Benarkin Done…And Very Dusty!
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Brisport October 2017 Benarkin done…and very dusty! What’s in this month’s edition? Loads of great stories! Brisport October 2017 PRESIDENTS REPORT OCTOBER 2017 This will be a short and sweet report this month, because well mostly I am not in the country. Been watching from afar as I travel on business for a few weeks. Highs and lows it seems abound with BSCC and for the motorsport community in Queensland. September saw the third running of the P3 Solution Benarkin Rally on what looked to be a sunny and dusty day based at the Benarkin School. The School community pushed their support and hospitality to another level. I was a bit miffed at missing the event proper as I had entered the previous two and enjoyed them both. Cast your minds back not that many years ago and we had not been to the area for some many years. Beforehand, the last events I can remember there, people were debuting their then ‘new’ Evo 3’s. So, we can not underestimate the effort and persistence that has been applied to get this event and this rally area back up and running. From all reports everyone had a ball, and it looks to me as if the event has now matured well. There is a full report elsewhere in this issue and so I won’t pretend to say very much based on a few conversations and reading Facebook posts. But I offer my congratulations to Ian Gorski and his team who faced some serious challenges and overcame. There was a time early the week before where it was very, very much in the balance as to whether the event would run due to fire danger. But some creative thinking and that word persistence again kicked in and a way was found. I also draw inspiration that each event gets better, as issues are evaluated and improvements made. It is the way we must be always. So well done. Also on the good side of the ledger, we had a very pleasing response to our call last magazine to help sponsor a protective box for the new GPS start clocks. From many viewpoints these are a major step forward in capability, but they do come with requirements. We need to protect them and we also need to do our utmost to make it easy for our officials to lug some serious bulk to the stages. So as to put on the best show possible. We asked for 5 donations of $200 to pay for the boxes we needed to create. We were over-subscribed Brisport October 2017 on this front and so we ended up with enough money to also get some reliable, lightweight batteries to power the things. A big thank you to the following generous members who made these happen: Tony Arbon Rod and Belinda Reid Mick McMillan from AR Developments Mike Mitchell for 2 Jason Keane for 2 Michael Dwyer Thanks for your prompt and generous responses. With that kick start we got them all done and ready for Benarkin. But of course, all was not all sweetness and light in September. There have been two events cancelled and one that did not attract the numbers it should have. So BSCC had to cancel the Off Road, GCTMC had to cancel the Yowie Country Rally and Benarkin suffered a decline on the previous year. This is on top of the lower than I would have expected entries at Imbil in June. So, is this a temporary thing or a worrying trend? Short story without reasonable entries it makes continuing to stage events stressful. We must also feel for the volunteers who organise these events. Deciding to be a Clerk of Course and event organiser means putting your hands in your pocket to the tune of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Plus, it means devoting many hours and weekends to pulling it all together. So, it is obviously personally disappointing to those involved. I have also spoken often enough about the club’s equipment needs so this is a concern to be addressed. Healthy entry levels help contain costs and provide the critical mass to both make events exciting to be part of and keep the club healthy. So, my simple mantra is something like this. We need to be able to manage the club from a sustainable financial perspective. Sad hard fact of life their folks. This gives the resources to enable us to continue to stage events and invest in new equipment and in people. Rule #1, we need to be considering every possible way to attract maximum entries within the rules and within reason. Rule #2, we strive to give people what they pay for and make each event a great experience. But only expect what you pay for. What does that all mean? Well rule #1 is a two-way street. Organisers have an element of discretion as to what can happen. So, if there is an issue that might affect you entering an event talk to us and we’ll see what discretion can be applied? Going forward there will be much discussion about how to maximise entries no doubt. As for value, I believe BSCC is doing its absolute best to keep costs down and still provide great events ; runs are on the board there. We will continue to look at categories that may expand entry. But some will come at a cost and equally, if you do want to enter a lesser level of an event, expect to not get what the people up front are enjoying. Brisport October 2017 It’s always easy to see the doom and gloom, but I choose to be optimistic. BSCC is rounding out the competition year with the third KCF short course event at Imbil. Entries are open so I encourage maximum turnout to what should be a great day of close competition and some serious fun at Imbil. Once again through the assistance of Ryan and John, we have safety notes to help with those who need it (like me) to see how to develop their own pace notes. Then in December we will be staging the Christmas party again at Willowbank for a great fun day of car related activity where maximum interaction between competitors and officials is encouraged. Of course in the middle of that we will have a strategic planning session again. Hoping to weigh up the meaty issues discussed above amongst others. We seek maximum involvement to make 2018 and beyond sing. Don’t forget, no one is getting paid to do any of this – we are a volunteer community. We welcome ideas but when they start with ‘somebody should……’ be prepared to be asked who is ‘somebody’. Like I said, I choose to be optimistic. When we asked for ‘somebody’ to help last month with our clock boxes. Several ‘somebodies’ stood up. We need lots more ‘somebodies’. Peter Flynn [email protected] 0423 204849 Photos courtesy Australian Motorsport Photography Brisport October 2017 Top row from left to right : Richard Collingwood, Brian Everitt, Larry Littlewood Bottom Row from left to right: Peter Whalley, Craig Porter, Errol Bailey Brisport October 2017 In last month’s magazine, we put out a call for Club Members to help sponsor a clock box. We’re very grateful to the following Sponsors: Tony Arbon Belinda and Rodney Reid from Huxton Motorsports Mick McMillan from AR Developments Mike Mitchell for sponsoring 2 Clock Boxes Michael Dwyer for sponsoring Batteries/chargers for the clocks Jason Keane for sponsoring Batteries/chargers for the clocks All clock boxes are now completed and had their first outing at Benarkin. Brisport October 2017 Join us on Saturday 25th November for our annual Strategic Planning meeting. Where: Brisbane Sporting Car Club 16/23 Ashtan Place, Banyo When: 2pm – 4pm Who : Everyone’s welcome – club members and non-club members. Rally, Off-Road, whatever discipline you’re into! Have your say on all things motorsport and help shape our club & events. And make a difference Brisport October 2017 Brisport October 2017 After some discussion with the CAMS Qld State Council Executive, Paul Woodward nominated for a position on the State Council Executive and as Chairman for 2018. At the Qld State Council meeting on 19th September, Queensland State Council approved that he be elected as Chairman of the Qld State Council for 2018. In Paul’s words “This is an honour and I look forward to doing my best for Queensland motorsport. I believe that it reflects the efforts of BSCC and its members over many years and it will help to give rallying a higher profile in the Queensland motorsport arena.” Paul’s term commences from 1 January 2018 and is for one year. I’m sure all Club member will join in congratulating Paul on his appointment and wish him all the best in this role. Paul crosses many disciplines in life, as well as motorsport and I’m sure there’ll be a glass or two raised to celebrate his appointment! Brisport October 2017 In 1998 Sony Entertainment became the naming rights sponsor for the 14th Round Australia Trial. The first in 1953 was the Redex Trial - Redex being a fuel additive and promoted by no other than Reg Shepherd father of one of our very senior club members George Shepherd, a well renowned competitor in our clubs events. George of course had a significant involvement in managing teams winning the 1979 and 1995 Round Australia Trials. To put the event in perspective the 1998 event was 18,500kms in length of which approx.