The BOD and especially treasurer Lon Friesenborg have been focused on financial and accounting concerns recently.  We continue to work on improving our reporting and accounting processes and controls.  The BOD voted in May to consolidate our accounts at one bank to help reduce our bookkeeping overhead and make consolidation easier.  We are also developing specific financial goals for the club, chief among these is ensuring that we maintain adequate cash reserves to fund major events (for example, prepaying track rental).   We are also looking for new ways to generate revenue and cut costs, with a goal of funding a larger portion of operational overhead through investment income, rather than event proceeds.

One outcome of this work has been a much better understanding of trends over the past few years, and Lon and Steven Burkett presented some of the findings at the May membership meeting.  The bottom line financially is that we are in good shape now but we are seeing big changes in sources of income and expense and we need to begin reshaping the club to adapt to these changing conditions. 

The BOD is especially concerned with member retention and recruitment, particularly in light of Gateway's closure.   While we continue to broaden our marketing and recruitment efforts, we will especially focus on retention of existing members.  The bottom line is that being a member of St. Louis Region SCCA should be a source of pride, as well as a good value for your money, and your board is working hard to ensure that this continues to be the case.

●  The Region Social and Membership Meeting is Monday, June 20th at Spazio's Westport.  The regular membership meeting is from 7:00-8:00, get the latest updates on club activities and finances, and most importantly tell the BOD what's on your mind!  Come early for a drink or dinner in Spazio's Bistro.

- contributed by the "Gossiping Gearhead"

Now I'm not one to go around repeating rumors, so you better be sure and listen close the first time.  The forums and switchboards are buzzing again this week with talk of big news over at the Gateway Raceway.  It might all be noise but the last time things got this hot it was in the papers the very next week that Dover had cut and run so fast the door hit 'em right in the assets on the way out.

If there's even a grain of truth in all this then Gateway is as good as sold and probably not to the Florida boys.  That's all I've got to say on the subject for now but the way I figure, it's time to cross all our fingers and toes and we might just see our home track back in action sooner rather than later.  All rumors aside it is fact that the taxman is paying a visit to the GIR landowners soon, and if he doesn't get his due then something's bound to shake loose real quick.

Point being, that maybe it'll be Gateway or maybe there's something else entirely in the works for St. Louis, but if I was of the road racing or PDXing persuasion I sure wouldn't be selling my car or letting my membership lapse anytime soon.

Just sayin',

-GG 

The second annual TechORama was great fun, with tons of great giveaways, and enough food on hand to feed an army.  We made lots of new friends, new connections with local car clubs, and raised money for Operation Food Search.

Though we always want more, the turnout was respectable - in the neighborhood of 150 enthusiasts stopped by. Dave Jones' setup and tech presentations were packed, lots of great information on tuning and setup was shared, not to mention just general good times.   If you missed it - don't make the same mistake next year.  This has the potential to become a premier event to showcase our region, if you'd like to be involved next year, at any level, from event chair, to sponsor, to hot dog chef, contact Dave Jones, he'd be glad to have you.    

Our thanks to Dave and his co-chair Julia Briggen for all their hard work, and to all the volunteers who turned out to help.  Special thanks to our many sponsors who helped fund the event and donated fantastic attendance prizes:  Hoosier Tire Midwest, Cobalt Friction Technology, RNA World Wide, Autowerks of America, Dad's Auto Repair, Solo Performance Specialties, Fast Tech Limited, Superior Chevrolet of KC, April's Tax Service, WavesCo IT Solutions, Adventure Shooting Sports, and Wild Country Night Club.  These are the folks who support our club, so follow the links, buy their stuff, and tell them St. Louis Region SCCA sent you!

Representatives from all the region programs were on hand to provide information, encouragement and giveaways, including free entries to many club events.

A contingent of drifters from over at driftstl.com was on hand most of the day and had a great time.  At one point it looked like every 240SX in St. Louis was assembled for the occasion.

Free corner weight and alignment checks were a highlight of the event.  Thanks to region member Jim Lynch for allowing us the use of his spacious facility, the tech crew had a nice level surface and clean indoor space to work in.  

The Solo Committee reports that the lot will be vacuumed on July 1 for the EVO School and Divisional.  Less grit means more grip!

Autocross attendance has been very strong this year - the first event of the season saw 126 drivers with over 40 novices and was a smashing success!  Event #2 had 130 drivers, with lots of new people as well, and event #3 brought out 107 drivers, a strong showing considering it was Mother's day (hi mom!).

Rick Wingerter lights them up at the April 17th Solo Photo by:  jkflsdjfklsdjk

The Solo committee is making every effort to increase membership this year through promotion, education, and making events more fun.

The Road Rally program needs your help!  Contact Ron Ferris or Dave Jones if you would like to join the rally committee or can help out with the National Tour event July 16-17th.

St. Louis region now has a Facebook page!  Come become a fan and share the page with all your sports car enthusiast friends. 

Please do become a fan on Facebook, it's an exciting new way to spread the word.  But don't forget that personal conversation, one on one contact, is still the key to growing our club and strengthening our community.  After you're done posting pictures on your friend's wall, and checking out the latest updates on the forums, set aside a few minutes to pick up the phone and invite a friend out to an event, or check in with a member you haven't heard from in a while.

Pick up the phone, bring a friend out to a meeting or event.  And be sure and tell them they can:

The highlight of the June 1975 Wheelspin, is the great collection of photos from the May National races at MAR. 

Follow the link and see who you recognize, there are several familiar (albeit a bit younger) faces to be found.

One fun thing about reading through these old issues is seeing how some things never change.  Much ado was then made about Formula Ford tire costs spiraling out of control, and the efforts of SCCA National (newly headquartered in Denver) to select a spec tire.  Sound familiar?

Visit landiss.info/racing/Wheelspin/ to see more from the 1975 Wheelspin's in all their glory.  Thanks again to Dan Landiss and Mike Cobine for scanning, hosting and annotating this bit of St. Louis Region history!

As of 05/15/2011 the membership stands at 551 members, just 449 short of 1000!

Welcome to our newest members Bryan Cook, Kevin Morgan, Randall Runyon, Chris Melnick, Jacob Burke, and James DeBoard!   

The membership drive continues and there are incentives both to the new member and referring member when you refer a new member. Membership application is now available for download from the club web site. Remember even if enrolling online at the SCCA web site the new member must provide referral information (Referral Name & Member Number) so that all incentives are applied.

Random Nonsense ......

car accessories you can't live without?  

- Contributed by Jan Rick 

 Everyone needs a CARSTASH!

This is someone with too much $$money$$

and LAST BUT NOT LEAST --------- AS SEEN ON TV! ------------THE WING!

Have some motor sports trivia, a joke or some other random nonsense to contribute?   Send it in.  We'll publish it here and give you full credit.  It's a sure way to impress your friends and awe your competition!

-compiled by Dave Jones 

Just cut and paste onto your fridge - or use a magnet, if you prefer... 

JUNE  

5th - Family Arena Solo
4-5 - Mid America Motorplex Regional National
11-12 - Blytheville National Tour Solo
13th - BOD Meeting - Spazios
17-18-19 - Road America June Sprints
19th - RallyCross - location to be determined
20th - Membership Meeting - Spazios
25th - TireRack Teen Driving School - Family Arena
26 - Family Arena Solo 

JULY  

2nd - Family Arena EVO Solo School
3-4 - Family Arena Solo Divisional Event
3-4 - Hallett Regional National
11th - BOD Meeting - Spazios
16-17 - St. Louis Region SCCA National Road Rally
16-17 - Heartland Park Regional National
16-17 - Topeka Divisional Solo
18th - Membership Meeting - Spazios
24th - Family Arena Solo
30th - Family Arena Solo

Details available at www.stlscca.org or email BOD@stlscca.org