yeah, what JB said. i remember trying to find out what it took to race with uscra for the first time from some members. They always said they didn't know. They just eventually went and raced. and then they sort of laughed that laugh that I give when folks ask me how to get into it.
But seriously, one has to come to the realization that this organization is first and foremost a CLUB. I was thinking about Bob Coy's position in this last night after the Aaron email to the USCRA group.
As much as we want to be WERA or AHRMA or whatever initials you want to give it, we are the USCRA, and that's it. If you want to join those organizations, do it, but there are rules and such that you'll have to abide by. If you want the USCRA to be something else, it's not going to happen, until someone else here decides to start a new club in new england. And that is VERY unlikely to happen.
I have thought that the USCRA's general reluctance to deal with certain issues has, in the past, been a hindrance to "progress" in making the USCRA a "respected" race organization in the Northeast. I realize now, that in fact, it is actually (OK, could be) an advantage, if you want to look at it from certain perspectives. It's a loose knit organization. We all have fun. There really are no protests. We support each other. We help folks like the wrecking crew from NY (How come they are not here on CRNet?) and Tilghman, and we have some of the best vintage racers in the country come to the events. i still remember MY FIRST 350 race. Christ, I'd never been in a race before and there I was with Roper, Courts, and others. Anyway . . . . .
I've digressed. I also thought of something else last night. It seems as though the only time there is a "Forum" is at the mandatory track/race meeting. (OK, there is another time. The rules committee meeting at the banquet) .
I am (I know you're reading this champ) requesting that at some point in the coming season, there be an "open" meeting of the attending members of the USCRA at a race, and that the "officers" (public relations, Director, registrar, Rules committee) for a "state of the organization" meeting,a nd a chance for members to voice opinions.
I'll be the first one to say that there will be little to be gained by this, and maybe that is for good, but at least "our" voices can be heard.
And maybe then we can make sure that the USCRA will be around for a long time. The alternative maybe not so attractive.
Evil, I'll probably edit the hell out of this after it's posted and I read it.
