Region update for the week of 04/07/2020

All Concerned:

In keeping with a continuous watch on the situation and related developments, there are many opinions and directives that continue to evolve.  Washington DC Board of Directors will meet in regular session next week, 14 April 2020.  At that meeting a longer range view will be discussed.  Until then, current decisions remain in place to take no further action through 31 May 2020. 

In the interim, there is work ongoing to develop a web based program as a resource for our membership.  Sharing of technical knowledge on a broad number of motorsports related subjects is part of the driving force.  Look for more information to be released in the not too distant future.

As conditions change, the Board of Directors stands ready to review those changes and opportunities.  There will be no further actions prior to the next regular meeting of the Board.


Wayne Armbrust

C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

SCCA COVID-19 Virus Situation Evaluaion

Washington DC Region - SCCA COVID-19 Virus Situation Evaluation

In phone conference Tuesday evening 17 March, WDCR Board of Directors discussed pending regulatory and recommended actions by state and federal government. As a result, all events and activities for the Washington DC Region are suspended for the remainder of March in compliance with established guidelines, as well as with the announcement of the closure of operations of Summit Point Raceway until their April first reevaluation.

The Board will remain in close contact with our Program Directors seeking their input and opinions. Changing conditions and relevant situations will be continually monitored. We will be holding a weekly Board of Directors telecom meeting, currently scheduled for 24 and 31 March to assess any changing conditions. No further actions taken by the Board at this time. 

No changes to the April schedule have been considered as yet.

Wayne Armbrust

C.W. Armbrust

Chairman & Region Executive

WDCR - SCCA

Mobile: 540-539-6379

WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

Straightpipe Snippet, February 2020 Nuts & Other Loose Things - Wayne Armbrust, Region Executive

We need to talk. There is a myriad of stories and news to cover. Let’s back up for a second or two and wish you a Happy New Decade as we roar into the 20s. With the start of this new year, we have an obligation to glance in the mirror to see what is behind us as we head into our first lap.
The quick glance back fills the mirror; sometimes it is hard to realize what we have been through, accomplished, and changed. There are also things bringing changes into the new year as part of the continuous process of improvement and development. All the while, we move ahead at full speed in to the new year, and new decade with our existing programs.
We can’t do it alone. SCCA is an amazing world being driven by members of a club with a common thread of passion. Through this uncommon collection of talent, passion, and experience is born the organization that opens opportunities to take our love of cars and abilities and apply them to their fullest extent.
Beginning in 2020, Dominion Raceway will be a regular venue for Washington DE Region’s Track Events Program, as we host a full-fledged HPDE program and a Time Trials series. With our involvement in Dominion Raceway, we will be looking for ways to help develop and improve the track and its facilities in partnership with the owners, much as we always have in the past with others.
Summit Point is undergoing some considerable changes with transition in management and a few new changes in the way of doing things. Xator tells us they are 100% committed to supporting motorsports events and operations. We are working with local management and through Xator Corp. in order to meet conditions to continue our long tenure as the Home Track for our MARRS and Road Racing Program long into the future.
Our Track Events Program for the Northern area of the WDC Region at Summit Point has a new Director. Lin Toland has stepped up to the bar and taken the hand off from Chuck Edmondson. Our TE and associated TT program is the only standalone SCCA Track Events Program in the nation. That alone is testimony to the commitment our folks have had in putting the WDC Region program on the national map.
WDCR Road Racing with its well-known and established MARRS Championship is still rockin’ along. It is rapidly becoming the center piece in the division as we work more closely with our neighboring regions to build MARRS into a true multi region championship series.
Bracket Racing is still making waves across the country. Inquiries into format and structure are still coming in as more and more regions look to any means to increase wheel to wheel participation. We are also exploring the opportunity for fine tuning the Bracket Racing Program and offering more space and track time to competitors.
Autocross Program is full bloom and going strong. Opportunities are being explored to expand available sites and resources. Enthusiasm is stronger than ever in participation and pursuit of the perfect run.
Rallycross is finding its own in participation and venue selection. Doing the Rally thing in the dirt is an experience every one of our members should give a try. It is simply amazing and thrilling to make the runs. Of course, it takes a couple of days’ worth of hot showers to get down to the bottom layers, but it is worth every sliding moment of fun.
Road Rally is rolling along with our annual schooling program and early season event.
More irons are in the fire, getting ready to spread the brand, stay tuned.
We are officially in the ‘20s, let’s make the Roar! They can hear us all the way to Topeka and beyond.

Summit Point 50th Anniversary Season Photo Book Now Available
As a means to archive our fiftieth year of Road Racing at Summit Point. Sissy Connolly spent the season behind her camera g the gathering our special year spent together. As we celebrate moving into the beginning of the next 50 years this book makes a wonderful mile marker along the way. These books would make wonderful gifts for your special driver in the family. Direct ordering from the Shutterfly.com publisher is available through: https://link.shutterfly.com/e/A2oKUKzlm3

To download the entire PDF of our February Straightpipe, click here

October BOD meeting and election wrap up

The DC Region’s Annual Membership Meeting was held last night and although we had a light turn-out

due to the Road Racing Run-offs at VIR this weekend, the meeting was still very informative and

productive. We heard from our Treasurer who let us know the club is in a good financial state.

Presentations about their season were given by each Program Chair and we heard plans for the

upcoming season. We learned about the expansion of our club with the addition this year of the

Western Maryland chapter and plans for a new HPDE & Time Trials program at Dominion raceway.

There was a Q&A session after each presentation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the results of our 2020-2022 Board of Directors election were

announced and are as follows:

New Directors: Pam Richardson and Josh Rubenstein

Re-elected: Russ Gardner

Each of these Directors will serve a three-year term, alongside the sitting members (already in their

term) Wayne Armbrust, Dave Fitzgerald, Shawn Roberts, Alan Olson, Kate Claffie, & Kahlil Natirboff.

A huge THANK YOU goes out to Mike Snyder and Mike McKee for their service on the Board. These

volunteers give of their time and efforts to improve our club and make our members’ experience the

best it can be. Mike & Mike – we appreciate you!!

HEADS UP! SCCA NEEDS YOUR INPUT

Article by Jack Burrows, Area 2 Director

The bylaws which govern SCCA have remained largely unchanged for some years. Our bylaws can only be revised by a vote of our members and require ballots to be sent and returned through the mail. Given the time and money involved in mailing ballots with postage paid return envelopes, this is a costly, cumbersome, and protracted process.

The club's Board of Directors therefore proposes to drag SCCA into the current millennium by changing our bylaws to provide for electronic voting. A detailed explanation of the proposal with its specific changes to our bylaws and the resulting voting process will be laid out in an article in upcoming issues of Sports Car.

Essentially, the Board's proposal is to allow SCCA to use electronic ballots (e.g., email) for things which our bylaws require to be voted on by our members. It also provides for people to opt out of electronic balloting if they prefer to receive and return hard copy ballots by mail. This change can't happen unless and until its voted on and approved by our members. Eligible members will therefore be receiving a ballot in the mail in the coming weeks asking for approval of electronic notification for items requiring a vote of the membership. The Board and I ask for your approval.

This would not a radical change. Many - if not most - of SCCA's regions already use electronic voting for things like elections for region officers. So the proposal would merely serve to bring SCCA nationally into the same practice as that which already widely used on the regional level. I encourage everyone to read the Sports Car article and vote in favor of the option for us to use electronic voting.


     



2017 Board of Directors Election

ATTN DC Region Members:

It's that time of year again and if you have ever considered serving your Region on the Board of Directors (BoD) this would be a good time to get involved and make a difference.  The 'Official' job description for the Board members can be found in Article IV of the Region's Bylaws which are available HERE.

We meet once a month, on the 2nd Tuesday at 7PM and we're usually on the way home by 9:00-9:30 though some meetings have gone longer and some shorter. Like most altruistic groups, there is no pay but dinner is provided at our monthly BoD meetings. Outside of the meetings we usually average about 2-3 hrs a week on Region business.  

This is a unique opportunity to get involved in the inner workings of one of the largest Regions in SCCA and help shape the future of our Club.  

The initial slate of nominees must be submitted to the Board of Directors by the Election committee, at the July monthly meeting.  After that date any nominations must be via petition with support from twenty voting Region members.  Per our Region's Bylaws ALL nominations, including any Nominating Petitions for the Election must be received by the Board 60 days before the election date.  Our Bylaws also require that the election take place at the Annual Membership meeting to be held in October.  The specific date for that meeting will be announced in the near future.

If you would like more information or have an interest in running for the BoD please reach out to one of the Committee members shown below and we'll do our best to answer your questions.

Now's the time to give back to the club that has given you so much!

2017 Election Committee Members:

Chairman:  Chuck Edmondson - fastcarphysics@gmail.com

Mike Snyder: msnyder@cqmtg.com

Dave Fitzgerald: dafitzgerald@gmail.com

Election Candidates (2016)

PAUL ANDERSON - INCUMBENT

PAUL ANDERSON - INCUMBENT

My name is Paul Anderson and I am running for reelection to the Board of Directors. I have been a member of the Washington DC Region for over 40 years. I’ve served as your Regional Executive for the past two years and as Assistant RE the previous year. I have held a National F&C license for many years. My wife Penny is also involved in the Region having served as Chief of Start and she now works in T&S.

Below is a list of Region positions I have held:

  • Served on the Board of Directors for three earlier terms.

  • Co-chaired the committee that developed the MARRS series.

  • Served 5 years as Asst. Flag Marshal.

  • Chaired the Annual Awards banquet for 3 years.

  • Also served at various times as Secretary, Board Liaison to the CRC, Membership Chairman, Social Chairman and Merchandise Chairman.

Our region is one of the largest in SCCA and we run high quality, competitive and fun events. Though all of our programs are successful, we should always seek to keep them evolving as the sport, and the way people participate, changes so that we may continue to provide the best member experience possible. There are always challenges for an organization like ours. Board members open to new ideas, like the current Bracket Racing trial, will be important to our continued success.

One of my priorities when I ran for the board four years ago was to improve Region communications. With the hard work of Bob Crawford (Member Services Chair) we have published the new electronic Straightpipe and the goal for the future is a more regular publication schedule. These are the sorts of things needed to bring value to your SCCA membership.

Negotiating our current favorable contract with Summit Point was one of my more important tasks last year. We’ll have another contract renewal coming up in 2017. I have also worked closely with Dominion Raceway over the past two years to support their efforts to become SCCA approved for track events.

I bring a historical perspective to the Board that none of the current candidates can duplicate. I’m mostly from the racing side of the club, though I have run solos and rallys in the past, and am very supportive of those activities as well as the PDX and RallyCross programs. I believe I can continue to be an asset to the Region and its Board of Directors.

Now retired, I spent my professional career in Logistics and Distribution management, most recently with Connections Education as Senior Distribution Manager.


MIKE SNYDER - INCUMBENT

MIKE SNYDER - INCUMBENT

I’m 55 years old, married with a son and daughter residing in Burtonsville, MD. I hold a degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Computer Science and Management. I am an owner of Advantage Electrostatic Refinishers, Inc., a painting company I co-founded in 1984. I also have a Baltimore City Development Company called Chester Street Associates.

I joined the Sports Car Club of America and AutoCrossers, Inc (a DC Region chapter club) as a working member in 1992. By 1996 I was in charge of our autocross events at Camden Yards. At the time they were the largest events in the area. I started doing National level events, both Pro Solo and Tours in 1996. I have been to Nationals and the Pro Finale 19 times, trophying four times. At Nationals, I have served as Grid Chief, Chief of Course, Operating Steward and Assistant Chief Steward. I have served two year stints as President, Treasurer and Vice President of AutoCrossers, Inc. I have been a Solo 2 Safety Steward for 17 years. As a DC Region member I have helped operate the National level events in Petersburg and FedEx Stadium.

I am currently on the Board of Directors of the DC Region serving as the Treasurer. I have served on the Board for over 7 years. My goal is to always try to provide what each Program needs to survive and grow. I enjoy being actively involved in SCCA organization, not just competing, but in making the SCCA a better value for all its members.


LIN TOLAND - INCUMBENT

LIN TOLAND - INCUMBENT

I am seeking reelection to the Board of Directors. For those who don’t know me I am a Flagger, Steward, sometime competitor in SSM and MARRS Points Keeper. I have also served as the Chief Steward for the Region’s PDX/CT/TT Program since it was formed. Since joining the board in 2008 I have served as the Assistant RE, BoD Rep to the PDX, Rally Cross, Solo Programs, Rep to the Grand Prix of Baltimore, the Rep for the 2014 Awards Banquet and currently serve as the BoD’s Rep to the to the Club Racing Committee. My experience with SCCA actually dates back to the early 1970's. I started as a Solo Driver and flagger in the San Francisco Region, but a military career got in the way and my membership lapsed after a transfer back to Sea Duty. My last transfer brought us to Martinsburg and it was in 1996 I won tickets to the Labor Day event and it was while I was spectating with the family at Turn 1, I met Josh Cockey and the rest is history as three weeks later I was "in whites" cross track at Station 8. Since then the entire family has gotten involved. My wife, Janet, works in T&S and my son Jim after many years crewing for Meathead Racing is the Shop Manager & Senior Race Mechanic for WISKO Race Engineering at VIR.

The DC Region continues to offer some of the best Regional programs in SCCA. Our MARRS Series is one of the 2 or 3 best Regional Racing Programs in the country, our Solo program is considered to be one of the best in SCCA, the PDX Program continues to be the only Stand Alone PDX Program in SCCA and over the last couple of years our RallyCross Program has also become one of the top programs in the Country. These programs excel because of the insanely dedicated volunteers we have running them, the competitors that keep them viable and the hundreds of volunteers that show up each event and give of their time and expertise to make them work. If we are to survive we need to continue to identify ways to enhance and expand our programs as well as being prepared to take serious looks at new ideas and concepts. As an example one such program would be Bracket Racing where we finally figured out how to Race Cars without a 700 pages of classing specifications. If your car has a valid Annual Safety Tech, it can race against other cars with comparable lap times. I was an entrant in the 1st Bracket Race and look forward to the next one. I strongly support these kinds of ‘Out of the Box’ ideas that make us stronger. I strongly support expanding programs and looking for new ideas to experiment with.

Professionally, I am a retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer, and I retired from full time work in March of 2012 after 31 yrs active duty and 12 yrs as a civilian contractor for the Coast Guard. Currently I work part time as a Corner Worker for Summit Point Raceway, Virginia International Raceway, and 2x4 Safety Services. For the past 15 years I have served as Captain of the Bus Stop Chicane flag crew for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and pride myself on being able to expose some of our new flaggers to Pro Racing as I historically host 10-12 DC Region Flaggers at the Bus Stop each year. Of course the other side of this I get to enjoy the benefits of being Captain of a Shift for the Rolex that is solely made up of DC Region Flaggers. Our back patches look pretty nice on TV don’t they?

Lastly; not many race organizations would welcome a 6 year old child to the race track, then train them to be a valued member of the worker team, but our region does it on a regular basis. It's been said that it takes a village to raise a child and the Washington DC Region was the 'village' that raised "JimAAAA", and I want help to continue to see our 'village' grow and see more of our youngsters enjoying our village; be it Summit Point, FedEx Field, Blue Crabs Stadium, A RallyCross venue or who knows where the Rally might end. The greatest honor I have ever received was the opportunity to represent the Region Membership on the Board, something I take very seriously and I hope you allow me to continue to represent you.  


ANNE CALLIHAN

ANNE CALLIHAN

So some 25 years ago I was a single parent living in the suburbs, working for a living and filling my spare time as a Girl Scout leader, theater mom, swim team ribbon writer, and occasional Masters swimmer. What I knew about cars and auto racing could be written on a dipstick , which I did (barely) know how to use.

One day along came some silver tongued snake oil (automotive paint) salesman, who whispered sweet nothings – “I drive a race car” and “Want to see my garage?” And with promises of excitement and free gourmet track food, he lured me out to Summit Point one fine spring weekend. What he didn’t tell me was that his race car was an old British MG that had yet to make it through one full race without blowing up. And that I would have to make the track food myself.

Still hadn’t learned my lesson when he said “Oh, you will be so bored sitting in the paddock” and dragged me off to Timing and Scoring. And then to the Pit Lane….

Long story short, I managed to find my own way after that. To a thank-you FATT from Bill Scott for the race workers who volunteered at the Jefferson 500, where one of our finest driving instructors taught me all about track in and late apexes, and where I learned without a doubt that my competitive drive did not include driving fast on a race track. To the specialties of Registration, and F&C, and Start, and lately Tech. To race tracks around the country, both as a worker and as crew. To the Grand Prix of Baltimore, my first pro event. To the Competition Committee several times, and to head of the Charity Committee for about 8 years, where I (and about 50 of my closest friends) helped raise nearly $200K for various worthy charities including the Summit Point Library, my very first cause. And eventually to the position of Assistant and then Director of Club Racing. Along the way I also worked with both the PDX and the AutoX leadership, and have developed a familiarity with how the those programs function and an appreciation of their unique contributions to the DC Region.

Through all those years in the trenches, I think I have learned a few things. About people, mostly, and what drives them to the race track (besides a tow vehicle) and what keeps them coming back. I think I have a few good ideas left in me, and would like to try to serve this club and this region in yet another way. I have no agenda, hidden or otherwise, only a desire to keep this region growing, to be the best we can be, and to be responsive to the needs of our members.

I am retired from a career as an accountant and business manager, mostly in non profit environments, a background which I believe will serve me well as a member of the Board of Directors. I am also an active volunteer with the AARP Tax Aide program which provides free income tax preparation services. My husband Gary and I between us have four adult children and six of the world’s most amazing grandchildren. (Just ask, I’ll show you pictures!)

My secrets? I have always wanted to participate in a TSD Rally. And to learn to play the drums. I think the first has a greater chance of happening, especially with a little help from my friends …

Thank you for your consideration.


SHAWN ROBERTS

SHAWN ROBERTS

I was dragged to a few autocross events in 2004 by my girlfriend and we soon started going to a lot of autocross events.  After a slow start in 2004, by late 2004 we had bought a Miata (official car of the autocross addicted) and joined the SCCA.  In 2005, we did 50+ different autocross events in the Mid-Atlantic area.  Then we decided to cut back a bit on the number of events in 2006, so we joined the DC solo committee. We wanted to help put on the best run events we had seen during all the different events in 2005.  When the Solo chair stepped down in 2010, I was one of the people that stepped up to become the solo co-chairs with Evanthe Salisbury and David Sann.  I also became a solo safety steward in 2007.

 Because autocross was not taking up enough of our time we decided to start rallycrossing. So in 2010 we started rallycrossing and by late 2011 I had taken over keeping the rallycross website up to date.  I have since gotten more involved in registration and timing for the rallycross events as well as becoming a rallycross safety steward in 2013.

 I did not grow up in a racing household.  My parents had a long procession of white Ford Taurus wagons during my teen years.  So while my interest in motorsports did not come from my parents I did get the volunteer sprit from them.  Everything I was involved in growing up my parents were there as volunteers.  Playing soccer, my parents ran the local soccer organization.  Joining 4-H, my mom was the leader of the local club.  So knowing how much volunteers put into making clubs work, I have always volunteered to help out as needed.  I was the treasurer of my local 4-H club and the corresponding secretary for the local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa in college.

I have worked in computer support for Montgomery College for the last 15 years and live in Woodbridge, VA with my wife Katie Orgler and a few less Miatas than you would see in a spec miata race.

I have been happy with the direction of the BOD in the last few years and would like to help them continue along the same path.


DAVE FITZGERALD

DAVE FITZGERALD

Hello, my name is Dave Fitzgerald and I’m running for a seat on the Board of Directors for the Washington DC Region SCCA.

I have been involved in the SCCA for more than 10 years and was first introduced to our club through the Auto-X program in 1995. Not knowing what to expect I was impressed with the camaraderie of the event organizers and participants and knew right then that this was the type of organization I wanted to be a part of. From there it was a slippery slope from track days to Club Racing in a relatively short period.

In 2006 I attained my Competition license and again found the SCCA Club Racing family welcoming and willing to help me get through the first few events. Honestly, I think I was a little too overwhelmed to concern myself with just how these events were run and who was behind the curtain pulling all the strings. From my early perspective, I showed up, unloaded my car, registered, raced and went home but I soon realized that putting on a Club Racing weekend was a result of months of planning and a small army of well-organized volunteers to man the grid, registration, flag stations, emergency services and timing and scoring and to whom all racers should be eternally grateful.

In addition to Club Racing I have been involved with the Performance Driving eXperience program (PDX) for the past 4 years; first as a participant, then an instructor and more recently a member of the PDX/Time Trials Organizing Committee. Not to disparage any of the other fine programs, I believe there is no better introduction to our sport than a PDX. Driving your own car in the (relatively) safe environment of an open racetrack with the calm guidance of a seasoned instructor in the right seat talking you through your session. As an Instructor, watching a Novice student progress through the weekend is very gratifying and has also sparked many new friendships over the years.

So why am I running for a seat on the Board of Directors?

Having stepped back from the PDX program I still want to be involved with some aspect of our club and the region. For the past 19 years, my day job is to manage the I.T. infrastructure of a mid-sized family owned company. I provide technical support, planning and implementation of new initiatives, develop and manage the I.T. budget and negotiate contracts and terms with vendors. These attributes, I feel are all very relatable skills for a position on the board of a regional organization.

The Board is doing a phenomenal job and I hope my attitude, aptitude and experience will only enhance what is already a very competent group.

Thanks for listening (reading). Vote early and often!


MHYAR ALZAYAT

MHYAR ALZAYAT

Since the moment my father put me, aged three, on his lap and showed me how to turn the steering wheel, I became hooked for life. Maybe it was the feeling of the steering in my hands. Maybe it was simply his trust in allowing me to move such a large object! The bottom line is that, from then on, I did everything I could to get my hands on that wheel…or any wheel for that matter! When I couldn’t drive because I was grounded, I would hop onto either my bicycle or my moped! Whatever it was… I just hated walking and I still do!

Whenever I crashed, I always hid the car in the corner of our parking lot in the hopes that my father wouldn’t notice! Eventually he gave up on me and decided that putting me in a Jeep Wrangler would nip my speeding in the bud. Well, he was correct -- but with such big wheels I turned to conquering hills as my next goal. Let’s just say my father settled on driving me to school after losing the 3rdtransmission!

My father’s funniest quote: “Why is the second gear grinding (on his Camry)?" -- Then looking straight at me.

The funniest quote by my mother: (to my father) “You're going to let him drive?!

Today, although my father is long gone, I remember him every time I step on the track.

The track is my home. I've tried throughout the years – but with no luck -- to take up other less costly, less dangerous hobbies. I sometimes wonder why I couldn't fall in love with playing the piano or perhaps the violin! My mother asks me why I have 5 sets of rims and tires stacked up. My brother says I should invest my money and stop wasting my time. What they've never understood is that, to me, racing is not just some escape. It's life. And there is no feeling more beautiful, more life-affirming, than when I am behind that wheel.

My many years of involvement in the SCCA program, including serving as the Chief Instructor for the PDX program, have provided me with incredible opportunities for personal growth. It has helped me just as much as I've helped the program, if not more. There is nothing like seeing the smile of a student after the track day is over, and it's moments like these that have shaped me into a more caring and understanding person. The frustration, the desire to go faster, the love for a machine made of metal and sheer power – all giving rise to a smile that you keep for weeks, months, if not years!

After many years of instructing and helping students reach their own goals, I decided in 2014 that I was financially capable of racing. I got my SCCA License and did over 8 races in the SSM class between 2014 and 2016. There was much to learn and every race provided a new experience and invaluable lessons. I will continue to race every season to compete and maintain my license, and I hope to enter enduro races in the near future.

I value the friends I've made through the PDX program, from instructors to racers to mechanics, who have taught me an important lesson in teamwork. The experience has had an enormously positive impact on my own life, both professionally and personally. My interaction with them, the knowledge they have passed on to me, and their grace are all things that will stay with me for a very long time.

If elected, I would work to not only ensure that the sport thrives in this large region, but also to expand it and introduce it to new students and racers. Key to this would be expanding awareness in the DC area of the sport, the terrific tracks that surround us, and finally our Club.

If elected, I will strive to move the program forward, communicate effectively with members and board members, and foster a positive, team-oriented environment that will help us achieve the goals we all strive for!