REport

by John Lieberman

We’re on a roll! The new timing equipment is on order from RaceAmerica. It SHOULD be here before our April 28^th event at Lee Hedges Stadium. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of this club for agreeing to bite the bullet and pay an extra $5 per entry so we can buy some new gear. Next up is the computer and event management software. After that, a large digit display. From the General Fund, we’re buying another white plastic table. We’re looking into the possibility of having the words “Red River Region” added to our new SCCA banners. And we’re thinking very seriously about getting a lining machine to outline our courses. Heck, we might even be able to afford a porta-potty for our events at Lee Hodges Stadium!!!

The Houston National Tour was an absolute hoot. Those folks down there really know how to put on a top-quality event. Hats off to Barry and Kurt for trophying in their respective classes. Barry took 5^th in DS (I think there were 18 cars in the class!) and Kurt took second in CSP right behind multi-time National champion Andy Hollis in his killer Miata. Connie was just a smidge away from winning DSL. Perry certainly held his own in STS, despite the fact that he’s been out of the sport for about 7 years. My car ran like warmed-over poop all weekend, but I finally found my problem. !@#$%^SU carbs!!! Now I’ve got to re-set the timing and get back to working on the loose nut behind the wheel. Daniel, Greg, and Emil came down to watch Saturday’s competition and came away with a whole new perspective on what National-level Solo-2 action is all about.

I think the highlight of the whole weekend for me was the fact that I got to announce the fifth heat both days. No SSS or administrative responsibilities – just a fun weekend to play with the car and do what I do for a living anyway. It was the first time I’ve announced ANY event – let alone a National Tour – in almost ten years. I started out announcing drag racing events in San Antonio back in the 60s – before I ever got into radio professionally – so I guess it’s just something that comes natural for me. I must have done something right because now Tasha is on my case to announce at Nationals in Topeka this year.

Our next “working weekend” at Red River Raceway will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – May 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th. This is their biggest event of the year and they’re going to need single one of us to work one or more shifts that weekend to make it happen. I’ll be getting in touch with you via email as soon as I have some specifics.

We’re back to square-one on the Desoto Parish Airport. The guy who runs it wants us down there. BUT, they’ve got a new Parish Administrator, so I’m going to start all over again with him. I’ll let you know if anything developes. Also, BooBoo is looking into the possibility of us using the Pollock Airport again. Maybe something will gel down there.

Guess that’s about it for now. Red River Region is on a roll. Let’s all pull together and keep it rolling.

John

Photo by Gary Linde

John Woods in his V8 280 Z during “Pot of Gold”

MYVIEW

by Gary Linde

Well, Kassie did it again! She came up with a well thought out, challenging course that no one got lost on. John did have to slow down one side of the course. Kassie even arranged to get the School buses moved back to the last row to give us more room to play. Lester Ewing our Weather Chairman got Mother Nature to hold the rain off until we were finished racing. We did miss our friends from Alec, they must not have trusted the weather. Hey guys just cause Lester got it wrong for our second event of the year, doesn’t mean you should withdrawal your trust.

As you all know I’m not known for my mechanical aptitude. Would you like to hear the latest episode of my mechanical ineptitude? It all started with the Hard Dog roll bar I purchased from Tom Smith. The first task was cutting the metal shelf behind the seats for the back braces, with aviation tin snips. Two 4” by 2 ½” channels needed to be cut, for every cut I put in the shelf, the shelf cut me twice. My hands are almost entirely covered with band aids. I finally got almost every thing bolted down, when I discovered I had pinched the computer wires under the lower mount. After fixing that I got all bolts installed but one. It bolts into the passenger seat belt tower and the damn hole wouldn’t line up. I pushed and pulled to no avail. Talked to Tom via e-mail. He had not run into that problem, but had heard others had. He told me one person solved it by using a nearby tree and a come-a-long. Not having a come-a-long or a handy tree in my apartment complex. I solved the problem by borrowing a really stout crowbar from our apartment maintenance dept. Just as I was torquing ( being a Miata driver that’s a word I hate) down the last bolt, along comes apartment security, to inform me that auto maintenance was not allowed on the apartment grounds. Well after writing “I will not work on my car on apartment ground” one hundred times, I have an installed Roll Bar!!!

“Drive fast, no cones, and have FUN!!!”

Gary

Photo by Gary Linde

Emil Kamenov pushing his GTI to the edge at “Pot of Gold” autocross

Minutes Gen. Membership Meeting

March 4, 2002

Pardnuh’s Rest.

Connie Booker Secretary

Officers/Members present: John Lieberman, Rick Bagnard, Connie Booker, Gary Linde, Kraig Comeaux, Barry Booker, Mark Okubo, Becky Rogers, Kassie Kelley, Brian Stelly, Kert Kelley, Kelly Kelley, Hal Rogers, Daniel Do, Emil Kamenov.

Event Cancellation on March 3^rd.

Event at Red River Raceway was cancelled due to the cold. It was agreed that the weather would be a safety issue for workers trying to keep warm and focus on the cars on course.

School and 1^st event- Feb 15-17:

Thanks extended tp Bruce Nock, Richard White, Barry Booker, James Cox, and John Lee for putting on the autocross school. This event had 20+ entrants and netted a sizable sum for the equipment fund. Sunday’s event chaired by Bruce had a total of 48 with 15 novices, many of whom attended the school.

Upcoming Events:

March 17 Lee Hedges Stadium- Autocross- Chair: Kassie and Mickey Kelley

April 6-7 Houston, TX- National Tour- Event dates were changed due to Spring Break and demand for Hotels. Expect about 300 entries. Security will be provided on site for trailers and gear.

April 6 Red River Raceway- WORKERS NEEDED- This is how we pay to play at this site. Please let John know if you can help out.

April 14 TLAC I- Lake Charles- Fliers are up on the TLAC site- go to our site or Delta-scca.org.

April 28 Lee Hedges Stadium- Autocross- Chair: Gary Linde.

May 3/4/5 Red River Raceway- WORKERS NEEDED- This is one of their biggest events. We need as many volunteers as possible at different times.

SCCA National Convention:

Club was represented by John Lieberman

Points of Interest:

SCCA Memberships: up to 63,000 from 52,000 in one year and turnover in memberships has dropped to 17% verses 25%.

Insurance: Due to a “hardening” of the insurance industry since 9/11, some changes will be seen. A waiver station will be a work assignment at each event. This person will have to be a SCCA member. Every blank on the waiver form must be filled out. Wrist bands will be issued and worn in a visible manner. Even so we may have an increase in insurance fees next year. The Safety Steward program helps keep the rate down. John is willing to hold classes for anuone wishing to become a Steward.

Denver to Topeka move- Topeka facility is expected to be operational by Nov. 2003. SCCA also hopes to be operating in the black by end of year.

National Dues- will increase for the first time in 10 years, beginning June 1^st.

Recruitment and other events:

Business cards and flyers are available for anyone who would like them.

O’Rielly Auto Parts- very interested in our having a show with them, possibly on the 16^th prior to our Mar 17th event.

Desoto Airport- No current updates. We are looking at having a clean-up party

Swap Meet- Down Town Airport- March 23/24

Valvoline Cup- National sweep tying into multiple racing venues is contacting SCCA Regions to work. The scheduled event for Boothill on March 2^nd was changed to March 30^th, with Gary Linde going for Red River. Track 171 in Leesville would like someone on May 3^rd.

Road Racing- Always looking for Corner/Tech/Timing workers- Check with Newsletter for a schedule.

No Problem Raceway- Approved for Solo Trials, otherwise is limited for SCCA.

Timing Equipment Fund : Current balance $1228.17 Hopefully our next event will bring in the last bit needed. Three options on market are being considered. 1) Stand alone- which is like our current system. 2) Stand alone but upgradeable- The RaceAmerica version of this system is in the lead for club purchase. 3) Fully computerized- everything built in.. We hope to be able to purchase the system and have a few events to become familiar with it before our TLAC.

Meeting ended with a slide presentation by Hal Rogers- featuring road racing at Hilltop and the Mansfield Airport in the late 50’s and 60’s.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Connie Booker, Treasurer/Secretary

Balance forward February 23, 2003 $2,697.34

EXPENSES: INCOME:

Insurance/sanction 2/16-17 $335.00 ---------- 0

2002 Rule books 267.68

Trophies 199.18

Office/ party supplies 93.52

Checks 48.00

Newsletter printing 53.04

Postage 20.40

Dash Plaques 16.60

Metrocall ` 7.32

______ -------------

$1035.74 0

Balance as of March 21, 2002 $1661.60

Equipment Fund 1,228.17

Active account balance 433.43

CLASSIFIEDS

For Sale: 1986 Honda CRX. ITA or Solo II legal. Has clean title if you want to make it street legal. Asking $2500. Will throw in 13 X 7 Revolution wheels with Kumho race tires for $300. Contact Brian Stelly at 318-868-5216 or email sirstelly@msn.com

For Sale: VW-based kit car. Porsche look-a-like. Chassis is a 1968 VW Beetle. Engine replaced in 1989 with 1600cc. Light blue/black interior- Recaro seat (which need to be welded into car again.) No A/C but has heat. AM/FM cassette. Needs some engine work, has set up in garage since 1993, leaking oil. Asking $4000. Call Cherry Langley 972-492-5436 or email clan4026@aol.com

For Sale: Design your own package deal!

1998 Hallmark 24’ trailer - wired for 110v & 12v, cabinets, tire racks, fuel jug (4) rack, door pit caddy, $6500.00.

1998 Chevy CK1500 Silverado-extended cab, LineX bed liner, Snugto bed cover, all set up to tow trailer above.$22,675.

1998 Formula Mazda- All up dates, super light weight (all AN hardware) radio system, 3 extra set of wheels, tons of spares & equipment. $35,500.

Call Dave 253-846-1688 or email MVRacing@aol.com

For Sale: SCCA Autocross car. 1972 MG Midget (stripped for competition, not legal for street use) 1275 cc engine, built and balanced by Kittler’s Machine. Head/Intake ported & valve grind by Kittler’s Jan 2001. Cooper racing pistons, competition cam, rod bolts and head studs are high tensile strength, New clutch, water pump & radiator core. Light weight seat, SCCA approved roll bar, 5-point approved seat belts, rebuilt transmission Aug 2001. HD shocks, extra 1275 cc engine & many other parts. 4 new B.F.Goodrich autocross tires. $5000.00 OBO. Call Randy Edwards (318) 797-3476 or e-mail randyjeane@aol.com

“POT OF GOLD” Autocross

Lee Hedges Stadium

March 17, 2002

Chair: Mickey & Kassie Kelley

(by class)

Class	Bump	Car #	Name	Car	Time	PAX	PAX Time	Rank
CS		55	Gary Linde	Miata	75.884	0.812	61.618	1
CS	ES	111	Tom Smith	Miata	76.906	0.802	61.679	2
DS		12	Barry Booker	WRX	68.830	0.798	54.926	1
DS	STX	747	Daniel Do	Prelude	74.184	0.801	59.421	2
DSL		10	Connie Booker	WRX	73.582	0.798	58.718	1
FS		68	Tom Schultz	Mustang	72.815	0.809	58.907	1
GS	STS	3	Perry Boutelle	Prelude	75.902	0.784	59.507	1
GS		8	Kraig Comeaux	Mustang	78.348	0.785	61.503	2
GS		33	Greg Grimes	Integra	78.594	0.785	61.696	3
ASPL	CSPL	17	Kassie Kelley	CRX	80.847	0.842	68.073	1
ASPL	SML	51	Becky Rodgers	Prelude	DNF	0.834	DNF	2
CSP		7	Kurt Kelley	CRX	69.309	0.842	58.358	1
CSP	FSP	45	Gary McFadden	Sprite	95.881	0.817	78.335	2
DP		37	John Lieberman	Austin Mini	73.316	0.849	62.245	1
DP		13	Brian Stelly	Miata