Meeting 7-9pm-ish on July 10th, 2024, with the monthly meeting always happening at Laurel
Auto Clinic, aka “Carl’s Shop” Laurel, MT. The Big Dog Hooptie winners included Carl, Luke,
Briant, Jared, Dave, Darrin, Micah, Lane, Kindra, and Matt. Ice cream treats were in high
numbers as were the temperature digits on this sweltering summer evening. Carl brought the
meeting to order to shut down any quarreling about who had ice cream and who did not. There
were many comments about a functioning pancreas and the ability to even eat ice cream.
Levels of idiocy were discussed, and it was agreed upon that it is organized as such:
1: Idiot
2: Low Grade Imbecile
4: Mid Grade Imbecile
3: High Grade Imbecile
5: Moron (this is the worst if you didn’t know)
Discussion came around to a Countach, and when I asked what it is, the response I got was
“about $57,000”
—-Carl Jones (El Jefe), Matt Boggio (El Jefito), Lane Baumann (Treasurer), and Kindra Munda (Secretary) were all in attendance this evening—-
TREASURERS REPORT:
Lane reports that the club’s finances include: $12,394.81 which includes all the money. RDO
sponsorship is in the works still and is taking a bit longer than usual this season. Purchases for
this month include a tow strap for the trailer, more floor-dri, and possibly some pins for the big
timing board.
*Acton Cross – This event reported about 30 drivers and about $480 in profit for our little club.
We plan to increase payment to CW to $300 for the use of YDS. He is allowing us use of the
propane, ice, bathrooms and the grill. Grilling burgers and hot dogs at YDS is a great way to
socialize and laugh at our events (in addition to pre-drivers meeting, on the radios, after the
event….ect.) Remember, there is not a guarantee there will be BBQ at every YDS event, but
keep your eyes peeled on the Facebook page and we will announce it as we go. It is pretty
delicious.
*Hot Shots in Helena – This was a fabulous time! My first time going, and I will try to make it
every time! A decent portion of track in the east end, and a large pad for squirrely-do’s and
sweeper-don’ts made for a great event. We saw 53 drivers over the weekend and raked in
about $800 in profit. A bit less than last year with participants, but still seeing growth at this
venue overall. It may be a drive for some members, but in my opinion, it is worth it. Bathrooms
on site and shower accommodations made for a clean time. There was no charge this year for
the bathrooms, thank you RMESTC for hosting us! We will see you again in September for the
co-op with Bozeman on the 7-8. Remember, if enough people pre-register, their club will open
the east track portion and drivers can enjoy ALL the benefits of RMESTC. And if you go,
remember not to stake down tents or use the stabby-type umbrellas or canopies into the grass.
It causes issues with the sprinkler. Like breaking it. And we want to care for our venues like the
wonderful things that they are.
*Issues that arose in Helena – There was an issue with allowing Buck Runs to those who have
not registered with the event. It was brought to our attention that if one person is allowed, we
must then allow anyone who is interested. It was discussed about allowing vehicles that were
not previously used/teched during the event, and if it was feasible to tech a vehicle quickly to
allow it time on course during the Buck Run. Another topic of discussion was if a driver could
Buck Run a car if he/she had not registered or if they did not attend the driver’s meeting.
Discussion included how current members got interested in the first place and would we have
even joined if we hadn’t been allowed a small taste of autoX. It certainly wasn’t because
everyone smelled nice. There were many points to showcase pros and cons, but ultimately it
was put to a vote. Majority, (including Matt) voted to not allow any driver to run on course if they
had not registered either previously OR the day of and paid all applicable registration fees. It
boils down to whether or not the driver is covered by event insurance *IF* something were to
happen. We always hope for the best and never want anything bad to happen, but if by chance
someone was a complete hooligan out on course, they would not be covered if they had not
registered. This was discussed and decided by majority that anything that could compromise
our club and the ability to have our fun was a bad idea. Also moving forward, any driver that
wishes to switch cars for Buck Runs will need to have a tech inspection before allowed on
course.
Also, any old and outdated ideas anyone has about ‘switching run groups’ between Saturday
and Sunday events is not proper thinking. It was brought up after the drivers meeting on Sunday
in Helena that “I ran in the first group yesterday, so I should be in the second group today, I don’t
understand how I’m not going second…..”. NO. That is not how it works. Some drivers only run
one day, some drivers only run one heat. Sometimes people only show up on the last day. It
does not make any sense to conform to this old and outdated ideation of ‘switching groups’. No
pineapples here, Brenda. There is ALWAYS a new driver and work assignment sheet the
second day at every YR108 event. Balancing out the groups takes precedence. Please follow
the sheet as it is lined out. As always, if you have an issue with your work assignment, please
speak with that event’s Safety Steward. Thank you.
*Helmets – The season is upon us, and we will be in need of helmets here in a few weeks
for the Archie Cochrane/Metra Day in August. Be sure to dust off yours and bring them to
any event you come to so we can get as many approvals as possible. If you have any
extras lying around that you don’t use, or if you’ve just been using ours because you
“can’t” find yours in your garage, time to start looking bruh. They will be in short supply,
and it is an absolute rule to wear one as a driver and a passenger. If you’ve been thinking
of buying a new one, make sure to look at the most recent SCCA rules to see accepted
ratings. **
*Photographer – Les is our Club’s “resident photographer” and has been attending and
photographing events for quite a while now. If you see him, be sure to thank him for coming out
and taking pictures of all your slow-ass cars for all these years. It was brought up for discussion
to compensate him in some way. We have offered rides, free registration if he wanted, cash
payments… He has turned it all down. Discussion was had and Luke will use club funds to
procure a prepaid Visa card to gift him with. Voted amount was $200. We will see how receptive
he is to it and decide how best to compensate Les moving into next season and Rally this
fall/winter.
*Help – Carl contacted the main people at SCCA and asked how best to approach paying for a
venue if it boils down to us losing a venue in the future. As it stands, we have the Metra, which
is difficult to book and expensive, YDS which is reliable for scheduling but has asphalt issues,
Bridger which is reliable and usually available but is limited for course design, and Helena which
is fabulous in every way, but at the end of a 4-hour drive. We will need to start thinking of new
venues in order to help conserve the current ones and ultimately add a new location to the
rotation. Carl was told that we should get an asphalt company to reduce costs or help by
donating asphalt or raise our rates. Discussion went again to helping CW pave the lot at YDS,
and Darrin suggested a tar truck, but instead of tar, Elmers Glue. Not a bad idea. Outside the
box, but still an idea.
*AxWare VS. Pronto – It was discussed that we should give in to peer pressure and try Pronto
once. One time. Just this once and then we will quit. Only once. We can do it. Like a crack
dealer giving away free samples, we are worried we will be immediately addicted to this
fantastic system. Lane reports it is easy to make a rolling time sheet for the display, and the
system itself is effortless. Added to it is superior customer service available ALL. WEEKEND.
LONG…. Overall consensus: AxWare will still be there because we bought a renewal for our
contract, and the price was right. Average cost to the club with AxWare is about $28 each event
(Rally included). If we replaced the lights with AxWare, and got all new software, it would be
about $3800. It was found that the updates are pretty much irreversible, so we are stuck with a
crappy version until we can find a way to un-crap-ify it. Pronto is about $100 per event. It is a
pay as you go, there is no contract or agreement period. BUUT…. It will cost the club about
$1500 per year. Which includes Rally events. AxWear is $500 for three years. It is a
considerable jump in cost. It was discussed and voted in favor to try Pronto at the YDS event
this upcoming weekend.
*Business Cards – In the works, Micah and Lane are working on getting the details together.
Detail faster!!! Where are they?
*Merch – Beanies, hats, sweatshirts, and T-shirts are ready to go home with you! Make sure to
bring some cash to pick up your new YR108 body coverings. Matt is tired of all those boxes of
them sitting in his living room. He reports it leaves no room for activities.
Beanies, hats, T-Shirts – $15
Sweatshirts – $25
*Archie Cochrane – The contract for the Metra is done and set up. We are still waiting for the
sponsorship from ACF (Archie Cochrane Ford) to come through, but all is ready to go. MSR will
open for registration soon (keep your eyes peeled) on June 14th at 12:01 am. The nominal $3 (5
was wrong, it is 5 total) fee is required by MSR as they are the registration hub for all things fun.
It was decided that $5 would cover whatever flat fee MSR charges and will help weed out
anyone who decides to register because it is free and not because they actually plan to attend.
Some things to remember:
1: If you want to pay at the table that is fine, but there may be no guarantee there will be a spot
so please pre-register online at MSR at least. We voted to cap the number of entrants at 100
due to the size of the Metra, as well as how to pull off such a sizeable event safely.
2: Helmets will likely be an issue, so please, please, PLEASE find any you might have so we
can tech them and have them handy for novice drivers and spectators.
3: IDs WILL be required and must be presented at the table for anyone who plans to attend
Motorin’ at the Metra on August 3. THERE WILL BE A DEDICATED ID CHECKER on this day.
Lane will be speaking with Jason soon to get the details finalized. Thanks, Lane, for taking on
this awesome task.
** IMPORTANT DATES**
August 3 – Motorin’ at the Metra
September 7-8 – Co-op with Bozeman in Helena at RMESTC
September 21-22 – Coneheads in Helena at RMESTC
October 5 – Metra Meltdown
Meeting adjourned tonight about 9:30pm, and Trinity brought home made chocolate chip
cookies near the end. Briant decided to walk to the convenience store and almost missed out on
the cookies because Dave is a pigface and he def took more than his share, something like 6
cookies. Just for himself. Luke took a few more than his share too, but it was ok because it
wasn’t as many as Dave took. Lane gave back one cookie so Briant could have two total since
Trinity informed him that he had more at home. It was discussed that we will have our August
meeting before the ACF August 3rd Metra event. We will finalize any issues and decisions prior
to this super big, super special, super sponsored event. Look forward to sharing ideas but don’t
know where to go? Do you feel like no one listens to you at home? When you talk cars, car
parts, and going faster, do people’s eyes glaze over and do they start to drool? Do you have big
brain ideas but feel like all your genius falls on deaf ears? Come to a meeting. We would love to
talk car parts and matching shoes well into the twilight hours with you. Heck, there might even
be some treats this next time.
July Meeting Newsletter
