02-05-08

 

Presidents Report


Welcome to the SCCA executive, state delegates, invited guests and observers.

I attended an Australian institute of motor sport safety
(AIMSS) seminar in Brisbane last week. This institute, founded by cams to promote improvements in the safety of motor sport, conducted seminars on head and neck restraints in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. A guest speaker at the seminar was David Black from racetech seats in New Zealand, who are suppliers to major v8 super cars and world  rally championship teams. Racetech has developed a seat for Sprintcar use and provided the seminar with the first hand footage of an incident from Williamsgrove in the USA. I was suitably impressed by his presentation and although New Zealand is a long way from Canberra, believed it be beneficial if David could attend the SCCA conference. David will address our meeting on Friday.

This Seminar was at no cost to the SCCA. As NASR is an affiliate of cams. I reflected on the changes we have witnessed in safety, and likened it to the changes made at the SCCA over the past few years. We constantly need to review the way we do business. I believe we are in a better position to achieve this now that Ross Allen has settled into his role as operation manager of Sprintcars Australia. I trust that all states will support Ross, as he has many ideas to promote and strengthen the position of Sprintcar racing. Ross will need our support to bring some of his ideas to fruition. i have asked Ross to submit a monthly report to the states member clubs. this report will enable all members to see projects will be confidential until such time as they can be made public.

Our Australian Sprintcar championship was severely disrupted be inclement weather. This not only had a financial impost on the promoter, but also our teams, fans and the SCCA. We can only hope that the date in October, which will be the last attempt to complete out title, is afforded fine weather. Contrary to some unfounded reports, the SCCA at no time abandoned out title. The SCCA worked with Steven Green and PCR on adjusting formats and dates ensuring that if PCR wanted to continue, the SCCA would support them. I am very pleased that we are still persisting in trying to crown a 2008 Australian Sprintcar champion. i trust that our race is an on going dream for young Australian Sprintcar drivers.

A small Minority of our team are making life difficult for promoters and the SCCA with their reckless behavior after race meetings. Whilst some may argue that this is not a SCCA problem, I believe that we need to at least discuss and cooperate with promoters on this issue. Perhaps our title nomination forms could reflect some responsibility should this continue to happen.

We are often asking why we cannot stop a particular race meeting, boycott promoters and ban drivers who operate outside the system. In the majority of cases, these people have done nothing illegal. Any organization can make rules and by-laws, providing they do not contravene Australian and state government laws. Perhaps if we all put as much energy into promoting ourselves as some people do in trying to prevent others, we would be in far a stronger position than the opposition.

There are many people to thank for their commitment to the SCCA during the past year. To Vivienne, Gary and Greg, whilst your roles are vastly different, your on going support is greatly appreciated. Vivienne's Secretarial, Gary's dedication with the setup of Sprintcars Australia, and Greg for his Guidance with the NOS association, and your tireless work with Jim in the Scrutineering team at both titles. Thanks to our team of stewards Phil Dickenson, Garry Winterbottam, Peter Craft and the dedicated team from the New South Wales and South Australian clubs who assisted at Parramatta and Murray Bridge.

To Bill Mann and performance wholesale for supporting the SCCA, the 360 title product and support and in allowing Phil O'Brien to attend the 360 title.

Thanks to Ian Vale, Bill and Geoff Kendrick for the support, interviewing and selection process involved in the creation of Sprintcars Australia.

Ross Allen has been extremely good to work with. Ross is coming to terms with the fragility of the industry and I believe he will be a Great asset to the SCCA and Sprintcar racing, providing we support him.

Finally i trust that all states will seriously consider and support the Stewards Seminar. We have had incidents this season that simply did not need to happen. Poor communication and paperwork leading to enormous pain for all involved. We seem to thrive on penalizing drivers for lesser infringements but are reluctant to do anything when there is negligence shown on the race track.
 

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Welcome to SCCA executive, State Club Delegates and Observers’, Ross Allen and invited guests.

I would particularly like to welcome Ross Allen and congratulate him on his efforts’ this far with promotional and marketing ventures. His ideas for the betterment of the sport are endless.

In the past twelve months I have listened to the most dissention from competitors, State Clubs, Promoters, Officials and the general public that I have heard in the whole time I have been involved with Speedway. The main topic being NASR, their rule book, their competitor/official/crew “license”, our involvement with them and whether we should continue to support them or look for our own insurance. I realize this has been a bone of contention since NASR evolved but this year has been more vocal and disapproving. I feel this subject urgently needs addressing prior to the commencement of the 2008/2009 season.

A very pleasing result for the Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship®. Congratulations to Murray Bridge the competitors and officials for a job well done.

On the other side, a very disappointing open Australian Sprintcar Championship™ but my thanks go to the promotion at TPCR, the NSW Sprintcar Association, all of the SCCA team and all the competitors for their efforts in what would have been the biggest title ever. I take my hat off to TPCR in their desire for wanting to see it through to the end. It has been a very costly scenario for all concerned. Let’s hope “take 3” is better for everyone involved. We need to be mindful of weather problems and learn from this experience for future Titles.

Gary Winterbottom has tendered his resignation as a national steward he will however continue to steward at State Club level. He will be sorely missed and I thank him for all the years and knowledge he has given the SCCA as President, Secretary and stewarding.

Thank you to SCCA executive, State Secretaries and officials for your continued support and assistance it is appreciated.

Vivienne Lewis
SCCA
Secretary