The February meeting of the Central New York Region of the Sports Car Club of America was called to order February 12, 2014 at the American Legion Hall in Liverpool at 7:15pm by Regional Executive Scott Newton. There were 14 of us on hand.
R.E. Newton talked about upcoming auto shows where we might have displays, with the Auto Expo at the downtown Syracuse Convention Center imminent, February 13-16. Cars lined up for the show are our new Member-of-the-Year Mark Bizzozero's Mini and Gerrit VanVranken's Mazda3. Scott lined up volunteers to man the club display and hand out CNY-SCCA flyers, and all seemed organized for logistics and equipment.
There was also discussion of putting on a display at the Syracuse Motorama at the Center of Progress Building at the Fairgrounds March 22 & 23. And there was talk of a tire-changing "competition" for entertainment. Lee Hidy offered the use of his mini-sprint for the remove-one-wheel/tire-then-put-it-back-on contest. This just might work! More on this at the March meeting.
Assistant R.E. Ed Leubner mentioned a new SOLO class which will broaden the activity's appeal among some hot-rodders, a class for "Classic American Muscle" cars. He may bring out his refurbished and re-powered early Mustang. Ed also talked about efforts to gain new autocross sites, although none have really born fruit yet, including attempts to gain access to a site in the back part of the Green Hills Shopping Center property, some space on the lots at Turning Stone, and something at Hancock airport. Efforts continue, and help would be appreciated.
Treasurer Jay Cartini asked if there were outstanding bills to be paid, and reported we still had some money. Although we're not rich, all seems in order.
Secretary pro-tem Jon Coffin asked if anyone had corrections or additions to minutes as posted on the Club website for the December meeting. With none noted, Mike Donofrio moved, and Rex Franklin seconded that the minutes be accepted as published. Vacationing Secretary Bob Holcomb continues to tease us about flagging in Florida. The Daytona 24 Hour is done, and Sebring is coming up in March. We're looking for Bob to return to us in April!
On SOLO, Chief Bizzozero is checking into the availability of Shoppingtown, with new ownership, and planning on events at Cherry Valley in Lafayette, and one (or two) at the microd track west of Cortland. SOLO events firmed up include a van cleaning the first weekend in April, and a SOLO Safety Steward training seminar an hour before our May meeting at the Legion in Liverpool.
Activities Chair Rob Sgarlata noted 35 people came out for our banquet in January at Borio's, and he wants more. The people at the meeting, generally, were the people at the banquet, so talked about some possible different approaches in marketing with phone calls and postcards, perhaps a fancier place, moving back to Saturday evenings, lining up a guest speaker. Rob is interested in ideas, yet the people at the meeting expressed thanks to Rob for a job well done. Sgarlata also wanted to thank event sponsors Solo Performance Specialties, Racer Parts Wholesale, BESTBrakes, Grassroots Motorsports, and Carvel of Dewitt.
We missed Mike Gagliardi so had no new news on Central New York Raceway Park. Scott, and several other club members, attended the Hastings Town Board meeting January 7, and Scott spoke up on the value of the CNYRP facility to the town, and to the area and its auto enthusiasts.
Rex Franklin moved our meeting be adjourned, with a second by Lee Hidy, at 8:35pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Secretary pro-tem Jon Coffin.