The Chairman, Bob Milloy, welcomed delegates to the meeting. He welcomed the association president, Allan Dean-Lewis, in his role as MSA External Affairs Executive.

ATTENDANCE

18 member clubs were represented by 23 delegates as follows :

Bolton-le-Moors CC (Steve Cawley), BRCA (Jim Spencer), British Rally Marshals Club (Mike Farnworth), Bury AC (Richard Murtha, Horace Saville), Caernarfon & Anglesey MC (Jim Jones), Ecurie Royal Oak (Nigel Bayley, Kev Skellern), Formula 1000 Rally Club (Alistair Dodd, Tristan Dodd), HRCR (Stan Appleton), Ilkley & DMC (Stan Appleton), Kirkby Lonsdale MC (Katy Mashiter, Bob Milloy), Liverpool MC (John Harden, Ron Hunt), Longton MC (Mike Ashcroft, Peter Riley), Motor Sport North West (Mark Wilkinson), North Wales Car Club (Dave Thomas), Potteries & Newcastle MC (Eric Cowcill), Stockport MC (Mark Wilkinson), Warrington DMC (Ann McCormack), Wigan MC (Helen Fox, Martin Fox).

Officials present were : Allan Dean-Lewis (President), Bob Milloy (Chairman), Ron Hunt (Vice-Chairman), Eric Cowcill (Treasurer), John Harden (Aintree Liaison Officer), Katy Mashiter (Press Officer), Dave Thomas (Championship Secretary), Stan Appleton (General Secretary).

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were recorded from Steve Kenyon and Terry May (Garstang & Preston MC), Steve Skepper (Knutsford & DMC), Richard Duddell, Gordon Pirie (CTRLO Cheshire & Merseyside).

MINUTES

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record on a proposal by Eric Cowcill (PAN) seconded by Mike Farnworth (BRMC).

MATTERS ARISING

Helmet straps – MSA has confirmed that the correct fastening of helmet straps has been covered in a scrutineers’ bulletin.

Stage Rally restarts – A lengthy email from John Richardson was read, confirming the present policy aimed at avoiding crews ‘picking and choosing’ which stages they would tackle and retaining reliability and continuity as important factors in rallying.

Toyo Tyres – Dave Thomas had received no reply from them.

Limited company status – Bob Milloy had discussed this with Regional Committee colleagues. There was no advantage for ANWCC in becoming limited.

MSA MATTERS

Allan Dean-Lewis reported on the newly-adopted MSA Child Protection Policy and the implications for all clubs. This would apply to all affiliated clubs and licensed officials from 1.1.2007. It would give reassurance to those with responsibility for minors as well as protecting officials themselves. There were a small number of mandatory requirements; all clubs must adopt the MSA guidelines, and all clubs must appoint their own Child Protection Officer. There was hardly any ground for dispensation and none that was likely to apply to mainstream clubs.

The Child Protection Officer to be appointed by each club may already have had a Criminal Records Bureau check for other activities, but that CRB check isn’t portable and they would need to have a further check, funded by MSA. The CPO would need to have an awareness course, not provided nor funded by MSA but probably available via the club’s local Sports Council. Use of the British Motorsport Trust funds would be investigated. It is acknowledged that it could take 12 months to fully roll out, involving potentially 4000 CRB accreditations.

Policy is still being developed and Allan is keen to hear of questions and issues from clubs. National clubs would need only one CPO acting as a point of contact. There would be no expectation of CPO’s to attend all competition or social events run by a club. Photography was a tricky issue in motorsport but accredited professionals would be expected to sign-on, including acceptance of the MSA Policy. There was a role for CPO’s in raising awareness of appropriate behaviour towards those who haven’t reached their 18th birthday or who are “vulnerable adults” covered by the Policy. Having no club members under 18 would not give exemption from the scheme.

Tristan Dodd (Formula 100 RC) and Jim Spencer (BRCA) both gave valuable illustrations of how attention to Child Protection issues had helped to develop their clubs along sound lines.

National Motorsports Week had been launched late but nevertheless many clubs were involved. Clubs were free to use any of the images on the CD at any time as there was no copyright.

The Volunteers in Motorsport project ran until June. Display stands were still available for loan from MSA and could be updated as necessary.

The Cadet Marshals scheme was on hold pending roll-out of the Child Protection Policy and was unlikely to be passed by Council in time for the 2007 year.

The Club Development Fund was still available with an application form on the MSA website. Clubs were encouraged to phone Allan to get advice before

The deadline for Club of the Year and Marshal of the Year was confirmed as 1.10.2006.

The planned revision of the Blue Book would be just a cosmetic overhaul for 2007 with a major rewrite for 2008.

The concept of the Rally Elite and Rally Academy is to be expanded into racing.

COUNCIL NEWS

Eric Cowcill reported the appointment of a new MSA General Secretary, Robert Jones. He reminded delegates of the responsibilities of Stewards if they consider events to be under-marshalled.

A Motorsports Foundation is to be created, as a charitable body covering issues such as provision of training.

Fuel testing was discussed and is to be introduced in a number of disciplines.

Stewards have been given a ‘hotline’ phone number to check the validity of claims for non-production of a competition licence.

Concern has been expressed at the use of internet chatrooms for pursuing grievances, undermining marshals, organisers and officials. Some marshals have already been lost by spurious accusations.

The red flag race procedure is to change, if accompanied by the chequered flag.

MSA REGIONAL COMMITTEE

Bob Milloy added to the items already covered. The transfer of CAS (route authorization) to MSA is ongoing. Fees may rise.

Nat A and Nat B timekeeper grades are to merge. Delegates asked for clarification as to whether rally start traffic lights were deemed to be automatic, needing accreditation. Eric Cowcill confirmed that they were not, unless they also had a beam for detecting jumped starts. Marshals who simply press buttons on clocks aren’t timekeepers

The inter-association autotest has passed. ANWCC had no team at the PCT. The inter-association road rally is the Powerush on 25/26 November whilst the stage rally is the Tour of Mull.

Insurance costs of doctors are rising; MSA cannot cover this because of the potential costs arising from malpractice claims.

NERC rules on rights of way are becoming complex. Best advice is to speak to Simon Fowler or the County Access Officer.

It is understood that deferral of any possible changes to K37 means that any car with a current stage logbook will remain valid until 2010.

MSA SPEED COMMITTEE

Peter Riley reported on the meeting of 6 June 2006.

Wheel-nut retaining clips are likely to be checked at startlines.

Debate continues on the need for reverse gear in the roadgoing classes.

Section L of the Blue Book will be uprated for 2008.

CORRESPONDENCE AND SECRETARY’S REPORT

Applications for association membership had been received from Amman & District Motor Club and from Lindholme Motor Club. They were both accepted by delegates.

Jim Spencer (BRCA) had written a paper seeking a fairer, more transparent way of notifying the acceptance of entries than that currently required by the Blue Book. He explained that although entries had to be acknowledged promptly they did not have to be either accepted or rejected until quite close to the date of an event. If the entry was then rejected it gave the competitor insufficient time to enter an alternative event on that date as the closing date may well be past. It was added that some clubs would bank all of the fees in the meantime before returning a fresh cheque to those rejected. As well as being unfair on competitors it was also unfair on those clubs who were unable to take a late entry from the rejected competitor. Although this related primarily to speed events a wider discussion was held on rally entries too. Bob Milloy agreed to put a paper to Regional Committee.

REPORTS

TREASURERS

Eric Cowcill reported that invoices had been sent out to clubs for their 2007 affiliation fees and their championship event fees for 2006. Another regional association had incurred a VAT liability because of training transactions; we act as the representatives of the MSA with a mandate to deliver training to their officials. We could also show that income from the Motorsports Development Fund exactly matched our expenditure.

Dave Thomas raised the problem of a club which had refused to pay its event invoice because it claimed not to have been in the ANWCC championship, despite ample evidence to the contrary.

CHAMPIONSHIPS CO-ORDINATOR

Dave Thomas reported 386 registrations to date. 72 sets of event results had been received so far, some speedier than others ! Many clubs were now printing off their own labels from the association spreadsheet. He had become involved in a dispute about the classification of a crew on a particular event and reminded the meeting that his responsibility was for the championship, event queries must be taken up with the organizing club.

The awards evening would be held on 3 February 2007 at the Holiday Inn, Runcorn. Dates forms for 2007 had been sent to clubs with their 2006 invoices however a significant number of emails had ‘bounced’ from obsolete addresses.

There was a possibility of a regional Endurance Road Rally championship in 2007 but care was needed not to undermine the fledgling Torqbar championship. A push was needed to raise the number of registrations for both the PCT and Historic Road Rally championships.

The marshals’ draw gave awards to : Matt Hearsay (May), Shaun Conboy (June), Ian Mather (July).

FORMULA 1000 DEVELOPMENT

Tristan Dodd was invited to explain plans for expansion of Formula 1000.

The Junior Driver scheme was aimed at those of 14 years upwards. There had been a good launch event, follow-up training and press coverage. Cars were centrally prepared to avoid the ‘karting dads’ syndrome. A presentation had been given to Mike Broad, John Richardson and others and it was felt that a very small beginning might be achieved from January 2007.

Super 1000 was being introduced as a progression to permit the development of existing cars. It avoids crews having to take a very big leap to XSpec 1400.

A full start was planned from 2008 though a car would appear on the 2006 Cambrian Rally. 14 drivers had already made a commitment.

FORESTRY LIAISON OFFICER

No report

AINTREE LIAISON OFFICER

John Harden reported that flooding persists. Regrading has been done but the track is in a poor condition however it retains its licence. No dates have been agreed for 2007 yet.

OTHER VENUE LIAISON

At Weeton, the stretch by the ATC camp has now been lost as a result of an accident. The MOD won’t permit one section to be used because of the Health and Safety risk in its current condition but they can’t fund its repair either. It is still operative though.

Ty Croes would be closed from late August until mid-2007 for a rebuild.

Discussions over Leighton Hall have continued with Kenny Owen (Lombard Revival team) and problems have now been resolved.

PRESS OFFICER

No comments to make.

TRAINING OFFICER

Dates have been agreed for all 2007 training days. These include Stockport College at the end of January and Carlisle College at the end of February. 18 other events have been set up.

CTRLO

No report. Gordon Pirie was currently away. Phil Edwards was acting RLO only for North Wales; a substantive nomination would be welcome.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Caernarfon & Anglesey MC were to be celebrating their 70th anniversary.

The ANWCC 50th anniversary coincided with the 50th anniversary of Moss and Brooks first win at Aintree. Aintree want to celebrate this but without having any motorsport on the track ! Other proposals for the 50th anniversary included an economy run, a multi-venue event, or a touring assembly to include Aintree.

The anniversary could perhaps be linked with Motorsports Week. The next delegates meeting would need to agree ideas ready for announcement at the AGM.

Dave Thomas reported that the ANWCC website had now had 180,000 hits in total. Links had been made to a number of sponsors’ websites, a photo gallery had been added, and the regs section was very well-used.

The meeting closed at 10.45pm. Delegates were thanked for their attendance.

AGENDA ...

For the Ordinary Meeting of the Association of North Western Car Clubs, to be held at the Holiday Inn, Runcorn, on Tuesday 7 November 2006 at 2000hrs.
Minutes of last meeting (August 2006)
Matters arising
MSA reports
Correspondence/Secretary's Report
Other Reports

Treasurer
Championships Co-Ordinator
Forestry/Facilities Liaison Officer
Aintree Liaison Officer
Other Venue Liaison
Press Officer
Training Officer
MSA CTRLO

Including 50th anniversary plans

p.p. Stan Appleton
General Secretary - Association of North-Western Car Clubs
Daleview, Pateley Bridge, West Yorkshire, HG3 5DN.