To all MORBC members,

There is a busy bee on the 10th August and then 24th from 10am to 3pm.

Let one of the committee members know if you will be there so we can organize a BBQ for you all.

If the above dates don't suit for some reason there is someone there every weekend from around 10am on Sat and Sun until 5pm.

The main frame is up on the brickwork now so you will be able to see just how long the new drivers stand is. Take into account 2.5m from the far end is for the time keeping room.

 

Great News: MORBC has been selected to host the 2009 Australian National Titles with Joondalup Hobbies as the major sponsor for this event.

What we can tell you at this

stage is that Peter Cooper

(aka Slyfox) will be timing

the event

We also have an experienced

crew to run the event.

The date 19-22 March 2009.

There will be scrutineering

and open practice on

the 18 March.


-------------------------------------------------------------------

Kyle Francis is the lucky winner of the OS Engine and pipe combo.

Many thanks to all who paid their membership fees. It will help to complete the huge upgrades that MORBC is undergoing at the present time.
 

We are looking for a name for the facility and already some suggestions have been put to the club such as "The Sheepstation" funny but probably not what we are looking for. Another is "Tornado Alley" partly inspired by the US "Thunder Alley" but more because of the Tornado Alley's in and around Perth that get talked about quite a bit in the news. Another one and I like this one is "Nitro Zone" or "Nitro Dome".
Any way we are looking for ideas so if you can come up with a name for the MORBC facility let us know.
The author of the name that is used will receive a set of JConcepts tyres as a prize.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minutes of the MORBC Inc Annual General Meeting

 

Meeting opened 1.30pm on 22/6/2008. Closed 3.40pm.

 

Present: Paul Higgins, Steven Smulders, Tina Smulders, Dale Smulders, Gary Bruecher, Peter Martin, Stephen Roberts, Rob Taylor, Darrin Francis, Darren Birch, Mathew Birch, Steven Stampalia, Andrew Long.

 

Apologies: Phil Southwood.

 

Minutes of the previous committee meeting are read out: Passed: Tina Smulders, Seconded: Darrin Francis.

Old Bank Account: In September 2007 a new account was opened with two signatories and the old account is still open so the motion was put forward to close the old account to avoid fees and it is no longer required. It is necessary for Paul Wyllie to close the account so the club is to contact him in relation to this matter. All present in favor.

 

Nominations: President: Paul Higgins, Passed: Steven Smulders, Seconded: Gary    

                       Bruecher.

                       Vice President: Steven Smulders, Passed Darrin Francis, Seconded:

                       Stephen Roberts.

                       Secretary/Treasurer: Tina Smulders, Passed: Rob Taylor, Seconded:

                       Paul Higgins.

                       Committee Member 1: Stephen Roberts, Passed: Andrew Long,

                       Seconded: Dale Smulders.

                       Committee Member 2: Rob Taylor, Passed: Steven Smulders,

                       Seconded: Steven Stampalia.

                       Committee Member 3: Andrew Long, Passed: Stephen Roberts,

                       Seconded: Darrin Francis.

                       Committee Member 4: Gary Bruecher, Passed: Steven Smulders,   

                       Seconded: Rob Taylor.

                       Committee Member 5: Darrin Francis, Passed: Steven Smulders,

                       Seconded: Darren Birch.

 

General Business: From Rob Taylor:

1.      Recognise the effort that has delivered the track that we have today--thanks to the people that have contributed financially and with personal effort.

2.      It was stated by Rob that all members life or otherwise to be governed by the same rules. Also it was stated what life membership is, why it is awarded and who the current life members are.                                                                    The current life members are Paul Wyllie, Rob VanOostan, Tony Facima and Allen Taylor.

3.      What is the clubs focus? This was discussed and it was agreed that the club should nurture new membership and be more supportive of new members. The existing members should be encouraged to help others. Also continue to implement changes that increase the perception that the club supports all members experienced or beginners. All in favor.

4.      Rob stated that the track lacks “life” and we should redesign the track to be more like “American style” tracks and that the track on which the recent Queensland State Titles was held on illustrated some good ideas that the committee could implement. All present in favor.

5.      Wet weather- build a track that can be raced in the wet weather, we are very close to this now and then race, it is the norm every where else, yes we are blessed with better than average weather, but again when we travel, it should not be the first time that we experience wet weather. The question raised was should we race on wet days or close the track down for the winter? This was discussed and it was decided to continue to close the track down for the winter for the following reasons. 1. It is a good time to do maintenance and upgrades to the facility. 2. There are not a lot of drivers who want to race when it is wet so therefore it is not viable. In addition to this a race meetings could be scheduled during the winter months and if numbers support it then the meeting will go ahead.

6.      Rob talks about the subject of lighting in regards to night racing and that it would be a major draw card. Kennards hire will give free hire for a 20kva generator until the club can afford one next year. All present agree. Refer to 11.

7.      Practice on non racing weekends --part timed practice and part practice as discussed at last meeting. It was agreed that the track be open all day Saturday’s on the weekends that there is no racing and in addition to this keys to the track be given out to all committee members to allow practice any time during daylight hours. Members can contact a committee member and meet them at the track or alternatively pick up the keys and open the facility up and practice on the track at a cost of $5 per member or committee member. If another member was to arrive with the intention of using the facility it would be up to the member or committee member who had the keys to collect $5 off the member that arrived at the facility. The trial is set to run from the start of October to the end of December.                                 The main reasons the trial may fail are:         1. Members who practice and do not turn up to race meetings (within reason).   2. Keys not being handed back the same day.                                                       3. Members or committee members using the facility or letting other members use the facility without paying or collecting the $5 fee.                                                4. Excess wear and tear on the track.                                                                       5. Track being left in an unlocked condition.                                                        6. Failure to keep accurate records of members using the facility.                             A list of all members and/or committee members that use the facility will be kept by all committee members who open the track or give out the keys to other members and the list along with all moneys will be handed in to the Treasurer at all race meetings.                                                                                                   The reasons for this list are                                                                                                1. To see how popular the new track access system is.                                          2. To keep track of members who use the facility and also attend race meetings.                                                                                                                   3. To know how much money needs to have been collected.                                          4. To gauge how much wear and tear the track suffers for a given number of members using the facility. All in favor.

8.      Tap into the experience that we have, past National champions, international drivers and other clubs, we should not be learning lessons that have been already learnt -an example is many do not want MORBC to run the nationals -find out why, this is the level that the club can run at. As the club is hosting the 2009 Australian National Titles no farther discussion was required.

9.  It was stated to all present what it means to run an event such as the Australian National Titles and the responsibilities involved.

10. Youth and new drivers-put out a plan for them, they are the future, let them know that they are wanted.

11.Lotteries West Grant-Explain the plan. What does the committee want to purchase for the club with the Lotteries West grant. It was put forward that the Club purchase the track lighting system as well as all the wiring and hardware for the power points, pit lighting and track lighting. Also a new computer and second monitor are needed along with a new PA system. It was agreed that quotes be obtained to ascertain if all these items could be purchased with the grant money and some club funds and then go ahead and apply for the grant. All in favor.

12.Canteen; Help is needed here; suggest committee find someone to help Tina with the canteen duties. All in favor.

13.Race Control; Rob suggested that more members learn to use the timing system. Steve Suggested that they could learn on practice days when it did not matter if there were mistakes made. All in favor.

 

From Troy Wilson: Motion to start up a controlled tyre class. It was established that it would be too difficult and impractical for members to have to use a controlled tyre for race meetings so it was decided that from time to time members be allowed to use any tyre they wish but only one set for the day. Days that this will occur will be on the new calendar.

 

From Michael Gaull: Michael asked the committee if it would be ok to race his 1/8 scale electric powered Truggy at MORBC. After discussing the issue it was decided to allow Michael to race his Truggy at MORBC. It was also decided to allow any other person who wished to race a similar Truggy to do so only after it was discussed with the committee.

 

From Darrin Francis: Darrin proposed to make a change to the track access policy. Ref item 7 from Rob Taylor. All in favor.

 

From Steven Smulders:

1. Propose to charge $25 to active non drivers. They get pleasure out of the club also it would give them voting rights. Technically speaking some committee members do not have voting rights because they are not members. Darrin Francis suggested that some of the money go towards a end of year windup. All in Favor.

Steve proposed that the Club put a large percentage of  funds toward the organization of the National and State Titles. This way the club can pay people to run the event and take some of the pressure off the committee. All in favor.

 

From Phil Southwood:

1. Phil proposed that some extra measures be taken to control driver behavior on the track. Steve stated that the upstairs time keeping and referee room would go a long way to making it easier to see the racing and implement penalties for those who break the rules.

2. Phil proposed that the track be made easier to drive on to assist newer drivers. It was agreed by all that the track is ok for new drivers and that the changes that are going to be made to the track will not make it too hard for the newer drivers.

3. Phil states that all the committee members need to get involved in the running of race meetings in order to take the load off the few that do it now. All in favor.

4. Phil proposed that a track bond of $10 be made payable at race meetings that involve finals racing in order to encourage members to stay and marshal the last races All in favor.

5. Phil proposed that the five jump rhythm section is too dangerous to marshal and he would like a decision on if they should be changed. The committee has spoken about this before and they do not constitute a danger however it is recognized that it is a “high marshalling point” and that changes may be made when the track is changed before the start of the new race season.

 

From Andrew Long:

 

Hi Tina & Steve,

 

I’m new to the sport and new to MORBC so I don’t know if this has ever been tried/discussed.

 

It goes without saying that the great position the MORBC is in, is due to the very hard work of a few people who deserve our thanks.

Moving forward I think we need to provide a more inviting set up and demystify the sport a bit  to attract new members, a large percentage of which will just participate for a bit of competition but mostly for fun.

 

 

1. Promote/Advertise a beginning of the season Open Day at the track where newbies can have a go, the cars would belong to the club, obviously the expense is an issue but perhaps the Club/current members/sponsors could assist by donating preloved cars/parts/fuels to make this possible. Committe/members to run the day. All in favor.
2. Have a revamped sign made and placed in a prominent position that details what we are about and how we welcome new members etc etc All in favor
3. Have some flyers printed and kept permanently at the track, perhaps in a locked weather proof box that are aimed at prospective new members, these flyers would contain all the information a newcomer would need to know. All in favor.
4. Construct a modest semi permanent shaded viewing stand/gallery for spectators/wives/girlfriends. All in favor.

 

Regards

 

Andrew Long.