[Dudders]

Hi All,

I've kept quiet on this thread watching the different views back and forth and I think its great for debate in the 1/10th area and also great we have a glut of decent clubs in the South now.

Now, firstly I’d like to make it crystal clear that S & H are thrilled and delighted to have been given the prestigious honour of running two regional meetings in this our second year on the racing scene in 2012. To hold not one, but two this time last year would have been beyond our wildest dreams. We’ll endeavour to move heaven and earth to create a good meeting vibe on the day. Racing’s is what its all about.

However, being the ‘newbie’ to this, what comes with this is old baggage from previous years gone by. ‘Rules’ and ‘Gentleman’s Agreements’ that were not privy to or didn’t know. The 'rules' we have looked at and we are fine and dandy after consultation with the regional BRCA rep.

Since accepting the regional meetings it has come to light that there has been an understanding between the host clubs that they will not run any meeting whilst another regional is being hosted in the area. There are many differing views on this from many different people.

Racers from all clubs go to all regional’s to support the series. Historically (I believe) when grids have been low that agreement was a great effort by all clubs to get as many numbers as possible to each race.

However, and I hope I can speak publically for Torch on this as well. S & H and Torch were unaware of the this agreement before or during the meeting to decide venues. It was only after enquiries I made it came to light. I informed Torch of this rule in mid March. I’m not stirring the pot here, more to put on record that 'we' didn’t know anything about this agreement prior or during the meeting so the general racers can see where some of this thread has come from.

We also have the side issue of drivers not wanting to travel and not wanting to compete in the regional series. TORCH and SHRCCC (to pick the two I know) both have drivers who will not even travel the 50 minute distance to race at each others tracks, which is absolutely fine, we're both here to support them.

Clubs therefore have to support the competitive fast racers as well as cater for those who wish to bumble around the track on their weekends of work.

I think Tony’s idea of clubs able to run a 4wd only meeting on the same day as a 2wd regional meeting (and visa versa) is a well thought out and sensible idea and one that does indeed need to be discussed.

The whole emphasis is getting the people to regional’s is excellent, but we need to remember not everyone wants to do them. What’s better, people wanting to race locally sat at home not racing, not breaks parts and not using tyres or running a non competitive low key meeting?.

At the end of the day whatever the BRCA decide, S & H will run with it, but to pose the question of the BRCA. Should the BRCA support the clubs, the regional series and the grass routes level?. Is this counter productive?. I'm just asking the question, not stating, it's a good topic of conversation.

Also to confine the myth of the 7 day rule. This does not apply to regional races, only National Series. Think in the past many tracks have used the Sunday before as time to prep and modify the track for the following week. On a personal note, S & H are running the week before our regional on the Sunday and the Tuesday, with track maintained and changes on the Thursday night and Saturday (no practice allowed bar me to test the track as I am not racing at our round). These meetings have been sanctioned by the regional BRCA.

The above is all in aid of developing a good local scene for club and top racers throughout. As suggested we do have a high rent to pay (whether we race or not) which is not cheap by any stretch of imagination. It takes a lot of time and money to create and setup a race track and a lot of time and money to keep it running. To suggest S & H run the race dates they have purely for financial gain/profit is out of order and way off the mark.


SHRCCC Team.