MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH-WESTERN CAR CLUBS HELD AT THE HOLIDAY INN, RUNCORN ON TUESDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2004

WELCOME

The Chairman, Bob Milloy, welcomed delegates to the meeting.

ATTENDANCE

21 member clubs were represented by 29 delegates as follows:

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were recorded from Kay Skellern (General Secretary), Gordon Pirie (RLO Cheshire & Merseyside), Mike Farnworth (Training Officer), Jack Romain (RLO North Wales), Tom Dooley (British Racing & Sports CC NW), John Francis (Dayz of Funder MC), David Bailey (Lancashire & Cheshire CC) & Martin Blackburn (Manx Motor Sport Marshals Association).

MINUTES

Minutes of the last meeting were accepted on a proposal by Steve Johnson, seconded by Bill Turner.

MATTERS ARISING

Exemption for Stage Rally drivers licences – this item is now on the agenda for February 2005. Initial details had become disjointed and possibly meaningless. Steve Johnson has requested the following revision to E2.3.4.4 ~ “Anyone who is a Grade One Marshal, and can provide proof that they have competed on a minimum of six National B events from the following: Autotest, Road Rally, Navigational Rally, Sprint, Hillclimb.”

Noisy motor-cycles – The Chairman stated that he attended a car and motor-cycle event at Elvington and did not note anything obviously noisy. The situation was continually being monitored by the ACU and the MSA Regional Committee.

Inter-Association events – the Inter-Association Stage Rally Challenge had been run on the Knutsford & DMC Plains Rally and won, yet again, by the West Midlands (AWMMC). Two ANWCC teams had been entered but neither finished intact. Despite initial interest no teams had been formed for the Inter-Association Road Rally event to be held in Northern Ireland 0n 12/13 November.

Dayz of Funder Charity Day – see separate Press Release from John Francis, Chairman of DoFMC. The event has grown and is in need of being organized by other people.

Northern Speed Championship – problems had arisen due to both Wigton MC and Longton & DMC running a “Northern Speed Championship”, causing confusion amongst competitors and also clubs where an event qualified for both series, especially if the Championship title was shortened. The MSA had pushed responsibility for sorting things out back to Association level, and after discussion it was resolved between the two clubs.

Maps 115/116 - Nothing further had been heard from the Welsh Association or MSA reference the proposal to transfer maps 115 and 116 to the WAMC.

MSA MATTERS

COUNCIL NEWS

Eric Cowcill reported on the meeting held 9th September 2004.

Money was available from grants and is to be spent on Marshalling.

The MSA were developing a team to compete on British and World Rally Championship events.

Safety plans for risk management need to be improved and implemented.

Various regulation changes have been approved – see Motorsports Now!

Regulations planned include the fitting of fire extinguishers to all competition vehicles.

Changes to helmet regulations are being discussed.

Height of roll cages above the drivers heads are being looked at, in particular with respect to Westfields and similar cars.

MSA REGIONAL COMMITTEE

Bob Milloy reported on meeting held 1st September 2004.

Much discussion over Rights to Roam issues, particularly with regard to DEFRA, LARA and access groups.

Allan Dean-Lewis and Bruce Goddard of the MSA were revisiting the Motorsport plans for the future.

Forest usage master agreement with the MSA was up for renewal – figure of £1,000 per mile were put forward. Rod Parkin, acting on behalf of the MSA, had negotiated this down to a rise of 15-17% on the 2004 figure, making the rate a little under £500 per mile. Second usage is to be held at the 2004 price. This change would become effective from 1st January 2005, and not 1st April as has been the customary date for changes.

Debate was held over clubs advising Associations of dates. It was stated that none were doing so, and there were no penalties for not doing. The MSA website was to have a live fixture list, input from clubs.

From 2006 all British Championship calendars will require Council approval.

Bill Troughear and Nicky Moffitt were re-elected to the posts of MSA Regional Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.

Allan Dean-Lewis reported on training development, club development fund, the MSA trip to China and the fact that there is still some money left for grants to be distributed.

Talks about the Child Protection Act are progressing.

Barry Guess questioned the NVQ motorsport courses being advertised at Myerscough College. It was stated that these are complimentary to, and not a replacement for, existing MSA training courses. Mike Farnworth is employed as a tutor at Myerscough, and has seen 122 people go through the course. It was stated that about 15 trained marshals were out on the Bulldog and Cambrian rallies.

Associations had been advised of dates for seminars in the next few months, dates near to the North-West included Brighouse (5th February 2005) and Llandrindod Wells (6th February 2005), with others planned for Coventry, Ilminster, Ipswich, Guildford and the Isle of Man. The seminars are for registered officials to overcome inconsistencies, especially apparent in racing.

MSA RALLIES COMMITTEE

No report.

MSA SPEED COMMITTEE

Peter Riley reported on the meeting held 26th October 2004.

The committee had received an unsigned letter regarding “funny” engines and suspension and the need to police such things. There had been discussion as to who the responsibility lay with – scrutineer, organizer or secretary.

There had been suggestions to change regulations L12.5.1 and L12.5.2 regarding engine blocks. This had ben passed to the Technical Committee.

Changes planned for E12.6.6. Appendix A, also E12.1.2.1 transmission and wheels, by adding “oil tanks”.

Other changes went through without problems!

Letter from John Symes of the MSA showed concerns that records were being broken, thereby highlighting that cars were going faster. Although it was stated that going fast was the essence of the sport, it was also noted that quicker speeds are achievable through improvements in many items. The matter was referred to the Safety Committee.

Much discussion had taken place over the classification of diesel engined cars – with lots of different systems and calculations being made

Noise was continually a problem, being monitored by both MSA and ACU.

Discussion over classification of centrally-seated sports libre cars.

MSA TIME-KEEPING COMMITTEE

No report.

CORRESPONDENCE

Publicity information from Groveland Racing of Twyford, offering hospitality units.

Flyer from Motorsport News detailing club commission for obtaining subscriptions, also requesting club details for the Club Scene page.

Publicity information about the Revival Rally, to be held later in November.

Letter from Simon Fowler of the MSA stating that the MSA fixture list is now live on the MSA website.

Database of MSA approved doctors for employ on motorsport events. This list has been issued in confidence to Club and Association Secretaries. Details of medics in your area will be given to bona fide event officials on request.

REPORTS

GENERAL SECRETARY

Kay Skellern was absent, but all items she had passed on are included elsewhere in these minutes. See also item “Situations Vacant”.

TREASURER

Eric Cowcill stated that invoices had now been sent to all clubs in respect of Subscriptions 2005 but there were some still unpaid. Reminders would be sent out.

ANWCC had paid out cheques to the value of £2408 for Mike Farnworth’s Training Days and this had been refunded by the MSA, the cheque arriving before we had paid out!

CHAMPIONSHIPS SECRETARY

Dave Thomas reported that the number of competitors and events for 2004 were well up on the last few years, and with very few problems being reported.

The website was continually receiving over 100 hits daily and was being kept as up-to-date as possible. Many of the championships had now been completed, and award winners would be collecting their trophies at the Awards Presentation Evening to be held on Saturday 5th February 2005 – details would be included in the end of year mailshot that will be sent to all competitors and club representatives.

Most events for 2005 had now been registered but there were a few obvious missing ones that would be chased up.

The Formula 1000 Rally Challenge, which is run under the ANWCC wing and for which we hold the permit, had been a suprising success and for 2005 will gain an additional series, the Formula 1000 Forest Rally Challenge.

No changes to the championships for 2005 had been proposed, but there would be additional support in the Stage Rally Championship from the Historic Rally Car Register who were keen to support grass roots motorsport and would be putting up trophies for the crew who finished highest in the championship, driving a car that complied with Historic Rally categories 1 or 2 (i.e. pre-1975).

FORESTRY LIAISON OFFICER

No report.

AINTREE LIAISON OFFICER

Mike Ashcroft reported that plans for the Celebration event were going well, with some stars of yesteryear in attendance. The Festival of Motorsport had some problems of road closures but these have been resolved, and it was expected that there would be 260 cars and 160 motor-cycles at the meeting. Huge interest had been received for historic motorsport, but the autotest demonstration would not be happening.

The paddock road was being resurfaced, and the full Grand Prix circuit would be open for the first time in 20 years.

Dates, but not costs, have been agreed for 2005, but there is no security of tenure of the clubhouse. The planned extension to the golf course had been knocked back.

The Chairman expressed congratulations to Mike and the team for all their efforts in establishing the Festival.

OTHER VENUE LIAISON

Weeton – Barriers have been obtained to block off the power station road and so prevent the oversight from an earlier event.

Blackpool area – Mark Hothersall, of Blackpool South Shore MSC, is seeking support to open several new stages for multi-venue stage rallying in the area. It was also stated that help is required to protect venues, by respecting the sensitivity and disclosure of the locations.

It was stated that a young motor-cyclist had been killed during a Motor-cycle Sprint at Blackpool. The rider was allegedly short-sighted and did not see the finish marshalling crew. The Police had been asked why they had not attended the event, and questions had been raised regarding eyesight test requirements. It was felt that this incident may lead to increased Police presence on all motorsport events in the area.

PRESS OFFICER

Nothing to report, but Katy Mashiter is available to advise clubs on media matters.

TRAINING OFFICER

Mike Farnworth can take the NVQ courses to clubs, holding them over seven evenings and including fire training. There are facilities for meetings at Myerscough College, also at Croxteth. The courses are also being taken to the University of Sheffield, assisted by Sheffield & Hallamshire MC.

Sue Sanders-Peppitt reported that government agencies are allocating money for the development of marshals. The plan has been a long time coming, but is now going ahead. There is an outline project plan for five years which includes recruitment, training and retention of marshals.

The MSA will be looking at what is in place with regards to ACU, Karting and Rallies and looking at Best Practice and common principles.

A questionnaire has been sent to every association and organization (total of at least 75 bodies). To date there have been 17 returned (25% return rate) and late ones will be gladly accepted. Continual consultation is ongoing.

The National Marshals Register is being reviewed with regard to a grading scheme review, training modules and refresh training officers.

Publicity is being given to marshalling work at exhibitions, and help with non motorsport events by motorsport trained officials is seen as good for the industry, sport and government. Incentives and ways of rewarding people are being looked at.

It was stated that under ANICC (Northern Ireland) all competitors must marshal and similar thoughts are under review for the mainland.

RALLY LIAISON OFFICER

Gordon Pirie stated that he was surprised at how much was going on in Cheshire, with a number of LE-JOG style events passing through. There were also a number of Cruise Sport events, congregating at Motorway services and traveling in convoy. All events and participants appeared to be behaving themselves and not causing any problems.

Gordon asked for a minimum of 21 days for submission of route information, to give him time to authorize the event and for the MSA to grant permits.

Gordon also advised organisers to liaise with local Police officers, in addition to HQ.

Jack Romain had tendered his apologies, but had highlighted concerns over the number of events in North Wales, having been notified of 93 in total for this year (this figure includes motor-cycle events). Concern had been expressed by Clwyd Vale MC members PR’ing their Farrington Rally and receiving complaints about a 12-car event that had passed through earlier that week. The club were not aware of any event. (Investigations have since revealed that Jack had been notified of the event, which only had 7 cars entered).

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Marshals prizes - Dave Thomas admitted to having forgotten to bring the claim cards in respect of the Drawer for the Marshals prizes, so would hold the drawer later with witnesses.

Course Cars - Sue Sanders-Peppitt asked for thoughts about the use of Course Cars on events to be submitted before February. There is talk of requiring the crews to be licenced.

Dates - for meetings in 2005/2006 require booking.

DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

The meeting closed at 2155 hours, representatives being thanked for their attendance.

AGENDA ...

... for the Ordinary Meeting of the Association of North-Western Car Clubs, which will be held at Holiday Inn Runcorn, on Tuesday 8th February 2005, commencing immediately after the Annual General Meeting which will start at 2000 hours prompt



p.p. Kay Skellern
General Secretary - Association of North-Western Car Clubs
17 Johnson Close, Henshall Hall, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 3TQ



SITUATIONS VACANT

The next meeting of the ANWCC will also include the AGM, and nomination forms for officers are being sent out with these minutes. Kay Skellern, our General Secretary for the past few years, has given notice that she will be retiring with effect from the AGM. Clubs are asked to consider a replacement to fill the vacancy. Duties include the Secretarial administration of the Association, liaison with the MSA and member clubs, recording minutes of meetings, booking meeting places and assisting with the annual awards presentation function. The secretary should also have e-mail access. All reasonable expenses will be reimubursed. All other official posts require nominations, the present incumbents are willing to stand for re-election.