MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF NORTH-WESTERN CAR CLUBS
HELD AT THE HOLIDAY INN, RUNCORN
ON TUESDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2002
WELCOME
The Chairman, Bob Milloy, welcomed delegates
to the meeting, which immediately followed the AGM.
ATTENDANCE
20 member clubs were represented by 25 delegates
as follows:
Blackrod MC (Martin Fox), Bolton-le-Moors CC (Guy
Wickham), British Rally Marshals Club (Mike Farnworth), British Radio Car
Association (Jim Spencer), Bury AC (Eve Fisher), Chester MC (Martin Pratt),
Civil Service Motoring Association (Steve Johnson), Ecurie Royal Oak MC
(Nigel Bailey, Martin Rowe, Kay Skellern), High Moor MC (Gary Heslop),
Kirkby Lonsdale MC (Bob Milloy, Katy Mashiter), Lancashire & Cheshire CC
(Martin Nield), Liverpool MC (John Harden, Ron Hunt), Longton & DMC (Peter
Riley), North Wales CC (Dave Thomas), Potteries & Newcastle MC (Eric
Cowcill), Quinton MC (Mike Cook), Stockport MC (Bob Milloy), 2300 Club (Katy
Mashiter), Westfield Sports CC (Richard Duddell), Wigan & DMC (Martin Fox,
Tony Jones).
Officials present were:
Bob Milloy (Chairman),
Kay Skellern (General Secretary),
Eric Cowcill (Treasurer),
Dave Thomas (Championships Secretary),
Martin Pratt (CTRLO/FLO),
Mike Ashcroft (Aintree Liaison Officer),
Katy Mashiter (Press Officer) &
Mike Farnworth (Training Officer).
APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were recorded from
Ian Price (Blackpool South Shore MSC), Tom Dooley (BRSCC), Paul Dixon
(Knutsford & DMC), David Bailey (Lancashire & Cheshire CC), Richard Pearl
(Motor Sport NW and Wallasey MC), Mike Yates (Slaithwaite MC), Ann McCormack
(Warrington & DMC) and Kevin Ikin (Whitchurch MC).
MINUTES
Minutes of the previous meeting had been
circulated and were accepted on a proposal by Katy Mashiter (Kirkby Lonsdale
MC) and seconded by Mike Cook (Quinton MC).
MATTERS ARISING
Scrutineering seminars were now ongoing.
George Smith and Gary Miles are proceeding with their plans, supported by
the MSA.
The MSA website (www.msauk.org) was now up
and running with easy access to club information. Clubs were invited to
include their own material and links to their own websites, at no cost.
The threat to the British Grand Prix had been
given a stay of execution, with thanks to those who sent letters to Max
Mosley as requested by Bill Troughear, Chairman of the MSA Regional
Committee.
Details of the BARS schools authorised to
carry out assessments for applicants for Stage Rally competition licences
were now available. No reports have been received from anyone who has
attended.
Colin Hilton had picked up some of the points
raised at the last meeting - colour change of competition licences to ease
identification, lack of publicity regarding the new stage rally licensing,
issues for Rally Committee to be made through our representative Sue Sanders-
Peppitt.
MSA COUNCIL NEWS
Eric Cowcill reported that the MSA were to
become more transparent. Subject to approval, there will be opportunities
for club members to observe committee meetings, although not allowed to be
involved in debate.
A new sub-committee, Industrial Liaison, was
being formed to create stronger links with industry. Chairman is Alan Gow.
The committee would look at circuit facilities, and the MSA were planning a
minimum standard.
Equalisation between National and FIA
Championship technical regulations was being sought. The MSC are not in
favour of one-make championships.
The British Grand Prix had been on the brink of
being thrown out of the World Formula 1 Championship. Letters of support
had swayed the FIA. A spin-off from this had been more contact with Members
of Parliament, and they are now more aware of the benefits of British
Motorsport. A weekly report on the Grand Prix discussions was going through
government.
The MSA was looking at bringing leisure karting
into its control, and to encourage participants (estimated to be 1.5
million) to become licensed competitors (currently 10k).
The minimum age of marshals was being
investigated following the injuries to marshalling youngsters in the Carlos
Sainz Network Q incident. The minimum age is 14, with youngsters
categorised as 14-16 Child, 16-18 Junior Adult, 18+ Adults. The person who
nominates a child will be liable for that child. Under 16 year olds must be
supervised.
The Rally Safety Study Group will be publishing
its' report on 28th February.
Clubs will be asked to nominate a Chief Marshal
who will be listed in the MSA Year Book 2003.
Proposals have been made for a National Rally
Marshals Register, with different levels and standards of training. Videos
and booklets will be funded by the Motorsport Safety Fund. Marshals will be
supplied with an identification tag and tabard, and a re-emphasis on their
responsibilities. Spectator Safety Officers and Safety Plans will be
required for events. It is possible that the Safety Plan should include
names of marshals at specific points. This is all insurance led following
the incidents on recent events.
Stuart Turner and Allan Dean-Lewis are planning a
road show to publicise the changes that will be approved.
Colleges will be contacted for publicity. Mike
Farnworth is liaising with Myerscough College, Preston and trainers will be
asked to attend association meetings. The project is association led with a
register and upgrading of standards.
CORRESPONDENCE
Application to join the Association,
including cheque for subscription, received from the Dayz of Funder
Motorsport Club. This club is a charity-raising club chaired by John
Francis, and is applying for affiliation to the MSA. The application was
proposed by Dave Thomas, seconded by Kay Skellern, and approved.
Letter from Caernarvonshire & Anglesey MC
regretting that due to the losses suffered with the cancellation of the
Rally of Wales 2001 the prizes in respect of the ANWCC Championships 2000
could not be carried forward. Also the Rally of Wales 2002 would no longer
incorporate an event suitable for the ANWCC Championship therefore Rob
Dick's prize of a free entry to the Panaround Rally, for winning the ANWCC
Stage Rally Championship 2001, would become a free entry on the Glyn
Memorial Stages, subject to confirmation by the club committee. Phil
Squires' free entry to the Rally of Wales 2002, for winning the ANWCC Forest
Rally Championship 2001, would be honoured.
Organisers of Motorsport events taking place
within the County Borough of Conwy had received letters detailing important
changes relating to the council involvement. Basically, the use or crossing
of footpaths would require official closures which would be chargeable.
This primarily affected the use of Penmachno Forest and the Alwen stage in
Clocaenog.
Letter received from Harlech & District MC
informing us that they had seen fit to expel a member who had been drunk and
disorderly, requiring the involvement of the Police, during the running of
their Novice Road Rally in December 2001. The member involved has
previously served a 12-month ban from holding a MSA Competition Licence due
to indiscretions on an event in 2000.
Invitation to the Malcolm Wilson Rally, scheduled
for 9 March and a qualifying round in the RED ANWCC Forest Rally
Championship - accepted.
Details of seminars for non-licensed officials,
the meetings in our area being held at Lancaster, Leeds and Telford.
REPORTS
GENERAL SECRETARY
Kay thanked Knutsford & DMC for their help in
organising the recent Awards Presentation.
Nothing further to report other than covered
elsewhere in these minutes.
TREASURER
All subscriptions bar one (Triumph Sporting
OC) have been paid for 2002. Otherwise as reported in the AGM.
CHAMPIONSHIPS SECRETARY
The number of Championship contenders for
2002 currently stood at 234, exactly the same number as at the same date in
2001. However, last year things ground to a halt a few weeks later and it
was hoped there would not be a repeat.
The championship calendar was looking healthy
and our sponsors had agreed to continue for 2002. Some events had already
been held and well-enjoyed with a number of competitors having scored points.
Ecurie Royal Oak MC's stage rally planned for
Binbrook the previous weekend had been cancelled due to lack of entries and
this gave cause for some concern. Rumours of the cancellation started on
the web and it was also suspected that there was some disquiet last year due
to competitors not being permitted to continue if they missed a control (as
per MSA regulations!)
Our Hillclimb Championship was looking
promising with Scammonden confirmed for use during the summer months.
FORESTRY LIAISON OFFICER
Martin Pratt stressed the encouragement to
join Local Access Forums, which are being set up in each county. It is
important that every club gets in touch with its' local authority and to be
represented on the forums. More details from Martin.
AINTREE LIAISON OFFICER
Mike Ashcroft stated that events will happen
in 2002. There had been a track inspection in September and Mike was not
impressed by the contents of the report prepared by John Symes' replacement
inspector, showing an apparent lack of knowledge of the venue, being vague
and incorrect. It is unlikely that any work will be started until after the
Grand National (April 6th), following which there will be a further
inspection.
A joint inspection is required for the
licence, which is an annual licence from the MSA and three-yearly for the
ACU. Defects have been given the same priority for ACU racing as for
Sprints and Rallies.
The development group was applying for
funding from the Local Authority and the North-West Development Agency for a
feasibility study, which should be authorised by the end of May. The
planning application depends on environmental impact. This is a commercial
venture for the development of the site, clubs will fit in with whatever
happens.
Cost to hire the venue for Motorsport has
been set at £2,500 +VAT per day, if booked via Mike Ashcroft.
OTHER VENUE LIAISON
Swynnerton - Potteries & Newcastle MC had run
their Pantastic Stages on 30 December 2001. Although deemed a non-spectator
venue they had got in. Along with service crew members and retired
competitors there were a lot of spectators on the stage. The authorities
were concerned over the damage to the venue surface, fences and the guinea
fowl (at £25 each). The venue is only useable on a few days per annum due
to live ammunition being used, and continued usage is not guaranteed.
Negotiations will continue.
Weeton - Clitheroe & DMC had used the venue
in December 2001 and the North-West Stages would be using it the weekend
following this meeting. Other events are planned there during 2002.
PRESS OFFICER
Katy Mashiter is available to assist any
clubs seeking help, and we are continually seeking new advertisers for
ANWCC NeWs.
TRAINING OFFICER
Mike Farnworth reported that Rescue Training
was scheduled for March 2nd/3rd. 53 people had attended the Rally Training
Day, and this was down on previous years. Two potential new radio operators
had emerged from the day, whilst only about 6 Stage Commanders had
attended. A drop from 60 to 16 Recovery personnel attending was of concern.
The MSA was putting more emphasis on training,
and there was a good team in the North-West prepared to attend club meetings
during the evenings. Thanks were recorded to the British Radio Car
Association for their help and enthusiasm at the training days, with good
liaison being shown.
RALLY LIAISON OFFICER
Martin Pratt stated that the system was
working well. The MSA have already notified him of an event in his patch in
December 2002!
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The problem of stage rally competitors being
excluded for missing a control (K35.1) has been heatedly debated by many
competitors and organisers. Various suggestions have been made to get round
the problem. It is necessary for competitors to lobby the Rallies Committee
whilst clubs should apply the rules as written to highlight the problem.
The website www.anwcc.org was now up and running
and will be developed further over the next few weeks.
DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
This concluded the business of the meeting at
2245 hours and delegates were thanked for their attendance.
The next meeting of the Association of North-
Western Car Clubs will be held in the Holiday Inn, Runcorn on Tuesday 14th
May.
Future meetings are scheduled for 13th August,
12th November 2002 and 11th February 2003 (including AGM).
AGENDA ...
... for the Ordinary Meeting of the
Association of North-Western Car Clubs, which will be held at Holiday Inn
Runcorn, on Tuesday 14th. May, commencing at 2000 hours.
The meeting will be attended by John Symes, Head
of Risk management at the MSA. Details of any questions or topics to be
dealt with should be submitted in advance to the General Secretary, to
enable the necessary research.
Apologies for absence
Minutes of the last Ordinary Meeting
Matters arising
MSA matters, including John Symes' presentation
Correspondence
Reports
General Secretary
Treasurer
Championships Secretary
Forestry / Facilities Liaison Officer
Aintree Liaison Officer
Other Venue Liaison
Press Officer
Training Officer
MSA CTRLO
Any other business
Date and place of next meeting
p.p. Kay Skellern
General Secretary - Association of North-Western Car Clubs
17 Johnson Close, Henshall Hall, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 3TQ