MSOKC Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2004
As submitted by Secretary Jim Conlin

Meeting came to order at 7:04 pm at INFONETICS offices, Grove City, OH. Present were Board members Tom Hickey, President; Mike Long; Steve Tatman, Vice President; Bo Strawser; Mike Yoerger; Bob Strawser; Eric Fagan; Mike Unger; and Jim Conlin, Secretary. Roberto Zayas was in attendance via teleconference. Alternate Board members present were Roy Hume and Keith Hume. Also in attendance: Peggie Floyd, Membership Chair; Tim Floyd; Brandon Rees; Mike Fagan; and Charlie Hughes.

Old Business:

Continued from last meeting, progress on club charter. Still not much progress, still looking for good examples to model from. No real hurry, a good project for post-season.

Revisited double nerf bar rule due to wording in WKA rule that would require repositioning nerf bar attaching points on most pre-2003 karts. Keith and Roy reported a conversation they had with Bob white at WKA. General interpretation is that the double bar nerf bar specs apply only to new CIK (Unico, Freeline, Stilo) side pods. Older breadbox designs are exempt. It was observed however, that the rule, as written in the 2004 WKA manual, requires pre-2003 karts equipped with new CIK side pods would have to reposition the attachment points to be parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the kart's axis. This seemed to be a lot to ask of the hobby racer who would want to run the new body work or is finding the breadbox style hard to find. Steve motioned to apply the intention of the WKA rule with the exception the attachment points. Second by Jim. Unanimous. Shifters and TaG also exempt since SKUSA S1 and TaGUSA rule books serve as basis governing those classes respectively.

Jim reported that not much has been accomplished in the co-op with OVR autocross karters. However, Jim has been invited by Craig Wollenslegel to a suspension clinic they're putting on Sunday (3/14) in Grandview and should be able to talk with some karters there about combined events.

Treasurer's Report:

Beth unable to attend sue to family commitments. Jim had received copy of club statement from Beth to present but he deleted by mistake while deleting spam. Tom had his copy, reported $3683 in checking.

Jim turned over checks from Distinctive Trucks $500 (sponsorship) and Conlin SpeedSports for $249 (Chassis Setup 101 precedes). Roberto reported $4152 in tire payments and will be mailing checks to Beth.. Roberto to order tires after Beth confirms current bank balance.

Membership Report:

Membership packs went out late February. Peggie reported we currently have 10 paid members two of which are new (not renewing) members.

Discussion on Kid Kart class, looks like we'll have at least 5. Don Janowski of National Kart Alliance (insurer) says it is Steve's discretion as to whether Kid Kart drivers can race at 4 years of age. Mike U motioned that at least one parent or guardian must be Master Member for child to be eligible for end-of-year awards. Mike L seconded. Unanimous. Kid kart entry fees were then set to $10 with no non-member penalty.

Jim reported that we skipped a month for the informal membership gatherings to see if anyone complained. Some did. Board agreed to have one more before the season starts, Jim to make arrangements with Planks in Grove City for Wednesday, April 14.

Publicity Report:

Bob reported on the River Valley Mall Motorsports Show - 300+ pieces of literature given out. Steve had done kart/class descriptions with notations of the costs involved which seemed to be well received and generate interest. Scott Thompson spent the most time manning the booth. Next year's Motorsports show may be at fairgrounds in conjunction with Home & Garden show, basketball championships and Quarter Midget weekend.

Mike U reported plans to do a mini show at a big pinewood derby event at a church in Bellefountaine April 2. Jim to fix him up with Intro flyers.

Jim reported that msokc.com now directs to msokc.org which he feels will help people find us. Also presented illustrations of visit spikes after the River Valley show. Show increased traffic to the website by 20 to 50 additional visits per day for about five days after the show. Also, we have added 15 new names to our email update and news list from the email update request form that was added to the website a month or so ago..

Jim reported that the press release announcing Vega and Grand Prix Distributing as official tire supplier that was on the ekartingnews.com main page for the weekend of February 20 was also sent to National Kart News and he expects it to be in their April issue.

Mid-Ohio has agreed to provide us 15 x 20 midway space for $300 for all 2004 events there except for Super-Cycle weekend which is $895. Board encouraged Jim to return the form indicating interest in the displays to Mary Weir at Mid-Ohio.

Jim reported that Chris Putman, a professional photographer, offered to do one day of shooting of our karts/drivers in exchange for 5 race entry fees. Jim was almost certain Chris' intention was for the club to own the rights to the club and use the photos any way they choose. Jim suggested a club calendar, available at the awards banquet, could recoup the money. Jim was asked to make sure our use of the photos would be unlimited and to see if Chris would be interest in using his graphic arts skills to help the club with the calendar. Tabled.

Steve said he has a new digital camera but does not have anyone lined up to be the photographer for the podium photos. Steve said he wants to do the podium pictures for the website because he felt people liked that feature. Chuck volunteered on the spot and was declared official post-race photographer on the spot

New Business:

Motion was made (sorry - the Secretary missed noting who made the motion and who seconded) and seconded to rescind airbox rule and instead use the recent SKUSA S1 weight adjustment to equalize ICC/Moto performance by reducing min weight for Moto engined karts to 385. ICC 125cc shifters to race at 395lbs and Moto 125cc shifters to race at 385lbs. Airboxes required for all.

Mike L motioned that 80cc shifter also be required to use airbox, specifying two hole, 29mm tube air box. Seconded by Tom, unanimous.

Bob to be official Rookie Box pre-competition inspector/sealer.

Keith, as club pointskeeper, to contact Valvoline Cup to see if we can accommodate their reporting requirements so as to make the program available to our members.

Meeting adjourned 9:17 PM