MAM ?

EPrill":26e02cre said:
I'm not saying this would 100% be the case in 2011, but when SoPac lost a double late in the 2010 schedule, the Board relaxed its 2 starts in Division requirement. You still needed your 4 finishes, but the In-Division requirements were relaxed because people didn't have the opportunity to get it done. Again, I'm not saying this WOULD happen, but there was precedent last year.

I am running HPT this weekend to earn my 2nd In-division start. I have 4 finishes and enough points in National points, but only one start was in MiDiv.

Eric if you would not play so much outside the division you would not have that issues...LOL

The national points PDF does not really break out the in-division starts, just finishes. I would need to research each sanction number listed for each driver to see if it was an in-division race.

Here are the list of MidDiv, CenDiv, and RMDiv prod racers that need additional finishes to qualify for the Runoffs. Is is no way an official listing and I don't know if these guys plan on going to the Runoffs or not. I only grabbed the top half of the list for each class. Some one could still qualify for the runoffs by hitting the NR double and one if not both of the RM doubles. (Hmmm.....I told myself next year....next year....)

EP Current Finishes as 7/5
Brakke, Jon 3 - Reg for Cat Nationals
Simaras, Jim 3 - Reg for Cat Nationals
Prather, Jesse 2
Patterson, Ken 3
Eisele, Inness 2
Smyczek, Steve 3
Luening, Richard 3
Ragonetti, Peter 2

FP
Sargis, Steve 3
Harris, Richard 3
Wessel, Bill 3

HP
None that I could find.

CenDiv does have the Cat Nationals and RM does have their double rationals at Miller and High Plains coming up.
 
New pictures by Jerry Doctor. All of the track surface is now under water. Some areas up to 3 to 4 feet deep. It looks like it is up into the concession/showers/bathroom building also.

Link to photos:

http://public.fotki.com/jdoctor/2011-ma ... looding-2/

Here is turn 4 on July 7:
DSC6732-vi.jpg


This is today, six days later:
DSC6770-vi.jpg


Note the outside of the turn is now covered with water and how much higher the water is on the tire wall in front of the corner station.

Link to the photos: http://public.fotki.com/jdoctor/2011-ma ... looding-2/

I hate this!

Doctor
 
Additional note, the upper dams on the Missouri have reduced their output but Gavins Point in Yankton, SD has not reduced yet. They are still at 160,000 cfs. The lake behind Gavins Point has not dropped yet which is one reason they are going reducing the out put of the dams up stream. They do not have a planed date they will be reducing the flow from Gavins Point.

I believe the track will be flooded for at least another month.
 
Latest news I have heard is that MPH has given a true FIA inspection was graded as a level 3 track. They would only need to add some additional spectator fencing and they would be able to hold FIA Pro races. But I have also heard that SCCA National office will not approve the track for national races. What I have heard is it is due to believed limitation of paddock space and presumed staffing shortages. No news if it will be a R/R or a R/N or even if the event will happen at all.

None of this information has been officially confirmed or announced.

I am a little bothered by this turn of events.
 
Sounds like we need a lot more cooperation, and a lot less politics. Apparently the powers that be don't remember the announcements at Memphis or Hallett about needing more help before cars could go out.... This isn't a new problem, but we need to get this resolved, and soon.
 
If this is true ... What a bunch of crap!

What I have heard is it is due to believed limitation of paddock space and presumed staffing shortages.

The track meets the objective portion of the inspection, however the PTB magically determine that 1) too many entries will show and overwelm the paddock, while at the same event 2) too few volunteers will show up to work corners. And they have this gift of foresight how?
 
RonInSD":180nqyf1 said:
But I have also heard that SCCA National office will not approve the track for national races.

Ron-
The National office has nothing to do with this.

I know the next question is "who does" and I'm not armed the enough info to answer that question authoritatively.

But it's not anyone in the Topeka office.

Eric
 
Its my understanding and I could be wrong, these SCCA (not FIA) inspections (or reviews?) are done on a Divisional level. I believe there is a Steward within each Division who is designated for this purpose. It used to be in the ops manual but that changes from year to year and I haven't looked at one since I was RE (or needed a track inspection) back in 2008-09.
 
EPrill":3icls5l3 said:
Ron-
The National office has nothing to do with this.

I know the next question is "who does" and I'm not armed the enough info to answer that question authoritatively.

But it's not anyone in the Topeka office.

Eric

Eric, I was told it was the national office because national lists the race track committee and I was told handles the yearly track certification but whether or not a track gets a national race may really be done on the divisional level. If this is the case this may be Lisa Noble and Ken Patterson, the Midiv Club Racing Executive Steward.

To answer the paddock space "issue", I spent some time with Google Earth today and here is what I came up with for paddock areas:

MAM before the flood

MAM-Paddock-Images-M.jpg

3.4 acres of "paved" paddock space (I will use the term "paved" very loosely just like the paving) This does not include the grid or roads along the north and east edge.
2.5 acres of gravel/grass paddock before first N/S fence at pit out. This included the RV Parking area on the south end
5.7 acres in the grass area just west of first N/S fence to about even with the front straight (The north and south edge of this area are used by some during National races)
6.2 acres in the grass area on the far south west corner. Called the Kart Paddock, mainly used by Rallycross
17.8 total acres which is also what is stated on the Wilson Design plan.


Now for MPH
MPH-Paddock-M.jpg

3.5 acres of PAVED main paddock space including the RV extension in the NE corner. This area has 20 RV power poles along the north edge. This does not include the grid area and the roads long the south and east edge.
1.3 acres of PAVED RV Paddock extension long the pit lane fence. This area has an additional 10 RV Power poles along the pit lane fence. This does not include the central buildings in the middle area of the paddock. The east end of this area is normally used for tech and impound.
5.1 acres of grass area to the east of the main paddock. This does not include the fire pit and tent area right north of the central buildings.
9.9 acres total - Wilson design lists the paddock as 10 acres.

7.2 acres of grass area to the north of the paddock. This area is the planned industrial expansion area that is owned by the track. Wilson Design lists this area as 10 acres but include the NW corner that is now outside the perimeter fence.

MPH has condo garages with 2 to 3 bedrooms and will fit 4 to 6 cars. They also have studio garages with a smaller living space and then they have standard garages, all for rent or purchase. This area is not included in the figures above.

I feel this answers the question/issue with the paddock space with facts not "here say".

Now lets move on to the volunteers. The June 2011 - R/N at MAM had 67 pre-registered workers. The last R/N at HPT showed 47 pre-registered workers. The OCT 2010 R/R at MPH had 27 workers pre-registered but they were able to get people to help and everything was covered. This is a hard one to judge so how can this be an issue before the race is even scheduled and open for registration.
 
Correction: The track was approved for a National race!

I am voting to not have a race at all... I put all my eggs in one basket the they burnt my basket to the ground...

There is gobbs of stuff i am not at liberty to say... We have 2 tracks, one is under water the other is open, immaculate, fun, OK'd for Nats, but "They" want us to got to HPT and wreck our cars on those walls? No thanks...

There was some Chief positions still open last night when we got word that MPH is not possible, 80% were filled, but there were many people that didn't get asked..
 
Wow. A few chiefs and some workers? I'd bet this event would have been fully staffed if allowed to happen.

Politics is destroying (has destoyed?) this club. We are more inept than congress. Shame.
 
One Divisional Steward can disallow an event for no apparent valid reason and there is no way to appeal this decision through National offices?

WTF!

In view of the current conditions, one would expect the National office would go out of its' way to facilitate this event.

SCCA "Officialdom" on steroids!

RJS
 
If they want us to have the races at HPT, when? Unless HPT cancels an event in AUG for us, that month is a bust. Next opening I see for HPT is OCT 15th and 16th. Same dates as the MPH races. I suppose we could "switch" the schedule. AUG@MPH for Mid-Am bonus, OCT@HPT for the double National? But that would screw the National drivers, wouldn't it? What a mess!
 
While looking at the MPH web site for more information on the facilities, I found this news and letter about the Aug Race. This is totally BS.

SCCA Midwest Division Findings - MPH not an option for August 20/21 National Event 7/19/11
http://racemph.com/BREAKINGNEWS.htm

Direct link to the letter.
http://racemph.com/NRSCCA-NN7-19-11.pdf

7-19-2011
To: Nebraska Region SCCA:
RE: Motorsports Park Hastings
This track was inspected July 16, 2011. The track was approved by Martin
Thake for either regional or national level events.

The paddock was not included in Mr. Thake’s inspection. Due to requirements not resolved, including staffing and operational concerns, Hastings’ MPH is no longer an option for your August event.

Please confirm your intentions towards proceeding with an August 20-21
event at Heartland Park Topeka by July 20.

Ken Patterson
Midwest Division
Executive Steward

Lisa Noble
Midwest Division Director
 
Somehow I find the fact that the paddock at MAM might have passed inspection at some point very amusing :D
 
Jerry Doctor posted this up on the NRSCCA forum. Sounds like Ken Patterson did not want this race to happen at MPH no matter what NRSCCA and MPH did...

Mr. Patterson gives two reasons for not allowing the double national to be held at MPH. First, "The paddock was not included in Mr. Thake's inspection." According to Mr. Thake this is not true. Not only did he he check out the paved area of the paddock, he drove over the unpaved areas to make sure there wouldn't be a problem there. Needless to say, he did not find any problems with the paddock.

Second, "Due to requirements not resolved, including staffing and operational concerns." In an unprecedented action, Mr. Patterson required the Nebraska Region submit written confirmation from each of the specialty chiefs that they would in fact be at MPH and would have sufficient numbers of workers. The region was given until July 20 to comply with this demand.

There were some chiefs that stated they would not travel to Hastings but replacements were found - several at the HPT race last weekend. All of the positions had been filled but, prior to his own deadline for submital of the confirmations, Mr. Patterson canceled our race.

As to the "operational concerns," solutions had been developed for each of the problems Patterson raised (including access to the spectator area, size/location of the grid, and the reliability of radio communications).

And so that brings us to the big question. What is the real reason Nebraska Region is not being allowed to hold this race?

Doctor
 
Was Ken elected? Or just stepped in to the position? Officials must be elected just inn case they are bad officials..... Any one ever been impeached?

This is not tolerable by a person in a power position... What is this grade school?
 
I find it incredible, that in a time when participation numbers are critical, any official of this club would act in a manner to obstruct this event being held. I first joined SCCA in 1971 and have quit the club at least 6 times because of this type of idiocy. Is there any avenue of appeal that could override his decision? It sure smacks of a political agenda to me and that is totally unacceptable. The only reason I stay in SCCA is my fellow racers and the level of competition found here. I am glad Mr. Patterson is not in the NEDIV.
 
I'm betting there's two sides to this story as usual so everyone might want to put the pitch forks down.

I've never had a problem with Ken Patterson and find him to be a great guy in my experience.
 
When you look at the conditions at HPT last weekend one can quickly see why the decision went the way it did – those trying to make the MPH event happen obviously deranged by running around all day in 100 degree temps risking heat stroke while the guy making the final decision spent that same time relaxed and cool in the shade of an air conditioned box and did not come out until it was free beer time – ah, which actions to bet on …..
 
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