BMW CCA CLUB RACING
		From the Chair - Steve Olsen

On a Clear Day

   Taking Stock ... 2002 and Beyond 

With 2002 season behind us it seems appropriate to take stock of BMW CCA Club Racing's performance and to assess the future.

In 2002 we increased the number of active licensed racers by over 16%. We showed an increase in the participation level, measured by miles raced, by over 30%. There was a dramatic increase in the amount of interregional competition, with more racers venturing out of their local areas to compete. The number of incidents was up in raw numbers (but no more than in 1998), but actually down when measured against the consistent factor of miles raced. The points system, which some feared would lead to a higher incident level, has proved to be an incentive in increased participation. And the Club Racing organization has the best financial footing in its history.

  Growing Pains 

In short, there are many things of which to be rightfully proud. But it would be myopic to believe that all is roses. There are areas that have room for significant improvement. In particular, the Rules process has been both painful and divisive as we try to rationalize the rules with the realities of what is and, perhaps, what should have been. Our failure to develop a good administrative system for monitoring and following up on technical issues such as rules clarifications has created confusion and left the door open for a variety of rules interpretations. Consolidating those interpretations has not been a pleasant experience for anyone involved, but it is a necessary function to re-establish a consistent and predictable set of rules. I am confident that we are now on the right track to proper management of the technical rules and that you will find the rules to be quite stable. The goal I have set for the Rules Committee is to make it a priority to maintain three very distinct levels of preparation and to put a stop on "class creep". The Club Racing Advisory Committee has asked the Rules Committee to study the advisability and possibility of some "rollbacks" in the rules to help achieve that goal. The Rules Committee, in cooperation with CRAC, will evaluate areas of opportunity including the impact and cost associated with any such considered changes.

  And Growing the Program 

Another area that needed improvement is that of personnel. Our schedule has grown significantly but our steward group has not grown to meet the increased demands. All of our steward groups are now actively soliciting additional personnel and will be doing training throughout the season. That is an expensive, time-consuming but necessary process to keep from burning out our current, excellent steward cadre. We have a great Club Racing team from marketing to licensing to the stewards and we're working hard to make it even better.

  On Track 

I am personally working to get Club Racing into more exciting venues with the increased visibility that comes with spectator events across the country. In the past our sole spectator event of significance has been the Pittsburgh Grand Prix which wasn't available to all of our racers by the vintage nature of the event. In 2003 we are working on spectator events all across the country and have events currently on the schedule in Arizona and Florida and pending in Alabama, California and Wisconsin.

  Coast to Coast 

Many of you are concerned about the events in California. I want to assure you that BMW CCA Club Racing will continue to have a meaningful presence in the Pacific Region and California in particular. There will be an initial burden on the national staff, but we expect the chapters to pick up the ball and run with it once we show them how to do it. Club races can be both fun and profitable!

  The Mini and Us 

The Spec MINI rules and equipment specifications will be announced shortly and we are excited about the potential to be the lead organization nationally. We intend to set the national standard and see this as an exciting growth area over the next few years.

  Communication 

The website has become our primary means of communication with you, the racers. The costs and effort associated with a printed newsletter are significant. Often the "news" is stale by the time it actually reaches the racers, which is precisely why you now see this electronic newsletter. In the future the website will be more entertaining, more informative and easier to navigate. One item I would like to address is the Club Racing List. It offers an enormous benefit for instant communication on a wide variety of topics of interest to our racers. Its sole shortcoming is that it might be too instant … a sharp reply in a heated exchange or a choice of words that may be interpreted in other than the intended fashion. They are irrecoverable after that "send" button is pushed. As a guilty party of that syndrome, I would ask that you read and re-read your responses when the topic is emotional for you and maybe consider a short break prior to sending that response. It sure can save a lot of apologies and mea culpas later.

  If Not for Their Support 

And, lastly, a tip of the hat and a round of applause for our sponsors who have generously supported BMW CCA Club Racing, especially Title Sponsor, The Tire Rack. Their sponsorship pays for the travel of the national stewards, the overhead of the national licensing staff, the purchase of necessary equipment such as timing and scoring gear and a host of other items that keep your entry and licensing fees as low as possible. Please honor our sponsors with your business whenever possible, proudly sport their decals and banners and be sure to personally thank them if you see them at the track. Without them there would be no Club Racing program.

Happy Trails and a clear track !!!

 

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