MSOKC Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2003
As submitted by Secretary Jim Conlin

Meeting came to order at 5:05 pm at Circleville Raceway Park offices, Circleville, OH. Present were Board members Steve Tatman, Jim Conlin, Bob Strawser, Roberto Zayas, Mike Long, Mike Yeorger, Mike Boyd, Tom Hickey. Also in attendance, Bo Strawser, Sarah Long.

Discussion of July 13 disqualification of Jr Sportsman kart #10 for a bodywork height infraction. WKA tech manual was quoted and precedents given. It was also pointed out the bodywork on kart #10 had not been made to conform to the specifications for today's (July 27) race. Bob moved to have the decision of the Race Director stand. Motioned carried and voted unanimous. Race results and points from July 13 stand.

Discussed legality of one very wedge-shaped nose on one of the junior class karts, Tom deferred to the 2003 WKA Tech Manual and quoted rule. Board, after hearing the definition, agreed the nose in question was legal.

Reviewed issue of a 13 year old driver in Jr Sportsman. Driver in question turned 13 on January 4th and as such meets the criteria set forth by WKA of a driver age of 12 on December 31. No need for Board action.

Reviewed ruling on July 13 feature wherein Rookie Box kart #37 was disqualified for a restart after race started. Board felt MSOKC's application of the "no-restart" rule has been widely inconsistent. In the discussion examples were recalled in which racers were denied assistance for a restart and others where the racer was allowed to restart after assistance from crew or track workers. It was also noted that we would prefer our racers - especially our young racers - to continue if they can with reasonable assistance. Board chose not to overturn the Race Director's decision in this case but agreed that a consistent application has to be in place.

After further discussion, the Board agreed to clarify the rule and its application. Beginning with the August 17, 2003 race, all competitors will be allowed to restart after the green flag with assistance from track workers or crew but that the racer will be held at the place they stopped until the last kart on the lead lap goes past.

Board discussed points deduction for rough driving involving kart #20 in Spec 100. Bob and Tom admitted that a break-down of communication between track officials prevented kart #20 from receiving a furled black flag and then kept the race director from knowing kart #20 had never received a warning. However, the incidents did occur and even though no black flag was given, drivers involved in several rough driving incidents can expect action to be taken.

Board was reminded by Tom that the club has procedures for handling competitor grievances with officials' decisions. Competitors should make themselves familiar with protest procedures as found in the MSOKC General Competition Rules (which are posted and can be downloaded at www.msokc.org). Future protests will be held to these procedures so as to not drag on for two weeks, delaying points and official results. Further, WKA rules provide an appeal structure for MSOKC competitors that do not agree with MSOKC official decision on protests.

The Board then discussed options for improving track communications so that errors and omissions can be kept to a minimum on a noisy track. Steve had seen some used radios but Mike Boyd warned against that as his experience in his law enforcement career was that used equipment is more trouble than its worth and often parts are unavailable for that equipment. Steve to look into headsets that will work with current radios as that may be most cost effective solution.

Board discussed opportunity to display at the August 7-10 CART Champ Car round at Mid-Ohio. Quoted price was $600 but our personal liability insurance policy from National Karting Alliance is good at Mid-Ohio until the end of the year so that expense and delay would not be a factor. Jim said he wasn't sure if Mid-Ohio had space in the Manufacturer's Midway and that Mary Weir of TrueSports had not yet returned his call. Bob made a motion to make $600 available for a display at the 2003 CART event at Mid-Ohio August 7 - 10 if space is available. Motion carried. Jim to pursue contact Monday.

Discussion of 2003 banquet and some concern of the volume and quality of prizes and give-aways. Track worker pay and marketing programs cited as higher club expenses for 2003. More sponsor support like what was received from Distinctive Truck Center would go a long way toward boosting the banquet coffers. Jim suggested that a club Open House/Swap Meet in which vendors pay for display space would help pad banquet funds too. All agreed that the 2002 banquet was an upgrade that was appreciated and we do not want to do less this year.

Steve reported he has received several quotes for repaving the track and found a source particularly economical and is working on ways to make the funding work. If all works out, he'd like to have the track repaved in October, allowing it to cure until March.

Jim reported for Mike Unger his feelings that the club needs to offer a Kid Kart class. Discussion followed and there seems to be more and more interest in the class. Board agreed that beginning with August 17 race the class will be offered as an exhibition race between heat rounds with the intention to offer it as a racing class in 2004. The Board asked that Mike be the answer man and general cheerleader for the class.

Jim proposed a "Karting Open House" for the end of the season that could double as a swap meet. It was pointed out that with displays at Mid-Ohio, displays in conjunction with "Kart Racer" movie in late September and the "Bo & Joe Show" on MTV in September that we may have a number of potential karters coming out to see what it is all about. An "Open House" would allow them to see the day's racing format and then take a members' kart out for a few laps to see if they like it. This could be an additional charge that could go to the banquet fund as well. Members that will be selling equipment at the end of the year would have the opportunity to display that equipment to people looking to get into the sport. Vendors could be invited to participate to sell new & used karts, equipment and safety gear. Jim asked that Board members consider the plan and suggest improvement.

Meeting adjourned at 6:10pm.