CLASSIC CLUBMANS DRIVERS’ MEETING at RML 18.10.2008

Meeting opened at 10.30am

Members present:

David ChildsGavin ChildsIan Mitchell

Ray HarperPete HarperSteve Campbell

Dave FacerChris HartMorris Hart

Mike SalesPeter CarterReg Powell

Richard MallockCharlie MallockMike Hickson

Richard FryBob YarwoodMichael Northen

Malcolm JacksonMark CharterisJared Wood

John WoodRoy BingSteve Clamp

Giancarlo GofastioJohn HarrisonRobin Booth

Rob Beazer

Also present:

Sue FacerAnn ChildsPat Powell

Andy Harper

1.Apologies and minutes of last meeting

Apologies from Steve Chaplin, Paul Marshall, Cliff Robertson, John Deane-Bowers, Jamie Champkin

Last year’s minutes were taken as read and approved.

2.Standing Committee

John Deane-Bowers is standing down, as he feels that he has not contributed this year. It was proposed and unanimously carried, that he be replaced by Bob Yarwood. The standing committee to go forward for ratification at the register AGM is as follows:

David Childs, Gavin Childs, Ian Mitchell, Dave Facer, Steve Campbell, Bob Yarwood, Cliff Robertson and Ray Harper.

3.2008 Review

David Childs summarised, that it was a difficult and disappointing year and handed over to Dave Facer, who presented the following facts/figures:

39 competitors came out during the year, in 37 different cars.

(Richard Mallock drove Bob Crozier’s Mk.21 at Oulton and Howard Watkins drove the Childs Centaur at Cadwell)

  • 20 A-Sports
  • 14 B-Sports
  • 2 C-Sports
  • 1 D-Sport

Average grid size – 16.3333 - based on number of cars who started qualifying for each race (or pair of races, where the one qualifying/two race format was used ie. Thruxton/Brands Hatch/Croft).

Largest grid – Mallory – 21

Smallest grid – Croft - 13

2 competitors did all 12 races (Mark Charteris and Alan Davenport)

3 competitors did 11 races (Steve Chaplin, Richard Fry and Dave Facer)

27 retirements throughout the year ((14 A, 10 B, 2 C, 1 D)

  • 18 mechanical
  • 9 accidents/incidents

13 Lap Records broken/set throughout the year

  • 4 in A-Sport
  • 1 in B-Sport
  • 7 in C-Sport
  • 1 in D-Sport

Class A had 4 different winners and 9 different people were on the podium.

Class B had 4 different winners and 10 different people were on the podium.

Class C had 2 different winners and 2 different people were on the podium.

Class D had no registered finishers.

DC stated that the MSA yellow card cut off for this year was 16 and that Classic Clubmans were not affected. Next year however, the yellow card cut off will go up to 18 average! (although with the current economic climate, it was questioned if this makes sense).

4.2009 Season Preview

DC put forward a proposal, that we have 4 double headers in 2009, each with qualifying and practice Saturday and the same Sunday. The remainder to be stand alone races. The revised format for double headers will allow more flexibility, if people do not wish to do both races.

Zandvoort was discussed and there was a good response from those present. The date is the last weekend in June and the Format will be 1 x 20 min practise, 1 x 20 min qualifying & 2 x 25 min. races. Cost will be £240. This would represent one of the double headers. The 3 others would be from ‘local’ circuits, possibly Silverstone, Snetterton and Brands Hatch. Stand alone meetings at OultonPark and Castle Combe. Mallory would be a further possibility.

Point was raised, how would a second driver get scrutineered for the Sunday race at a double header, If people wanted to share cars, or if somebody wished only to do the Sunday race. It was mentioned that there is always scrutineering available on a Sunday.

Dave Facer raised the point, that at this meeting last year, the vote was for 11 races. However only 7 drivers competed in 9 or more races in 2008. Ian Mitchell said that 7 or 8 was the preferred option to count against the 10 or 11. Jared Wood expressed a concern regarding reliability, and his ability to get to other stand alones. DC said if Zandvoort was not a Championship race how many people would go. Majority of people would go either way. There was discussion regarding fewer races to get more drivers out. Peter Carter asked what was the BARC point of view on the number of races in a calendar. Mike Sales voiced an opinion that practices and races should be longer. It was pointed out by Ian Mitchell that there is a commitment in the championship regs for a minimum race duration of 20 min or 20 miles. Chris Hart stated that if people are prepared to pay more, then BARC will provide more time in qualifying. Richard Fry suggested a test session on the Friday to be arranged separately.

It was thought that Zandvoort would be on a National B licence, Reg Powell said thought it was a Nat A. this point to be checked. Ray Harper suggested making only one of the Zandvoort 25 minute races to count towards the Championship.

Therefore, two proposals were put on the table:

  • 10 races in the Championship, 4 double headers, one to be Zandvoort and to have 7 from 10 to count.
  • 10 races, but only 9 to count towards the championship. The double header at Zandvoort would be one championship race (the first race) and one trophy race. The best 6 from 9 to count. The purpose of this, is not to disadvantage the people too much, who do not wish to go to Zandvoort.

Ian Mitchell said that he thought it was necessary to have 7 out of 10 to count to not mess up the Championship. DC proposed a vote on the two options:

  • Option 1 – Count 7 from 10 (Both Zandvoort races to count)10 votes
  • Option 2 – Count 6 form 9 (One Zandvoort race in c/ship)12 votes
  • 2 abstentions

The motion was carried, that we approach the BARC with the request for a total of 10 races, 9 to count towards the championship, 4 double headers, including Zandvoort and 2 other rounds. Although not discussed, the possibility is that either of these other rounds could be non BARC ie. HSCC at Castle Combe.

OultonPark was also discussed as a possible single round. There was a rumour that any meeting at Oulton may feature the Fosters Circuit. This was deemed universally unpopular by the vast majority of those present.

5.Lightened Flywheel in B-Sport

Dave Facer had been tasked with looking at options for the Formula Ford engines to run with lightened flywheels. Prior to the meeting, Dave had discussed options with most other B-Sport drivers and some of the major engine builders.

Dave had produced an Excel sheet, identifying 5 possible options (attached). This sheet had also been sent to most of the B-Sport competitors prior to the meeting. Copies of the sheet were also distributed at the meeting.

Dave produced a flywheel at the meeting to demonstrate his points. Mike Sales has had discussions with Dave Phillips to get his views on this subject. Dave Phillips view was, that lightening the existing flywheel was a sensible option. DIF has also talked to Phil Price, who also thought that lightening the existing flywheel was the right option, although a cheap steel flywheel would also work. Mike Sales said Dave Phillips has offered to do an accurate drawing to put on the internet, so that anybody who lightened their own flywheel would follow a set pattern. Ray Harper also suggested making the profile to a drawing. DIF commented that generally people are honest and would not machine down further than the specifications. Steve Campbell said he had the capability to make a profile gauge and was willing to do so. Richard Mallock put forward the advantage of throttle response. DC said lightening the flywheel was easy and could be done by anyone if they could then produce a certificate to ensure it was done to the profile. Ian Mitchell said that this rule could not be implemented until 2010 season. Bob Yarwood emphasised that we should do it now, as crankshafts are in very short supply. People generally wanted to do this for this coming season 2009, because rebuilds are being done now. DIF is in favour of the lighter flywheel option. Most people would have their work done by Chris Denham, Phil Price or Dave Phillips who are all trustworthy. DIF has prepared a clause to implement the change to the rules.

A vote was taken for two potential options:

  • Option 2 – Lighten the existing flywheel to a new designated minimum weight (9Kg.)
  • A combination of options 2,3 and 4, but with the new minimum weight (9 Kg.)

Option 29 votes

Options 2-44 votes

10 abstentions

Dave Facer will ensure that the regulation change is submitted asap for inclusion in the 2009 technical regulations.

6.Revisions to Class C Regulations

The current date deadline severely restricts the number of cars eligible for Class C. The proposal is to open up the class for Cars built/raced in 1971. This will include the Mallock Mk.11, of which many were built. Cars however must comply by the same set of rules ie. No rear wing.

The proposal was carried with no dissenters and 2 abstainers. Rule effective for 2009 season.

7.Propshaft Protection

Following Pete Harper’s unfortunate accident during testing at Mallory, where Pete sustained severe lacerations after his propshaft failed, a proposal was put forward to significantly improve the protection available, to prevent further driver injury.

Peter Harper discussed broken propshafts and produced photos to show the aftermath of his recent experience. He commented that the seat saved his leg to a certain extent. The point being that more protection is required. Richard Mallock brought along a new protection hoop and also a prop shaft to demonstrate how the better protection could be achieved. The hoop will bolt to the seatbelt mounting bracket. Malcolm Jackson said he believed there was a reg. that stated you could not bolt anything to the seat belt bolt. DC and RM believed that this was not the case. RM provided information that the weight on the new unit was .5kg.and the part would be available from Mallocks immediately. DC strongly recommended that people fit this new safety feature. Asap.

8.A.O.B.

Mike Hickson said Hazel Ford would no longer be able to manage the website and he had worked with Marcus Bicknell to build a new combined website to showcase the Clubman’s Register. Mike Hickson proposed a vote of thanks to Marcus Bicknell for all his help.

It was mentioned that there is a very limited entry for the Haggis. People were encouraged to enter if possible.

DC put in a reminder for the Dinner Dance on November 8th.

Peter Carter agreed to carry on the Mechanic of the Day sponsorship. Mike Sales agreed to carry on the Driver of the Day Sponsorship. Ian Mitchell agreed to sponsor the trophies. DC gave them all a big thank you.

DC said that Classic Clubmans will be reclassified as Sports Racing Cars, thus increasing the maximum decibel rating from 105 Db to 108Db. If Castle Combe is to be on the calendar, then discussions will need to take place, to ensure that they follow the correct guidelines.

DC asked for feelings regarding a test/track day being reinstated at Snetterton. The general consensus was this would be a good idea, with the proviso that it would depend on the start date of the season.

DC requested that next season could all drivers ensure that they thank the marshals at the end of every race, by waving on the slowing down lap.

DC finished by saying we need everyone to support the formula in every possible way, and to ensure we have at least the minimum 18 entries on every grid in 2009

DC thanked everyone.

Meeting finished at 12.33pm.