Changing of the Guard

[Purple Frog]

I have posted notes in the past about the work that the Formula / Sports Racer Advisory Committee (FSRAC) does in the background to maintain a viable rules set for the SCCA. A rules set that OBTW is copied by many other organizations. In the background there are a group of very experienced racers that read every letter submitted, research the topic, discuss it, and try to apply decisions as best they can working within the framework of the GCR. To be noted, sometimes their decisions are over-ruled by the CRB. But these folks spend a lot of volunteer hours trying to improve the sport.

For many years the FSRAC has been chaired by Bill Johnson. He has been a very stabilizing leader. Patient. Always searching for input from multiple sources. A leader that understands collaboration creates the best decisions. A guy that could work through all the fluff and get to the real issue. I think all that worked with him thought he was fair and considerate of their opinions. Now after many years, Bill has decided to step down. A hard decision that he spent a lot of time thinking about. He is handing the chair over to one of the most dedicated of rules gurus in the SCCA family. It should be a smooth transition as David Locke takes the new leadership role October 1st.

Recently we have seen a fairly long period of rules stability. For the FSRAC it has been far less stressful and much more calm than in years past. A good time to transition.

In that vein, many of the long serving members of the committee have decided to to step down. In my view many of us who race under the SCCA rules owe these folks a big round of applause for their years of service as volunteers.

In no particular order these are the guys stepping down:

Jim Downing - no real introduction needed - Hans device fame - more Runoffs than probably anyone - 50 years + of racing both in club and pro.
Jacek Mucha - races more every year probably than any other SCCA member - extremely talented race engineer
Jay Novak - racer, 50 year guy - car builder - much experience at understanding the nuances of every word in a rule. A guy that has experience on both sides of a debate in the tech shed.
Steve Oseth - Serious formula car racer for more years than most of you have been alive, Now so seriously involved with SCCA Pro he needs to step back from FSRAC.

So we are losing the guiding voices of nearly 200 years of experience in formula car and sports racing. They should be thanked for their service.
The neat thing is that their seats will be filled with a new group of enthusiastic folks that won't mind spending a lot of hours in research and discussion. David Locke has already displayed a real passion and in depth understanding of the sport. Starting in October he will take over the lead with an already established strong base of understanding.

I think things will be in good hands. Just keep sending in the letters.

[John LaRue]

Well Mike you conveniently forgot to mention yourself! Obviously your vast experience, talent and dedication helped this group immensely. Stated well as always Mike, the new members of the FSRAC will have some big shoes to fill.

Thank you to each and every one of our FSRAC, past and present, for the countless hours of phone calls, research and reading that go into the job. Thank you for your dedication in trying to do the right thing and for standing in there and making those tough decisions.

Enjoy your racing!

John

[Steve Demeter]

I have known David since he was a very young man and can think of no one better suited to step into the spot. Couple that with the Frog's immense experience and vast amount of common sense I see nothing but good ahead.

Thanks in advance.

[sccadsr31]

Mike,
Thank you for acknowledging the work of the FSRAC and as John said you are included in that group of dedicated SCCA volunteers. It is an incredibly difficult task to manage the rules in SCCA, thanks to all these hard working guys!

David