I am going to Indy for the GLDiv Solo Spring Training this Saturday 3/20. Anyone want to ride along call or email me. I will have room for one or two people.
Mark M.
Solo Chair
solo@sbrscca.org
W: 574.255.2170 x204
H: 574.271.0810
SBR Members,
We are getting ready for the 2010 season and the trailer needs a little TLC to make all of our lives go easier this season. Tasks include wheel bearing lube, wiring harness repair, permanent floor marking for equipment packing, material inventory, etc., etc.
We will be meeting at Mark Manninen’s offices (Shambaugh & Sons) at 56575 Twin Branch Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545 on Saturday March 27th. If we get a relatively early start it should be a light day and I expect to complete things on Saturday. This depends mostly on how early we get things out and get the floor markings painted. Sunday would be a potential completion day if needed to let Mark go back to work the next week.
If you would like to earn a few extra club points, or just enjoy getting a jump on the social aspects of the club while performing a valuable service, please e-mail me at srbollinger@sbcglobal.net to volunteer. I only need a few people so the earlier you let me know the better chance you have of picking up a few extra points.
Thanks,
Steve Bollinger
I will be getting supplies and forms ordered for the 2010 solo season sometime in March. I can order 2010 solo rule books at that time also. I will not be ordering extra so please contact me by 3/31 if you want a rule book this year. You will only pay club cost for the book at $22.50 a copy.
Please be aware that you will no longer be required to have a hard copy of the solo rule book at national or divisional solo events for 2010. You still need to know the rules and should be able to defend a protest. A hard copy of the rule book could be handy.
Mark M., Solo Chair 2010
solo@sbrscca.org
Here is the link to the GLDiv Solo Series website for more detailed information:
http://www.soloseries.org/2010/2010.html
There will be 4 two-day events including the Divisional Championship.
#1 June 5-6 @ Grissom Aeroplex, Peru, IN Hosted by SBR
#2 June 18-20 @ Majestic Star Casino, Gary, IN Hosted by INR
#3 July 10-11 @ Oscoda, MI Hosted by Detroit
#4 August 6-8 @ Grissom Aeroplex, Peru, IN Divisional Championship
I would assume these events will be scored the same as last year as a separate event each day of competition so it looks like 8 points days in including the Divisional Championship.
Keep an eye on the GLDiv series website or this blog site for any updates or changes.
Think Spring!
Mark Manninen, Solo Chair
Fastrack has been posted. To get your copy follow the links below.
February 2010 Issue -
http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-march.pdf
Club Racing -
http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-march-club.pdf
Solo/SEB -
http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-march-solo.pdf
Rally -
http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-march-rally.pdf
Board of Directors-
http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-march-bod.pdf
Links -
http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastrack/10/10-fastrack-march-links.pdf
Looking for a previous copy? Click the link below to be taken there.
http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=78
The HP Laptop has risen from the grave! After a bunch of searching online, I discovered a repair method for the failure of our old HP laptop. With some teardown instructions and a heat gun provided by Tire Rack, I dove in. The repair involved carefully heating up the NVidia graphics chip to “reflow” the solder under the chip. A bit primitive, I confess.
The process worked, and the laptop is working again. Even the wireless is working. I’m installing a mess of software updates, and we’ll see how it goes from there. I may go back and install Windows XP instead of Vista, to improve performance.
As we all know, everyone benefits when teens drive better… so help us get a few more teens out there better skills behind the wheel! The South Bend Region is hosting another Teen Street Survival School on April 17th, 2010 and we need volunteers.
Who are we looking for?
We need volunteers and coaches able to show up at 7:30 AM and stay until 3:00 PM. Volunteers could be setting up registration, putting out food, shagging cones, or just helping to be sure everyone has what they need. To be a coach we need someone with a little more driving experience, but you don’t need to be a National Run Offs Champion! We need someone who understands car control in dry and wet conditions and is able to be patient with a young student.
What do you get out of it?
You get the satisfaction of knowing that you helped get safer drivers on the street… but don’t worry we have some tangible items as well. This year we have some free swag as usual, but in addition the BMW CCA will be raffling off prizes for volunteers. They will be giving away a 1 Day M-Driving School, 1 set of Michelin Tires, and Tire Rack gift certificates. Plus you can’t forget that you will get a free lunch and a good time with fellow volunteers.
Know A Potential Student?
You can not beat the great value of this program. Not only do they gain valuable skills behind the wheel, but they get a one year membership into SCCA and this year we are including a free Solo event as well. Well worth the $75 registration. This year we are hosting schools on April 17th and August 14th. Students can register at: http://streetsurvival.org
How do you get involved?
The first step is to contact me, Sam Centellas your fellow SBR Member and Street Survival Chair for this event. You can reach me via email at streetsurvival@sbrscca.org or call me at 616.610.0042. I need all volunteers to RSVP with me so I know who to expect and set up some work assignments!
Thank you for your support!
SBR 2010 Solo Series Rules Changes
We are listening to our participants and working on making our solo program more inclusive and fun for all. The two most significant changes for the 2010 SBR Solo Series are:
1. Revised SBR Championship Event Points Calculation
We received a good suggestion on a revised points calculation formula which should show better resolution for the competitors placing in their individual classes. The old formula tended to give excellent resolution at the top of the class however if other competitors were more than a second or so off the top time in a class, they sometimes ended up with a minimum participation 20 points along with other competitors who may have significantly different or slower recorded times. A lack of “resolution” so to speak. Let’s face it, we all are racing each other in addition to the clock and we all want to and get more feedback showing any improvements in our skills. This new calculation should show the desired result without effecting top tier drivers or turning our points system into a participation trophy for end of season bragging rights. After much discussion of the pros and cons, we think we got it right.
2. SBR Street Tire Index Championship
We also recieved several suggestion regarding competitors wanting a true “street tire” class outside of the National Street Touring classes rules set. This class will run at each event just like the Tire Rack Index or Novice Index utilizing the PAX (RTP) index factors, and will be a trophy class just like the Class throphies at each event in addition to a season total points championship for year recognition and trophy.
In essence, you just sign up at registration running in the Street Tire Index Class for B Stock or “BS/T” instead of any regular SCCA National class we offer like C Stock, E Street Prepared, etc… All vehicles conforming to the normal preparation for it’s regular national class will be lumped into the Street Tire Index Class if running on true street tires with a tread wear rating of 140 or higher. The winners for the event will be calculated based upon the PAX index for each official National Solo Class. In theory you could be competing against A Mod/T , C Street Prepared/T, H Stock/T, and G Prepared/T all in the same index class! Could be interesting. During the regular solo event we think we will have you run with your regular sanctioned classes. Eample: G Stock and G Stock/T will all run in the same heat so we don’t drive the T&S people nuts trying to set up a balanced run/work order? This may be subject to change at the event depending on participation numbers so listen up at the Driver’s meeting for your correct run/work order.
The only classes not allowed will be the Street Touring based classes like ST, STS, STX, STU, STR, etc.. because they are likely fully prepared and set up to run on the street tires giving them an unfair advantage. For those wanting to level the playing field a bit and see where they stand against their buddy without the investment of R compounds or race slicks, here’s your chance!
National Rules Changes
On the National Solo rules scene, you will no longer need to have a hard copy of the SCCA Solo Rules with you for national solo events or divisional championships. You are still responsible to know the rules and if protested you better be able to defend your vehicle. As before, you can get the Solo rules for FREE on the national club website at http://scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61 This should save a few trees anyway. The best way to see what has changed is to download the FastTrack bulletins from the SCCA national website for the last 4 months or so.
In addition to the usual car/class shuffle they have added Street Touring R (STR) as a supplimental class allowing select cars not previously catorgorized in a street touring class. I will have to dig into that one to learn a bit more.
That is it in a nutshell. Our rules should be posted on the usual links before the season starts. Get your car ready and tighten up the “nut behind the wheel”. It will be solo season before you know it!
Mark Manninen, Solo Chair 2010
All,
Thank you for attending the Solo meeting Saturday. We got A LOT accomplished. Lots of good ideas.
the meeting notes are attached.
2010 SOLO PLANNING Meeting Minutes
Mark M
The 2010 solo schedule and other associated files are now updated on the website. Let me know if you see any errors or omissions.
William Loring
Who asks? I have a very old tube of Chemtronics Silicone Heat Sink Compound intended for use when mounting power transistors. If this will do, it’s yours, whomever you are. —Lloyd
Does anyone know where I could find some thermal paste locally? This is the stuff used to conduct heat between a computer chip, and a heat sink. I’m looking into a possible repair for the club’s old HP laptop, and need a bit of this stuff for when I put it back together.
Here’s an example of what I need.
Reminder that we have the solo planning meeting this Saturday 2/6 at The Tire Rack conference room. Meeting starts at 9:00am. New enthusiastic members are welcome! Meeting is open to all.
If you cannot attend and you have any issues, ideas to improve our solo program, or would like to volunteer for a Chief position, drop me an e-mail or call before the meeting and I will get it on the agenda.
So far I have the following Chiefs lined up for 2010:
Solo Chiefs 2010
** Receives 50% local and national dues reimbursement!!
See you Saturaday,
Mark Manninen, Solo Chair
solo@sbrscca.org
Home Ph: 574.271.0810 after 6:00pm
I have managed to get the Annual Banquet pictures I took out of my camera and onto Fotki where you may view them and, if you wish, download them for your own purposes at no charge. They are not sensational but they do show most of the members and guests who attended. I also included photos of the Lincoln Carriage. We had a total of 74 folks (a recent high!) of whom 53 earned activity points as members. To view the photos go here.
—Lloyd
The presentation that we showed at the banquet is now online for you to view… I’ve included corrections for F125 and FJA. A very sincere apology to Henry Phillips and Carrie Easton!
We may not be perfect, but eventually we’ll get it right!
Lloyd Loring took photos, and they are now posted here.
Here’s the January 2010 PitBoard newsletter. I think I’ll be posting these here on the blog from now on.
I’ve added a new PitBoard category, so you can find it easily.
Duane sent me this story, and I found the original on bimmerclassics.com
Maximum power: 108,920 hp at 102 rpm
Maximum torque: 5,608,312 lb/ft at 102rpm
Pat Ohmann reminds us to take a good look at the 2010 SCCA Calendar. Look to December, and you’ll find a nice photo of a certain SBR National Champion…
The car has toured several times at Road America during the Brian Redman Classic Car event, and autocrossed once on All season Conti Extreme contact 205/55 tires-coming in mid class in spite of slippery tires. I have complete maintenance records and the car is NICE. Thanks for any consideration you are able to offer. (was NOT planning on selling the car, but I’m 60 years old now, and my back says no more Eibach springs, Tokiko Gas struts and polyurethane bushings. So selling and bought a soft riding car.)
Sincerely Jim Rasp 574-293-2472
http://www.tampabaymiatas.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8707
The car is in Elkhart, where it has lived all ten years with me. No accidents. Ziebart.