Minutes of Driver's meeting, Silverstone 2008

 
HSCC Meeting 18th October, 2008      Held at Silverstone


The meeting started at 12.30pm

1. Apologies: Paul Busby

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting: After reading the salient points out to the members, the minutes of the 20th October 2008 were approved.

3. Chairman’s Report: There was no report as all the points needed would be covered later in the meeting to save times as only 30 minutes was allocated today.

4. Election of Representatives: the incumbent representatives were all re-elected. Tony Keele proposed the re-election and Mike Scott seconded the proposal. Ian Gray was elected to join as the representative for Formula Libre/Formula B with Matthew watts.

Chairman – David Pullen
Registrars – David Pullen and Ted Walker
Class E4 – Michael Scott
Class E2 – Matthew Watts
Class Formula Junior – Duncan Rabagliati
Class Formula Ford (Invitation) – Jason Williams
Class 1.0 F2 – Paul Busby and David Crowther
Class D 1.0 F3 – David Pullen

5. Class Name Changes: The class names for C/D/E2 and E4 are to be changed to the well-known names of the 1960s. Changing the names should lift the profile of the races and make it easier to understand the classes. A discussion followed and the consensus was to change the names as planned to the following:

• Formula 3 1.0 litre 1964 – 1970
• Formula Junior (one class) up to 1963
• Formula Libre / Formula ‘B’(incorporating Class ‘C’)(where this was the original spec.) up to 1600cc with approval from the Committee (NOT to include Formula Fords modified)
• Formula 2 1000cc and 1600cc
• Formula 1 up to 1500cc V8 as per Class II of the HGPCA series 1961 - 1966
• Formula Ford (invitation) no change
• Invitation class – for the Committee to decide if the car is in the spirit of CRC.
With the exception of Formula Libre, cars would only be accepted into classes with their original engine specification.

A discussion took place regarding imposing weight regulations and whether this could be imposed. There have never been minimum weight regulations imposed, but it was felt that there should be weight limits for each class. If a car weighed too little this would be easy to adjust, but if there are no weight limits there are no rules to follow. The discussion included the following questions:

• Should the regulations be fixed at the current weights?
• Should there be penalties introduced for incorrect car weights?
• Should the weight limits that applied when the cars left the factory?
• How difficult would this be to enforce, considering the difficulty of enforcing noise limits?
• Should the weight limits be the FIA ones or weights to be decided by the HSCC?

Richard Urwin proposed the introduction of weight limits and Mike Scott seconded the proposal. It was carried with only a couple of objections.

It was decided that appropriate weight limits would be decided by the Board and submitted to the MSA although it was felt that the regulations should reflect the ex-factory weights when new as Duncan Rabagliati does in Formula Junior, but they should also not penalise anyone currently racing. Formula juniors already have a top class weight limit of 400kg.

Comments were made on noise limits, prompted by the discussion on weight limits. It was mentioned that noise testing seemed to be inconsistent but more to do with location rather then the accuracy of the equipment. This would be taken up with the MSA to make certain that the regulations are followed. * see later comment

6. VIFs: The forms are not likely to change for the foreseeable future, but they may be required to be verified. Weight tickets will be required. Additional photographs may be required. The Office will keep members updated.

7. Regulations: No changes anticipated, except for the class names. Two copies will be sent out to each member and they will be required to sign one copy and return it to the Office. This will then register you as a competitor. There will no longer be any dispensations. This will tighten a loophole where we all adhere to the Regulations in future. The meeting was reminded that constant velocity joints in drive shafts, cross drilled brake discs, brake balance bars are not allowed.

There was a discussion about using BDA engines with fuel injection and everyone was reminded that this has not been allowed for a number of years. BDAs with carburettors to Atlantic spec. only are an acceptable alternative to FVA engines for genuine Formula 2 cars.

8. Calendar: The Chairman read out the provisional calendar of races for next year which was basically the same order as 2008. A discussion about the number of races followed and it was felt that eight races rather than ten might be a better option, especially with the current economic situation.
• Pembury is unlikely to take place in 2009 unless we as a club have assistance from the Welsh Tourist Board again and there is a question as to the availability of Donington, due to the refurbishments for F1 Grand Prix in 2010. The circuit is due to close after September 2009 whilst the track is re-aligned.
• The dates should appear in the HSCC magazine by Christmas. There was a request for a race at Thruxton and possibly Mallory Park may appear.
• A request was made for practice and racing at Oulton Park to be on the same day. No racing takes place on Sunday morning at Oulton Park and this causes problems with our timetable.
• The question was raised as to why the classic races are predominantly held towards the end of the day. Formula Ford is nearly always before Classic races, but it was pointed out that there needs to be a race in between these two races, so that the drivers can get back to the paddock and where necessary can change tyres and get out on the track again for their next race. Graham White will be asked to rotate these races, if possible.
• Maybe it would be better to have fewer meetings but of two days and longer practice times which would make the trip worthwhile such as 20 minutes practice with two 15 minute races. Derek Bell will not be present at every race venue, so maybe two races can be held at these meetings. This will be mentioned to Graham white.
• The consensus is to have fewer meetings at the best venues and with better timings for the races.

9. Any Other Business:

• The 2008 Series has been good with several new cars such as the well turned out Brabhams of Keith Norman’s, B Waggitt and Grant Clearwater, which really do credit to our series..

• Ian Gray is overall champion with Tony Keele 2nd, Will Shryver 3rd, Paul McMorran 4th and Anthony Goddard was 5th.

• David Brown was thanked for sponsoring the series.

• In closing the idea is to achieve a Formula Junior to Formula 1 series with cars running in period and not to let people create non-period cars. The new class names should also lift the profile of Classic Racing cars still further.

• A form may be e-mailed out to everyone to find out what venues, races, etc. members want before the calendar is fixed.

• The Chairman thanked everyone for attending, and the members thanked David and the Board for their hard work.

The meeting closed at 1.30 pm.

* Noise testing – all competitors are reminded that Classic Racing Cars is a silenced series and therefore must meet the noise levels set out in the MSA ‘Blue Book’. Irrespective of noise testing at circuits, it is up to the competitor/entrant to ensure the car complies to avoid the possibility of exclusion from the practice/race.