South Eastern Centre Motocross Combine Minutes December 2001

MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING HELD AFTER THE DATES MEETING OF THE SOUTH EASTERN MOTO CROSS COMBINE ON THURSDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2001 AT BLINDLEY HEATH.

PRESENT ; 20 Delegates were present representing the following Clubs :- Brighton, Crawley. Greenwich, Horsham, Sidcup, SE Marshals and Twickenham.

CHAIR : Mr. Eddie herd took the Chair. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE : Apologies were received from Roy Humphrey and John Bramall [ Gazette Editor ].

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING : It was proposed Mr. Lane and seconded Mr. Brown that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11th July be accepted as a true and accurate record of the proceedings. Carried.

MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM :-

National membership / Affiliations : Mrs. Clarke said she had queried with the ACU the outcome of the last NMC meeting were a motion was dropped regarding one Club only per rider, the Office had said the situation was as previously. Mr. Brown corrected Mrs. Clarke and said the motion only dropped because it was felt it was so badly worded as to be unworkable. Geoff Wilson had told the meeting he could see no reason for Clubs to extend their membership to anyone and so run under Closed to Club permits.

Paramedics : Mr. Brown confirmed there would be no changes to the guidelines in the 2002 handbook as the Medical panel was awaiting the Government Enquiry into First Aid Cover at Sporting Events.

Marshals Training : Mrs. Clarke read a letter from the ACU asking Centres to run a Marshals seminar, she thought, although we had run a very successful one we should aim to make it an annual occasion at which we can invite new recruits along. She then informed the meeting of an appeal from a Scouter in the Sussex area offering the services of his Venture Scouts to Clubs as marshals. It was felt they should attend one of these marshals training sessions.

Championship Programme Covers : Mr. Dixon said he had contacted all of the sponsors who had wished to come on board last year and they had all agreed they would like to continue for 2002 and that we could pay their cheques in. Mrs. Clarke said she had written to all of the winners of the 2001 season and asked them to supply action photos for inclusion in the covers. Mr. Wood asked the meeting to let Mr. Dixon know how many covers they will require for their Championship Meetings.

NFU Adverts : Mrs. Clarke said the F & M situation had made her back off for the time being, Mr. Clarke said he felt the Trials Combine would welcome adverts being inserted with a view to land being used generally by OffRoad Motorcycling. Mr. Wood said that many years ago Mr. Claridge had contacted the NFU setting up an advisory panel for farmers who may wish to let their land be used by motorcyclists and a code of conduct was agreed between the NFU and the ACU.

Coloured Backgrounds : Nothing had been heard from the Moto Cross Committee and the Secretary was instructed to write again.

Riders Handouts : Mr. Wood said he felt he would still like to go ahead with this idea and he would attempt to have some proof copies available for the next meeting. Secretary to make sure the matter was placed on the agenda. Centre Championship 2001 : Mrs. Clarke had written to all the winners congratulating them and asking their Clubs if they wished to make the presentations at their annual functions. The annual trophies had been returned and the replicas made and engraved ready.

Foot & Mouth Restrictions : Mrs. Clarke wondered as it was now a month since the last known outbreak in England and Wales if the ACU would be lifting the restrictions. Mr. Clarke said at the moment the Centre was still insisting the matter should be left up to individual land owners but he would check with the centre Secretary. Mr. Horton said that some of his farmer's were still very nervous.

TTC's : Mrs. Clarke said because of the implications of the pending court case surrounding Matcham's Park all TTC's would be withdrawn and re issued with new wording with a disclaimer stating the certificate was only valid for ACU meetings run by ACU approved officials.

Yellow Flags : Mrs. Clarke had brought the matter of our new ruling regarding flag signals up with the Moto Cross Committee, whilst sympathising with our views Mr. Humphrey had explained they had just printed so many thousand copies of the marshals training guide with the old rule within and that they felt the rule should not be changed until a reprint was due.

CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS : As these had bee printed in the Gazettes it was felt no further benefit could be gained from further verbal repetition.

ACU MOTOCROSS COMMITTEE MINUTES :- Relevant extracts from the minutes of recent meetings were read and discussed :- Noise : Mr. Colin Moram, of the ACU technical Committee attended the meeting and reported on the problems associated with the short stroke four stroke engine and the reason for their excessive exhaust noise. The short stroke four stroke engines are typically 4 dba louder under acceleration when measured from the side than two stroke engines and up to 10 dba more when accelerating away from a bend. It could be said therefore that the new four strokes are twice as loud from the side and eight times as loud from the year. The engines have been manufactured to comply with article 79.06 whether two stroke or four stroke, this rule was introduced when two stroke and four stroke machines had approximately the same stroke. The new engines are approximately 26mm shorter in stroke than two strokes in the same class. To enable Article 79.06 to be implemented the new four strokes should be tested at 2000 rpm more than similar two stroke engines. The ACU will make a proposal to the FIM to try and reduce the exhaust noise emitted with a three year plan addressed to the manufacturers. In the meantime the MX Committee would monitor the situation in the UK and would not be against clubs at local level introducing their own stringent measures if courses are at risk due to environmental problems. The ACU is concerned that the FIM is unlikely to want to do anything as the modern concept at Motocross GP's is to make as much noise as possible despite the environmental concerns especially at similar events. Mr Batten spoke at some length on the level of noise emitted by the new breed of Yamaha's, especially the 250's and he concluded all the while America is unconcerned about noise the Manufacturers would not do anything. At a recent meeting of the South Midland Centre Management Committee plastic course marking tape was mentioned and the following suggestion made to the Committee :- " that plastic course marking tape be fixed to the wrecking fence and not the markers for the neutral zone because it can be seen by riders in all conditions, it doesn't get broken by riders boots and footrests, it looks presentable throughout the meeting and finally is much easier to erect and take down". The Comments have been noted and further consideration will be given. THQ BRITISH MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSIP : b] 2001 Registration Fees, the Committee voted that no refunds will be allocated as all the championships had run over two or more rounds. C] Planning , It was agreed that the entry fee for the THQ Championship would be £75 per round and registration £200 non refundable. Mrs. Clarke said subsequently she had been to an organisers meeting where the round entry fee had been changed to £60 2002 MULTI CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP : The idea is to introduce a completely new open class championship and to include some rounds of the British Quad championship. Only three classes will be run at each round with the exception of some planned two day meetings where all five classes will be on show. All classes should be run over six rounds except the Quads who will race as often as can be arranged with their association to provide the prize fund. The sidecar class will suffer a cutback in prize money in 2002, which will bring them to the same structure as the Fourstroke. It is hoped that the sidecar class will be more attractive to organisers and will ensure that this traditional championship will continue at national status and not be downgraded to a less a status. The entry fee for all classes will be £50 per round and the registration/insurance is to be decided. Mrs. Clarke said there had been no firm commitments regarding the new Challenge series but she had heard it would be open to Juniors and she felt the ACU was encroaching on Open to Centre entries and that we would be the losers. The date for the National Motocross Clerk of the Course and Stewards seminar will be Sunday 27th January at the ACU Offices. 2002 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SIDECAR CROSS : It was agreed to hold the application for the ACU/Organising Club to stage a round of the World Championship in 2002 until 30th October, if no club comes forward then the application will be handed back to the FIM. The Committee agreed that a solo qualifying series be organised over four rounds, with a reserve date at the end of the year. These events should preferably be in the North, east, South and West of the Country.

ACU MOTO CROSS COMMITTEE ELECTIONS : Both the candidates we had voted for were elected . Bryan Higgins and Andy Crawford.

CENTRE CLERK OF THE COURSE / STEWARDS SEMINAR : Mr. Herd agreed to conduct a seminar on 20th February at Blindley Heath. Mr. Wood said he would get something in the next Gazette.

DEPUTATION FROM THE GREENWICH CLUB : Jim Wood informed the meeting that as of next year the London Federation of Sport, which covers London and the SE would be in charge of distributing their own monies. There were 4 empty seats on it at the moment and a definite shortage of motoring/motorcycling reps. He urged the Combine to join as single Clubs cannot and suggested the Trials Combine do the same. They meet 4 times a year and it would cost £10 annually, Jim said he was willing to stand. It was proposed Mr. Batten and seconded Mr. Lane that we go ahead. Mr. Lane then informed the meeting that future requests for up to £5000 would no longer be acceptable from single clubs and that we would have to pool our ideas and apply as the Combine, he urged all Clubs to go back to their Committees and come back to this Combine with ideas. Mr. Wood also attended a Regional Sports Council Meeting where it was necessary to arrange a forum to vote for delegates to represent various sports. Mrs. Clarke agreed to receive e mails on his behalf as he was not electronically connected.

THE SPORTING MOTORCYCLIST / RICHARD BARBER : Mr. Bramall had produced a draft copy of an entry form which it was hoped would be able to be used for the combined entries in the new Sporting Motorcyclist. Mr. Barber had also written in on similar lines asking for the Four Stroke Moto Cross category to be able to show whether they were Junior or Experts. Mr. Wood said that things had moved on since the draft copy and they were now of the opinion it would be easier to leave a blank and allow the rider to fill in his own details.

INSURANCE RELATED MATTERS : Foreign Riders: An advance notice had been received regarding foreign entries. Riders in possession of a "release " from their own federations that includes insurance have to pay the standard insurance rate, those that do not come with their own insurance pay the normal rate plus £12 for repatriation to an UEM country and special ACU competition licence. Weekly Personal Accident Payments : Mr. Wood said there was an article in the forthcoming Sporting Motorcyclist explaining the changes to insurance in 2002 but the main one affecting all riders would be the cessation of weekly benefits although officials will still be eligible.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Mr. Batten gave a resume on the recent Recorders Conference and confirmed the confusing over Graham Burton status emanated from his full name on his licence being different from that which appeared in programmes. He supplied the current list of Expert Riders. Mrs. Clarke pointed out certain errors relating to grading which appear on the 2002 licence application form - she will point this out to the ACU office. Mr. Horton was worried about rumours concerning John Mears from the Mid Sussex YSMA Club and Bryn Nicholas ex EKSSC of BSMA origins setting up a new ACU adult/youth club. He had heard they had been refused affiliation with ORPA, he had previously had an agreement with Mid Sussex on date clashes but had heard the new Club were bragging that they intend to clash with GEST. He officially wished to oppose their affiliation. Mr. Dixon said he had spoken to Mike Askins of the BYMX and understood a new club wished to affiliate, it was agreed the matter should be discussed at the next centre Management meeting.

The date of the next meeting which would also be the AGM was agreed as 16th January. There being nothing further to discuss the meeting closed at 11.05.pm.