The April monthly meeting of the Central New York Region of the Sports Car Club of America was called to order at 7:09PM, Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the American Legion in Liverpool, NY by Regional Executive Ed Leubner. Twenty people were in attendance.
Leubner welcomed new members Josh Fowler and Paul Johnson, both of whom are planning to participate in our first solo event of the year in a few weeks.
Karl Hughes made a motion to accept the minutes of the March meeting. The motion was seconded by Leo Sawyer and approved by unanimous voice vote.
Regional Executive's Report
Ed thanked everyone for the contributions and support for his mother who recently passed away.
National is accepting applications for grants for new approaches to events. Innovation, potential for growth, and financial viability are the key components. Karl suggested we might think of revising the 24-hour autocross charity event.
National also requested website statistics. Ed noted we receive about 1,100 hits per month, with the summer months being a little higher and the winter months being a little lower than average.
Ed noted we need to update our supply list so that we have enough wrist bands and stickers. We are looking into getting helmet stickers to help tech move a little quicker.
Assistant Regional Executive's Report
A.R.E. Mark Bizzozero reported that we need a new filing cabinet for the soon to arrive trailer because the one from the old van is in rough shape. One member indicated he has a 4-drawer cabinet available and 3 members think they have 2-draw units available. A suggestion was made that we use the 4-drawer unit in a similar way as the previous one and that we utilize 2 of the 2-drawer units as support for our registration/timing table and additional storage.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Jay Cartini submitted a report (attached to e-mail) showing a March 1st opening balance of $9,513.01. Monthly income of $427.00 and expenses of $419.74 resulted in a March 31st closing balance of $9,520.27, of which $4,603.70 are donations to the trailer fund.
Secretary's Report
Secretary Pro Tem Mark Mangicaro had no report.
Activities Report
Activities Chair Ted Barbuto announced that the Club's annual picnic will be Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the Onondaga Yacht Club. Lee Hidy noted that the car show for last year's picnic was nice. That triggered a discussion of the possibly of going as a group to one of the many car shows that happen in Central New York throughout the warm weather season. Several sites were mentioned including Hied's, Wegmans, and Cantech Cars and Coffee. However, no plans were made.
Solo Report
Solo Chair Scott Newton reported that we have ordered our new trailer! Cost for the 7x16 unit with options is approximately $5,000. The trailer will be available for pickup mid-May. Because this is very close to our first solo event of the year, we will either bring what limited items we need for a kart track event in personal vehicles or transport them in the new trailer that will not yet have logos, shelving, etc... Once we have possession of the trailer Scott will schedule an appointment for logos to be applied and he will also be looking to set a date for a build day where Club members can help install the interior items.
Newton is again hoping to have the following season-long specialty positions assigned: registration, tech, worker chief, grid/start, and timing. (waivers?)
Apex Automotive Magazine wrote a nice article about one of our events. The article can be viewed online at http://apexautomag.com/2015/10/anyone-can-autocross/
Gerrit VanVranken mentioned that we need to update our solo safety steward list.
Our first solo event of the year will be held May 15th at Cherry Valley Motorsports Park in LaFayette. Online registration is available at MotorsportReg.com
RallyCross Report
RallyCross Chair James Quattro reported that our first "Spring" event was held on April 3rd at CNYRP. Twelve diehards braved the lake effect storm and blizzard-like sub-zero wind chills to carry off a successful event. A few more intended to attend, however, the abominable snowstorm put a quick end to hoped-for long distance drives.
Quattro is looking for photos and results from the 2013 rallycross event held on the CNYRP property. If you have any of these, please share them. They would be of great historic value because that was the first competitive automotive event to be held on the property.
James also noted that we need to do a cone inventory because some in the current crop have seen better days.
Sunday May 1st is the date for our next RallyCross, when we return again to Walczyk's Farm in Weedsport. Online registration is available at MotorsportReg.com.
Flagging and Communications Report
Mick Levy reported that paving has been completed at Watkins Glen International, although some of the curbing has yet to be finished. Opening weekend at WGI is this coming weekend, April 16th and 17th. As has traditionally been the case this is an opportunity for members of the public to take their street vehicles on 3 paced laps (at highway speeds) of the track for a $25. Proceeds of the event go to charity.
Levy says there is money in the Glen's budget to add a grandstand along the esses.
Mick said he recently worked an event in Florida with fellow CNY SCCA member Bob Holcomb at Daytona International Speedway and that the event went well.
Racing Report
James Quattro reported that the Central New York Raceway Park road course is starting to take shape and that he would be happy to give tours to anyone interested. Wednesdays work best for him. You are also free to go on your own as owner Glen Donnelly welcomes the public to check out the progress.
Old Business
A handful of Club members worked our booth at the MotorExpo held March 12th and 13th at the NYS Fairgrounds. Ed Leubner handed out about 10 weekend membership passes to event-goers and stated that the biggest interest was in DIRT events. Hopefully we can get a few of the folks to give rallycross a try or maybe even a solo.
Leubner noted that a much needed revision of our charter is in progress. Several member are looking over copies and will get back to Ed. This will be discussed further at a future meeting.
New Business
John Coffin noted we need to update the website sponsorship to Burdick Ford as the Scion brand is headed for the history books.
Ted Barbuto and Rex Franklin both mentioned that automatic renewals that came due March may have encountered problems at the national level. If your membership was suppose to renew in March, please double-check the national website to make sure it went though and that any specialties/licenses you have associated with it are correct.
Jay Cartini noted that with their membership renewals this month both of his daughters are celebrating 10 years as SCCA members. Congratulations!
Karl Hughes announced that the CNY Ice Racing Association will begin... and end its season at Cherry Valley on Sunday May 22nd. All are invited to attend.
Speaking of Cherry Valley, Scott Newton said that CNY Subies will rent the track on Memorial Day, Monday May 30th, and offer cart rentals for all who wish to run with them.
Our CCC Fulton site is available to us on the Fourth of July weekend. Let Scott Newton know if you are interested in doing a test and tune during that weekend. If there is sufficient interest, he will schedule the event.
The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Jay Cartini. Jay took home the princely sum of $12.
At 8:29PM a motion was made by Lee Hidy to adjourn the meeting; it was seconded by Rex Franklin and passed unanimously by voice vote.
Our next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the American Legion in Liverpool at 7:00PM.
Respectfully submitted by Mark Mangicaro