SFR SCCA Board of Directors Minutes

May 30, 2009

Location: Mike Smith’s Office

Called to order at  9:02 am by Mike Smith

Present - Mike Smith, Morris Hamm, Ed Railton, Peter Nosler, Viet-Tam Luu , Joe Riley, Fred Peterson, Bill Godwin and Sherry Grantz.  Absent: Blake Tatum

• Vintage Discussion – Bill Godwin

Bill expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to head the vintage program. Other vintage groups are encountering the same problems as SFR for entries and participation. The Vintage Motorsports Group insurance rates continue to fall as a result of not having claims. Bill reviewed the philosophy of the vintage program and the results to date. The April event went head to head with CSRG (Infineon) and VARA (Buttonwillow) which both had problems with entries at their events as well. Bill is working with the Vintage Motorsports Group for the 2010 schedule to avoid conflicts with other events. The vintage group prefers to use Laguna since it is traditional to SFR and not used by other vintage sanctioning body. Bill suggested trying different concepts for Thunderhill such featured marquee or longer races. Peter suggested an event for Teslas would be very popular. Bill suggested an October date at Thunderhill for a vintage event as well as the April event at Laguna. The Board expressed its thanks to Bill for his initiative and his creative approach to making the vintage events more successful.

• Region Administrator’s Report – Sherry Grantz

Quiet times with the race schedule. Things are working well at the office. Mike Smith said that the Region absorbed half the cost of replacing the stolen tires and rims from the April event. Laguna has been subject to thefts in the past – Skip Barber and other groups have also had lost items. The Board suggested closing the gate and stationing the security guard at the gate to monitor access after normal hours.

• Volunteer Coordinator – Samantha Corbin

Samantha submitted a report by email to the Board and a written report from the Festival of Speed event at Laguna and the race for Success event at Sacramento. There were three people at the event that volunteered immediately and began to participate. The Board expressed its desire that Samantha concentrate on coordinating volunteers and not be burdened with additional reports or requests.

• Thunderhill Report – Mike Smith

Thunderhill is working on getting the Master Plan amended for all the possible changes intended for the future. The County requested that the Conditional use Permit be amended to include the proposed changes. The wind generators also need approval and depending on approvals could be installed by July. Track rental income is down about $100,000 for the year but a lot of the reduction has been offset by cost reductions. Overall operations will be better than budget for the year.

• Secretary’s Report –Viet-Tam Luu

The minutes of the April meeting were reviewed. On motion of Peter Nosler, seconded by Joe Riley, the minutes were approved.
 
• Treasurer’s Report – Ed Railton/Sherry Grantz

The Treasurer’s report through April was reviewed. The Region’s results are close to budget. Overall costs are being contained but entry counts are less than projected. Mike Smith distributed a schedule of entries to date compared to budget and 2008. Competent Motorsports is interested in bringing a number of Porsches to Laguna to race with us. Motion by Viet Tam Luu, seconded by Joe Riley to approve the report as presented.

Updates

• Recap Thunderhill Double Regional

The event went very well from the Board’s point of view with good weather and racing. NASPORT had six entries at the event. The participants enjoyed the event and hope to attract an additional 1 or 2 cars.

• Toyo Tires

Ron Cortez indicated at Thunderhill that Toyo will continue to make the RA1 for the remainder of the year. Mike Smith polled the SM drivers to discuss the issue of allowing RA1’s for the rest of the year. There was no overwhelming sentiment to use the RA1 for the year.  The Board will continue to investigate other possibilities for a spec tire. The Board agreed to explore tire testing through Miatas in ITA using various brands of alternative tires.

• Fuel Testing

The Board agreed to request approval from the Executive Steward and Assistant Executive Steward to implement fuel testing for compliance measurement starting with the June event.

• IT Festival – July Thunderhill

Joe Riley, Viet-Tam Luu and Sherry will be the coordinators for the IT Festival race to coordinate activities for the weekend.

New Items

• Tow 1 Engine Issues

Ed Railton started working on the engine which needed specialized services for the injector pump and turbo issues. The issue turned out to be cracked cylinder heads.  Kevin Cullen worked with a local shop to get used heads installed but the engine developed a water leak at Thunderhill.  The Board agreed that Joe Riley would be the Vehicle Coordinator for the Region’s vehicles (including the Pace Car) and responsible for maintenance schedules and repairs and set a policy that all repairs be coordinated by him. 

• Dave Allen Email Re: Trophies

Trophies are being ordered based on anticipated entries from prior years. For the Sunday regional at Thunderhill, all people who requested trophies, trophies were awarded. The trophy situation is monitored and adjusted after  each event. At a prior event, Dave was unable to collect all of the trophies due him at the track and received some by mail after the event. The Board felt the current procedure as appropriate and that no change was necessary.

• Sunoco Sponsorship

Kevin Murray of MCE Enterprises has discussed possible sponsorship of the SSM class by Sunoco. Mike Smith will be discussing with the Sunoco people in the next week.

• Worker Drive Arounds at June Laguna Event

The Board discussed proposals for conducting the work drive arounds during the Laguna event in June. The program needs to be approved by the National office before the ride arounds will be allowed.

Liaison Check In

Fred Peterson RDC Update

RDC membership is up slightly from prior years.  RDC will not sponsor a dinner at the Enduro but would like to contribute ot the social cost for one evening. RDC donates two memberships to each festival race as well as 2 $75 IOPort gift certificates. George Ott will remain as Enduro Chairman for 2009 instead of Fred. The RDC is proposing to add a class for cars that would only race for 1 ½ hours. RDC is proposing to sponsor 3 cars at the next driver’s school and requested Board sponsorship of the related entry fees which the board was amenable to doing. Fred outlined alternatives for selecting the recipients of the sponsored cars. Fred also indicated that he would be working on re-invigorating the Driver Observer program.

Peter suggested a new driver packet be developed for sending to entrants from outside the Region to acquaint them with the Region’s procedures, etc.

Joe Riley - Sound

Owen Murray has located a spare sound meter that could be used by the Region if the meter could be calibrated at Region expense for about $300. The meter probably needs to be replaced since it is about 15 years old.

Next Board Meeting Date – June 25 at 6:00 pm at Mike Smith’s office.  

Meeting adjourned at  2:33 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Morris Hamm
Secretary