Clutch Chatter -- March
2000
RE News
by Mark J. Badgley
As I promised last month, I will try to cover the
highlights of the 2000 Convention. There were really two
items of conversation.
The first was the issue of fuel testing. This issue
created great debate amongst those in attendance at the
Competition Board Meeting, but little in the way of
definitive answers. This will be discussed at the Central
Division level at the Worker / Stewards Meeting
this month. We should know more about how this will be
handled and administered by April.
The second issue was the validity of the convention
itself. This issue created great debate at the open forum
meeting. This horse was ridden, killed, buried and dug
back up again way too many times. If those who took the
opportunity to complain about the lack of specific break
out meetings had instead brought forth those topics that
they were so passionate about, but failed to actually
discuss, it might have resulted in some meaningful dialog.
Instead it was just another opportunity to degrade the
efforts of the organizers. After the dinner on Saturday
Night, it occurred to me that a real opportunity had been
missed. I personally left with a great sense of pride.
Peter Hyltons look at the past coupled with the
emotion of those that received various awards is really
what this club is about. I left with a sense of pride in
that past, satisfaction with the current accomplishments
and a humble look to where we are heading in the future.
On the local scene things seem to be coming together
very well at an organizational level. All of the
programs, budgets and schedules are in place. This of
course just leaves that pesky execution part, but this is
the part that we do very well. I am a little concerned
with the current region budget. As it was approved, it
shows another loss; however, I think that the individual
program budgets were fairly conservative. This should
hopefully net a slightly positive result, but it will be
close.
The Awards Banquet is set for December 9, 2000, at the
Birckyard Crossing Resort. Please put this on your
calendar for the years end festivities.
Next month, hopefully, I will be able to bring more
information with regards to fuel testing at the
divisional level and how we are going to handle it as a
region.
Lastly, please note that our April date at IRP is a
Drivers School / Regional, not a two day school as
is noted in Sports Car. In addition, we are offering a
reduced entry fee for qualified instructors. If you need
more information, please feel free to contact Sam Crites.
I look forward to seeing everybody over the course of
the 2000 Competition Season, and, as always, if anybody
would like to discuss the future of the region, please
feel free to call.
IRP DRIVER SCHOOL / REGIONAL COMING!
Race Chairman Sam Crites is returning us to our long
time traditional Saturday Driver School and Sunday
Regional Race on April 8-9, 2000. This weekend will be a
great opportunity to learn how to go racing, whether its
behind the wheel or on the volunteer worker side. Those
needing entry forms contact Sam Crites at 317-882-5721.
Those interested in starting off as a driver can contact
Indy Regions Competition Chairman, Jan
Castelluccio, at 317-898-9273. Anyone interested in
volunteering to work can contact the specific race
specialty chief or call Pete Hylton at 317-892-4206.
ACTIVITIES MEETING
Saturday, March 11
THUNDER IN THE DOME
Eat at TGI Fridays for dinner (5:00 PM) and then head
to the races. Look for the SCCA banner in the stands.
Mini Cups 6:00 PM
Go-Karts 6:30 PM
Midget Races 7:00 PM
Adults: $17.00
Children 7-12: $6.00, 6 and under: Free
For more info check out: www.thunderinthedome.com
or contact Sam Crites at 317-882-5721.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
February 15, 2000
by Bob Burns
Treasurer's Report: Cathy Hart is getting up to speed
as our new Treasurer and reports the usual negative cash
flow for this time of year.
Membership: 624 members. Budget approved. There will
be no printed directory this year, but we will pursue an
electronic directory on our website. New members will be
published in Clutch Chatter.
Activities: Thunder in the Dome Midget race party
planned for March 11. Banquet to be December 9 at
Brickyard Crossing (Speedway Motel). Budget approved.
Road Rally: Jim Bredle reported on Chuck Hanson's
behalf. Chuck has a revised budget and entry fee schedule
that was approved. The rally school
went well with 11 participants. Schedule set.
Solo: The schedule is now firm. Safety Steward
training being planned. An organizational meeting for the
BFG event is planned. Solo Kart rules to be published
soon.
Drivers School/Regional Race: Sanction applied for,
entry forms going to the printer, trophies and give-aways
selected, mailing labels purchased.
Double Regional Race: Terrence Garrett to be Race
Chairman. Terrence is working on the format for this
event and a budget is in progress.
National Race: Arrangements made for adding Pro-Vee to
the event. Much discussion regarding also adding electric
cars, but the final decision was to not pursue this idea
due to scheduling concerns.
Competition Committees: Solo and Rally already have an
infrastructure in place. Terrence Garrett to head up a
Race committee and needs suggestions
for people to serve on this committee.
Planning Committee: Yngvar Brynildssen is lining up
people for this committee and a late-March meeting is
planned.
The next board meeting will be 13 March 2000 at
Laughner's Cafeteria on US 31 South.
CALENDAR
Mar 11--Activities Meeting Thunder in the Dome
(See ad on page 1.)
Mar 13--Board Meeting, 6:00 PM, Laughners at Southern
Plaza
Mar 24--Clutch Chatter Deadline
Apr 2--Road Rally Points Event (See ad on page 6.)
Apr 2--Informal Solo School, Ft. Benjamin Harrison (See
ad on page 4.)
Apr 8-9--Driver School/Regional at IRP (See info on page
1.)
Apr 10--Board Meeting
Apr 16--Solo II Event, Ft. Benjamin HarrisonSee ad on
page 6.)
Apr 21--Clutch Chatter Deadline
Solo Report
by Dave & Cathy Hart
The 2000 Indianapolis Region Solo II program is just
around the corner. Are YOU ready?
The first event is April 2, which is only about 4
weeks from now (details elsewhere in this issue). It will
be an informal school, suitable for beginners, with a
test & tune session.
The school will include the new Kart program, which
also includes the Junior Driver Program. The Junior
program allows for competitors as young as 8 years old to
autocross karts in a tightly regulated environment (rules
elsewhere in this issue). We encourage anyone interested
in exposing their future driver to our sport (or vehicle
control in general) to get involved with this program.
Please contact Dave Hart if you have questions.
We will also be introducing the new regional level
Novice class and Street Tire class. The rules for these
classes (see below) were developed using the KISS
principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid), and recommendations
during the year for improvements will be graciously
accepted.
Novice: Indianapolis Region class. This class is
intended for competitors with limited autocross
experience. Competitors that have placed first more than
twice, in any prior season, in any class, are not
eligible for this class. Competitors that have competed
in more than 50% of the events in either of the prior two
seasons, are not eligible for this class. Any vehicle
prepared to a non-kart class, as designated in the SCCA
National Solo 2000 Rules for Solo II, will be eligible.
Scoring will be based on the 2000 PAX index system.
Entrants in this class must prefix the normal class
designation with "N" (B Stock would be NBS).
Street Tire: Indianapolis Region class. This class is
offered as an alternative to the regular classes where
"street tires" may not be as competitive. Any
vehicle prepared to a Stock or Street Prepared category
class, as designated in the SCCA National Solo 2000 Rules
for Solo II, will be eligible. The only tires permitted
are "street tires", as defined in said rules in
Appendix K, Section V, Paragraph A.23.E (minimum tread
wear rating of 140, with specific tire models excluded).
Scoring will be based on the 2000 PAX index system.
Entrants in this class must prefix the normal class
designation with "S" (B Stock would be SBS).
We now have the 2000 Solo Rulebooks. They will be
available for purchase at the April 2 event at $10 for
members and $15 for non-members.
The schedule is provided below. Some of the sites are
still tentative, but put the dates on your calendar! See
the ads elsewhere in this issue for details on upcoming
events.
Thanks again to everyone who has volunteered to help
run the Solo program this year. We will be contacting you
early this month to discuss some of the details.
We are still looking for additional volunteers to help
staff the Converse BFGoodrich Cendiv Solo II Championship
Series event. Please e-mail dave.hart@insightbb.com
or call Dave at (317) 849-2495 with your particular
interest and/or questions.
Please note the change in the BFG Solo II website, www.spec-rx7.org/~cashmo/cendiv/
Late breaking news: There will be a BFG Solo II
Workshop on Saturday, March 4 in conjunction with the
Stewards/Workers seminar in South Bend. Please see www.spec-rx7.org/~cashmo/cendiv/mailer.htm
or contact Dave at (317) 849-2495 for details. It should
be very informative, and now includes a tour of the Tire
Rack facility.
2000 INDIANAPOLIS REGION SOLO II SCHEDULE
Date(s) |
Points
Event |
Event/Site |
Apr 2 |
NO |
Informal
School / Test&Tune / Fort Benjamin Harrison |
Apr
16 |
1 |
Fort
Benjamin Harrison |
May
14 |
2 |
TBA |
Jun 6 |
3 |
Australian
Pursuit / Speedrome |
Jun
18 |
4 |
TBA |
Jul
22-23 |
5 |
BFG #4
/ Converse, IN |
Aug
20 |
6 |
TBA |
Sep
17 |
7 |
Australian
Pursuit / Speedrome |
Oct
15 |
8 |
TBA |
Karts at SCCA Solo II Events and The SCCA Solo II
Junior Driver Program
Indianapolis Region SCCA Rules and Guidelines for Solo II
Karts
by Dave Hart, Solo Chairman
Part 1 - Rules and Guidelines
Preface:
The intent of including Karts and the Junior Driver
Program in Indianapolis Region SCCA Solo II events is to
promote family involvement in SCCA activities.
Participant safety will be the primary consideration for
the conduct of the events, followed closely by the
enjoyment of the participants. Constructive participant
input is appreciated, and will be given due
consideration, with the emphasis on safety, participant
enjoyment, and competitive fairness, in that order. The
rules and proposed class structure are inherently
imperfect and attempts may be made during the season to
improve them.
Rules:
- The current SCCA Solo Rulebook (with updates)
will be used for mandatory requirements.
- The current WKA Technical Manual will be used for
general safety, kart, and engine specifications (SCCA
supercedes WKA).
- The proposed class structure listed below will be
used for Indianapolis Region Solo II events. The
spirit and intent of the class structure is to
consolidate a myriad of possible classes into a
few classes. The Solo Chairman will resolve any
"classing" questions.
- A disclaimer will be used on event advertisements
that indicates the possibility that any event may
exclude karts, or a specific group of karts, for
safety reasons. "It is the judgment of the
Solo Safety Steward whether the course design,
surface, solid objects, and type of karts running
present an unsafe mix" (2000 Rulebook 2.1.D).
The disclaimer will recommend contacting the Solo
Chairman prior to the event to determine the
likelihood of limitation or exclusion occurring.
Last place points will be awarded to all
cancelled registered entrants based on the number
of entered karts (no trophy).
- Junior Driver competitors that begin the
Indianapolis Region Solo II Points Series in a
particular class, may elect to remain in that
class for the remainder of the points series.
- Rain tires must be used if weather conditions
make the racing surface unsafe for slick tires,
as determined by the Solo Safety Steward. Rain
tires must be factory manufactured with molded
grooves. In case of extreme weather conditions,
the kart portion of the event may be delayed or
cancelled for safety reasons. If karts are
cancelled due to rain, last place points will be
awarded to all cancelled registered entrants
based on the number of entered karts (no trophy).
- Any kart racing slick may be used, provided it is
undamaged and no cord is showing, unless rain
tires are mandated.
- Karts will run in an exclusive run group in
events such as the "Australian Pursuit".
Karts will not run in the "Overall"
competition.
- There will be no provision for separate, parallel
"Ladies" kart classes. Ladies in the F125
class will use the national minimum weight.
General Information:
- The WKA has a complex class structure for
national level karting competition. Typically,
central Indiana kart organizing bodies have a
specific class structure for their events. These
class structures are loosely similar, but
specifically different, between both these
organizing bodies and the WKA. The most common
thread among the organizing bodies is a WKA basis
for general safety, kart, and engine
specifications.
- Although it is the responsibility of the
competitor to possess the kart rules to which the
kart is prepared, both the SCCA Solo II Rulebook
and the WKA Technical Manual will normally be at
the events.
Recommendations:
- Competitors that also plan to race at central
Indiana kart events should get the class
structure from the appropriate organizing body.
FAST AND FURIOUS AT THE FORT
Indianapolis Region Solo II Points Event #1
SUNDAY, April 16
Rain or Shine
Fort Benjamin Harrison
Northwest of Benjamin Harrison YMCA
5736 Lee Road, Indianapolis
2.5 miles East of I465E on 56th Street
Watch for Orange Cones and SCCA Banners
Karts Welcome!
(Contact Dave Hart for Rules)
It is the judgment of the Solo Safety Steward whether the
course design, surface, solid objects, and type of karts
running present an unsafe mix (2000 Rulebook 2.1.D).
Please contact the Solo Chairman prior to the event to
determine the likelihood of limitation or exclusion
occurring.
Registration & Tech: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Driver's Meeting: 10:45 AM
Event Start: 11:00 AM
$15.00 Members
$18.00 Non-Members
Contact: Dave or Cathy Hart at (317) 849-2495 E-Mail:
dave.hart@insightbb.com
SOLO DRIVERS SCHOOL "AUTOCROSS 101"
with TEST & TUNE SESSION
Indianapolis Region Solo II
SUNDAY April 2, 2000
Rain or Shine
(Its still March dress appropriately)
This event will begin with an informal school geared
toward those interested in learning what Solo II
Autocrossing is all about. First-Timers, Beginners,
Novices, (and of course, all others) are welcome.
The new Kart, Novice, and Street Tire classes will
debut here, along with the new Junior Driver Program.
Following the school will be a Test & Tune session
to allow school participants to practice what they have
just learned. The Test & Tune session is also open to
experienced autocrossers interested in clearing the
winter cobwebs from their vehicles (or minds), and anyone
else with the desire to have a good time.
Fort Benjamin Harrison
North of Benjamin Harrison YMCA
5736 Lee Road, Indianapolis
2.5 miles East of I465E on 56th Street
Watch for Orange Cones and SCCA Banners
Karts Welcome!
(Contact Dave Hart for Rules)
It is the judgment of the Solo Safety Steward whether the
course design, surface, solid objects, and type of karts
running present an unsafe mix (2000 Rulebook 2.1.D).
Please contact the Solo Chairman prior to the event to
determine the likelihood of limitation or exclusion
occurring.
School Registration: 7:15 AM - 7:45 AM
School Session: 8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Registration & Tech: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Driver's Meeting: 10:45 AM
Test & Tune Start: 11:00 AM
$12.00 Members
$15.00 Non-Members
RSVP is appreciated, but not required to attend.
Contact: Dave or Cathy Hart at (317) 849-2495, E-Mail: mailto:dave.hart@insightbb.com
RALLY REPORT
by Chuck Hanson
Rally School is history for this year, but you can get
the Tutorial for Novices by attending the April event
which is a joint event with Columbus Region. Columbus
Region is also joining us for the July event which is
being sponsored by long term member Turner Woodard with
an end of event party at his Wasatch Lake Resort. Plan to
bring the kids to this one. Columbus members Vic &
Pat Brunomonti are the event chairmen.
Frank Pope made a particularly valuable recommendation
at the school which I am passing on through this column.
His suggestion is that you should have a copy of DeLormes
Indiana Atlas & Gazatteer with GPS Grids ($16.95 in
the maps section at Borders). With this you should
always be able to figure out where you are. I
particularly want to thank Frank, Ken Osieki, Jim Bredle
and Julie Hanson for assisting me with writing the
tutorial as well as teaching the school.
Costs of insurance and trophies has made it necessary
to increase entry fees. The Board has approved a
recommendation that this be accomplished by raising the
fee for nonmembers while leaving the member fee unchanged.
There are eight events this year which means that if a
nonmember runs six or more it is advantageous to become a
member of SCCA.
2000 RALLY SCHEDULE
Date |
Title |
Type |
Rallymaster |
Apr. 2 |
Daffodils &
Dogwoods |
Tour |
Kurt & Dustin
Weisner |
May 21 |
|
Tour |
Julie Partridge/Deanie
Joseph |
June 25 |
|
Map |
Dave & Roberta
DeBolt |
July 30 |
Wasatch Rally |
|
Vic & Pat
Brunamonti |
Aug. 19 |
|
Twilight |
Bob Burns |
Sept. 10 |
|
Tour/Course |
Frank & Candice
Pope |
Oct. 22 |
|
Tour |
Ken Osieki |
Nov. 19 |
|
Course |
Dan Cook |
Indy Region Rally Points Event #1
DAFFODILS AND DOGWOODS
APRIL 2, 2000
The start and finish of the event is at West Hill
Plaza on State Road 46 (about a half mile west of
Interstate 65 on the west side of Columbus, IN. There is
a traffic light at the top of the hill. Turn right to
enter the shopping center on the north side of SR46 and
look for the check point sign.
SCHEDULE:
Registration: 11:30 - 12:30 PM
Drivers Meeting: 12:30 PM promptly
First car receives route instructions: 1:00 PM
First car starts course: 1:01 PM
First car completes course: Approximately 4 PM
Members of SCCA: $10
Nonmembers: $20
Concept of the rally: This is a Time-Speed-Distance
touring rally. Enjoy an easy drive through Bartholomew
and Brown counties during their spring glory. All roads
used on this rally are public roads, all are paved.
For further information: Charles Hanson (317) 780 -
9007 (Leave a name and phone number if you get voice mail.
I travel a lot.)
From the Directors Desk
News from SCCA Area 4 Director Pete Hylton
www.petehylton.org
NOTE: The St. Louis Double Driver School scheduled
for March has been CANCELED due to continued track
construction.
2000 GCR and Specification Books
Your Indy Region Competition Chairman will be ordering
2000 GCR and Specification Books for this coming racing
season. Jan Castelluccio will be placing an order with
the National Office on March 13, 2000. If you would like
to order a book, please complete the form below and mail
it to Jan before March 6, 2000. Jan will have them at the
April Driver School/Regional and/or you can make
arrangements to pick them up at another SCCA activity or
event. Please Note: Jan says hes not going to be
running a delivery service or mailing them out, but hell
make sure you can get your order picked up.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
with Aeron Hylton
Ken Stiver was on the road to the Daytona 24 Hours in
February. Ken managed to pull together the necessary
sponsorship at the last minute and climbed into a Spice-Chevy
belonging to RaceStar Motorsports. Making it possible
were Mike George & Associates of Brownsburg,
Benchmark Surveying & Engineering of Brownsburg,
Bonnell Grain Handling of Winamac and Pharos Truck
Stop of Shippensburg, PA. These companies were rewarded
with a fifth place finish in the Sports Racer class in
the world famous event. Ken continues to work on a
sponsorship package for an IRL effort with the ultimate
goal of an Indy 500 drive.
The Phillips and Gilbert rally team took a third in
class in the annual Ohio Winter Rally which was an
appropriate run in the snow this year.
THE CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE: 1973 Triumph GT6, British Racing Green. Runs
good and looks good $1800.00. 1971 Porsche 911 Targa.
Complete, but doesnt run. $1500.00. Call John
Holman at (812) 333-1623. (3/00)
WANTED: Westside racing supply outlet needs additional
person of many talents. If you think somewhere the phones
ringing off the hook when theres still packages to
pack and the UPS guys due any minute sounds like a
fun place to work, we want to hear from you! Fax your
resume to (317) 271-7951. Wit and originality score
additional points. (2/00)
FOR SALE: ITS Mazda MX6 racers available 1999
Motorola Cup Touring Class winning cars, Most fully
developed Mazda MX-6s in country with over 13
Professional Victories, 1995 ITE & 1997 SSA NEOHIO
Regional Championships. Very Reliable (finished 27 out of
28 races in 1999), Nelson Ledges time of 1:17:00.
Excellent starter car ready to win in ITS. $7,500 each or
better if buy both. Many spares and wheels also for sale
to last whole season. Please contact Will Nonnamaker (330)
497-4484, ext. 23, North Canton, OH. (2/00)
You Might be a Racer IF
by Ricke Katko
- You have had a longer lasting and more satisfying
relationship with the UPS Guy than any of your
former wives.
- You have ever paid your Mastercard bill with an
advance from your Visa card.
- You think the phrase "good head" is
synonymous with Brodix.
- You think spending quality time with your
significant other is having her help you bleed
the clutch and brakes.
- You have ever used kitchen appliances like the
oven, dishwasher, or freezer for other than their
intended purpose.
- You think a "family reunion" is the
SCCA Runoffs at Mid-Ohio.
- Your order of household expenses in descending
order starts like this: Mortgage, Racing Slicks,
Food,.......
- When you call Summit to order parts, they address
you as "Mr."
- You receive a Christmas card from Hoosier Tire.
- You own more than two torque wrenches and one of
them is in in-lbs.
- The last book you read was in paperback and
published by H.P. Books.
- You've always associated the phrase "being
blown" with super-charging or turbo-charging.
- Your garage has a security system but your house
doesn't.
- You own a set of mil-spec safety wire pliers and
know how to use them.
- Your hearing is degraded to the point that you
can't discern that your wife is speaking but you
can tell that the lash on the #6 intake valve is
too loose.
- The vehicle you enjoy driving the most spends 97%
of its life on jack stands.
- People tell you your car is on fire and you reply:
"It always does that."
- The horsepower rating of the motor on your air
compressor is greater than the horsepower rating
of your lawn mower.
- When your wife rides with you in your passenger
car, you think of her as screaming ballast (the
worst kind).
- You have a turkey baster in your toolbox but have
never basted a turkey.
- You own Tupperware but do not store food in it.
- You know how to degrease a cat or dog.
- The neighbors all know you but you have never met
any of them.
- You think Tim Allens T.V. show is a
documentary series.
- All your friends wives or girlfriends see you as
a threat to their happiness.
- You think Fine Cuisine is a double bratwurst at
Road America or a McTrueman breakfast sandwich at
Mid-Ohio.
- Your top ten greatest movies of all time list
includes: Two Lane Blacktop, Winning, Le Mans,
and Grand Prix.
- You subscribe to at least three of the following
publications: Autoweek, Car and Driver, Circle
Track, Road and Track, and National Speed Sport
News.
- Your favorite authors are Carol Smith and Paul
Van Valkenburg.
- You have 347 satellite TV channels but only watch
one, Speedvision.
- The only cologne you have ever worn comes in 1
quart plastic bottles with an SAE viscosity
rating.
- At work, people seek your automotive advice
despite the fact that there is a piston on your
desk with a large hole in it.
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