1 reply to this topic

[Tom Maycock]

Posting the following on behalf of Ed Locke, Regional Executive of Chicago Region. This is a letter that went out to all Spec Miata competitors at the 2011 June Sprints.

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Dear June Sprints Competitor,

We are all very aware that an operational error in the Group 3 race at the 2011 June Sprints led to a disappointing outcome for several competitors. Chicago Region SCCA prides itself in the quality of all of our events, and especially the June Sprints, one of the largest amateur road races in the world, and one of the best run. 2011, however, saw an exception to our established standard of excellence.

We extend a sincere apology to those affected.

We feel that the best way to express this is to identify where improvements can be made and corrective actions applied, and to provide an event for 2012 which showcases the excellence that is expected at the June Sprints. For example, a new procedure has been implemented Division-wide requiring the Operating and Back-up Stewards to physically check each car as it begins its pace lap against the Grid sheet, and also to ask the Grid personnel to confirm that the order is correct. If the order is not correct, the Stewards will stop the pace lap to reorder the cars into their correct positions. The Region has also discussed the mechanisms by which Steward assignments are made.

We hope that you will join us in 2012 so that we may demonstrate our desire to provide you with the best that Club Racing has to offer.

We know we have work to do, and we are committed to doing what we must to reduce or eliminate any issues that were identified from this year’s event. We know, for example, that the cost of the spec fuel was, understandably, a major concern for many. The Region Board has committed to working more closely with the track to establish a more acceptable per gallon cost, or else to abandon the requirement for Spec Miata for 2012.

We look forward to seeing you at a future Chicago Region race and certainly at the 2012 June Sprints.

Yours, for the sport –
Ed Locke, Regional Executive
on behalf of the Chicago Region SCCA Board of Directors

[Mike Collins]

I applaud the letter Ed sent, unfortunately it took a long time to get this. Being involved in the letter writing campaign and countless phone calls about my personal and the classes dissatisfaction with the June Sprints, Ed took the time to personally call me more than once. I hope that the Chicago Region and the Central Division look to promote more people like Ed. Most of the folks I had the opportunity to deal with during this process were arrogant and lacked the fundamental ability to deal with the problem. I encourage the Spec Miata drivers in the Central Division to get involved in the process of selecting your leaders and please select them on there ability not there popularity.