October Editorial

The fifth of October and it occurs to me that I have not written an Editorial for Startline. The rain is pouring down outside, so this would appear to be an appropriate time, but lets keep it brief.

Startline lacks a correspondence section for the simple reason that we receive very little correspondence and items of correspondence that we do receive are more suited to publishing in article form. On occasion the lack of input makes it seem that Tony Cotton and I are working in a vacuum, cut off from feedback. Usually, this is of relatively little importance but recently Startline has published items worthy of feedback and there has been none either directly to Startline or on the Club Forum.

You will not have to look through many Startline files to find the paper on the future of Mono1200 written by Peter Whitmore with input from Stephen Brooks. Personally, I think that this paper contains some excellent suggestions for the future of Mono1000 and Mono1400, but then I don’t own a Mono1200. The paper recognises the reality of the current situation in that the cars currently racing are not Mono1200s but 1000s. The paper suggests an exciting future with the current cars being retained as Mono1000s and a new class being formed containing cars with ‘large’ motorcycle engines. As the latter would have heavier racing weight than the current cars it would permit heavier chassis or larger drivers to race motorcycle engined cars on a more level playing field.

Much to my surprise, the debate, the feedback on this document has been nil. As there are only two directors that own Mono1200s, and they contributed to the paper, this is hardly a satisfactory way of assessing the views of the membership or those contemplating racing in this class.

From where I stand, the future of Mono1200 is a topic of considerable interest. It is a matter of record, and part of this paper, that the directors wish the class to convert to ‘standard’ engines, an ambition that is continually confounded by the entries in Mono1200F comfortably exceeding those in Mono1200S. Again, one would have thought, a topic worthy of comment by those actively racing a Mono1200.

The other matter is of less importance, feedback on the suggestion that we coordinate an end of season Saturday night meal at Snetterton has been extremely limited, far too little to proceed. Again the problem was lack of feedback, either for or against the idea. With nothing organised prior to the event, we can only hope that Sarah will be able to sort out something at the meeting.

Patrick Huston
5 October 2008

Another possible but unlikely "new" 1200 is the Formula BMW (BMW)

Saturday Night Meal? This is Gordon Ramsay's curiously titled Foxtrot Oscar resturant. Sadly, not near Snet. (Ramsay Restaurants)