From: Andrew Schmiechen <aschmiechen@discovercolor.com>
Subject: Re: No Autox on TV please
On Wed, 25 Apr 2001 13:55:07 you wrote:
>An interesting thought, but not necessarily feasible. Changing MSCC's
>autocross rules to match the SCCA rules wouldn't be just about changing one
>club's rules, but the whole sanctioning body's rules. MSCC follows
>Midwestern Council's high speed autocross rules. There are both political
>and legal reasons why we can't run the same rules. The political reasons
>are the usual US vs THEM kind of thing. Legally, we can't just copy SCCA
>rules without permission from the SCCA. Getting that permission isn't
>possible with an US vs THEM philosophy.
>SNIP<
Andrew,
Here in Los Angeles there was a sanctioning body called the Southern
California
Council of Sports Car Clubs (SCCSCC). SCCSCC was made up of 8 to 12
individual
sports car clubs that had agreed to standardize their autocrossing rules so
everyone
could run each others events. This organization had been in place since
about 1959
and had very strong attendance. There was a corresponding organization in
the San
Francisco area which was also very strong. For several years the rules
between the
two organizations were adjusted so a north/south challenge could be held.
There was
much nashing of teeth and pulling of hair to get a consensus for the rules
for this event.
There was also a strong organization in the San Diego area which had a
slightly different
set of rules. If you were an active autocrosser, you could compete in 2 or
3 events with
each of these groups on a given weekend. You could be in 2 or 3 different
classes with
different preparation rules.
I don't remember the exact dates, but I think it was about 1980 that a
proposal was floated
for SCCSCC to adopt the SCCA rules. There was much wailing and screaming
that the sky
would fall and it would be the death of life as we knew it so nothing was
done. About 1985
we were approached again about adopting the SCCA rules and becoming the Cal
Club Solo
II committe. This time it was accepted by most of the membership, although
SCCSCC
continued to exist for about two years before finally ceasing operation.
There were some
growing pains, some people took their toys and left (and we were sorry to
see them go)
but most adapted and we attracted new members and continued to grow. Now we
can
go to San Francisco or San Diego or almost anywhere in the country and
compete using
the same set of rules. The rules may not be perfect but they are the same
for everyone
and that has appeal. You are still free to create your own classes for
special concerns
in your area. But I think if you take egos out of the picture and look at
the long run, it
would benefit your membership to adopt the SCCA preparation rules. We've
certainly
been there and done that.
Good luck,
John
ESP 23
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