Board Meeting, 17 June 2009

Apologies were received from Stephen Brookes and Russ Giles.

Race Committee. Peter Whitmore reported on the championship situation following the abandoning of the Donington Park meeting. To date, the BRSCC had been unable offer a suitable venue and date. Directors' opinion was that the BRSCC has a limited time to produce something appropriate to our needs. Peter observed that competitors required their entry fees returned. MSA regulation C(a)59 (A68 in 2008 Yearbook) is clear, race organisers of abandoned meetings are required to return the entry fees to competitors.

Some directors were not confident that any race offered by the BRSCC would include an acceptable race programme.The Race Committee had considered using the non championship meeting at Mallory to replace the lost Donington Park round. Unfortunately, the time scale was too tight to satisfy MSA requirements. Additionally, three successive races at Mallory Park is not ideal. It was noted that the BRSCC had changed the published date, the date agreed with our competitors, of our Donington Park race day without consultation; while the problems of satisfying the MSA requirements when seeking to replace the lost round were considerable. The Club Administrator commented that if one competitor, registered for a championship, objected officially to a change from the published list of events, then the meeting could no longer count towards the championship.

The meeting considered alternative race organisers and alternative tracks: SEMSEC for Brands Hatch and Lydden Hill, but Lydden Hill meetings are half day events, accommodating two additional races would be a problem. Entering the Lydden Hill single seater event could be an additional benefit to competitors racing at this venue. Directors also advocated use of the CSCC, and BARC,and MG Car Club meetings. Given the current situation, it was suggested that the classes may have to race on different dates and/or at different venues.The end of the season, late September to mid October is already busy, with two double header meeting. One possibility advocated was racing in November.

There will be no changes in the classes racing in 2010.

Following the Donington Park debacle, some directors were concerned as to the profile projected by the MRC to clubs that organise race meetings. Views could be summarised as those who thought that our full grids merited better treatment, while others thought that our menagerie approach to classes attracted adverse comment. The Secretary observed that some would consider the MRC inferior as long as the club raced various types of car in one class. He considered full grids a priority. It was agreed that publicity material be produced directed at race organisers.

When discussing the topic of publicity at race meetings, it was suggested that our classes can be publicised with a 'sandwich board' containing the details of the adjacent car. The board could be circulated around (willing) members of each of the classes.

Social Committee. In the last season and a half, Stephen Brooks has raised the profile of the club by moving it's hospitality unit central stage, (central paddock) and literally flying the flag. While in his tenure the hospitality unit had become a nucleus for competitors and visitors at the circuit. While recognising the work, and welcoming the improvement wrought by Stephen, the directors appreciated that situations change, and considered it the appropriate time to transfer this operation into Simon Davey's hands. The directors thanked Stephen for all his work over the recent seasons

Jonathan Baggott was pleased to report that the Mallory Park BBQ was a success in all respects. He thanked Stephen Brooks and Tony Cotton for the websites publicity, Simon Davey for ticket sales, and his uncompromising salesmanship and his (Jonathan's) friends for cooking and serving the BBQ with special mention for Mike Hinman. Ewan Sergison for setting an appropriate mood with his disco, the weather, the club membership and finally the management at Mallory Park for their wholehearted co-operation. The BBQ made a profit.

Technical Committee. The Roadmap for the 2000cc cars was discussed, topics being: throttle body fuel injection, 24mm or 25mm inlet restrictor, throttle body fuel injection, sequential gearboxes, Formula Renault, performance and position of Mono2000 and Mono Formula in the 2000cc class structure.
It was decided that, subject to updating, the roadmap will proceed broadly as planned into 2010.

The use of F3 engines within the club introduced the topic of 102 octane fuel. Directors were aware of 100+ octane fuel being used illegally in non monoposto championships and thought that the only viable option was to continue to restrict the fuel used in Monoposto Championships to 100 octane pump fuel (the RON maximum being determined by the MSA for pump fuel).

The 1800 rep. thought that the position with regard to Mono FF1800 Zetec exhaust systems needed to be addressed for the 2010 season. Arguments were advanced as to the advantages of these cars being raced in standard specification, and in ‘Monoposto modified specification’, with the cars modified to improve performance and/or driveability. The Club Secretary and Club Administrator gave examples that showed that unmodified cars could comfortably exceed the lap times of the fastest modified Monoposto cars. They suggested that the specification of our cars should not deter those with cars of standard specification joining us. (Editor’s note: Monoposto traditionally allows those who like: ‘messing about with racing cars’, to do so.)

Websites. The editors of Startline were happy with the articles in hand and pleased that there had been a recent increase in the number of members contributing race reports and articles.

Financial. The Treasurer regretted the financial loss that the abandoned Donington Park meeting represented to the club.

Club Administrator. The Club Administrator regretted that the abandoning of the Donington Park meeting had meant an absence of race reports for Track and Race Car. He intended to fill this gap with profiles, including photographs of our presentable young drivers (Editor. Has Simon contacted you?). He intended to do something similar with the more mature membership at a future date............

Other points from The Club Administrator's Report:

• A shortfall in membership c.f. 2008 is now seen to be related to fewer new members joining the Club. Mono Classic 2000 numbers (previously a concern) have increased recently.
• The results of the merchandise survey, Simon intended to take the preferences expressed (full zip fleeces, umbrellas and T shirts) forward by obtaining quotes from suppliers. He noted that the membership preferred good-to-high quality products.
• The Prize giving event survey showed that there was a preference for a formal evening function after Christmas. Suitable venues were being contacted.
• There were several late withdrawals of entries at Mallory, only some of which we were able to replace by reserves. Especially in the current situation where race entry numbers are somewhat lower than budgeted, but the cost of races to the club is fixed, it was felt that the club must stick to the normal practice of not making entry refunds for withdrawals later than three days before the event. A Forum item explaining this to members will be drafted.

Patrick Huston
Club Secretary
20/06/09