The SHRC AGM has been, and gone.
Ian Sykes has basically retired - to spend time with his family & mentor his grandson as he comes up through the world of motorsports (apparently he's very good on a kart).
We've managed to persuade him to stay on as President (but it took a LOT of persuading!)
Now I've notes and stuff to write up.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
SLROC Committee meeting.
I went to the SLROC committee meeting last night.
I'm in that weird position where I'm the club member who organises some of their events, but I'm not allowed to be on the SLROC committee as I'm on the committee of another Cross-Country Motorsports club (conflict of interest, you see)
Anyway... I updated everyone on the latest Scottish Cross Country Championship events:
Hope to have increased attendance figures this year.
I'm in that weird position where I'm the club member who organises some of their events, but I'm not allowed to be on the SLROC committee as I'm on the committee of another Cross-Country Motorsports club (conflict of interest, you see)
Anyway... I updated everyone on the latest Scottish Cross Country Championship events:
- Round 1 (15 March): Forrest estate.
- A 5 to 6 mile route planned , using tracks, unmade tracks, water splashes & quarries
- I was there with the Lombard Rally: VERY fast! we will need to work to keep our speeds down to 30mph max average.
- BCCC would love it :)
- Round 2 (19 April): Not known yet.
- I've been given a lead to the Quarry at Lassodie (near Kelty), which I'm following - but it needs lots of paperwork :sad:.
- Round 3 (16/17 May): Drumclog.
- Booked.
- Discussions on a route have started.
- Round 4 (21 June): Coulport
- I'm leaving that one to other people, like I did last year.
- Round 5 (22/23 August): Bathgate
- Confirmed :)
- Round 6 (20 September): Probably Innerwick
- Dates issue: clashes with SORC's Wheels in the Wood - I'll let you know more when I know more
- Round 7 (18 October): Galashiels
- Booked :)
Hope to have increased attendance figures this year.
Monday, January 26, 2009
MSA Clerks & Stewards Seminar
A useful meeting...
The first half was pretty much the same as the previous few - not a problem, always good to know I've not forgotten anything :)
The afternoon breakout session was by discipline. If I'd not pulled the SCCC Championship Co-Ordinator out of the Rally group (he's a CofC for the some of the tarmac rallies), there would have been just myself and the MSA bloke!
As it was, we had a good bleather about the SCCC regs, and ensured that we were going along the right lines. It was good, as he gave us a few suggestions and alterations to make... which can only improve the way we run the events
The first half was pretty much the same as the previous few - not a problem, always good to know I've not forgotten anything :)
The afternoon breakout session was by discipline. If I'd not pulled the SCCC Championship Co-Ordinator out of the Rally group (he's a CofC for the some of the tarmac rallies), there would have been just myself and the MSA bloke!
As it was, we had a good bleather about the SCCC regs, and ensured that we were going along the right lines. It was good, as he gave us a few suggestions and alterations to make... which can only improve the way we run the events
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The joys of old cars
OK, so at 15 years, my Disco is not really OLD, but it's definitely been around long enough for people to learn most of the foibles and delicate bits.
One thing that happens to pretty much ever mk I Discovery is that you get "Disco Door": you unlock the car, but one of the doors won't open: you need to hold the 'Lock' button up for the door to unlock.
You ask your garage - "£100-£150 repair" What?
What's wrong? a wee circular spring has broken. You can by them off ebay... for a fiver!
I've just replaced the one in the drivers door: remove the trim panels; remove the glass and frame; delve deep into the door to remove the lock... 30 seconds to replace the spring (I have a wee tool to help, after the last time I did three doors)... two and a half hours work!
One thing that happens to pretty much ever mk I Discovery is that you get "Disco Door": you unlock the car, but one of the doors won't open: you need to hold the 'Lock' button up for the door to unlock.
You ask your garage - "£100-£150 repair" What?
What's wrong? a wee circular spring has broken. You can by them off ebay... for a fiver!
I've just replaced the one in the drivers door: remove the trim panels; remove the glass and frame; delve deep into the door to remove the lock... 30 seconds to replace the spring (I have a wee tool to help, after the last time I did three doors)... two and a half hours work!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A storm in a mug
Oh, politics.... why does it have to rear it's ugly head in clubs?
I was phoned by Kilty, asking me about a posting on the MadLandy forum:
This was news to me (and as I'm part of the group that runs the Borders Hill Rally, I should have known!), so I phoned around... which resulted in the following comment to the above post:
So, after my palpitations have stopped, and my hackles have dropped, and I'm being sensible again, this is where we're at:
Experience from the SCCC has shown that if the clubs can pull together, both can benefit: Before the SCCC, SLROC was running comps, and pulling half-a-dozen entries an event. The SCCC now regularly pulls in 15+ drivers per event, and there will be more next year.
If SHRC and Marches can work together, then why can't they show the same improvements?
This IS beneficial, we just need to work at it....
I was phoned by Kilty, asking me about a posting on the MadLandy forum:
Hot off the press from last nights BCCCCCCC Dinner
The July round at Castle O'er has been dropped from the BCCC calendar to be replaced by.....................................wait for it
The Borders Hill Rally, which will make up the last round in November.
Idea is that this will leave a big empty space in July, so we can all do the Scottish Hill Rally.
John Cockburn made the announcement dressed in traditional Clan McMuddy tartan, tears running down his cheeks at the joyous news that someone else was getting the beers in.
Sad to see Castle O'er disappear as it was my favorite venue in the BCCC but I've done the Borders a couple of times and it's even better.
So long as Marches keep the Hill Rally format and don't dumb it down to comp safari, all should be good. Plus will expose more folk to the hill rallies and hopefully increase interest there.
There was vague talk of increasing the entry fee to cover the hill rally which isn't good news, but miles = money with the Forestry Commission as we already know.
The July round at Castle O'er has been dropped from the BCCC calendar to be replaced by.....................................wait for it
The Borders Hill Rally, which will make up the last round in November.
Idea is that this will leave a big empty space in July, so we can all do the Scottish Hill Rally.
John Cockburn made the announcement dressed in traditional Clan McMuddy tartan, tears running down his cheeks at the joyous news that someone else was getting the beers in.
Sad to see Castle O'er disappear as it was my favorite venue in the BCCC but I've done the Borders a couple of times and it's even better.
So long as Marches keep the Hill Rally format and don't dumb it down to comp safari, all should be good. Plus will expose more folk to the hill rallies and hopefully increase interest there.
There was vague talk of increasing the entry fee to cover the hill rally which isn't good news, but miles = money with the Forestry Commission as we already know.
This was news to me (and as I'm part of the group that runs the Borders Hill Rally, I should have known!), so I phoned around... which resulted in the following comment to the above post:
Let me introduce myself, non of this secretive `handle' names, if you going to talk about a subject that is not directly yours then use a full name - just my own thought on forums. I am Ian Sykes, President of the Scottish Hill Rally Club
I don't normally look or reply but I received emails, texts and calls about someones posting, so I joined just to respond.
I will not enter into discussion after this via forum, please email me, emails on the club's/event's website.
The open message by John Cockburn (at the BCCC diner) was on behalf of Selwyn Kendrick and the BCCC. John heads up (so I Understand) the newly formed National A Drivers association.
1 It was not intended as an announcement but a heads up that this proposal was being discussed.
2 Marches 4x4 is not the organiser of the Scottish Hill Rallies, never have been. They used to host their own hill rallies in Wales and the UK's only Baja.
3 Currently the Scottish Hill Rally Club, is the only club to succesfully host hill rallies (sometimes a struggle granted) we took over the hill rallies in Scotland 3 years ago and there has been one or more every year since 1996 (except F&M year)
4 The idea which I support but the club's committee has to ratify, is that we host the Scottish Borders Hill Rally, as our event under our jurisdiction and control. BUT it also acts as a round of the BCCC, I understand their last round.
5 The details (and the Devil is always in the detail) are yet to be agreed and a contract signed. Things like BCCC don't need navigators but you will in the Borders, vehicle class/group to amalgamate or ??. Entry fee, the cost of a hill rally is high, simply because it's a round of BCCC does not magically make it cheaper to host. Confirmed high entry numbers, as always, helps spread costs and thus reduce entry fees.
6 There will be a National B (Clubman's entry).
7 Logistically there will be a maximum number of entries, my hunch is that will be 55 to 60. Because that's all the infrastructure can cope with.
To sign off, I am all for this, I think it helps clear the July Perthshire (original) Scottish Hill rally from BCCC clashes and should increase the numbers and thus viability of both events.
Look up the web site for ACCURATE, RELIABLE INFORMATION. if its not there then don't believe it, email or call me of another committee member.
Oh and new mobile phone site at shrc.scottishhillrally.co.uk or hill-rallies.ubik.net
regards to all, hope to see you in 2009 and may it be better than the end of 2008
I don't normally look or reply but I received emails, texts and calls about someones posting, so I joined just to respond.
I will not enter into discussion after this via forum, please email me, emails on the club's/event's website.
The open message by John Cockburn (at the BCCC diner) was on behalf of Selwyn Kendrick and the BCCC. John heads up (so I Understand) the newly formed National A Drivers association.
1 It was not intended as an announcement but a heads up that this proposal was being discussed.
2 Marches 4x4 is not the organiser of the Scottish Hill Rallies, never have been. They used to host their own hill rallies in Wales and the UK's only Baja.
3 Currently the Scottish Hill Rally Club, is the only club to succesfully host hill rallies (sometimes a struggle granted) we took over the hill rallies in Scotland 3 years ago and there has been one or more every year since 1996 (except F&M year)
4 The idea which I support but the club's committee has to ratify, is that we host the Scottish Borders Hill Rally, as our event under our jurisdiction and control. BUT it also acts as a round of the BCCC, I understand their last round.
5 The details (and the Devil is always in the detail) are yet to be agreed and a contract signed. Things like BCCC don't need navigators but you will in the Borders, vehicle class/group to amalgamate or ??. Entry fee, the cost of a hill rally is high, simply because it's a round of BCCC does not magically make it cheaper to host. Confirmed high entry numbers, as always, helps spread costs and thus reduce entry fees.
6 There will be a National B (Clubman's entry).
7 Logistically there will be a maximum number of entries, my hunch is that will be 55 to 60. Because that's all the infrastructure can cope with.
To sign off, I am all for this, I think it helps clear the July Perthshire (original) Scottish Hill rally from BCCC clashes and should increase the numbers and thus viability of both events.
Look up the web site for ACCURATE, RELIABLE INFORMATION. if its not there then don't believe it, email or call me of another committee member.
Oh and new mobile phone site at shrc.scottishhillrally.co.uk or hill-rallies.ubik.net
regards to all, hope to see you in 2009 and may it be better than the end of 2008
So, after my palpitations have stopped, and my hackles have dropped, and I'm being sensible again, this is where we're at:
- The idea has merit, and should be investigated
- Marches and SHRC need to work out what's an immutable need for them, and what they are happy to move on.
- Marches and SHRC need to get together and work out an agreement that both are happy with
- We need to do it ASAP, so that fixture lists can be altered, and competitors have a chance to alter their own plans.
Experience from the SCCC has shown that if the clubs can pull together, both can benefit: Before the SCCC, SLROC was running comps, and pulling half-a-dozen entries an event. The SCCC now regularly pulls in 15+ drivers per event, and there will be more next year.
If SHRC and Marches can work together, then why can't they show the same improvements?
This IS beneficial, we just need to work at it....
Finding ground....
I'm still looking for ground for the first round of the SCCC.
It's in March, and traditionally has a large turnout. For this reason, we like to hold it in a quarry, bing, or other working site: it's hard for 30 land rovers to make a mess of a site when bulldozers and diggers are pulling stuff out the ground, and lorries are running around the roads :)
So far I've looked at 4 places, and rejected all of them.
I've got a couple of site over Glasgow way I want people to go look at, and a couple up in Fife. Kilty is going to look at a place up Dundee-way.
I have a possible backup site, but it's really not ideal: the laps would be under a mile long; parking is very restricted; and access is over an active railway line (with all the problems THAT brings)
The hunt is still on....
It's in March, and traditionally has a large turnout. For this reason, we like to hold it in a quarry, bing, or other working site: it's hard for 30 land rovers to make a mess of a site when bulldozers and diggers are pulling stuff out the ground, and lorries are running around the roads :)
So far I've looked at 4 places, and rejected all of them.
I've got a couple of site over Glasgow way I want people to go look at, and a couple up in Fife. Kilty is going to look at a place up Dundee-way.
I have a possible backup site, but it's really not ideal: the laps would be under a mile long; parking is very restricted; and access is over an active railway line (with all the problems THAT brings)
The hunt is still on....
Saturday, January 10, 2009
2009 SCCC regs are now in final draft
The Standing Supplementary Regulations for the 2009 season of the Scottish Cross Country Championship are now in Final Draft - I just need to verify the list of invited clubs and we can send them off to the Motor Sports Assocciation... yippee!
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