South Eastern Centre Motocross Combine Minutes September 2002
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SOUTH EASTERN MOTO CROSS COMBINE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2002 AT BLINDLEY HEATH.
PRESENT : 18 Delegates were present representing the followings Clubs :- Brighton, Crawley, GEST, Greenwich, Premier, Sidcup, SE Marshals, and Twickenham. Also present the Centre Chairman and our representative on the London Federation of Sport.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE : Apologies were received from John Bramall, Bryn Nicholas, John Claridge, Monty Lane and Frank Dixon.
CHAIR : Mr. Eddie Herd had informed the Secretary he might be late attending as he was returning directly from an ACU Meeting in Rugby, it was therefore agreed that Mr. Roger Brown take the Chair until he arrived.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING : It was proposed Mr. Horton and seconded Mrs. Argent that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th July 2002 be accepted as a true and accurate record. Carried.
MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM :
NFU Adverts : Mrs. Clarke apologised that she had not yet had the time to have the adverts inserted in the various farming magazines.
Background Plates : Mrs. Clarke read a letter from the ACU Moto Cross Committee advising they had reversed their previous decision to change the colour of background number plates after hearing concerns from other clubs and centres around the country and this would not now go forward as a rule change for next year. Mrs. Clarke expressed her disappointment that the MX Committee at Rugby was so out of touch with the grass roots of the sport over this matter, there was some discussion about going UDI over the matter but it was felt this would make more work for the organisers in our Centre whenever an out of centre rider appeared not to be worth it. It was agreed however that in future we would enforce the old rules rigidly and not allow any deviation such as black & white 250 four stroke numbers.
Riders Handouts : Mr. Wood said this has been put on the back boiler for a while.
Website : Jamie Clarke said the Combine's website was up and running with some minutes on it. He had put a counter on it to monitor the number of hits and it was agreed the address should be publicised in the TSM.
CHAIR : Mr. Eddie Herd having arrived then took over the Chair.
14/28 Day Rule : This matter thankfully had been dropped by the Government but delegates were warned that insiders had hinted it might re appear disguised as something else. Mr. Herd mentioned if anyone is approached by their Council regarding caravans the ACU has an exemption certificate regarding caravans overnighting at competitions.
Joint Dates Meeting : Mrs. Clarke said she had written to as many clubs as she could think of that organised Moto Cross events in the Southern, Eastern and South Midland centres regarding a joint dates meeting and had a couple of replies to date. There was some discussion as to when the National Dates might be announced with Mr. Herd reckoning we should know something by Mid November, Mrs. Clarke to collate dates and if everyone was in agreement organise a joint dates meeting at a suitably mid distance venue, she would keep delegates posted of the latest news.
Centenary Supper : Mr. Roger brown, the Centre Treasurer announced the launch of a social occasion to mark the ACU's centenary which will be held at the Grasshopper Westerham [ the big one ] on 8th February next year. It will be heavily subsidised at £10 a ticket and it was hoped Clubs would bring memorabilia and have a stand/display to show these on. The evening would start and finish early to cater for those coming long distances and would include tea and biscuits on arrival going onto a carvery meal with no loud music, disco or dancing - just good old fashioned socialising amongst old friends. He hoped to print an entry form in the TSM and have some sort of programme of the event printed where people could, if they wanted to , have their details printed to further contacts after the event.
Winterpick Farm : No one was present from the Horsham Club but Mr. Herd said he knew the matter was under discussion by the Club's Committee.
No Fear Body Armour : Mr. Horton produced an advert showing the No Fear Body Armour that has been questioned regarding it's hump on the back. After some discussion it was agreed the armour did not pose a really serious threat as it could be cut quite easily on the side elastic and removed. It was thought it might be a good idea to contact Clubs' first aid providers and see if they would like some sort of demonstration at one of their training sessions of how Moto Cross gear was put on and taken off.
Advertiser's Banner : Mr. Brown said he was awaiting artwork from Mr. Wood.
CENTRE MANAGEMENT MEETING : Mrs. Clarke reported there was trouble with the official ACU helmet stickers coming off but that a new batch had been ordered with different glue which should solve the problem. 2003 licences were to be increased by £3 with affiliation fees going up to £10. Some talk about training the trainers for seminars and the issuing of Centre Stewards and Clerk of the Course licences from the office at Rugby. A court of Enquiry to be convened that will deal with a double entry made by David Willett at moto cross meetings.
ACU MOTO CROSS COMMITTEE MINUTES AND NOMINATIONS : Mrs. Clarke said after sending a Round Robin out regarding nominations for the 2 retiring posts on the ACU Moto Cross Committee she only received 2 nominations which were for Dave Williams and Frank Dixon [ both retiring members ]. She had forwarded the nomination forms on to the ACU via the nominees for their signatures. She expected we might have to have another Round Robin when the list of nominations is printed to decide who we should vote for because it was unlikely with the dates saga that we meet again beforehand . Extracts were read and discussed from the minutes of the 4th meeting of the ACU Moto Cross Committee :-
CHIEF EXECUTIVES REPORT : The Chief Executive reported that a ½ page in TMX, once a fortnight, will be available to the ACU. The Motocross Committee were asked to submit editorial by Monday midday to the ACU Office. One Day Licences : A discussion also took place on the growing hostility towards one day licences. Day Licences should be used to encourage people to have a go at the sport before they buy an annual licence, by removing the Day Licence it is closing the door on people who want to try the sport before they commit themselves. A change of name to " Introduction Licence " may encourage first timers to have a go and encourage riders who compete on a regular basis to purchase an annual ACU Licence.
2003 BRITISH MOTO CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP DATES : Sidcup - March : Norwich - April : Salop - May : Halstead - June : Cooks town - July : Pontrilas - August :Oxford - September ; West Midlands - October : with reserves Torridge and West Devon.
BRITISH SIDECAR, FOORSTROKE, U21, CHALLENGE & QUAD CHAMPIONSHIP : Sidecar Championship : The Committee received 2 similar proposals to change the conditions for the British Sidecar Cross Championship. These would be implemented over the next 2 years. The proposal from the Sidecar Association of GB : register a maximum of 20 riders from the championship standing and allow a further 12 riders [ 2 reserves ] to be taken on a first come first served basis. Next season there is a need to register 25 riders, top 22 from the British Championship and the leading 3 from the Qualifying Series, a further 7 entries would be taken on a first come first served basis. If riders don't register then the places will not be offered to another rider unless the figure drops below 20. The proposal from Roy Barton, Championship Co-Ordinator : register 30 riders, the top 20 from the Championship standings and a further 12 [ 2 reserves ] to be taken on application basis. For next year there would be a registration of 22 riders from the British Championship and the leading 3 from the Qualifying Series. A further 7 entries would be taken, Experts only. Individual lines can be filled by clubs with any Expert riders on a first come first served basis. The Committee were also asked to consider increasing the number of starters to 34 for the sidecar class, starting 17 on the front row and 17 on the back row. The Committee agreed that the proposal from Mr. Barton will be implemented from 1.1.2003 and the number of starters would be increased to 34. Putoline Challenge : It has been decided to revise the qualification system for the 2004 Maxxis British Moto Cross Championship. In 2003, there will be no Qualifying Championship as we presently have them, for the following year. Instead the Putoline Challenge will be the main way for new riders to get into the series. Instead the Putoline Challenge will be the main way for new riders to get into the series. In effect the Putoline Challenge will replace the qualifiers and will run alongside the British Four Stroke and Sidecar Series, together with the U21 and possibility Quads at certain rounds. The Qualification system for the 2004 Maxxis British Championship series will be as follows : 125cc class Top 30 point scorers from previous years Maxxis British Championship Top 3 riders from the BYMX National Championship Top 3 riders from U21 British Championship Top rider from the 125cc MCUI Schoolboy Championship The remaining riders will be taken from the Putoline Challenge, in finishing order on 125 cc or 250cc Four Stroke Machines. Open Class Top 30 point scorers from the previous years Maxxis British Championship Top 4 riders from the previous years British Four Stroke Championship The remaining riders will be taken from the Putoline Challenge, in finishing order on open class machines. The top 15 riders in each class of the Maxxis British Championship will be allowed to change classes. Any rider who finished in the top 20 of the World Championship will have automatic right of entry for the whole series.
GOLDEN JUBILEE MEETING : Mr. Powell said the regulations had appeared in the TSM and the entry was half full. There had been a sub committee meeting and things had moved forward considerably with excellent PR help. A display was planned for the shopping centre in Crawley. Mr. Batten queried one of his members had been asked to join the Premier Club and Mr. Powell apologised saying he had not fully grasped the concept of Open to centre. He appealed for as much help as possible on the day. Andy Sutch, the Regional Director of Sport England would be attending. Mr. Herd said he had seen an adverse report when one of their meetings had been inspected by a BYMX track inspector but would add the meeting was held in very bad weather and was lucky to run at all. Mr. Jim Wood added that the S.E. Centre Enduro Combine had been accepted into the London Federation of Sport as well.
THE SPORTING MOTORCYCLIST : Mr. Bramall did not want the responsibility of cutting chunks out of Combine minutes that were too long to be published in the TSM. Mrs. Clarke said the last thing she wanted after typing up the minutes was to have to précis them, it was just another task. Mr. Bramall felt poignant headings could be used with references that full sets could be applied for or read on the Website. He said it would be nice in November to have a report on the winners of the Centre Championships and he would like more publicity for meetings. The Combine have been given responsibility for their own discipline and so should do something to promote it. He was pleased to say there had been responses to the TSM advert in event programmes. Mr. Batten asked if there could be a date box next to the signature on entry forms. Mr. Wood said all new ideas could be collated at the end of the year for change. Mr. Wood pointed out in a recent TSM it stated Greenwich had gained the £5000 from the Lottery when in fact it was the Combine that had applied for it.
CENTRE CHAMPIONSHIPS : There had been a mix up over Premier MX wanting to use the Hellingly track on a date already granted to the Crawley Club for a Centre Championship round for Juniors, Experts & 4 Strokes. Although no longer being used by Premier, Crawley moved their date to Monday 6th May, seemingly without seeking permission, although they were aware they would lose their Championship status the regulations somehow still got printed bearing Championship status. On further investigations it would appear the wrong calendar of Championship fixtures appeared in the TSM showing the May 5th/12th Dates of Crawley and Twickenham being reversed. It was agreed that the Twickenham problem was beyond their control and will still retain Championship status but Crawley would not. The Secretary was instructed to publish these details in both T & MX News and the TSM. Mr. Batten said the first Junior round at Golding Barn had been abandoned after the 2 heats had run and therefore no championship points would be scored. He also raised a point at both the recent Sidcup and Horsham events some names had not appeared in the programme. Apparently they were not late entries bearing 300 numbers but either had been omitted from the programme or been received before the closing date but after the programme had gone to the printers. After some discussion it was agreed these riders had entered the meeting correctly and it was not their fault their names had not appeared in the programme so they would be eligible for points.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS :
Mrs. Clarke established the whereabouts of the bibs. She also reminded delegates that Neil Hellings, the ACU's new Chief Executive would be visiting the Centre at the next board meeting and asked delegates to make an effort to attend.
Mr. Bramall asked the Combine to consider it date as it clashed again with the Grass Track Combine Meeting. Letter from Barclays Bank informing us of changes afoot if and when we change signatories in the future.
Mrs. Clarke passed around the current data base list from Mr. Burrell showing the current state of peoples clerk of the course licences. Mr. Brown said there were moves afoot to have licences issued by Rugby.
Mr. Brown asked what the current position was on Foreign Riders and their Insurance and Mrs. Clarke said riders without a start permission insurance from their FMR would have to pay an additional re patriation premium.
Mr. Yan Dixon asked for support for their new venue and Mr. Brown asked what it would be like, Mr. Yan Dixon replying it would be a flattish showground track with specially designed jumps.
Mr. Wood supplied the forms for the Volunteer Award Scheme.
Dates : Mrs. Clarke's letter to other clubs re a 4 Centre meeting to be published in TSM and TMX news.
Rusper : Mr. Batten said there was an incident in the last 4 stroke race when an experienced marshal and the club steward were abused, it was possible the marshal would not work for them again and he asked the Combine for advice on how to handle the matter. Mr. Herd said the Centre could take action but it would be up to the Club to decide on this.
Mr. Burton said the Basingstoke Club had run a Southern Centre Meeting in our Centre at Dipinghall Farm , Farnham and wondered if they had asked permission as he knew the Hare & Hounds running this weekend at Slab Common had been made to move because it clashed dates with a Portsmouth Closed to Club.
Mrs. Clarke to check with Ken Piles and then ask Mr. Burrell to fire a salvo across the Southern centre's bows. There being nothing further to discuss the meeting closed at 9.55pm.