www.aemc.org.uk
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF EASTERN MOTOR CLUBS
28th April 2015
Held at the Lion and Lamb, Great Canfield
The meeting commenced at 20.00
Attendance
Members
15 were present representing 12 clubs as follows
Gary Nicholls
Stuart Kingham
Tony Clements
Tony Michael
Paul Barrett
Alan Barnard
Tony Hewitt
Martin Newson
Mike Biss
Mark Banham
Chin
Lucy Fryer
Keith Pettitt
Tony Burchnall
Brian Hemmings
Chairman
Treasurer / Wickford AC/Blue Light ORC
MSA Reg.Cttee. Rep./ Chelmsford MC
Web /Chelmsford MC
Rallies Coordinator / Chelmsford MC
West Essex MC
Kings Lynn &DMC
SCCoN
CSMA
Kings Lynn & DMC
Sevenoaks &DMC
AEMC
West Suffolk MC
Eastern Counties Motor Club
Secretary / Anglia Motor Sport Club
Visitors
Suze Endean
Matt Endean
RDO - Go Motorsport South East
MSA Rallies/ Auto-Rally Cross Committee
Apologies
Apologies were received from Clive Grounds (Training – Cambridge CC ), Loyd Gerken
(Technical ), Chris Deal (Sprint Co-ord), John White (Autocross Coord), Sarah White (HCAC Co-ord),
Melanie Camp (Green Belt MC),John and Christine Sharp (Borough 19), Noreen Ward (BARC –
Midlands), Geoff Hodge (Falcon MC)
Previous Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday the 20th Jan 2015 were reviewed and unanimously
agreed having been proposed by Wickford AC (Stuart Kingham) and seconded by Chelmsford MC
(Tony Clements). There were no matters directly arising not covered elsewhere in the agenda.
Chairman’s Report
There were no specific items to report.
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Treasurers Report
As agreed as an action at the AGM the Financial report for 2014 was presented. This was
discussed and unanimously accepted by the meeting having been proposed by Wickford AC (Stuart
Kingham) and seconded by Sevenoaks &DMC (Chin).
The current financial position was reported as showing a total of £10,036 in all accounts.
There are currently 34 paid up member clubs with 2 more “in progress”.
Secretary’s report
Minutes of their meetings have been received from the following associations WAMC,ASWMC,
ANICC and ASEMC.
The monthly fixture list and newsletter had also been received from the ACU Eastern Centre.
There had been no other specific correspondence
No additional membership applications had been received.
Autocross Report
A report had been provided indicating that the Championship permit had now been received.
Additional venues and confirmation of availability is urgently required. As in previous years the
championship is expected to be self-funding.
A discussion was held regarding reports that autocross has seen levels of recovery in the South West
in terms of interest from competitors. It was indicated that there had been a number of related Go
Motorsport activities in the area which may well be instrumental in part.
Stage Rally Championship
It was reported that 4 rounds have now been successfully completed following the recent event
at MIRA. The next round is the Middlewick Stages at MoD Woodbridge on the 10th May.
Bulletins are being circulated following each round which are very successful in ensuring everyone is
up to date.
A point was made and agreed that plans would need to be finalised for the championship
presentation around the middle of the year. Consideration will be required that it is running as a joint
championship with ASEMC this year.
There are 40 registered contenders.
A query was raised as to whether the Rally being run at Snetterton by Sheffield and Hallamshire
could be included in the championship. It was agreed that as S&H are not current association members
the event is not be eligible and that inclusion would be difficult at this point in the championship year.
MSA Rallies Committee
Matt Endean provided an overview on a number of current topics.
The policy document and requirements for ensuring safety on multi venue stage rallies has recently
been issued by the MSA and will become mandatory from 1st June.
Although these requirements only cover multi venue stage rallies currently they are very likely to be
extended to cover all rallies in some form in due course.
There are a number of compelling reasons for adoption. Principally it is of course imperative that all is
done to ensure the safety of all attending rallies but also evidence that this is being tackled is key to
achieving an agreement with the Forestry Commission. Should a new agreement not be signed this
would impact all forestry controlled venues not simply the larger forest areas.
The additional MSA radio frequencies have now been released and are available to be
programmed into appropriate units. Support to cover the cost of reprogramming and in those cases
where radios cannot be upgraded purchasing new replacements is available to clubs from the MSA
through development grants. Up to £40/unit is available to cover the cost of reprogramming and
servicing.
The discussion as to the mandatory use of FHRs in rallying is continuing with a number of
personal opinions firming up that this is likely to become a requirement in 2017.
Sprint Championship
The championship is progressing successfully with seven rounds now completed. The next
event is being held at Hethel on the 3rd May.
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There are 42 registered competitors in the Championship.
Numbers of entries have varied from event to event this year ranging from a maximum of 160 to a
minimum of 50
Regional Committee
There have been no items put forward by clubs to be raised at the next Regional Committee
meeting in May
Technical
An update on the certification of crash helmets had been provided as follows.
“A reminder about crash helmets, SA2000 standard no longer valid for ALL MSA permit events, please
donate them to Langley Park Rally School if possible. The standards to go for as replacements are
SA2010, SAH2010. The SA2005 standard is valid until about 2017/18...to be confirmed! Also, the red
BS6658 Type A/FR stickered helmets cease to be valid after 31st December 2015!”
RDO / Go Motorsport
Suze reported that visits had been made to a number of clubs and organisations. It was also
stated that the offer to come along to clubs still is still there and that if a club believed there would be a
benefit they should make contact. As a guide a visit to a committee meeting or similar was thought to
be more beneficial than a social event. (although possibly less fun).
A discussion had been held and an initially small group from within the association is being
established to look at potential ways of evolving the use of social media and similar techniques to
promote motor sport, clubs and events more effectively. The AEMC and how it interacts with members,
clubs and organisations will be used as a start point. Progress will be reported at future meetings.
Training
The Training day at Cambridge in Feb. had been very successful held with 65 attendees.
A date of 6th Feb has been set for a similar event in 2016. Clubs are therefore requested to recognise
this when setting their events calendars and not plan any other events for this date.
An approach to providing first on scene training is being progressed with a view to potentially
providing this within 2016. Current thinking is that this may be held within an event although this is to
be confirmed. Information is being sought from presenters/regions where there have been successful
sessions in order to formulate a proposal.
Association Website
It was confirmed that the web site continues to be extremely well received. It was highlighted
that there is an opportunity to expand the Autocross section including details of the championship.
Clubs are urged to encourage their members to take look at the web site, register and start
using the facilities including the forum capabilities.
In answer to a query it was agreed that there is no problem in including the AEMC meetings
Calendar on the web site and this will be actioned.
Association Rally time keepers Register
A copy of the regional association time keepers register has been submitted to the MSA.
It was explained that there is a potential change in regulations under consideration which would
cancel the need to have a licensed timekeeper or Listed timekeeper on road rallies. Should this be
accepted then the need for the register can be reconsidered.
AGM and Meeting dates
In response to the query raised at the last delegates meeting the question of dates for the AGM
and delegates meetings had been reviewed and the following recommendation put forward.
The general format for meetings through the year should be retained with the AGM being moved from
the first meeting (Jan.) to the second meeting (April). This will provide a better opportunity for the year
end details to be finalised prior to the AGM. During the discussion it was highlighted that the roles of
championship co-ordinators are at their busiest early / mid-season and therefore appointments would
be more effective relating to the following season.
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The meeting agreed unanimously to adopt this change. A draft calendar for 2016 is attached as
Appendix A
Note as the regional committee dates (which form the basis of the timing) will not be firmed up until
later in the year this is provisional for 2016.
2016 Events calendar
Member clubs are to be requested to provide information on their events in 2016 in the next few
weeks. This is being done in order that a directional listing will be available by the middle of the year to
provide support for each clubs planning process. It is recognised that dates will change and that an
early entry does not constitute a commitment.
Publication of General Meeting Minutes
A recommendation to include minutes from the general delegates meetings on the AEMC
website was put forward. This was unanimously agreed to.
Promotional Event 2016
Building on the success of the 2014 GML!E event it is planned to create a draft plan and
feasibility study for staging a potentially similar motor sport promotional event in 2016.
Options for cooperating with other associations and using different venues will be progressed.
Anyone interested/willing in being involved with this process and subsequently the event please
contact the Secretary.
Any Other Business
Association Noise meter – It was reported that the noise meter had required recalibration and a query
had been raised as to how this would be funded. Following discussion it was agreed that as the unit is
not being used specifically on association events that it should not be an association cost.
Colin Potter – The meeting was informed that Colin Potter a very active participant in the Anglian motor
sport scene and a many years West Suffolk member had recently passed away.
Close and Next Meeting
The Chairman thanked the attendees and informed the meeting as follows.
The next Delegates meeting will be on the 21st July 2015 at the Lion and Lamb,
Great Canfield, CM6 1SR
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