February 2014

February 2014
Notes from the
RE’s Desk
Matthew Cox
Customer Service 101
Ok, maybe the title is a little bit
of a stretch. I am not a college
professor, and I don’t expect you to read this if I droll on
and on about how to provide good customer service.
And I promise I won’t even write about giving someone
the pickle. Damn, already mentioned the pickle.
Some of the more astute readers may be thinking to
themselves right now - “We are a club. We don’t have
customers, we have members. What does customer
service have to do with a member driven club?”
Everything.
The first thing one has to look at when defining customer
service is who the customer is. I am here to tell you
without any question of a doubt that I am a customer of
SCCA. I pay for my membership. I pay to attend events,
I even pay to attend the year end banquet. I am a
customer. In fact, everyone reading this article is a
customer.
Ok. This may be a problem. If we are all customers
expecting great customer service, who exactly is the
customer service representatives in the outfit?
Well, that brings me to the second point in defining
customer service. Who provides the customer service?
I have a brief answer for this - All of us.
How can all of us be customers and customer service
representatives at the same time? Its tough, but a lot of
it boils down to just good old common sense and human
values.
Think back to an event from last year. Did you do
N E B R A S K A R E G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
something for someone at the event that wasn’t
necessarily called for, but you did it anyway? Did
you walk up to a new member or a weekend member
and introduce yourself and see if they had any
questions? Did anyone come up to you before after
or during the event to see if you needed anything or
to help get your car on the trailer or anything else?
Did you answer “no” to any of those questions? I
know I did. Does that make me a bad member? No,
but I know I have some work to do. I know we all
have some work to do.
Being a customer is easy. Providing customer service
is easy too if you put just a little thought into it.
Doing them both at the same time while trying/
preparing to race a car? That can be a challenge.
But that is core component of what racing is about,
right? Overcoming challenges? Here is a challenge
for everyone to undertake at our events this year.
Find a new person or someone you don’t recognize maybe this is someone gridded or paddocked near
you. Introduce yourself to them before the event - if
it is a solo event see if they have any questions about
the event and what is going on. Then, after the event
ask them how the event went for them.
That simple - maybe that is a little bit too simple.
Now for the advanced version: That same person,
try to friend them on Facebook or get their email.
Next time an event is rolling around shoot them a
message inviting them to come back to the event.
If that person was out for their first event, you taking
a small amount of extra time could be the difference
between that person coming back for the next event.
If the same experience happens the second time
around, there is a good chance that they will become
a new member.
OK, so we gained a new member. Where is the benefit
in that? Members allow us to hold successful events
continued pg.3
PA G E 1
2014 NRSCCA Board of Governors:
Get In The Loop!
Patt [email protected]
402-391-0120
Matthew [email protected]
402-680-6180
Steve [email protected]
402-416-8693
Sign up now on the New Notifications
System - Latest news in your Email.
Dave [email protected]
402-753-0448
Go to http://notify.nrscca.com
Candy Gerber [email protected]
402-639-3706
Julie [email protected]
402-991-7221
NRSCCA Hotline
(402) 827-4418
2014 NRSCCA OFFICERS:
Regional Executive - Matthew Cox....................402-680-6180
Assistant Regional Exec - Dave Fink ................ 402-753-0448
Secretary - April Doctor - .................................402-672-5777
Treasurer - John LaRandeau .............................402-884-5333
Co-Editors - Patt Buell.......................................402-391-0120
NRSCCA
Newsletter
The Exhaust Notes is published monthly by the
Nebraska Region SCCA, Inc. Permission to reprint
from the Exhaust Notes is given to any SCCA
member.
Opinions expressed are those of the
author and are not necessarily those of the SCCA
or the NRSCCA and it’s members. Letters to the
editor must be signed, please.
Candy Gerber.................................402-639-3706
Activities Director - Candy Gerber.....................402-339-7276
Competition Director - Natha Waldbaum...........402-680-0848
Membership Director - Julie Heaton...................402-991-7221
Points keeper - Jerry Doctor..............................402-592-7918
Club Racing Worker Coordinator Matthew Cox..................................402-680-6180
Ass’t.Coord. Andrew Anderson..........................402-637-1521
Solo Youth Steward - Tim Heaton.....................402-991-7221
Publicity Chair - Chuck Garcia ...........................402-672-3370
Solo Chair - Mark E. Walker................................402-968-3282
RallyCross Chair - Steve Ducharme....................402-416-8693
Co-RoadRally Chairs - Juie Heaton.....................402-991-7221
Patt Buell.........................402-391-0120
Solo Novice Advisor - Jon Simmons ............... 402-250-8916
Webmaster - David [email protected]
Regional Historian - Patt Buell...........................402-391-0120
Nebraska Region Meetings
Sports Car Club of America
P.O. Box 19400
Topeka, KS 66619-0400
Phone: 800-770-2055
Hrs: 8 AM - 5 PM CST Monday-Friday
2013 MiDiv Officials
MiDiv Exec. Steward :
Scott Bowman..................515-314-3788
[email protected]
Exec. Committee Chair:
Keith Pfautz......................620-327-3264
MiDiv Nat./MidAm Pointskeeper:
Rocky Entriken.................785-827-5143
Solo Steward:
Al Hermans.......................816-478-2386
Solo Safety Steward:
Jan Rick............................636-680-2416
Rally Div.Steward:
Rich Bireta........................785-842-5097
RallyCross Div. Steward:
Jim [email protected]
M e m b e r s h i p m e e t i n g s are held as the need arises and will
be announced in the newsletter or by postcard. Also, can check
the NRSCCA web site.
Board of Governors meetings are held on the last Thursday
of the month at Asset Appraisal Services, 344 N. 115th St.
Omaha, NE - Members welcome. Meeting starts at 8 PM.
NRSCCA Website: http://www.nrscca.com
N E B R A S K A RE G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
PA G E 2
From the RE . . . continued
and grow the club. But that isn’t a direct tangible
benefit to you, so here goes a direct and tangible
benefit to you:
For every member you refer to the club who joins,
you get a $10 discount on your membership renewal.
So, if you are an individual member, and you are able
to get 4 people to join, your next renewal will be
roughly half priced. Throw in some Club Racing
volunteer days, and your membership may even be
free.
We are, at the core of everything we do, a member
driven club. This is what sets SCCA apart from some
other organizations is that at our heart, we are doing
this because we want to, and we generally enjoy being
around other SCCA members. We don’t organize
events for commercial gain, it is all about providing a
fulfilling experience to our members.
Mark Your Calendars !
RallyCross
by Steve Ducharme
RallyCross Chairman
The RallyCross National
Championship return to
Nebraska Region in 2014.
RallyCross is the youngest
of the national SCCA club
competitions, but its roots make it especially near and
dear to Nebraska region members. Begun as a
experiment, the inaugural national RallyCross
competitions, which were held in 2005 and 2006 in
Hastings, Nebraska, were called “National Challenge”
events, drawing competitors from around the country.
Following these early successes, the SCCA inaugurated
the official “RallyCross(R) National Championship” series
in 2007 in Hastings, giving the event the importance
and national recognition that it deserved. The
championships continued to grow, moving to Lebanon,
Tennessee, in 2008, followed by Fountain, Colorado in
2009 and 2010, and then three years, 2011 to 2013,
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Nebraska Region members have won many RallyCross
Championship titles over the years: Dale Lind in 2005;
Jim Wood in 2005 and 2006); and Jan Gerber in 2005,
2006, 2007, 2011, and 2012. Jan was also one of only
three winners of the 2012 SCCA TripleCross award,
having won his class (Stock All-Wheel Drive)
championship that year at the regional, divisional, and
national levels that year. You can find out more about
SCCA RallyCross at www.nrscca.com and www.scca.com.
2014 is the 10th year of SCCA RallyCross(R) National
Championships, making it all the more fitting that
Nebraska is again the host region. This year, we have
six regional events (see the calendar for dates), all at
the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, which will also be the
site of the National Championship from October 3-5. I
am sure that we will uphold our reputation for
outstanding hospitality and sportsmanship, and continue
propel SCCA RallyCross to even higher levels of
competition and excitement. You can join in this grand
effort as a driver, worker, helper, or spectator, and make
this the best year yet for the SCCA Regional and National
RallyCross programs.
Welcome New Members
D e r e k H u t c h i n ss, Omaha, Family Member
B e t h W e i n e rr, Omaha, Family Members
M a t t h e w R h o a d e s Council Bluffs, First Gear
N E B R A S K A R E G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
The first event of 2014 is coming up on February 16:
registration is open now at www.motorsportreg.com.
Oh, by the way. We need better names for this year’s
events than “NRSCCA RallyCross Points #1”, and so on.
Please leave your suggestions on the forum.
PA G E 3
NRSCCA 2013
Annual Awards
Banquet
January 18, 2014
photos by Mikaela Walker
unless indicated
Flesher Memorial Award:
James Wood
A c t i vi ty P o i n ts:
2nd Matt Cox
4th Mark Walker
6th Shana Hogan
8th Candy Gerber
10th Jon Simmons
100% Club:
Matt Cox
Steve Ducharme
Shana Hogan
3rd
5th
7th
9th
S o l o C l a s s C h a m p i o n s ::(continued
Jerry Doctor
Chuck Garcia
Jan Gerber
Steve Ducharme
CSP Sue Eckles
ESP Jon Simmons
CP Craig Worm
FJA Austin Sherman
DM Lee Mabee
FJB Riley Heaton
FJC Carter Heaton
SMF Brian Shamblen
STF Daivd Fink
SSM James Lockard
STC Alex Reinkordt
STR John Pecoraro
STX Chris Jepsen
STU David Cosseboom
RTF Steven Umholtz
RTA Jeff Nothwehr
RTR Erik Taylor
RTP Chuck Garcia
Ladies Ann LaRandeau
ProPax John Hunter
Outstanding Gymkhana Driver:
1st John Hunter
Jerry Doctor
Chuck Garcia
James Wood
2nd Riley Heaton
Solo Class Champions:
SS Tim Walter
CS Jerry Magorian
DS John LaRandeau
FS Don Knop
HS James Wood
ES Steve Ducharme
GS Tim Heaton
BSP Dave Pape
N E B R A S K A RE G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
3rd Steven Umholtz
PA G E 4
Novice Solo Driver:
Brian Shamblen
Outstanding
RallyCross
Driver:
Jan Gerber
National Competition Driver:
Andy Wolverton
George Gunther Memorial
Regional Competition Driver:
Jeff Demetri
Novice RallyCross Driver:
Byers Memorial Award
(Best Event):
Mark Walker (Nebraskana)
Terry Hack
Workers Cup:
The Lincoln Airpark Fence Crew
Sue Eckles
Dave Fink
Don Knop
Mike White
Steve Ducharme
Lee Mabee
Justin Eckles
Kelly Knop
David Cosseboom
Dave Pape
Mark Walker
RJ Wilson
Memorial
(S
po
n so r ’s
’ s Cu p
):
Sp
on
p):
Lincoln Airport
Authority
Lincoln Convention
& Visitors Bureau
(This award was
presented by
April Walter
(granddaughter
of R.J.Wilson)
N E B R A S K A R E G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
PA G E 5
More Banquet
Photos
January 18, 2013
by Makaela Walker
N E B R A S K A RE G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
Great Door Prizes
Thnaks to the Banquet Chair, Miakela Walker
and her co-chairs. Candy Gerber & April Walter
bb
PA G E 6
Photos by
Candy Gerber
More Banquet Photos - January 18, 2014
N E B R A S K A R E G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
PA G E 7
Tire Rack SCCA Match Tour
NRSCCA
Activities
Candy Gerber
[email protected]
More on Solo next month
The 2014 Tire Rack SCCA
National Solo Schedule
April 12-13: Wilmington Airpark in Wilmington, OH
May 17-18: Turner Field in Atlanta, GA
June 7-8: Devens Airfield Police Training Facility
in Ayer, MA
June 14-15: Pikes Peak International Raceway in
Fountain, CO
July 5-6: Grissom Airpark near Peru, IN
August 16-17: Milwaukee, WI
October TBA: western location tbd
Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals
September 2-5: 42nd Tire Rack Solo National
Championships at Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln, NE
Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo Series
March 22-23: Akansas Aeroplex (formerly Eaker
AFB) in Blytheville, AR
April 5-6: El Toro ex-Marine base in Irvine, CA
April 26-27: Fed Ex Field in Largo, MD, near
Washington, D.C.
May 3-4: Mineral Wells Airport in Mineral Wells, TX
May 23-24: Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln, NE
June 7-8: NASA Crows Landing Airport, near
Patterson, CA
June 28-29: Toledo Express Airport in Toledo, OH
July 12-13: Former Hamilton Lumber Plant in
Packwood, WA
July 26-27: Wilmington Airpark in Wilmington, OH
August 30-31: ProSolo Finale at Lincoln Airpark
in Lincoln, NE
Tire Rack SCCA Championship Tour
March 15-16: South Georgia Motorsports Park in
Cecil, GA
March 29-30: Texas A&M Annex near College
Station, TX
April 12-13: Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA
May 3-4: MetLife Stadium, E. Rutherford, NJ
May 25-26: Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln, NE
June 14-15: NASA Crows Landing Airport, near
Patterson, CA
July 5-6: Former Hamilton Lumber Plant in
Packwood, WA
August 2-3: Wilmington Airpark in Wilmington, OH
September 27-28: Arkansas Aeroplex (formerly
Eaker AFB) in Blytheville, AR
N E B R A S K A RE G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
PA G E 8
Natha’s Fun
Corner
Additional event information will be posted
on the SCCA website in early 2014 and email
blasts to our workers will supplement these
postings.
We hope to see you at MRLS next October!
Natha Waldbaum,
Comp Director
2014 SCCA National Championship Runoffs®
October 6-12, 2014
at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
(condensed information)
To all SCCA licensed workers:
A l l l i c e n s e d S C C A w o r k e r s a r e w e l c o m e to
participate in the 2014 SCCA National Championship
Runoffs® October 6-12, 2014 at Mazda Raceway
Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. We want to see
you there and hope this information is helpful in your
planning your attendance.
Workers will be able to camp or park an RV for “no
charge” in one of two areas which will be determined
based on the number of workers wanting this capability
(likely the Frogpond or Archery areas). There is no
electricity or hook-ups available in these areas, but you
will have access to public restrooms and shower
facilities. RV servicing will also be available during the
event. A request will be sent out early in 2014 to
identify the number of workers who wish to camp in
the free area so we can determine the actual location.
Camping will be open as of Saturday, October 4th.
I f y o u d e s i r e a c c o m m o d a t i o n s o t h e r t h a n t h i ss,
reservations for Camping and RV spots can now be
made at the Monterey County Park at Mazda Raceway
Laguna Seca. Spaces are limited, so if you want/need
to camp/RV outside the paddock, but on-property you
should reserve a spot as soon as possible. To do so,
call the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Ticket office at
800-327-7322. Additional information about the
Camping areas in the park can be found http://
www.mazdaraceway.com/camping, but please use the
number noted in this paragraph to make your
reservations.
L o d g i n g is also available in the area at reasonable
rates depending on your personal preferences. Seaside,
Salinas and other communities within a half hour
commute offer additional options. Weekly rental
properties are also a possibility. For assistance in making
your arrangements, you can contact the Monterey
County Convention and Visitors bureau at 877Monterey or www.seemonterey.com.
N E B R A S K A R E G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
Photo of the Month
Some of the banquet photographers
thought they needed to take a
“Selfie” but I think it’s an “Us-ie”!
PA G E 9
February
31-2 - MiDiv
Convention
@Springfield, MO
1-2 - OPEN
March
April
6 - NRSCCA Solo
Points #1 @LAP
-------5-6 - Majors Race
@HMRC
2014 Calendar of Events
15 - OPEN
16 - NRSCCA RallyX
#1 @I80
6-9 - SCCA National 15 - OPEN
16 - NRSCCA RallyX
Convention
#2 @I80
@Charlotte NC
12-13 - OPEN
19-20 - OPEN
8-9 - OPEN
5-6 - OPEN
10 - Motorsport Mile 17 - OPEN
18 - NRSCCA RallyX
#1 @MPH
#3 @I80
11 - OPEN
7-8
8 - MidAm Race
@ISW
14 - OPEN
15 - NRSCCA RallyX
#4 @I80
May
June
5-6
6 - NRSCCA
MidAm Race @MAM
July
August
September
October
November
12 - OPEN
13 - NRSCCA Solo
Points #4 @LAP
-------12-13 - MidAm Race
@MIR
2- OPEN
10 - NRSCCA Solo
3 - Motorsport Mile Points #5 @LAP (w/
Solo #2 @MPH
Mustang Club)
-------9-10 - MidAm Race
@GMP
2-5 - Solo Nationals 13 - OPEN
14 - NRSCCA RallyX
@LAP
#5 @I80
-------6-7 - OPEN
11-12
11
12 - NRSCCA
3-5 - RallyX Nat
Street Survival@TBA
Champs @I80
8-9 - OPEN
1 - OPEN
2 - NRSCCA RallyX
#6 @I80
(18-21 - Formula
SAE)
22 - NRSCCA Solo
Points #3 @LAP
-------21-22 - MiDiv Solo
@CC
19-20 - OPEN
16-17 - MiDiv Solo
Championships @LAP
22-23 - OPEN
22-23 - OPEN
28-30 - World of
Wheels
26 - Starting Line
Solo School
27 - NRSCCA Solo
Points #2 @LAP
-------26-27 - MiDiv Solo
(Salina) @FtR
-------26-27 - MidAm Race
@GMP
TireRack Spring
31 - 1 - OPEN
Nationals @LAP
23-24 - Pro-Solo
25-26 - Solo Tour
28 - OPEN
29 - NRSCCA Road
Rally #1 @TBA
26-27
26
27 - NRSCCA
MidAm Race @MPH
23 - Motorsport Mile 30-31 - Majors Race
Solo #3 @MPH
@HPT
24 - OPEN
-------29-31 - ProSolo
Finale @LAP
20-21 - MidAm Race 27 - OPEN
@ISW
28 - NRSCCA Solo
Points #6 @LAP
18-19 - OPEN
15 - OPEN
16 - NRSCCA Road
Rally #2 @TBA
25-26 - MidAm Race
@GMP
22-23 - OPEN
8-9 - OPEN
Nebraska Region event weekends are shaded
Pre-Registration required on all Nebraska Region Solo's
CC = Neosho MO | LAP = Lincoln AirPark | FtR = Ft Riley | GMP = Gateway Motorsports Park | HMRC = Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | HPT = Heartland Park Topeka
I80 = I-80 Speedway | ISW = Iowa Speedway | MAM = Mid-America Mtrplx | MIR = Memphis Int Raceway | MPH = Motorsports Park Hastings
N E B R A S K A RE G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
PA G E 1 0
For Nebraska Region return to:
Julie Heaton, membership
15748 O Circle - Omaha, NE 68135-1030
Membership Application
Dear Prospective SCCA Member
Member:
To apply for a membership in the Sports Car Club of America, the world’s largest motorsports
enthusiast organization, please complete the form below and return, with payment, to SCCA
Membership Department, P.O. Box 299, Topeka, KS 66601-0299.
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE
Dues include payment for subscription To SportsCar ($24 value)
Dues are not deductible as charitable contributions)
Membership Dues
(Includes region dues)
_____ Individual $80.00
_____ First Gear $45.00 (24 yrs & under)
_____ Family $100.00
Name____________________________________________ Birthdate_________________
Address__________________________________________ Telephone_________________
City_______________________________________ State_______________ Zip________
Email_______________________________________________________________
Primary Interest:
Please indicate the area of SCCA in which you plan to participate, or interests you the most.
(please check only one box)
__ Club Racing __ Time Trials/PDX __ Rally __ RallyCross __ Solo __ Vintage __ProRacing
Payment Method: __ Check __ Credit Card __ Money Order Visa/MasterCard (only)
________________________________________ Exp.________
Acct#________________________________________
Applications submitted by fax must be accompanied by a Visa or MasterCard account
number for payment.
Spouse Name _______________________________________ Birthdate___________
Child’sName _______________________________________ Birthdate___________
Child’sName ________________________________________ Birthdate__________
Amount Due
Membership Amount $80.00
Weekend Membership #1_______$15.00
Weekend Membership #2 _______-$15.00
Referred by SCCA Member ___________________________#___________ -$15.00 First / Last Name &
Member Number REQUIRED
TOTALDUE
$_________
I will become a member in the region I reside in or place me in N E B R A S K A r e g i o n . B y
accepting membership in the SCCA and any SCCA Region I agree to conduct myself
a c c o r d i n g t o t h e h i g h e s t standards of behavior and sportsmanship in a manner that shall not
be prejudicial to the reputation of the Club or fe l l o w m e m b e r s .
_________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
_______________________________________
Applicant’s Name
e(Signature Required)
Date
e(Required)
N E B R A S K A R E G I O N - E X H A U S T NO T E S
PA G E 1 1
Please Mark Your Calendars!
January 31 to February 2
MiDiv Convention
Springfield, MO
February 16
16 RallyCross #1
I-80 Speedway
February 20
(Thursday)
NRSCCA Race Meeting 7 PM
At Legends
March 6-9
SCCA National Convention
Charlotte, N.C.
N O T E : Please Let the Membership Chairman know
when you have a change of address, phone number or email address.
Exhaust Notes
1115 So. 92nd Circle
Omaha Nebraska 68124
updates & schedules
Check Nebraska Region website at:
http://www.nrscca.com
* directions to sites o r
NRSCCA Hotline (402) 827-4418