Boy oh boy was July busy….and it’s not even done yet. I write this just before heading off to Kansas City for my first face to face meetings with the Club Racing Board (CRB) and the Board of Directors (BoD). This will be the third consecutive weekend that I’ve been away from home. The good news is I have a very understanding wife…..I’m sure I’ll find out what the bad news is once I buy it for her.
Video Conference Meetings:
- CRB (7/6): Once again, mid-season, pre-Runoffs CRB meetings can be very mundane. This one was no exception. In addition to the regular agenda, we had time to discuss agenda items for the meeting in Kansas City on 7/30.
- Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC)(7/14): Our meeting had to be cancelled for a variety of minor reasons.
- BoD (7/26): Our regular Zoom meeting was cancelled as we will be meeting in person on 7/31. I’ll report about that meeting next month.
- Rally Cross Board (RXB) (7/27): Due to some staff changes in Topeka, RXB is now under different management. The group discussed these changes and went over preparations for the National Championships, rules changes for 2022, etc.
SCCA Events:
- GingerMan Raceway (7/16 to 7/18): Friday was a Track Night in America (TNiA) event and the rest of the weekend was filled with a Time Trials National Tour event. While I’d attended a couple of the TNiA events before, this one was the first where I was there just to watch and see how the event was put on. On the other hand, I had never attended a Time Trials event and was really looking forward to seeing how that was operated. The good news for a guy trying to learn how these events work is that Jon Krolewicz and John Hunter (Time Trials Managers) were both at the track for this one. They were very helpful and took time to walk me through their system. They clearly know what they’re doing as the event went off without a hitch and everyone who attended had a great weekend. This program fills a slot on the racing continuum between Solo and Club Racing. If you like to tinker with your car and go fast on a race track but not in a “wheel to wheel” format, this is the program for you.
- Pro Solo @ Toledo Airport (7/23 to 7/25): Once again, I was faced with attending a type of event that I had never been to before. While I had participated in several Solos over the years, this was a different type of critter. They use two, mirror image courses and drag strip style start lights (Christmas tree). Drivers run twice on both courses during each of three heats. The best times from each side during the 12 runs determines the winners in each class.
Way back in March, I reached out to Charina Jones (Northwest Ohio Region RE) and asked about attending so I could observe the process. She pointed me towards Scott Dobler. He and his team operate out of Topeka. They schlep the trailers from place to place to support the events. I arrived Friday afternoon at about 2p, checked in and met with them as they explained the event details. The event went off pretty well with only a couple of minor hitches. Scott’s team and the locals from NWOR could not have been more gracious hosts. They answered all of my questions and were very helpful. Scott even asked me to hand out the trophies on Sunday. I will investigate entering one of these next summer. It looks like too much fun to pass up.
Just as July was very busy with lots of trips, August will be a bit more relaxing. I only have one trip planned and that’s to Grattan Raceway to support my local club (Western Michigan Region) and work our Major Club Racing event. After that, September and October have me going to a Solo at Grattan Raceway on Labor Day (9/6), the Runoffs (9/24 to 10/3) and the RallyX National Championships (10/15 to 10/17).
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have about any facet of the GLDiv. I want you to make the most of your membership and I will help out in any way possible to make that happen.
Dayle Frame
