Newsletter November/December 2000

In attendance at both meetings were:

Chuck Small,  John Denning, Fred Iaia, Bud Todd,

Mark Mendenhall, Gail Phillips, Aage Block, Ken Holden,

Jack Mendenhall, Bob Stafford, Tim Rochlitzer, Will Scott,

Don Edwards, E.B. Turner, Chuck Abbott,  Richard Bowman,

Doug Odom, Matt Williams.

At the November meeting also were:

Don Hartshorn, Harold Martin, Larry Pederson, Art Male

New Member Bob Cash, guest: Jack Chard

At the December Meeting also were :

Tom Stewart, Gary Sprague, Barry Shulman

Prospective Member Harold Motsenbocrer, guests: Bob Dobbs and Ray Rosson

The President gave a big Thank You to the entire club for helping to make the Gas Up a success. He read thank you letters from Al Teague, Mary West, Marlo Triet, Lady's Auxiliary and from Chuck Abbott for a copy of Landspeed Louise's book given to him by the club for his birthday.

Tim discussed the letter he sent to the SCTA Rules Committee, (see prior newsletter for copy of letter). There is no answer from them on the question of computerized engines yet. Turbo charge vs. supercharge stays the same. A general discussion ensued about roadsters not looking like roadsters any more and that if only one person has an innovation on their car then it IS an advantage but if everyone has the same innovation, then everyone is equal and it just costs more money to do the same thing. (i.e. computers).

A movie was being made out at El Mirage with some cars from various SCTA clubs in the background.

2001 Muroc have been set as April 21st and 22nd but still not finalized.

New logbooks will be available with more pages beginning next year. GAS UP:

Matt Williams gave a run down on the Gas Up results: 730 people attended. Approximately $2750 made above expenses. Discussed different pricing of drink tickets for next year to be more fair and profitable. Beer, Wine, Soda will be $1 and mixed drinks will be $3. One $1 drink ticket will be put in each person's packet next year instead of three. Aprons with each of Mark Mendenhall's cooking staff names embroidered on them are in the works, as a thank you for all their hard work.

Discussed ways to improve the raffle for next year, like not announcing numbers while everyone is eating. A new tracking sheet has been devised to help keep track of who donated prizes and who won those prizes during the raffles. Talked about getting more shade and better trash pick up, and sending letters in advance to Hall of Famers to get a better head count of complimentary meals. An accurate head count is necessary to be sure Jack Mendenhall is paid fairly for the facility. Also discussed the need to protect or copyright the event name so other people can't use it.

Discussed a club party for next year from the proceeds of the Gas Up. No details at this time. Also a trip to the Edelbrock factory was discussed with Jack Mendenhall saying he has already talked to Edelbrock (at the SEMA show in LV) who welcomes our club for a tour of the factory and new museum. Jack took his Pea Soup Special Dragster to be displayed at the museum.

A quorum of members were in attendance so elections were held immediately. Matt Williams is President, Fred Iaia Vice President, Will Scott Treasurer. Apparently Tim Rochlitzer is Secretary with all the help he can get from Mary West and Gail Phillips. Larry Pederson Sergeant at Arms.

T-shirts orders were taken and the next meeting will be at Jack Mendenhall's at 7pm. It was decided that a fee of $50 would be paid to Jack for the use of his facility.

The meeting ended at 8:45pm with several jokes told by members.

Doug Odom was welcomed back, sans injuries sustained at the November El Mirage meet. He looked great and said other than the facial injuries (cut under eye and swollen nose) he had little to no muscle aches the next day. He gave a little run down on what happened; a combination of too much horsepower and too soft of a course knocked the tires loose causing a spin and then roll. Emergency crews were quick and efficient (and much appreciated by Gail and the rest of the crew!)

Tim R. mentioned another roll happened on Sunday, apparently in exactly the same spot on the course. The person was Tim Confal driving an Opal GT. The car was destroyed but the cage held though, apparently, the seat broke loose within the cage. Concrete was used for added weight in the car and it was spread all over the course. The event was shut down after that incident.

Quick review of SCTA November 3rd Meeting:

Old phone number is still good for the SCTA office.

SCTA Awards Banquet will be Jan 27, 2001 at the Ontario Airport Marriott Hotel.

Election results: Mike Mangehelli is President, Jim Miller is Treasurer, J.D. Tone is Secretary, Roy Creel is Vice President and Wes Hutchins was appointed Sgt at Arms (the actual winner had to step down).

Heated discussion on Rule changes occurred with much discussion and laughter (per Tim R.)

Nothing was really settled and won’t be until the January meeting.

Some subjects covered but not available for these notes in any detail were:

Electronics/Computers, can’t legislate amount of money a racer will spend on their cars, Blowers, Roadsters, Parachute mounting, Exterior Fuel shut off, Speed Week name in conflict w/NASCAR, Daytona etc. may or may not be a problem. Announcing trailer: nice one had been destroyed due to an accident, so they have been using the older one, so expect the clubs to be asked to help repair it. Ken Walkey likes the old one because it is higher and he can see the cars about to run which makes it better for announcing.

January’s meeting date will be moved to Tuesday, January 9th (because of the New Year holiday the day before) and it will be held at Alan Johnson’s Racing Shop in Santa Maria instead of Mendenhall’s.

 Johnson's road exits from the center of a S of the curve and can not be seen from the road.

Tim R. reminded everyone of dues are due but if you aren’t running a car, please don’t join SCTA because it will increase our number of lakes duties. Also don't send in your SCTA dues yet as there is a discussion about raising them.

The club party is now scheduled for April 7th. All other details to follow after next meeting.

Reordered T-shirts from the Gas-Up will be handed out.

This is our first attempt to put this on line.  EMail comments please:  evey@oilstick.com

Meeting Held at Pappy's after the Alan Johnson tour in Santa Maria.

Photos of Alan Johnson tour. 

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