[SECC] New Autocross Group

[J&D Bird]

There is on going discussion of having one CORSA autocross group. By doing this there could be a group all non-autocross clubs would know is available for help in conducting an autocross. For instance the autocross is being conducted by the local SCCA club which is going to charge a fee and a local club held the autocross in Lexington last year. By having a larger autocross group it is felt resources could be combined. By having a larger group it will be easier to talk with different facilities to hold an event such as Roebling Road where we could maybe have enough people to rent the track.

Below are some of the e-mails that have been going back and forth and your comments are gladly welcomed. The SECC will still exist and nothing locally will change. Hey I just got elected President why would I want to give that up so quick? Like I said if you have any questions or comments please let them be heard.

Thank you,
Donnie Bird

Hiya--

[On this distribution: CORSA President, Jack Pinard of So. California, and 
Donnie Bird, President of SECC.]

We have had a request from a group from Southern California to form an 
autocross group there. It seems to me that CORSA should have one autocross 
group nationwide. It could be a loose confederation or group of regional 
special interest groups. Organize it similar to SCCA with regions around 
the country. NECC, SECC, and the Southern California guys would start as 
regions. Add more as needed.

There wouldn't have to be any hard and fast rules as far as CORSA 
membership, etc. as each region could establish their own. Treasuries and 
regional business would continue as it has in the past. This loose 
confederation would make it attractive to long established groups like NECC 
and the newer groups such as SECC and the So. Cal. people.

This would merely be a umbrella group to deal with the special 
opportunities and problems with the racers' community. Site, insurance, 
rule changes would all be part of their responsibility. They would work 
closely with the CORSA Comp Chair. Maybe integrate the Fast Vairs e-mail 
group into the new umbrella group.

At the recent past conventions, the local chapters have been hiring a SCCA 
region to administer the autocross. Because of the expanded member base, 
this new group could run the autocross each year for a fee. Both SECC and 
NECC have timing equipment. CORSA wins because all of the group know the 
CORSA rules. And the group wins by keeping the money within the Corvair 
community.

It would also be ONE point of contact between CORSA membership and the 
racer's community. Instead of our average member dealing with three groups, 
they would have one place to have their questions answered. I think this 
alone would serve to grow the participation in each region.

This would formalize events like the racer's workshop, so that CORSA could 
provide more assistance in areas like publicity. NECC is not even a 
chapter, so its addition to the group would solidify the relationship 
between NECC and CORSA, which in turn, would make the advertisements CORSA 
has provided as a courtesy in the past, a requirement.

Your thoughts?

--H


At 03:29 PM 6/14/2005, JACKPINARD at cs.com wrote:
>Thank you for giving so freely of your time and information in our phone 
>conversation today. Please forward this note to Sarah Beltrani, Seth 
>Emerson and anyone you feel understands what I am proposing.
>As you know, Ventura County Corvairs has sponsored autocross for several 
>years at Camarillo Airport, Ventura County, California. We picked up the 
>baton after Inland Empire Corvair Club had to drop autocross. We are the 
>only chapter in California sponsoring autocross. As such we draw entries 
>from most So Cal chapters and occasionally from Phoenix and Northern 
>California.
>There are a few of us who work had to keep the Corvair Spirit Alive with 
>autocross. Yet we find it difficult at times to gain the support of 
>chapter members who do not participate and do not seem to understand the 
>special management and finances of this automotive sport. Although every 
>event we have held has made a profit, once the funds get in the chapter 
>treasury other claims are made upon it.
>So what I have discussed with a few Corsa members is the formation of a 
>Chapter dedicated solely to autocross and racing. It would require Corsa 
>membership of all members, hold only an annual meeting for the purpose of 
>elections, publish a newsletter perioidcally, maintain its own financial 
>accounts, own required equipment and be incorporated. My suggestion has 
>received strong support from AXer's.
>Question 1: I am retired and will be moving to a Lebec, CA  address. If I 
>formed a Chapter in Lebec members would maintain their membership in home 
>chapters.
>The mileage to other area chapters would be:
>Ventura County Corvairs 80, Corsa West of Los Angeles 62, South Coast 
>Corsa 97, Vintage Corsa 108. Inland Empire Corviar Club 139, Coyote 
>Corvair Club 166, San Diego Corvair Club 207, Central Coast Corvair Club 
>140, San Joaquin Corvair Club 155. Members from these chapters have 
>participated in Camarillo events.
>In addition we have had entires from: San Joaquin 155, Central Valley 249, 
>Classic Corvairs 352, Sacramento 330, Silicon Valley 318, San Francison 
>Bay 312, Las Vegas 355, Phoenix 456 and Tuscon 566.
>What are requirements for such a chapter?
>Question 2: Harry suggests a Special Interest Group may be appropriate 
>rather than a chapter. What are requirements to organize?
>Question 3: Harry says Sarah has experience with SouthEast Corvair 
>Council. Please explain its purpose and how it is managed. (I supported 
>the assembling by Jenn and Scott Wheeler, Vintage Corsa, of a Master 
>Calendar of So Cal Chapter activities. It has proved useful in its first 
>year, but is for information only.)
>Please keep this request confidential until I am informed of options and 
>can draw support without angering any members who might feel we are taking 
>from them.
>I participate in parades, economy runs, museum visits, concours, picnics 
>and of course my highly successful Poppy Run. All are fun for owners and 
>help to Promote! Promote! Promote!  An autocross group will maintain that 
>tradition.
>Thanks again,
>Jack Pinard
>Ventura County Corvairs
>Past president
>Winner of First Corsa "Best Chapter Newsletter" Award
>and proud to be Sarah correspondent

|--------------------------------------------------------------
| Harry Jensen  mailto:corsa at corvair.org
| CORSA Executive Secretary
|
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.vv.corvair.org/pipermail/secc/attachments/20050616/3fa91677/attachment.htm