forward to the next directors’ meeting. This paper is now published in Startline. Hopefully, there will be some helpful debate on the Forum.

Patrick Huston’s paper on Mono1800 Technical Regulations did not suggest change, it was not discussed further but Jonathan Baggott did suggest that pre-2000 Formula Renault cars were better suited to Mono1800 than Mono2000. A lack of technical knowledge on these cars meant that this idea needed further evaluation.
Patrick Huston presented the collated version of his survey of director’s preferences for the 2009 season. Inevitably, there were individual preferences but the survey could be summarised as a wish to repeat the currently successful formula.

Richard Purcell addressed the meeting on his views on how the 2009 season should evolve. After their experiences at Cadwell, Peter Whitmore and Douglas McLay were keen that circuits to be assessed as whole packages (track + facilities). Stephen Brooks thought that the club had to be pragmatic and choose from the circuits on offer.

The 2008 Race Sub Committee stood down as the remit for the 2008 race sub committee has effectively expired and the club required a race sub committee with a remit for 2009. With no other directors putting themselves forward for election, the 2008 committee members (Stephen Brooks, David Cox & Peter Whitmore) were elected as the 2009 race sub committee. They will organise the 2009 calendar while taking account of the matters discussed at the board meeting.

David Cox presented his paper on the club’s attitude to risk and risk management. He stated that from 2008 the club and increasing financial commitment to the championship, thus it was appropriate to review the situation. He suggested that it was not events that should be avoided, merely the financial risk. This would require the board to be innovative, to offset risk or budget for expenditure that would cover risk. Douglas Mclay wished the club to accept risk where appropriate.
It was resolved, to review situation when the championship risk position is clearer.

Patrick Huston summarised his paper on Spa (printed in Startline & debated on the Forum). David Cox was uncomfortable with the general club membership underwriting, effectively subsidising this event for non members and a small percentage of the membership. He thought that the club should not promote the event or should offset the risk by a suitable third party underwriting the event.

Directors decided not to take up the option of a race at Spa in 2009 but requested that an option be retained for the 2010 event, if possible. If we are invited for 2009, subsequent forum debate may modify this view.

Several items of agenda business were not discussed. An additional Directors’ Meeting was arranged on the 8th October to deal with deferred and incomplete business.

Patrick Huston
21/09/08