Reluctantly, thank you.
On a serious note: We have tire discussions and other supplementals starting in a few weeks. I hope this time we can address it quickly and avoid bully pulpit discussions of non-relevance. Before I begin these I will do the research and outline what options are available so we can stay within those bounds.
Also, we have a unique situation next year. The runoffs are at Laguna and this for most is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It does not matter if you get 35th out of 36 cars (where I will most likely be). The chance to race in the "bigs" is unique. We need to make sure that we have a large contingent from Oregon show up and do what they do in Laguna. I don't see why we can't have 8 or more SM cars represented. And yes, Kyle, we will support your B-Spec effort as well as every other class. If you can't take a car down there consider signing up to crew for someone who is going. Maybe you will get a free ride and other perks. Our group has been great about supporting each other and that support will be necessary at Laguna.
In most regions there is maybe one hot shoe in a class. We are a unique group in the United States as Oregon has not only some of the fastest drivers in the country, but also a whole bunch of them. Look at the depth in the SRF and SM fields: In each there are 5 - 7 drivers who are capable of a national championship win. I would like to see Oregon go down there and not only fill the podium, but also surround it. We all have a duty to help make this happen. Additionally, there was some buzz Saturday night about getting some of our awesome workers down there. I support that concept, feel that we have a number of workers who have earned the right, and want to see this happen. Think about how you can help in this department.
The other thing I am going to ask of all of you is help with the school next spring. As far as I am concerned the school encompasses three things: Recruiting of people to enter the school, putting on a great, safe, and preparatory school, and retention afterwards. Please go recruit your friends, cousins, shoestring relatives, and some guy in the parking lot who looks like he has enough money to race (women also, especially those with rich husbands that want to pour money into SCCA!) Blow off work and come help with the school. Then after the school, adopt a newbie. Help them with tire pressures, let them follow you a few laps in practice, and get them hooked and up to speed (then go beat their a@#). The bigger the car counts the cheaper the entry fees.
Regarding the discussion above, according to the GCR the Stewards report only to SCCA. This does not mean they are omnipotent but they are kind of like the Judiciary and necessarily so. While I cannot control I can advocate positions and success with the Stewards will really depend upon relationships. They are good people and try to do their best. Some of you might have noticed Saturday night that I ate with a couple of Stewards. I intend on developing great relationships with them and we have already agreed to spend a lot of time together prior to next year's school so it runs smoothly. After all, they issue the licenses and are the final word, we just put on the school. Our volunteer crowd is great and unless someone pipes up with valid reasoning for not doing so, I want all of them to continue in their current positions. Another thing I ask of you is to do something special for a volunteer. Adopt them, give them a gift certificate for a meal somewhere, or just simply say thank you. Without their help you don't race.
While SM is important to SCCA, it is only one of the contributors that make it work. Equally important is every single car and driver that generates an entry fee. You may not like every decision made, but please assume that every decision is at least supposed to be for the good of the Club overall and its long-term success. That means that every group ends up at some point in the year with a crummy schedule. The main thing is let's all go have fun, share the toys in the sandbox, and drive fast.
Terrell
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I just hope that come Rose Cup and other events where all SM drivers paddock together, that I can throw my B-Spec in with everyone, otherwise it's going to be hard to split the team in 2 to try to field the SM and the B-Spec from separate areas in the paddock.
