BSCRA Annual Council Meeting – 1 November 2020 – (Zoom meeting)
Those present -
Chairman's Report
Mark Witham thanked all the officials and volunteers. It has been a very difficult year. While Some clubs have managed to run COVID safe clubnights with limited numbers all our championship events have been suspended since March and there's no prospect of them restarting this winter. The crisis has resulted in a surprisingly large amount of work for officials even though there has been no racing.
Championship Track
BSCRA completed the purchase of the "Mega Monsta" World Championship track from the
2019 World Championship Team in late 2019. This will continue to be used as the
BSCRA Nationals track and is permanently housed at the National Slot Car Centre in
Corby
Graham Woodward reported that a back up Lapmaster race control system has
been purchased, He also reported that the track was in satisfactory condition
for the resumption of championship racing once it is allowed.
Treasurer’s report
Membership fees were reduced for 2020 because we no longer produce Slot Car Racing News. This reduction in income was balanced by the absence of magazine printing and distribution costs. A lot of international members have not renewed, this had been expected as we no longer produce SCRN. Also some UK members whose renewal fell due since March have not renewed yet.
BSCRA made a minimal surplus on the Clubman Nationals that was the only event scheduled prior to lockdown. As a result of the pandemic, our other 2020 events were cancelled or postponed till 2021. Thus the income from events was substantially down on last year’s. As we still have most of our normal costs including the rent for the National Slot Car Centre, this lack of race fees has put a stress on Association finances. While the association has weathered the storm so far there is concern about how long this lack of income will continue.
Unfortunately BSCRA’s application for a grant to cover some of the Association’s losses due to the pandemic was unsuccessful.
Membership
Given the uncertainty about when racing can start up again it was agreed to postpone a decision on fees. It seems likely fees will be unchanged but some relaxation in renewal dates is being considered.
Competition Secretary’s Report
Graham Woodward reported on investigations of alleged oversize wire on one make of Group 12 armatures. Some samples had already been measured, and work was in progress to test other samples.
It was agreed that in future samples selected at random from current Group 12 armature production would be tested. The test method involves destroying the armature, so the costs of testing more than a very small number would be prohibitive.
It was agreed that a working group would be set up to look at long term future of BSCRA’s car classes. A standard low cost laser cut chassis for use in 1/24 production will be investigated. Any changes to the current rules will be put to a membership vote.
It was agreed that the existing handbook would continue to be updated when necessary. A major rewrite is not considered worthwhile.
Online Magazine
It’s planned to set up an online BSCRA magazine on a members' only web site. Kev has set up a test version of the web site, and some testing has been done. The next stage needs volunteer editor and volunteers to write articles. Kev will discuss the editor’s role with a potential volunteer
Development
James had found a supplier who could produce polo shirts with an embroidered BSCRA logo. It was decided these will be offered for sale via the members’ web site. To make this economic, we will take orders and have them manufactured in batches rather than hold stock.
Nationals Organisation
Due to the pandemic, there is uncertainty when National championship racing can restart
and what procedures may be needed to make events covid safe. However, nothing is
going to happen unless we do some planning. It is thought best to have some plans
in place, even though it is obvious that coronavirus might force us to postpone or
even cancel events.
We are reserving four 2021 bank holiday weekends and two other
weekends for BSCRA Championship racing (2-
Nationals
The postponed 2020 1/32 Nationals to be run as a 3 day event at Easter 2021 (2-
2021 1/24 International to be run as a 3 day on the spring bank holiday weekend (29-
2021 Clubman Nationals and 2021 National Club Team Championship to be run on two
day weekends 24-
2021 1/32 Nationals to be run as a 3 day event on the 2021August bank holiday weekend
(28-
If covid restrictions ease early enough we may have a reserved weekend that can be used for a BOC round.
British Open Championship
The 2020 BOCs will be replaced by 2020/21 Championships
with the hosts of cancelled 2020 BOC meeting having first refusal for 2021 rounds
32
BOC -
24 BOC -
At present it is uncertain when BOC meetings can restart, once it is practical Steve Sargent will set the 2021 BOC dates.
BSCRA on Social Media
Paul Harwood has identified a volunteer to organise BSCRA's activity on social media
While much of the posting on BSCRA’s Facebook groups has been good, the moderators
have had to remove some postings and one or two contributors from BSCRA's Facebook
groups.
Some of those registered on the BSCRA members Facebook group have not renewed
their BSCRA membership yet. It was agreed to leave them on the Facebook group for
the time being as the membership renewal dates are under review.
Safeguarding
There have been no reportable incidents.
Future Meetings
The meeting ran successfully using Zoom, and of course was completely Covid safe.
A further meeting will be held in early 2021 to discuss arrangements for National Meetings.
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Minutes of Meetings and Decisions