HELD AT THE OFFICES OF THE UNION ON SATURDAY 09 NOVEMBER 2013
Present: -
Mr P Gregory Committee Chairman Mr G Hurry ASTRA GTC
Mr P Hurry Committee Member Mr K Potts ASTRA GTC
Mr C Tyrrell Committee Member Mr P Court ASTRA GTC
Mrs S Brace Invited Guest Mr T Vivian Malvern
Mr A Noel Honorary Chairman Mr M Gosling Midland Centre
Mr B Ward Midshires GTC Mrs J Gosling Midland Centre
Mr M Wear Midshires GTC Mr M Higgins Grassroots MCC
Mr C Davies Midshires GTC Mr N Clark Frittenden & DMCC
Mrs J Clark Frittenden & DMCC Mr J Meredith Ledbury MCC
Mr D A Brown Pickering & DMC Mrs S Palmer Ledbury MCC
Mr C Salisbury Ledbury MCC Mr J Sayer Dunmow & DMCC
Mrs D Goulding Ledbury MCC Mr T Madley Competitor
Mr M Jones Peterchurch GTC Mr D Jones Peterchurch GTC
Mr C Pattison Somerton & DMCC Mrs S Pattison Somerton & DMCC
Mr Lee Woodgate Cheshire GTC Mr D Winterton Cheshire GTC
Mrs J Collins Fenland GTC Mrs M Lloyd Fenland GTC Mr R Parcell Fenland GTC Mr C Maidment Wimborne MCC
Mr R Spreadbury Wimborne MCC Mrs J Abbott VMCC
Mr D Abbott VMCC Mr I Russell Frittenden & DMCC
Mrs S Russell Frittenden & DMCC Mr M Kilvert Mid Wales
Mrs A Kilvert Mid Wales Mr T Nicholls Woodbridge MCC
Mr G Wilby Woodbridge Mr S Harvey Competitor
Mr R Smith B & L GTA Mrs J Smith B & L GTA
Mr A Driver
Apologies were received from Mr M Stace, Mr D Staff, Mr D Sullivan and Mrs Tracey Cossar.
Mr Gregory opened the meeting at 1.30pm, welcomed all guests and asked for a minutes silence to remember those who we have lost in the sport in the previous twelve months.
Presentations were then made to ASTRA Club (organiser of the year) after a close fought competition with Wimborne MCC, and Steve Smith (Bill Smith Merit Award).
- 2013 British Grass Track Championships
2013 British Masters Championships was organised successfully by Wimborne MCC.
2013 British Grass Track Championships. The National Steward’s report on the British Championships noted it was organised to a high standard by the Cornwall Solo Club
The Sidecar Working Group meeting held prior to the Open Form proved to be very helpful with some good input for 2014 events from those present. Several items will be placed on the agenda for the next Track Racing Committee meetings from the report of the working group.
- 2014 Championship dates
The follow applications for 2014 National / Championship events have been received as follows:
British Masters ASTRA GTC – 14.09.14 or 21.09.14
British Championship Fenland MCC – 31.08.2014
British Masters Challenge Ledbury MCC – 20.07.2014
Pre 75 Championship Burton & Leicester GTC 10.08.2014
Upright Championship MCPMCC – 03.08.2014 (PROV)
Sand Racing Championships Guernsey MCC & CC – 14.06.2014
British Youth Champ. Cornwall Solo GTC - tbc
British U21 No applications
Lincolnshire Poacher Wainfleet & DMCC – 24.08.2014
FIME Sidecar Final 500cc Sidecar Association – tbc
Role of C of C – For 2014, Clerks of the Course will be asked to apply the ACU regulations consistently and fairly. At the meeting for National Championship Organisers the clubs running the three main championships will be asked to bring their Clerk of the Course to the meeting so that standards can be confirmed.
Mr Gregory noted that until the FIM & FIME dates have been finalised, the date of the British Masters and the FIME Sidecar Final dates cannot be confirmed.
3. 2014 Licence fees / forms
For the first time in many years the competition licences have been increased, to £45 for 2014. Speedway licences have risen from £33.00 to £35.00
In future sidecar drivers can only use a National Licence in the class that the earned the National Licence in.
There will be three classes of Sidecar Licences: 1000cc right hand, 1000cc Left hand and 500cc Sidecar. This will also apply to passengers.
From 2014 events run on circuits with a track length of more than 700 metres approval will be required from the TRC before regulations can be issued.
4. Insurance for 2014
Insurance rates to remain the same for 2014, subject to confirmation by the ACU‘s new insurers.
5. 2014 Permits
International Series – It is hoped to promote an international series for 500cc sidecars during the 2014 season
6. 2014 Handbook
Technical Issues – The FIM had revised number of technical specifications in relation to fuel and handlebars, and it was agreed that these would be adopted with the exception of handlebar widths for sidecars.
- regulations will be included in the handbook for a “pre 1980 sidecar class” based on machines available at the time, and this will allow a parallel class for the use of more modern 500cc road based twin cylinder engines.
Specific regulations will be available for the office in 2014.
Race Direction – Following the sidecar working group it had been agreed to provide more support for the Clerks of the Course.
The provision to use a race director or referee to assist the Clark of the Course already exists within the current ACU rules.
7. 2014 Dates clashes
There is a need to avoid date clashes. In 2013 a number of events were cancelled due to date clashes within a parameter of the same group of drivers and spectators.
For 2014 the current economic pressures mean it is more important to avoid these date clashes.
All clubs present agreed that we seek to do this, but experience suggests that what they really mean is “stop the other club running on my date”
Assistance of Centres. The Track Racing Committee has limited power to make clubs avoid clashes, as clubs running to Centre permits do not come to the ACU Office for approval.
It is vital therefore, that for 2014, Centres work with the ACU to avoid date clashes where this is possible.
8. Sand Racing Championships 2014
The date for the 2014 Sand Ace Championships is Saturday 14
th June. This date is provisional subject to confirmation from Government regulations and of tide tables.
9. Sound Control Measures.
1000cc sidecars – Trials during the year by Dick Sullivan demonstrates that we can replicate the official 2 meter max method with a ride by system. This will appear in the 2014 Handbook.
10. Guidelines for Marshals booklet:
Nobby Clerk submitted several changes for the booklet. The updated Guidelines for Marshals booklet will be available in early 2014
11. Secretary of the Meeting Guidelines
There was a call to review the booklet to provide more information for new secretaries.
Secretaries will be invited to attend the TRC Clerk of Course Seminar in March, although they will not be required to take to assessment paper.
12. Safety Precautions
There will be a new section for tracks that exceed 700mtrs. These must be referred to the Track Racing Committee before a TTC can be issued.
13. Licences – proposed by Nobby Clerk
Riders must qualify for national in their own class. Passengers should also qualify by class, with 6 qualifying rides. Qualifying for international licences for sidecar passengers will be reviewed.
14. Helmet mounted Cameras – Proposed by Steve Brace
After some discussion, it was agreed that the use of helmet mounted cameras be banned to the potential helmet damage caused by affixing them. To be included in the Grass Track Regulations in the 2014 Handbook.
15. Advertising – South Eastern Centre
No comments
16. Dates - Proposed by Frittenden / South Eastern Centre
Dates for British Masters and the Wimborne Whoppa to be agreed after FIM / FIME dates are confirmed.
17. Dirt Deflectors/Technical Inspection/LH Sidecars – Proposed by South East / Frittenden
Level playing field for checking of dirt deflectors.
Standardised lifting point for checking.
LH sidecars to trial for next year
18. Brian Stibbs / Jim Rendall
To be based on the Grading points this year, winners not yet finalised.
For 2014 it is hoped to be able to identify 5 major events for these trophies, the solo and sidecar events need not be based on the same 5 meetings.
19. Best Organiser
After much discussion and a close fought race with Wimborne MCC for the successful running of the British Masters Championships, ASTRA GTC was awarded the Best Organiser trophy for 2013. For the first time since 2002 an organiser has run an FIM Championship. The organisers worked extremely hard in the run up to the event and together with the ACU saw one of the biggest numbers of spectators at a Grass Track for many years.
20.
Bill Smith Special Merit Award
Steve Smith’s contributions to the sport were recognised by being awarded the Bill Smith Special Merit award for 2013. Steve won his first Championship on the 1000cc sidecar in 1973, repeated in 1978 and in 1980 won both the 500cc sidecar and the 1000cc sidecar Championships. Steve went on to win a further two championships and forty seasons on is still a force to be reckoned with in the sidecar class.
21. British Youth Championships
It was requested that this event does not take place on the August Bank Holiday if possible.
22. Any Other Business
The Committee received reports over the season of abuse aimed at officials at Grass Track event. This was most noticeable at the British Masters Championship where not only officials received verbal abuse but also riders team and club helps. This is unacceptable.
Updates for the agenda of the next Track Racing Committee Meeting.
Update championship conditions to clarify reserves in finals and semi-finals. Review rider allocation. Colin Blackbourne. Masters Final – can seeded riders remain at 6 for 2014. Can any rider who has won the Championship have a wild card. Silencers and carb checks to be carried out at events. Under 21 – try 350cc and or 250cc.capacity.
23. Date of Forum for 2014
The corresponding date next year.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 16.30, and wished everyone a safe journey home.