Mid State of Ohio Kart Club
Board of Directors Meeting
January 16, 2007
Station House 81 – Commercial Point, Ohio
Call to Order – Mike Unger called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He indicated that the main topic of discussion would be the revision of the MSOKC General Competition Rules (GCRs) for 2007.
Attendance – In attendance were:
Mike Brannon – Visitor
Bill Bruce – Member
J. L. Clark – Visitor
Jim Clark – Visitor
Mike Dillon – Visitor (Treasurer)
Greyson Eves – Visitor
John Fox – Visitor
Beth Hopkins – Member
Paul Lyda – Member
Toni Price – Visitor
Bo Strawser – First alternate
Bob Strawser – Member
Heath Tatman – Member
Steve Tatman – Member
Mike Unger – Member
Greg Wilkinson – Visitor
Mike Yoerger – Member
There were a total of 17 present, including eight regular board members and one alternate.
Apologies for Absence – Those who had indicated that they were unable to attend the meeting were:
MaShaun Jones – Visitor (Webmaster)
Kevin Brown – Second alternate
Mike Long – Member
Bob McConnell – Member
Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the December 14, 2006 MSOKC Board of Directors meeting were approved as written.
Membership Up-Date/Treasurers Report – Mike Dillon distributed a summary of the financial position of the club.
Distribution of Club Spec Tires – At the December meeting, it was agreed that Heath Tatman and Bob Strawser would work out an arrangement for club-spec tire distribution. Heath Tatman indicated that Bob Strawser would have sole responsibility for tire distribution and that he would have sole responsibility for club-spec fuel distribution (see discussion below). Bob Strawser indicated that he would be placing an order for tires with Grand Prix Distributing in early February.
Club Spec Racing Fuel – Heath Tatman lead a discussion pertaining to club-spec fuel. He indicated that he had discussed this subject with several engine builders, none of whom recommended the use of pump gasoline. Potential concerns for this include engine seal damage, inconsistent quality, etc. Potential choices for racing fuel suppliers include CITGO, Red Lightning, Sunoco, VP Fuels, and CAM2. Of these, Heat Tatman reported that CITGO was the least expensive (approximately $6.50/gal) and most readily available. Some concern was expressed about political ramifications associated with CITGO. CITGO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the state-owned oil company in Venezuela, which is led by Hugo Chavez. After some discussion, it was decided that politics should not interfere with racing and CITGO was selected as the club-spec fuel for all 2-cycle classes for 2007 (except kid karts). Motion – Bob Strawser, Second – Bill Bruce, Vote – Unanimously approved. Mike Unger asked if the current regulations (base +/- 10) should be modified. The need for a fuel color specification was discussed. Mike Dillon suggested that 85% of 2-cycle participants (except shifters) would most likely be using Burris oil. It was agreed that no detailed specification for fuel color should be included in the regulations, but fuel color should be mentioned as a ‘tech item’ in the regulations in the event of a discrepancy. Motion – Mike Unger, Second – Bill Bruce, Vote – Unanimously approved.
Double Race Weekend in 2007 – Mike Unger summarized the results of a poll on the MSOKC forum pertaining to a double race weekend. Although 66% responded in favor, there was not overwhelming support. He suggested that if this were to happen, it would most likely involve adding a Saturday race to an already-scheduled Sunday race. John Fox indicated that he had already scheduled vacation days for the currently-scheduled Saturday races and suggested that others may have done the same. After some additional discussion, it was decided that this idea should be discussed again next year.
Date for Hog Roast – A date for the hog roast was discussed next. Heath Tatman indicated that the cook who was used in 2006 is willing to do it again, although the price may increase slightly. Mike Dillon indicated that, even if this was the case, he would still be significantly less expensive than others who were contacted last year. After some discussion, it was agreed that the hog roast should be held in conjunction with Race No. 9 on Sunday, August 26. This race is already scheduled for a qualifying format, which should leave plenty of time for the meal and other activities such as the tire changing contest, etc. Mike Unger again volunteered to organize the games. The 2007 MSOKC schedule, including the Hog Roast, is as follows:
Race No. 1 - Sunday, April 22
Race No. 2 - Sunday, May 6 (corrected)
Race No. 3 - Saturday, May 26 - Day race schedule
Race No. 4 - Saturday, June 9 - Night race schedule
Race No. 5 - Sunday, June 24 - Counter-clockwise
Race No. 6 - Sunday, July 8
Race No. 7 - Sunday, July 22 - Counter-clockwise - Qualifying format
Race No. 8 - Saturday, August 11 - Night race schedule
Race No. 9 - Sunday, August 26 - Qualifying format - Hog Roast
Race No. 10 - Sunday, September 9 - Counter-clockwise - 10 bonus points
Race No. 11 - Sunday, September 23 - 10 bonus points
Race No. 12 - Sunday, October 7 - 20 bonus points
Rain date - Sunday, October 14
Endurance Race - Sunday, October 21 (Non-points race).
Greyson Eves offered to forward the race schedule to eKarting News for posting on their website.
MSOKC Swap Meet – Mike Unger suggested that, if it is decided to hold a MSOKC swap meet in the fall of 2007, a date needs to be set by the next board meeting. A date sometime in November was suggested. Heath Tatman asked if a venue in Columbus or Circleville would be best. For Circleville, Pickaway County Fairgrounds or the Knights of Columbus hall were identified as likely candidates. For Columbus, the Franklin County Fairgrounds was suggested. Mike Unger suggested that, if the venue were appropriate, karting demonstrations could be given (test drives under controlled conditions, etc.). Mike Dillon indicated that the fee for the Franklin County Fairgrounds had been about $700 in the past. Steve Tatman and Bo Strawser agreed to contact Butch McCall and formulate a proposal for presentation at the next board meeting (ACTION 1).
General Competition Rules – Mike Unger had distributed a copy of the GCRs with draft revision prior to the meeting. He indicated that, based on the discussion at this meeting, he would update the draft so that the changes could be voted upon at the next meeting (ACTION 2). A discussion pertaining to significant items that require revision (or otherwise) included:
· The addition of a track access phone number
· Update of Board of Directors roster
· Update of race schedule (as decided at December meeting)
· Change of tire rule for 125cc Shifter class from ‘open’ to Vega Whites
· Club membership fee (to remain unchanged)
· Awarding of points for rain-out races
· Role of Race Director pertaining to enforcing Rules of Conduct
· Clarification pertaining to inspection and re-sealing of Rookie Box engines prior to the start of every season (Bill Bruce to contact Butch McCall – Action 3)
· Limitations on shifter kart class participation to experienced drivers only (i.e., discourage beginning drivers from starting in a shifter class)
· Limitations on the use of substitute drivers (see additional discussion below)
· Revisions to TAG class structure (as decided at December meeting)
· Awarding of championship points (more emphasis on feature race wins and additional points for drivers in larger classes)
· Resolution of race day points ties after two heat races
· Addition of clarification to SuperCan Novice class participation (as decided mid-year in 2006)
· Engine choices for Junior Unrestricted class (allow restricted Animal in addition to unrestricted Raptor)
· Engine choices for Junior Sportsman II class (allow restricted Animal in addition to restricted Raptor)
· 80cc Shifter class rules (Mike Dillon will draft – ACTION 4)
· Clarification on transponder use (i.e., penalties/warnings for forgetting transponder)
Of these items, the issue of limitations on the use of substitute drivers was discussed further. It was noted that complaints had been received because of several examples of excessive use of this provision in the rules in 2006. Additionally, on several occasions, the approval of the race director had not been sought or granted. Bill Bruce suggested a limit of two race days per season. It was noted that this in addition to three race ‘drops’ would account for more than half of the required nine races for the championship. After significant discussion, Bob Strawser made a motion the limit the use of substitute drivers to three race days. Second – Heath Tatman. Vote – Approved five votes for and four votes against.
Great Lakes Sprint Series at CRP – Bob Strawser indicated that there was an opportunity to add a ‘local option’ class to the GLSS event at Circleville Raceway Park (CRP) on May 18-20, 2007. Various possibilities for this were discussed. Steve Tatman indicated that he would provide an ‘eagle’ trophy for the local option class.
Pit Passes at CRP – Steve Tatman reported that CRP would use the WKA scheme for issuing pit passes in 2007. He said that this would triple the amount of insurance available at only a slightly increased price.
2007 MSOKC Banquet – Mike Dillon suggested that if the 2007 banquet were to be held at Villa Milano again, a reservation should be made soon. Regarding a date for this, Bill Bruce suggested the Friday prior to the Ohio State/Michigan game, which seemed to work well last year (ACTION 5).
Membership Drive – Mike Dillon indicated that it was time to distribute membership applications for 2007. It was agreed that electronic distribution of the membership application (website download, email, etc.) would be sufficient (ACTION 6).
Additional Non-Board-Member Appointments – Greyson Eves volunteered to be the Points Keeper in 2007. Bo Strawser indicated that Strawser was willing to be the Head Flagman again. Appointments for a grid person and a scale-house person were also discussed.
Club Sponsorship Opportunities – The sponsorship packages agreed upon at the December meeting were discussed. It was agreed that information pertaining to these packages needs to be distributed as soon as possible. Mike Unger agreed to discuss this with Layman Cobb and to have MaShaun Jones post this information on the MSOKC website (ACTION 7). Steve Tatman indicated that arrangements had been made that make the field between the track and SR 23 available for track expansion, although the track expansion itself would require approximately $30,000.
Karting Seminar – Mike Unger offered to hold a pre-season Karting Seminar again this season. Arrangements for this will follow.
Next Meeting – The next board meeting will take place Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at Station House 81 in Commercial Point, Ohio, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Actions – The following is a list of action items from the meeting:
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:35 PM.
Bill Bruce
Secretary
MSOKC Board of Directors