MSOKC Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2003
As submitted by Secretary Jim Conlin

Meeting came to order at 7:10 pm at INFONETICS offices, Grove City, OH. Present were Board members Steve Tatman, Jim Conlin, Erin Dillon, Mike Dillon, Bob Strawser, Roberto Zayas, Mike Unger, Mike Yoerger, Tom Hickey. Also in attendance, Roy Hume, Keith Hume, Beth Hopkins.

Steve reported that Russell has provided tire sets for 10 classes. Champions' jackets are done and Steve thinks the club owes Mike Long about $200. Jackets are for 1st place only in all classes.

Erin reported that the banquet has about 160 people signed up, that's 20 more than last year. Still have 5 extra places for last minute additions, Steve said he knows of someone that wants one and Jim said he would probably need another, leaving Erin w three.

Steve reported that the paving was done, was generally good but there are a few imperfections that the paving company said the would come out to fix in the spring. Steve said he would be looking for input about the curbing he will be putting in in the spring. Mike U recommended the style used at BeaveRun. Jim mentioned that Brian O'Hara has some definite ideas about how kart track curbing should be done. Steve would like to make an extra wide curb at the kink between turns 7 and 8 to make another passing area.

Steve reported that with the new surface he's getting requests from other orgs and Super Karts wanted to race there on April 25 which would require us to move our first race of the season. Decided that we not only didn't want to move our first race but that putting the high-powered karts on the new pavement for a day early in the year might not be the best thing for the track. Board recommended that Steve offer them a date later int he year.

Steve said he had receive a quote on paving the tri-oval and connecting turn 2 to turn 4, making one long straight between turn 1 and turn 4. With turn 1 taken flat out, this would essentially make for a very long straight sections with some very high speeds. Would give us the opportunity to run different configurations throughout the year.

Roy Hume told Steve that he has access to several steel I-beams that could be used for a new flag stand. Placement and structural engineering debates followed.

Mike U said we should make a decision on the Grand Prix Distributing Vega tire proposal to either accept, reject or counter propose. Steve was concerned that after committing to the tires we might find that the wear is excessive or that there is a problem with the tires in hot weather, etc. Would like to see a failure to perform clause. Jim reviewed the answers he got from John Giacomelli after the BoD's last meeting - that John said the initial 20 cases to outfit 60 karts was intended to be the initial buy-in but that we could spread that out a little. He said he could offer the club 50% down and the balance net 30. Also that the free freight on 20 cases is for freight between Philly and Circleville. If we couldn't purchase 20 cases all at once, we'd have to pay for freight or have someone go to Erie. Or when John comes to our races he could bring what we'd need. Steve moved (Jim seconded) to submit a counter proposal to include a "non-performance" clause to protect us in case the tires turn out to be horrible and extended terms. 5 in favor, 2 against. Mike U to compose counter proposal.

Jim reported that based on the email dialog between various HPV drivers/entrants the popular changes to increase HPV participation were to increase weight and to go to the HPV4 spec. However it seems for every vote for those changes there are others that object. As a result, there has been discussion about a HPV hybrid formula that would allow HPV to run under HPV3 at 340# and HPV4 at 360#. Mike U had contacted Marshall Martin and Martin felt that 340/3 and 360/4 would be very close in lap times Also, Jim posted the same question on Ekartingnews and got one response from Patrick Hubble also saying that the 340/3-360/4 should be pretty close in lap times. So when the Board looks at changes to the GCRs in January an HPV3/4 formula may be proposed.

Board discussed promoting and building the TAG class as the New Castle track will be promoting a Spec TAG class for new racers more than the regular TAG formulas and that with the new surface at CRP we may be able to attract a large group of TAG racers especially if we adopt the TAG USA rules. Tom has been following TAG developments and TAG USA for a while and in spite of TAG USA president Tom Argy passing away earlier in the week, TAG USA will continue. Tom explained the class structure and power-to-weight equivalency done by TAG USA which allows all TAG motors to compete. Mike U moved (with Steve seconding) to make Tom the head person in the club's TAG class development. Tom said tire spec tire issue would have to be addressed as TAG USA allows several tire brand/compound options.

Bob presented information on the WKA local weekly racing series he had just received. It is designed to offer purse, merchandise and contingency awards for local racers. Gives them recognition on regional and national level, uses points system based on number of karts beaten, minimum of 10 local races, don't have to be member of WKA (although literature says otherwise). WKA requires $2 per entry in each of the classes enrolled in the program. More info forthcoming and available at www.joekarter.com. Board debated the merits of the plan. Bob to get more info but it sounds like more work for scoring in the way of calculating additional points and preparing reports.

Mike U suggested we make our members aware of the 2004 rule change regarding nerf bars requiring double bars instead of just the one holding the CIK sidepod box. Mike U also pointed out that we haven't adopted the break-away nose rule for 2-cycle and not doing this would put us two revisions behind. While we don't have to adopt that rule the BoD should consider doing so in the interest of safety. Mike Y pointed out that replacing the bars will add costs and modifying them may cause more frequent failure where the bars connect to the frame due to the additional weight. There was a question as to whether the double bars are only required for 2-cycle. Bob referenced the 2004 WKA Tech Manual which he had just recently received and determined that it applies to both 2 and 4 cycle classes.

Mike U, as head of Kid Kart class promotion and organizing announced his intention to recommend a claiming rule for Kid Kart motors to prevent blueprinting and other costly engine work for a class in which everyone wins (Kid Karts all kids receive 1st place trophies). The idea is to attract Kid Kart racer parents that want their children to be able to compete without having to go to extremes. Claiming amount likely to be around $500 and if an entrant refuses to turn over a claimed motor they will be suspended from MSOKC Kid Kart competition indefinitely. The board understood his concerns and generally agreed with his recommendation.

Debated over next scheduled BoD meeting. Decided in the days following the banquet Erin (since she will not be on the BoD next year) will count the ballots and report the results via email. Next Board of Directors meeting scheduled for Jan 8, 2004.

Meeting adjourned 9:15 pm.