SCRA Board of Directors and Drivers Approve Penalties

Presented below is a resolution approved by the SCRA Board of Directors and Drivers at the May 5, 2008, general membership meeting which outlines common rules infractions and a series of penalties that will be applied without appeal during the remainder of the SCRA season. As the resolution makes clear, this is an effort to remove the disputes that have arisen over inconsistent application of penalties in the past. The membership and the Board will review the results of this new procedure at the Annual Rules Meeting in September.

RESOLUTION: Application of Penalties for Rules Violations during Racing Events

A Resolution of the Stock Car Racing Association (SCRA) Regarding the Application of Penalties for Rules Violations during Racing Events

Whereas, over the years, violations of rules before, during, and after a SCRA sanctioned event have not been judiciously or consistently applied; and

Whereas, a documented record of violations and penalties has not been consistently kept and maintained; and

Whereas, the inconsistent application of penalties for particular violations has been the subject of argument, debate, and dispute; and

Whereas, these arguments, debates, and disputes have been a continuing source of bitter conflict within the membership of SCRA; therefore be it

Resolved, that the SCRA Board of Directors and the membership adopt specific penalties to apply to specific violations of the SCRA rules; and be it further

Resolved, that the following common violations of rules incur the penalties as stated;

1. Rough Driving:  First offense - Fifty and no/100 ($50.00) fine.

2. Rough Driving: Second offense – Disqualification and loss of points and money for all races during the event.

3. Rough Driving: Third offense – Fifty and no/100 ($50.00) fine, disqualification, loss of points and money for all races during the event, and suspended for the next two scheduled SCRA sanctioned events.

4. Rough Driving: Fourth offense – Fifty and no/100 ($50.00) fine, disqualification, loss of points and money for all races during the event, and suspended for the remainder of the season.

5. Illegal Car: A driver who is found to have a car in violation of SCRA rules shall be fined One Hundred and no/100 ($100.00) and disqualified from the event, including the loss of points, trophy, and money won for all races during the event. Furthermore, the driver cannot return until the car has been re-inspected and confirmed to meet all SCRA rules.

6. Illegal Engine: A driver with an illegal engine will be fined One Hundred Fifty and no/100 ($150.00), disqualified with loss of points, money, trophy, and suspended from competition at all SCRA sanctioned events for the next three scheduled SCRA events. All related rules in SCRA publications regarding illegal car and engine remain applicable.

7. Speeding in the Pits: Twenty-five and no/100 ($25.00) fine.

8. None of the above listed penalties will be subject to appeal during 2008. This effectiveness of this resolution will be reviewed at the annual Rules Meeting.

9. In the event of officiating calls that fall outside SCRA rules, the ranking SCRA official shall determine the penalty.

10. In the event that this resolution conflicts with existing SCRA rules or By-Laws, the existing rules and By-Laws take precedence.

11. The Secretary shall maintain a seasonal log which shall include all verbal and written warnings, violations, and penalties applied. The log shall be available at all SCRA sanctioned events.

Resolved, that the SCRA membership ratify this resolution at the next general membership meeting; and be it further

Resolved, that all officials at any SCRA sanctioned event shall carry with them at all times a copy of this resolution to ensure the proper application of penalties; and be it further

Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Manzanita Speedway for their information.

Approved by the SCRA Board of Directors and ratified by the SCRA drivers at the general membership meeting on May 5, 2008.

Hon-Dah Resort-Casino Renews as SCRA Title Sponsor

Brent Kurth, General Manager of the Hon-Dah Resort-Casino, announced on Friday, February 15, 2008, that Hon-Dah intends to renew its title sponsorship agreement with SCRA for the 2008 season. Larry Upton, a member of the SCRA Board of Directors, traveled to Pinetop, Arizona to meet with Kurth and Melissa Amos, Assistant Marketing Director, to discuss SCRA’s work on behalf on Hon-Dah. While there, Upton presented Kurth and Amos with a plaque and a five foot trophy in recognition of Hon-Dah’s four years of continuing support of the association.

Hon-Dah Resort-Casino is located at 777 Highway 260, Pinetop, Arizona 85935. Hon-Dah is located at the junction of State Routes 73 and 260, about 190 miles northeast of Phoenix. Hon-Dah is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Among other enterprises, the Tribe also owns the Sunrise Ski Resort in the White Mountains. Hon-Dah Resort-Casino can be reached at 1-800-929-8744; their website is www.hon-dah.com.

SCRA will continue to promote Hon-Dah at Manzanita Speedway with a weekly, full-page ad in the Manzy Mag and a 7’x32’ sign on Manzy’s back wall. In addition, all SCRA race cars will run with the Hon-Dah logo while promoting Hon-Dah in all their off-track appearances. SCRA’s Sport Mod Division will open its season on February 29, 2008, while the Factory Stock Division opens the following Friday, March 7.

Factory Stock Drivers Ratify Board’s Emergency Action

Although the SCRA Board of Directors approved an emergency rule change in the rules at a special meeting on December 19, 2007, the factory stock drivers ratified the Board’s action at the general membership meeting on January 7, 2008. The ratification motion will be presented again to the factory stock drivers at the next general membership meeting on February 4, 2008.

The new rules have not been formally changed. This option has been done as a goodwill gesture in response to a request from Manzanita Speedway. Although it appears that the factory stock drivers will ratify the Board’s decision to accommodate Manzanita Speedway for the 2008 season, the new rules will be presented at the 2008 annual rules meeting thereby giving the factory stock drivers a chance for a more appropriate and formal response to the rules being proposed.

Outlined below are the existing rules compared to the new rules:

Current Rule:
Section A: Chassis/Body/Body/Roll Bars, Item 6
“Hood and trunk lids may be gutted. No other chopping of bodies, except for 2” around fenders for tire clearance. Front inner fenders may be unbolted or cut out and removed their mounting brackets cannot be cut off the fenders”

New Rule:
“Hood and trunk lids may be gutted. No other chopping of bodies, except for 2” around fenders for tire clearance and up to a 14 ½” hole in the hood for air cleaner clearance (optional). Front inner fenders may be unbolted or cut out and removed their mounting brackets cannot be cut off the fenders”

Current Rule:
Section B: Engine/Transmission/Drive Shaft
“No aluminum after market water pumps. Aluminum radiators are optional.”

New Rule:
“Aluminum water pumps and radiators are optional.”

Current Rule:
Section C: Rear End/Suspension/Tires/Wheels
“Rear end must remain stock, on stock unaltered mounts, in stock location (year, make and model).”

New Rule:
“Any passenger car or light truck rear-ends can be used in any car, and must be mounted on the stock chassis mount, in stock location for the make and model of the car. No quick changes or floaters will be allowed. Stock style steel springs (coil for coil, leaf for leaf) and must remain in stock location. Upper and lower trailing arms must be of stock length, for that make, model and year of car, unaltered and in stock mounting location. Shock and spring mounts must remain in stock location.

Ford 9” rear-end will be allowed. All non-stock rear ends must +/- 1” of stock rear-end width, i.e. if the stock rear-end measures out at 58” the non-stock rear-end may be 57” or 59”. There will be no exceptions to this. Pinion angle will be visually inspected also throughout the year. Disc brakes will NOT be allowed. Drum brakes only. Any SCRA member that will be running for points MUST conform to this rule. Once again there are no exceptions to this rule.”

In taking this somewhat convoluted approach to resolving this challenge, SCRA is making a good faith effort to adhere to its by-laws while accommodating the request and needs of Manzanita Speedway. The Board is requesting that its membership understand that we are trying to continue racing with an old, reliable friend in Manzanita which, under its new ownership, is preparing a much improved racing facility for us in 2008. The Board of Directors is grateful for the support of the membership.