From the R.E.

I am Bill Blaquiere,  “the old guy in the yellow Corvette,” and I am your new Regional Executive for the Yellowstone Region. 

First and foremost, on behalf of the Region, I want to thank J. Reuss for his tireless dedication to the Region. I believe that he has been the driving force which has held the Region together for many years. I’m sure I speak for all in wishing him and his lovely wife, Patricia, all the best in their retirement.

I also want to thank the following members for stepping up to the plate and taking on other vital positions: Secretary/Treasurer–Woody Jensen; Competition Chair–Jerod Staebler; Webmaster & Chief of Timing–Kaitlin Staebler; Fast Times Editor–James Reuss. Without these volunteers, the Region would cease to exist. And last but not least, thanks to all the Region members for your participation in the SCCA, Coming out to the events and doing your best to improve your cars and driving skills and contributing to the awesome cameraderie that is the SCCA!

As our Region moves into its new era, I hope to continue the successes of the past and help lead the Region to a good place into the future. But I can’t–and have no intention of–doing this alone. That’s why I’m so excited about the depth of our new board! 

But there are still several key positions left unfilled: Membership Chair, Chief of Registration, Chief of Tech and most importantly, Chief of Safety. We also would ;like someone with a good camera and the know-how to photograph our events so we can continue to post all those great photos. Please consider stepping up and helping out with these open positions.

I know that in our hectic lives, it is difficult to accept additional responsibilities. It’s easy to think, “Oh, I’d like to help, but I’m just too busy,” hoping somebody else will do it. To quote JFK–sort of–“If not you, who? If not now, when?”

I plan to use email as the primary form of communication with members, so please keep an eye on your email for updates. As always the newsletter, Fast Times, and the Region’s Facebook page will contain general information and some interesting articles. I want you all to know that your input is important to me. As we move forward, I would like to hear from each of you with your ideas how we can improve the Region. We will continue to hold membership meetings–which I encourage you to attend, You can always contact me via the Region’s email address: yrscca@gmail.com.

A little background: I was born & raised in Harlowton and moved to Billings in 1978. Because of my mustache, many people think i work as the spokesperson for The General Insurance. Actually, I am a machinist by trade, and I have owned a machine shop, APEX Manufacturing Services, for 21 years. My wonderful wife, Cheryl, has been putting up with me for over 39 years! Among other things, I am an avid alpine skier, and I like camping and riding 4-wheelers and dirt bikes in the mountains. I became addicted to autocross in 2016–driving in 12 events that season. In 2017, I made it to 26 events in all 4 Montana Regions.  

I look forward to seeing y’all in 2018!

B.B.

From the Competition Chair

I’m Jerod Staeber and I am the Region’s new Competition Chair. I have been attending Region events for longer than I have been a member. I have been heavily involved in drag racing the past few years with my son, Tate Staebler.  He thoroughly enjoys karting with the Region, and I have been drawn back into the sport,

I look forward to your input and feedback on events and course designs in 2018!

J.S. 

From the Webmaster

This is the my 111th (and last) newsletter since I took over Fast Times from Char Schulz in August of 2007.  (Truth be told, Kaitlin Staebler was originally designated Newsletter Editor and I was the designated Webmaster.) My first issue may be located here  in the Newsletter Archives. it is with pride (and relief) that I hand over the controls of the website to Kaitlin and the controls of the newsletter to James Reuss.

While modernizing the Region’s website, I felt it was important to assemble and archive as many old Region newsletters as I could to preserve the history of the Region. I don’t think we have every newsletter ever issued, but we clearly have most of them. If you would like to see where the Region has been, browse the Newsletter Archive on the website. The oldest edition I could find was from February of 1973, That edition was created using the “mimeograph” process and predated our affiliation with SCCA.

The only tenet or principle I followed over the past ten years was to avoid “bashing” or complaining when reporting Region events or writing stories. I have attempted to keep the my writing on a positive note. There are plenty of other newsletters full of bellyaching.

 Anyway, it is time for some “new blood.” The Team Owner and I will be retiring to Nevada next year after we sell our house. We wish you all the best and thanks for reading!

J.