1.) I will take the blame for the collision at the Pro
this weekend in Peru.
(Now maybe we can move on??)
In all honesty, while walking the course Friday night, the
potential for a problem was clear to me, especially
remembering a few folks losing
control in a similar maneuver at the Meridian Tour.
What I didn't allow for was the increased number of
throw-away runs that the Pro format contains, and the
increased agressiveness this engenders.
I should have spoken up. Like a lot of us, the next time
I will.
For the rest of my opinion on this issue, re-read Karen
Kraus' marvelous, succinct post. I agree 100%.
The courses looked marvelous otherwise. I am sorry I had
to leave, and
missed running them!
2.) It is impossible to overstate the problems caused by
the incursion on the active runway last Friday. We will
likely hear within 2 weeks if it has affected our future use
of the site. Each of us can avoid another
lost entrant by assuring that the competitors from your
club, attending
an event at Grissom for the first time, know to enter at the
water tower.
It is huge, and impossible to miss traveling on US 31.
Mantra: "Water tower -- water tower -- water tower
-- water tower"
3.) Contrary to another post, I am NOT the lease-holder
for Grissom for this year. A short history:
The folks at Grissom Re-Development Authority (site
owners) were overwhelmed with calls from dozens of different
folks, representing numerous SCCA (and other) clubs & groups
wishing to use the site.
Questions about keys, toilets, dates, fees, contracts, etc.
etc. etc.
had their staff working far too many hours for the small
fees generated.
In short, too much trouble for the money.
Rather than lose the site to Solo events over this issue,
I convinced
SCCA Corporate Services (Nancy McMaster) to front the money
to lease the place for the entire year.
They agreed, but only if I would serve as landlord/leasing
agent. A fee structure was created and sub-lease contract
drawn up. So I am the contact for questions, manage the
calendar, and continue as site liason to GRA. Nancy does
the paperwork and collects the money.
The "thanks" for saving the best site in the country for
autocross goes to Nancy and Dennis Dean, for their efforts.
4.) I am deeply moved by all the messages of concern from
so many
friends (and future friends) over the health of Rachel. Her
sudden hospitalization caused me to leave the site suddenly
Friday night.
(And extra thanks to Larry Diemer and Al Sheidler for
helping me pack in record time that evening, and for taking
care of things in my absense.)
She is home from the hospital, back in school, and things
here are slowly returning to normal.
She is looking forward being at Grissom for the Tour in
early July, behind the wheel of CJ Sharp's go-kart!
Roger (Ohio) Johnson
|