Papa Cal Club Election : RESULTS

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

This is from the mass e-mail that our RE (Regional Executive) Steve Staveley sent out (luckily I check my junk e-mail folder) this evening:

LATE BRAKING NEWS: Some late news from the election front:

• Bruce Allison
• John Norris
• Steve Staveley
• Oli Thordarson

were elected to the Board of Governors and thanks to all who put themselves or allowed themselves to be put up for election to the Board. It is a healthy sign for the club. Stay tuned to SoPac News for the details of the election results.

All road racers. Oh well......

[Steve Ekstrand]

And its not even Illinois.

[Oli Thordarson]

Well your first post is partially true. I also predicted the sentiments in your first post on this thread.

Please tell me what your key issues are as the autocross arm of Cal Club. At this point I am very new to Cal Club and brand new to the board. I cannot assure you of your desired result, but I can assure you I will listen and I will carry the message to the rest of the board. You will be heard and I will navigate those waters on your behalf as best as I can.

From what I have read in posts on this forum, even you guys don't usually agree on things, but where there is a clear message and a clear need, I will go to bat for you guys. Give me a try. At this point I don't even know fully what I have gotten myself into.

Do you guys remember when Obama walked out on stage for his acceptance speech? He looked very serious. But I was puzzled by his look and I thought, "No, wait, he is not just looking serious... could it be...?" Yeah, that look Obama he had was one of "Oh, crap, I won this election. Now I have to deal with all this BS." Well, I am in the same fix.

Help me out please with feedback and suggestions that will benefit the solo program. Good debate and diversity of ideas is good, but at some point you guys are all going to have to come together with a reasonable list of actionable items you want to request. You might not get all of them, but it is a place to start.

Remember, while this is a volunteer organization, it is still politics.


Yours truly in two years of indentured public servitude,

Oli Thordarson, the dumbass new Board of Governors member

[Steve Ekstrand]

Number one issue for autocrossers is simple.

Leave us alone.

We can be friends. We can support each other and root for each other and cross participate. But don't try to run us. You already get 100% of the highest region dues in the country. Don't reach out for another dime or we will cut your hand OFF. Don't screw with our sanctions or make other threats unless you want to go to fullscale nuclear war.

Don't be shocked. You're way too new to know the bullcrap thats flowed under the bridge.

Anytime the road racers can't pay their bills suddenly the assets of solo become a concern to the Papa Cal Club treasurer. We existed long before SCCA Solo. We came into the fold with a clear agreement and understanding. Violate that trust and we will fight.

Other things that piss off solo people? I thought Buttonwillow was part ours too... Not so friendly in our attempts to reestablish an event there. Speedventures? We see it as a competitor when they start running autocrosses. I don't see Topeka as being too happy about it either. Cal Club is really going down some dangerous territory on that one.

[Oli Thordarson]

I have some specific questions so I can better understand what is going on.

Anytime the road racers can't pay their bills suddenly the assets of solo become a concern to the Papa Cal Club treasurer. We existed long before SCCA Solo. We came into the fold with a clear agreement and understanding. Violate that trust and we will fight.

You are saying Cal Club has raided the Solo treasury in the past? If so, is it happening currently? When did it happen last? How much?

Other things that piss off solo people? I thought Buttonwillow was part ours too... Not so friendly in our attempts to reestablish an event there. Speedventures? We see it as a competitor when they start running autocrosses. I don't see Topeka as being too happy about it either. Cal Club is really going down some dangerous territory on that one.

I imagine Buttonwillow is a Cal Club asset, so it is part yours. What events did you have their in the past? When did you try to reestablish events there in the past and how were things not so friendly?

What specifically is Topeka not too happy about?


Oli

[Aaron Goldsmith]

I have some specific questions so I can better understand what is going on.

Anytime the road racers can't pay their bills suddenly the assets of solo become a concern to the Papa Cal Club treasurer. We existed long before SCCA Solo. We came into the fold with a clear agreement and understanding. Violate that trust and we will fight.

You are saying Cal Club has raided the Solo treasury in the past? If so, is it happening currently? When did it happen last? How much?

Well they get all of our membership dues and distribute none of it, so they certainly should be happy enough with that. Yes, there was a try for solo moneys in the past. I'd talk to Mike Simiani if you want to get a single clear voice, he's our president for '09. We have our own board and leadership structure, they would also be the ones to talk to. Meetings are once a month.

Other things that piss off solo people? I thought Buttonwillow was part ours too... Not so friendly in our attempts to reestablish an event there. Speedventures? We see it as a competitor when they start running autocrosses. I don't see Topeka as being too happy about it either. Cal Club is really going down some dangerous territory on that one.

I imagine Buttonwillow is a Cal Club asset, so it is part yours. What events did you have their in the past? When did you try to reestablish events there in the past and how were things not so friendly?

What specifically is Topeka not too happy about?


Oli

Ah, Speedventures.. that's a fun one. The deal there is that they could very well be seen as a direct competitor for the same bodies as us when they run autocross events. I think that's what Steve is referring to. That doesn't get into the fact that CalClub for some crazy reason has writen off the one way they can easily make money and bring in competitors from the general public by not running their own DE and Trackday events, let alone running time attack (SCCA Time Trials/Solo1) style events which seem to be extremely popular in the last 5 years.

[Oli Thordarson]

Ah, Speedventures.. that's a fun one. The deal there is that they could very well be seen as a direct competitor for the same bodies as us when they run autocross events. I think that's what Steve is referring to. That doesn't get into the fact that CalClub for some crazy reason has writen off the one way they can easily make money and bring in competitors from the general public by not running their own DE and Trackday events, let alone running time attack (SCCA Time Trials/Solo1) style events which seem to be extremely popular in the last 5 years.

I have not even been to one board meeting, yet, so I don't have the full story. I am going to go out on a limb here and surmise with reasonable confidence that staffing even one weekend of track days/HPDEs or a Time Attack like Redline is going to require more volunteer staffing than we can muster at Cal Club. Remember, this is a not-for-profit race club. To the best of my knowledge all of the solo events, road races and rallies are staffed by volunteers. The demand for track days is huge, you are right. But on any given weekend I can usually choose between two and sometimes three local tracks to run a track day if I wish. There is no way Cal Club can expect to volunteer staff all of those events. Nor do I think the tracks would find it in there best interest to let one association monopolize dates. I think the same can be said to some extent about autocross events. For Solo there appears to me more demand than what Cal Club can deliver locally just once per month. How do we best meet that demand and meet the competitve challenges?

What is our goal at Cal Club?

What is my role as a Board of Governors rep?


The goal of CalClub, in my opinion, should be to grow all facets of automotive motorsports within our defined target markets. Those target markets to me are solo, road racing and rally. Am I missing something? Additionally we should grow the prosperity of the club so we can fund gainful activities to the cause of growing our motorsport endeavors. Lastly, we need to establish strong leadership, a solid treasury and a robust membership so we provide for good racing today and build for a strong legacy to hand over to the next generation of enthusiasts.

We must all remember that all our members have many choices with their time and dollars each weekend. If we cannot attract sufficient quantities of both our members time and money, Cal Club will whither away as we lose members to other competing organizations or even completely different endeavors. That is the simple truth. We cannot make our competitors go away within motorsports and nor can we make all the other attractions in for time and money in So Cal go away. We need to make solo, road racing and rally events the most fun bang-for-the-buck we can. How do we do that?

.

[Christine Grice]

I think the same can be said to some extent about autocross events. For Solo there appears to me more demand than what Cal Club can deliver locally just once per month. How do we best meet that demand and meet the competitve challenges?

I have a hard time agreeing with this statement. We have a prectice coming up this weekend and we can't seem to fill it. In addition to that we have marquee clubs such as the BMW and PCA groups in the LA area that we compete with. We also have a short 2 hour drive to the San Diego region autocrosses.

Why would we (Cal Club) want to support an additional autocross group such as Speed Ventures when it appears as though demand for autocrossing is starting to decrease?

It might seem like our events are full. However, a couple years ago we were hosting 250 to 300 entrant Championships, every single event. That makes our 170-ish events this year seem kinda small. Practices used to fill up on the first day's worth of mail. So I hardly think there is more demand than we can serve.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

Please tell me what your key issues are as the autocross arm of Cal Club.

Not only is Steve's post spot-on (as the Brits like to say) but his TONE of voice in the message is also spot-on. When the road-racing arm of Cal Club/CSCC takes the entire 100% of the dues ($25) for our region, that sticks in the craw of all the Soloists in our region. With that said, we agreed way back when, in a SIGNED, WRITTEN contract that we'd come under the umbrella of Cal Club as a Solo division but be autonomous (i.e. our own board, own committee, own treasury, etc...)

So like Steve also mentions, whenever the road-racers need a bailout they think about raiding the Solo piggy bank (just like the Big 3 auto-makers want a bailout from Uncle Sam). Except this piggy bank is Fort Knox, guarded by Marines, and lawyers. And Mr. Ekstrand is a lawyer and we have a CPA for a treasurer, and I'm the membership chairman and also a guard to our piggybank, so if an attempt is made to raid it, the contract is brought out to REMIND Papa-Cal Club of this agreement they signed way back when. Talk to Gayle Jardine or Renee Angel as they have been doing this longer than any of us and know the history and has reminded your RE to keep his hands off the funds.

Also an issue is Papa-Cal Club wants to raid our members to help volunteer at working a track event weekend. What do we get out of it in return? Give us 50% of the dues and maybe we'll talk. But the idea of working a whole weekend up in Buttonwillow or Willow Springs during summertime, in return for nothing doesn't sound appealing.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

I have a hard time agreeing with this statement. We have a prectice coming up this weekend and we can't seem to fill it. In addition to that we have marquee clubs such as the BMW and PCA groups in the LA area that we compete with. We also have a short 2 hour drive to the San Diego region autocrosses.

Oli.........Christine is right on this one. In fact SCCA-Cal Club has one less program to worry about as my former chapter (BMWCCA-LA) is now defunct in regards to auto-x. We used to run 6 1-day events a year, now we do none. BMWCCA-SD chapter also has noticed a few declines in numbers but overall they still compete with SCCA-SD region for members. Numbers are on the decline, we've had to tighten our financial belt, and now.......throw in Speedventures which is in direct competition as they are a FOR-PROFIT organization, that has the blessing of Papa-Cal Club, and this is why we are in decline. And the economy has hurt as well (though gas prices are back to early 2000 year levels)

[Christine Grice]

What gio is refering to, this is from the Cal Club forums regarding the number of course workers:

It seems almost every week there is another resignation by a specialty worker.
Now the club needs a tech chief. I have no idea why a contingency was not put in place for such an eventuality.
As far as I know, we have no sound control for any of the races after August.
It's not like the workers are treated unfairly -- as far as I can tell. We get fed well, sometimes WAY BETTER than others (THANK YOU AUNT JO!!!)!!
Can't complain about the weather, although we like to just to vent. It all comes with the territory.

Steve, I think we are overlooking a great pool of talent. A bunch of folks that are all motor heads.
A bunch of people that are new SCCA members. I speak of all the SOLO2 crowd that just had to become members to compete this year.
I have tried recruiting them in the past with no luck. Nothing.
The SOLO guys and gals were all screaming earlier this year that there was no direct benefit for the solo competitor in SCCA and cal club. I have to agree for the most part.
I know you said that you were working on something for later in the year. It IS now later in the year. There has to be some way to tie in Cal Club and SOLO.
I can't just spout all this without an idea. So here goes. How about a cal club 'sponsered' track day, or days for solo compettitors at buttonwillow?
I say all this not to anger anyone or to cause a pissing contest.
I say this out of love for the club, and I want it to be healthy and thrive.
Does anybody have any fresh ideas to get some more new blood out to help us play with race cars?

I think that is a great idea.
How about some racers volunteering to sponsor a new solo volunteer for the track day to help fund this. I would be in for that.
Oli

Just so that you understand where I am coming from (and I do not pretend to speak for everyone in the Solo Community) I personally have absolutely no desire to go to a track day.

Steve Stavely's response is to give us use of a tiny little infeild lot that presents more saftey problems than it does full throttle locations piggied onto the back of a roadrace day. Yeah, thats going to make me happy. Our current Solo leadership is at least attempting to try the concept out. We are trying. (I won't be going to that practice) The way it comes across to me is Steve is saying: "we'll let you guys us the little lot for free (lets ignore the fact that it doesn't cost Cal Club anything extra) just let us keep all of your scca membership dues"

Oh, and another thing that weighs on our minds is that other Solo groups have had money taken from them by the road racers, whether or not it has happened directly to us, there is a history. If you want specifics, talk to Renee or Gayle, like Gio said.

(wow, this is a lot of agreeing with Gio)

[Oli Thordarson]

The track day for Solo drivers was in response, I thought, to some requests from folks doing autocross. Maybe it was the result of just a few vocal individuals, but that is why I thought that day had been set-up.

As I filter through all of the comments posted here, you guys are saying that you used to get 300 people, but now you are getting only 170. BMWCCA solo events are gone so there are now fewer events. Cal Club attendance at remaining events should be up. So what is the problem keeping people from coming back? What does Cal Club need to do to fix that? Name the top three things that need to be done.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

Just so that you understand where I am coming from (and I do not pretend to speak for everyone in the Solo Community) I personally have absolutely no desire to go to a track day.

Feel free to speak for me on that one Christine (though Oli...if I do a track day it will be with BMWCCA as I like their structured, stricter approach).

(wow, this is a lot of agreeing with Gio)

Take your meds.....you'll feel better and realize it was a temporary thing!

[Christine Grice]

The track day for Solo drivers was in response, I thought, to some requests from folks doing autocross. Maybe it was the result of just a few vocal individuals, but that is why I thought that day had been set-up.

As I filter through all of the comments posted here, you guys are saying that you used to get 300 people, but now you are getting only 170. BMWCCA solo events are gone so there are now fewer events. Cal Club attendance at remaining events should be up. So what is the problem keeping people from coming back? What does Cal Club need to do to fix that? Name the top three things that need to be done.

1. bad economy
2. rising unemployment rate
3. Foreclosures

3 things to fix it? try the many, many things we are currently trying. Examples: New classes, a restructured Novice program, a dedicated Novice coordinator, Evo Schools, restructured pricing plan, online event registration and payment...

[Aaron Goldsmith]

(wow, this is a lot of agreeing with Gio)

No Kidding, you get us talking about Papa Cal Club and we all start agreeing with each other.

I gotta agree with Christine, track days don't do me much good. Not like I haven't done events at willow and button before, more one motorcycles than in cars, but I've done both. I won't turn down a drive in you're ride Oli , but in general competitive Autocross cars aren't setup to function well out of their element (there are some exceptions).

I'll likely show up to the practice, just cuz the Cal Club meeting is happening there that Saturday and if Eckstrand is gonna be there it'll be a good show.

Also Practices aren't the sport here, that's just setup time for Sunday. Doin it in 3 runs is HARD.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

No Kidding, you get us talking about Papa Cal Club and we all start agreeing with each other.

Funny but true. Oli....it's like we (Soloists) are brothers & sisters, who fight with each other, sometimes beat each other up playfully or not....but when an outsider starts picking on a brother or sister, THAT's when the family circles the wagons and momma and papa bear come out to protect their cubs. If there's one thing we all agree on, it's this issue.

Doin it in 3 runs is HARD.

Else they'd call it........road-racing

[Oli Thordarson]

The track day for Solo drivers was in response, I thought, to some requests from folks doing autocross. Maybe it was the result of just a few vocal individuals, but that is why I thought that day had been set-up.

As I filter through all of the comments posted here, you guys are saying that you used to get 300 people, but now you are getting only 170. BMWCCA solo events are gone so there are now fewer events. Cal Club attendance at remaining events should be up. So what is the problem keeping people from coming back? What does Cal Club need to do to fix that? Name the top three things that need to be done.

bad economy

I would disagree it is the economy, maybe some impact in the last 90 days, but track days in the last couple of years are selling out and there are more of them calendared than ever.

[Christine Grice]

oops, edited my post after you read it:

1. bad economy
2. rising unemployment rate
3. Foreclosures

3 things to fix it? try the many, many things we are currently trying. Examples: New classes, a restructured Novice program, a dedicated Novice coordinator, Evo Schools, restructured pricing plan, online event registration and payment...

300 people wasn't ideal either, we were constantly running out of daylight, having to turn people away... Ideal would be closer to 225-250 people.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

bad economy

That and loss of venues. Really the Hollywood Park site and Team Blew's constant advertising seem to be what drove that glut of entrants.

We definitely have a lot new people at every event, we're constantly evolving to make ourselves more attractive to the new folks. It's hard to keep the numbers up right now, but I think we're making a great go of it. Everyone is REALLY loving the no work X-runs on Championship days.

BTW Oli, thanks for the interest, it's always nice to have you guys out at events.

[Christine Grice]

I would disagree it is the economy, maybe some impact in the last 90 days, but track days in the last couple of years are selling out and there are more of them calendared than ever.

Then why is Cal Club farming their track days out to private FOR PROFIT companies?

[Oli Thordarson]

300 people wasn't ideal either, we were constantly running out of daylight, having to turn people away... Ideal would be closer to 225-250 people.

I think this is one of the potential problems. Too much success can hurt your business. No one wants to come to an overly crowded venue and wait a long time, fight for parking and then get only a few runs or get shorted out on runs at dusk.

More venues would seem to be a good things, too.

[Oli Thordarson]

I would disagree it is the economy, maybe some impact in the last 90 days, but track days in the last couple of years are selling out and there are more of them calendared than ever.

Then why is Cal Club farming their track days out to private FOR PROFIT companies?

Cal Club is renting the track out to whoever will take on the financial risk of a track day and can pay the fees. Cal Club cannot possibly staff every weekend with volunteers. That model has some limitations.

The track gets rented out to different promoters just like concert halls and sports stadiums. It is a very successful model that spreads financial risk and taps new guests via the different promoters. Rhetorically, why does AAA Speedway or El Toro not run their own races and solo programs?

Oli

[Marshall Grice]

I would disagree it is the economy, maybe some impact in the last 90 days, but track days in the last couple of years are selling out and there are more of them calendared than ever.

Then why is Cal Club farming their track days out to private FOR PROFIT companies?

Cal Club is renting the track out to whoever will take on the financial risk of a track day and can pay the fees. Cal Club cannot possibly staff every weekend with volunteers. That model has some limitations.

The track gets rented out to different promoters just like concert halls and sports stadiums. It is a very successful model that spreads financial risk and taps new guests via the different promoters. Rhetorically, why does AAA Speedway or El Toro not run their own races and solo programs?

Oli

I believe she was refering to cal club's "alliance" with speedventures. not the business operations of button willow.

[Christine Grice]

More venues would seem to be a good things, too.

This is a constant struggle for not just us, but all Solo groups. We always welcome suggestions for new sites. If it wasn't for the city of Long Beach and the nose-diving car market, we might almost be able to run down in the Port of Long Beach. (parking unsellable new cars on that lot now)

Hollywood Park was a good central location, easy for everyone to get to. I am sure the movie company paying to rent it now is giving them lots more money than we ever gave them.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

More venues would seem to be a good things, too.

This is obvious but since you are new here I'll explain. Finding a suitable venue..........that WILL ALLOW auto-x on their premise AND at a reasonable rate AND geographically desirable IS the problem.

We used to have the following:

• Norton Air Force (asphalt)
• Norton Air Force (concrete)
• Hollywood Park

Now they are gone. Luckily the housing economy has delayed the redevelopment of El Toro Marine Corp Air Station, thus we have that venue for when the summer months come, 90 degrees F in Orange County is much tolerable than 105 degrees F in Fontana.