Presidents Report

Well the start of another drag season is upon us. Let me start this report by saying what an honour it is to be elected president of SCDRA. I have some big boots to fill, and many thanks must go to our former president Doug Hetherington, and also to out Treasurer of many years Betty Pitts, for a fantastic job over many years of service. Also congratulations to our new committee members Vice President Kevin Donovan, Secretary Scott Cleary, Assistant Secretary Jo Readett, our new Treasurer Max Myers and Assistant Treasurer Tim Thorp and elected executive committee members Jeff Fitzgerald and Tim Parker and to all the other members who filled the many other roles that help make this great club run like well oiled drag car, well done.

Ok the year ahead, Firstly many thanks to the volunteers who have been working nearly every Saturday morning on the new toilet/shower block, work is progressing well and we hope to get the female side operational for our first meeting, with it totally finished for the Doorslammer weekend. Also to Scott who never seems to stop working for the club, he’s been busy getting sponsorship and organising the year ahead, and it is certainly going to be a very busy and exciting year. What a great feather in our cap to have a company like Fuchs Lubricants Australia jump on board as a major sponsor and we are now named Fuchs South Coast Raceway for this season. It should make us all proud to think that a major company like Fuchs wants to get behind us. See our web page for full details.

It’s been a very wet winter and hopefully things dry out for the season start. We have suffered major track damage caused by flooding, about 80 m past our finish line. We are currently waiting to hear back from our insurance company to see if we are covered, fingers crossed. However seeing as we have to repair the track, ideally we would like to hot mix from the finish line all the way past the damaged area, this will give us an excellent transition into our braking area making our track a lot safer for all our racers. We are in the process of getting prices, but we estimate a cost of $30 000, which would be offset partially if we are covered for insurance.

We have also been working with the local burnout guys from here & Geelong etc. and they want to run a couple of huge burnout comps, but we need to extend the burnout pad and new run in area for the big HP burnout cars to come. This is a great opportunity for the club to make some good money and provided the spectators want they want to see. If we can raise enough money we could have the burnout pad extension done in a couple of weekends work.

As you can see we are going to have to raise some serious money and quickly, so we need your financial help. For a start if everyone could pay their membership up that would be help, secondly what we a asking for is for each member (racing and social) if they are able to afford to buy one m2 of concrete or hot mix for $250 the price includes laying and machine hire etc, if you can afford more than one m2 that would be fantastic. The club would offer in return for burnout guys and gals, free competitor entry for the season (6 meetings value of $180) the drag racer two free entries ( value $180 ) to our normal meetings. Money could be paid either direct deposit, cheque, or dropped in to Peter at Cleary Motors in Percy St. See attached form. Of course any donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated, it does not have to be $250, just $20 would be fantastic.

At our AGM unfortunately we were unable to get anyone to put their hand up for Canteen Manager, if there is anyone who would like to take this job on please let either me (Chris) or Scott ( 0417 374 274). The committee will help run the canteen, i.e. with ordering, rosters, and clean up etc., so the task is spread out and won’t be as bigger job for that person, or persons. There will be a roster for the canteen this year , much the same as footy clubs do (very successfully) Every member ( social and racing) will be given a time to help out in the canteen and be expected to do so, if that person can’t help they will be expected to find someone to fill their time spot. I know this seems demanding, but if someone has a better idea let me know? (Many hands make light work).

Also we are going to need more volunteers to help run the Race Meetings, as quite a few guys from last year have got their cars going. So if, or you know anybody who would like to get involved with helping out please give myself or Scott a call.

Coming up is a Tech Day on Sat 24 September 2011. Please contact Geoff Treloar and book – ph: 0419122867. Also on that day there will be a working bee. Please bring whipper snippers etc. This will be followed by a BBQ and few frothies for a send off for Doug & Belinda Hetherington, who are leaving Portland and heading to Darwin for a climate change. I am sure our social committee will organise a great send off.

On Saturday 22 October 2011 we organised a test and tune day followed by a burnout comp and our first Drag meeting of the season will be 4th and 5th November 2011. See the South Coast Raceway website for more details.

Anyway that's enough for the first report. Let’s get behind this great club of ours and make it a fantastic season.

SEE YOU AT THE TRACK!!!!!

CHRIS FARRELL

PRESIDENT FUCHS SOUTH COAST RACEWAY