MINUTES OF THE PRO COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 27-28, 2011
DETROIT, MI
PRO COMMISSION MEETING
Doubletree Hotel, Detroit, Michigan
January
27 – 28, 2011
Commissioners Present: Tom Cronk, Kristi
Ellison, Rich Fuchslin, Steve Greaves (chair), Dwight Malhiot, Michael
Schmidt (Friday only), Bruce Summers, Shirley Summers, Bill Tetro, Ed
Thirlby, George Thornhill, Pete Voss, Pat Wright
Absent:
Howard Anderson, Jr., Brianna Johnson
The PRO Commission meeting was
called to order by Steve Greaves, PRO Chairman, on Thursday, January 27,
2011, at 10:15am EST. A quorum was established. Steve G thanked the
Commissioners for coming and volunteering to do this job.
A moment
of remembrance was held for PRO racers who have passed on this year.
Steve G reminded the Commissioners that they are here to represent the
entire PRO Category, not just their own clubs, classes, or interests.
If technical rules are passed in this meeting, they will go to ballot of the
membership. Safety rules passed by the Commission will be reviewed by
the National Safety Committee and will become a rule 30 days after
publication without a vote of the membership. Rule changes passed by
the Commission and approved by the members become effective in the next
racing season. If the Commission wants a rule to go into effect
immediately, the APBA Board of Directors must approve the early effective
date and then those rules would be published in the Propeller and effective
30 days later. The Steering Committee, made up of all category
chairmen, meets to discuss actions of the Commissions to attempt to keep
rules as consistent as possible.
Friday evening will be the Category
Awards presentation and Saturday evening is the Hall of Champions / Honor
Squadron banquet. All Commissioners are encouraged to attend.
Steve G emphasized that we need to consider that proposals have
come from many sources and are not necessarily vetted, so Commissioners
should be certain of long-term impact of what we do, that proposals promote
growth, and are not self-serving to someone. Change may not always be
positive and year-to-year consistency can promote growth too.
Commissioners’ contact information was updated.
APBA STATUS
Steve reviewed the organizational structure of APBA, governance,
committees, etc.
PRO CATEGORY STATUS
The status
of the PRO Promotion Fund was reviewed. There are 18 Townsend medals
remaining.
Steve G discussed the PRO website which contains lots of
information including the Technical Manual and the promotional video.
Steve G said that the issue of boat numbers being reversed on the membership
card for PRO members is just where it was last year … no progress yet in
getting this resolved.
PRO STATISTICS
The statistics
for the 2010 PRO season were reviewed. The overall picture of the
season statistics were looked at as to number of races and entries by class.
Trends for each class over the last several years were reviewed. Steve
G noted that the PRO category is different in that we have a lot of racing
members who are not actually active drivers (of 448 racing members, 239 are
inactive). The PRO category had 368 active drivers in 2010, up from
346 in 2010, a 6.3% increase. It was noted that from 2008 to 2010, PRO
had a 12.2% increase in active drivers.
Statistics on entries by
class were reviewed by percent of total entries. Displacement-based
classes represented 46.3% and motor-based classes, 53.7%.
PRO
REPORTS
The PRO season report to the Board was reviewed.
There were six driving schools held this season, but only one had the
required 10 participants for reimbursement. Everyone agrees that this
program is a great success and has received a lot of attention around APBA.
The PRO Divisional, National, and World Championships were reviewed.
There were nine new competition records set in the PRO category
this year.
The awards and plaques were displayed and winners
announced: Col. Green Round Hill Trophy, Jim Nilsen; George Townsend
Medal, Colin Rucker; Petermann Award, Billy Allen; PRO Officials Award, Fred
Mason. The 2010 Hall of Champions inductees for the PRO Category are
Jim Nilsen and Sean McKean. The Commission congratulated all of
the 2010 season awardees and nationals and high point champions.
A
$1,000 scholarship was awarded to a DePue High School student again in 2010.
ISSUES FROM OUTSIDE THE PRO CATEGORY
Issues from the Board
of Directors:
Kristi E explained the decision of the Board to
quit printing rule books. It is not a popular decision but it’s a done
deal and probably will not be changed. If a member wants a printed
rule book, APBA will print one off and mail it for a fee (cost not yet
determined).
APBA will also no longer mail out circulars.
Tom Cronk made a motion that circulars be mailed out for the PRO National
Championships (Pat Wright second; passed 5-4).
Steve G informed the
Commission that, at the November 2010 Board meeting in Detroit, the Board
has done away with Commissions for three small categories and established
committees appointed by the President to manage the categories.
Steve G made a proposal to the Board at the November meeting to change the
method for allocating elected Commissioners by basing it on membership
rather than active drivers (as had been discussed previously by the
Commission), but it was rejected.
The Board changed the blood
alcohol tolerance level to 0.00 (from 0.03).
Issues from Race
Management Committee: The Commission reviewed and commented on items
brought before the Race Management Committee at their meeting yesterday:
1. Concerning general
safety rules applying to the Vintage category.
2.
Concerning helmet color requirements for restrained drivers.
3.
Concerning development of prototype motors.
4.
Concerning closed footwear in the hot pits launching or retrieving boats.
Issues from the Outboard Steering Committee: The effort to
standardize points across categories continues with a proposal from Mark
Wheeler with three options. Option 2 is essentially what PRO does now,
so there is no impact.
Issues from the National Safety Committee:
Rich F gave a report of items being discussed by the National Safety
Committee, and asked for Commission input regarding the following items:
#1 -- Changes to the rules for capsule training to limit training to
swimming pools only.
The Commission felt this was too restrictive
for areas where a pool might not be available. Kristi E made a motion
(seconded by Pat W) that the rule be expanded to other bodies of water with
some measure of clarity and visibility with no obstructions and no currents,
and following all rules for training. The motion passed with no
opposition.
#2 -- To require certification of life jackets and
Kevlar three years.
The Commission is negative on this issue.
#3 – Helmet colors now apply to restrained drivers. Race Management
Committee considering.
#4 – Eliminate the words “Department of
Transportation” from helmet certification.
OK with Commission.
#5
– Helmet expiration limits (maximum of 15 years from date of manufacture)
OK with Commission.
#6 – Safety rules applying to Vintage.
Race Management Committee considering.
#7 – Inboard life jacket
clarification.
Issues from the Hall of Champions Committee:
Steve G shared the good news that due to increases in active drivers in PRO,
the PRO Category will get three inductees for the 2011 season. A
couple of years ago the Board took over all decisions regarding At-large
positions rather than receiving recommendations from the Hall of Champions
Committee, but yesterday the Hall of Champions Committee asked the Board for
this change to be reversed, and it was granted.
Issues from UIM:
If foreign drivers come to a regular APBA race, the race must be on the UIM
calendar. There is a charge to put a race on the UIM calendar, but
APBA has gotten agreement from UIM to waive the costs for at least this
year.
Issues from the Village of DePue: The Village of DePue
is asking for support for their “Save the Lake” effort by a petition and
possible donation. There is also a resolution that the PRO Commission
will sign and send (Kristi E motion, Dwight M second, motion passed with no
opposition). There is a DVD that can be purchased which explains the
issues and has interviews with boat racers.
REGULAR PRO BUSINESS
The rules passed in Tukwila (January 2010) were reviewed.
Regarding the rule passed which requires 4” head clearance in new boats
built after October 31, 2010, Ed T said that a boat builder told him that he
will not change his mold as this clearance is not required in OPC and that’s
most of his business. This issue will be discussed when we get to
Safety Rules on the agenda.
The minutes from the July Commission
meeting in DePue were approved (Kristi E motion, Dwight M second, passed
with no opposition).
The Committee assignments were approved
unanimously with one change – Ralph Donald will be chair of the UIM
Committee.
The following changes were made to the
Championship/Records Referee/Inspector list:
Ed T asked that he be
removed from the Referee list.
Dick Rautenberg was removed from the
Referee list.
Dwight M recommended that Howard Shaw be added to the
list of approved Referees for Divisionals, Nationals, and Records.
Tom C asked that Worlds be added to Nic Thompson.
Kristi E
recommended that David Augustine, Jr. be added to the list of approved
Inspectors for Divisionals, Nationals, and Records.
An initial list
of scorers was approved for the newly-created Championship Scorers list (see
attached list). Passed with no opposition.
All of these (as
well as everyone currently on the list) are contingent on having passed the
appropriate APBA tests.
Two classes are eligible to be put on
probation this year, having less than 10 participants during the year –
175R, 0 participants; 700H, 9 participants. The Commission did not choose to
put any classes on probation this year.
Divisional Championship
requests were discussed and approved as follows:
Eastern Divisionals,
Winona, MN, June 17-19, USTS, for 125H, 175H, 250H, 350H, 500H, 1100H, 125R,
250R, 350R, 500R, KPH (Tom C motion, Pat W second, passed with no
opposition)
Eastern Divisionals, Constantine, MI, July 22-24, USTS,
for 1100R (Bill T motion, Ed T second, passed with no opposition)
Eastern Divisionals, Huntington, IN, June 11-12, IOA, for CSerR, CRacR,
CSerH, CRacH (Kristi E motion, Dwight M second, passed with no opposition)
Eastern Divisionals, Hartford, CT, September 2-4, USTS, for 700H
(Kristi E motion, Bill T second, passed with no opposition)
Eastern
Divisionals, Thompson, CT, July 9-10, COA, for OSY400 (Pat W motion, Tom C
second, passed with no opposition)
Western Divisionals, Moses Lake,
WA, September 10-11, SOA, for all classes (Pat W motion, George T second,
passed with no opposition)
175R is the only class with no
Divisionals bid at this point.
There is a bid from the DePue Men’s
Club for the 2011 National Championships in DePue, IL, July 29-31, with
testing July 27-28, for all classes. A motion was made by Kristi E to
accept this bid, seconded by Pat W, and passed with no opposition.
There is a bid for the North American Championships at Hartford, CT on
September 2-4, for 125R, 250R, 350R, 500R, KPH, 125H, 175H, 250H, 350H,
500H, 700H (Dwight M motion to accept, Kristi E second, and passed with no
opposition).
Pat W made a motion (seconded by Bruce S) that requests
for any UIM World Championship cannot be made more often than once every 5
years per class. This motion was tabled and re-opened again on Friday.
Motion failed 2-10.
The Commission discussed but took no action on a
request for the 2012 World Championships for O125, O175, O250, O350, and UIM
OSY400 at a site yet to be determined, by Ralph Donald representing Race for
the Kids Foundation.
NEW BUSINESS
Safety Proposals:
Tom C reported on the safety checklist process that the Commission
passed last year. He said it was generally well accepted by the
drivers and that we seem to have cleaned up our safety issues really well,
that most of our drivers are compliant. He noted that kill switches
seemed to be the biggest problem.
A discussion was requested by Fred
Schletty, USTS Referee, and Pete Gryskiewicz, USTS President, related to
allowing the bow of the boat to face outward when warming up and prior to
launching. Kristi E made a motion (Pat W second) to add a sentence to
Safety Rule 5.2 as follows:
“In PRO classes, this prohibition shall
not apply to alcohol-fueled boats provided the propeller is over the water
and adequate warning is given to nearby participants prior to start-up.”
Passed with no opposition. This proposed rule change will
need to be reviewed by the National Safety Committee. It will go into
effect 30 days after passage.
Another suggestion from Fred S and
Pete G was to better define “tethered” in relation to removing a helmet.
No action was taken by the Commission.
Joe J’s concerns regarding
use of tie-wraps on steering shackles seemed to be handled in the current
rules.
No action was taken related to a suggestion for the use of
medical arm bands.
It was requested by Fred S and Pete G that
milling restrictions for reinforced-cockpit classes be discussed. A
motion was made by Kristi E (second by Michael S): “At the drivers’
meeting at a race with reinforced-cockpit classes, the Referee will instruct
the drivers of those classes as to the milling procedures for that specific
race. It is recommended that reinforced-cockpit drivers continue
around the course until the 1-minute gun. Drivers violating the
Referee’s instructions shall be disqualified for that heat.” The
motion passed with one opposed. This is a safety rule so it does not go to
ballot, but will be reviewed by the National Safety Committee. Change
will be effective 30 days from passage.
The issue of the 4” head
clearance was further discussed, but no action was taken by the Commission.
The rule remains in effect as is (4” head clearance mandatory on boats built
after October 31, 2010).
General Racing Rule Proposals/Issues:
Fred S and Pete G proposed that General Racing Rules be changed to include a
penalty for racing under a black flag. The Commission took no action,
but noted that this would be an opportunity for a yellow card to be issued.
Fred S and Pete G asked that there be a discussion about the Risk
Manager not being a part of the Race Committee. No action was taken as
the Risk Manager has a defined set of responsibilities and is not involved
in direct racing issues.
PRO Racing Rule Proposals/Issues:
Last year the Race Management Committee approved a new ¼-mile straightaway
record. The question is whether or not the PRO Commission wants to add
this new record for PRO. Tom C made a motion (Ed T second) to take no
action. Motion passed 8-2 to not accept ¼-mile straightaway records.
Bruce S withdrew his proposal to “eliminate the deflector step-down”
rules.
A proposal was submitted last year by R. C. Hawie to change
runabout specifications for C Service / C Racing runabout specifications.
His proposal had been referred to the C Service / C Racing Technical
Committee which recommended taking no action. Dwight M made a motion
(Bill T second) to accept R. C. Hawie’s proposal. The motion passed
8-2. This would go to ballot for vote of the C Service / C Racing
Runabout drivers. (Via email vote, the Commission made a subsequent
revision to the proposed ballot language. See attachment for final
ballot language.)
Another proposal from Fred S and Pete G was
discussed to add a penalty for not using the paddle. No action was
taken as there is already a penalty for not making an effort to get off the
course.
Fred S and Pete G asked that there be a restriction on kilo
records for 250H, 350H, and 500R. No action was taken.
Awards
Proposal: Pat Wright made a motion to give jackets to High Point
winners, one per person per racing career, with patches thereafter, at the
estimated cost of $2,000 for the first year, and $1,200 - $1,500 each year
thereafter. Pete V seconded, and motion passed with no opposition.
PROMOTION / GROWTH
Kristi E made a motion (seconded by
Bill T) to continue giving the scholarship to a DePue High School graduate.
Motion was passed with no opposition.
George T gave an update on the
“Pop Augustine” Wounded Warriors Program. At the Seattle Outboard
Association’s “New Folks in Boats” event, there were several Wounded
Warriors who were given rides in boats, and a couple of fishing trips also
occurred. The USO sponsored the costs of the boat rides, as well as
Starbucks providing coffee and food. Steve G encouraged more local
clubs to get involved in these activities. The Commission thanked
George and Kristi for their efforts on this program.
There was
discussion about continuing the PRO Driving School program that was put into
effect last year. Under this program, the PRO Category will reimburse
75% of the ambulance cost for Friday up to a maximum of $600 if there are a
minimum of 10 driving school participants, limited to one driving school per
region. (APBA allows the $35 single event fee for “students” to cover
the whole weekend of racing and will provide a Propeller magazine
subscription for a year.) As discussed earlier, there was one driving
school in Region 10 last year that met the criteria for reimbursement, but
there were other schools held. Tom C made a motion (Kristi E second)
to continue this program for another year with the same criteria and a cap
of $3,000 total expenditures. The motion passed with no opposition.
No action was taken concerning any donations by the PRO Category to the
DePue “Save the Lake” fund, although individuals are encouraged to do so.
FINANCIAL
Pete V made a motion to pay the conference
registration fees for Commissioners (Pat W second). Motion failed 6-5.
The Commission had previously approved $600 for the Category Awards
Banquet via email.
The 2011 PRO Promotional Fund budget was
approved (Kristi E motion, Tom C second, and passed with no opposition).
THANKS AND NEXT MEETING
Steve G thanked the Commissioners
for their time and effort.
The next PRO Commission meeting will be
held at 8:00am on Thursday, July 28th, 2011, in DePue, Illinois.
Respectfully submitted by Sheri Greaves.
