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---------------- March 2010 "Propeller" Article --------------------
Highlights: the PRO Commission meets in Tukwila, WA
By Steve
Greaves, PRO Chairman, sgreaves@portagebaysystems.com
The PRO
Commission met for two days in Tukwila, Washington, January 28-29, 2010, in
conjunction with the APBA Annual Meeting.
All PRO
Commissioners were present (Howard Anderson, Jr., Tom Cronk, Bill Diamond,
Kristi Ellison, Rich Fuchslin, Steve Greaves (Chairman), Brianna Johnson,
Joe Johnson, Dave Jones, Dwight
Malhiot, Bruce Summers, Shirley Summers, Bill Tetro, Ed Thirlby, George
Thornhill, Pete Voss, and Pat Wright).
A moment
of remembrance was held for PRO racers who have passed on this past year.
The 2009
PRO Award winners were announced and congratulated:
Col. Green Round Hill Trophy, Michael W. Schmidt; George Townsend
Medal, Ashley Rucker; Petermann Award, Billy Allen; PRO Officials Award,
Steve Greaves. Hall of Champions
inductees for the PRO category are Jim Nilsen and Sean McKean.
The 2009
PRO season was reviewed. In 2009
vs. 2008, drivers were up by 5.5%, races by 10%, and entries by 12.8%.
It was noted that the PRO category celebrated its 85th
year in 2009.
Highlights of the Commission’s actions are as follows:
Championships:
A bid was
approved for the 2010 PRO Nationals from the DePue Men’s Club for DePue, IL,
July 30 – August 1, with testing July 28-29, for all classes.
The
following 2010 Divisional Championships were approved:
North
American Championships were approved for Hartford, CT on September 4-5, for
700H, 350R, and 250H.
Previously approved are the 2010 World Championships for O175, O350, KPH,
125R, 250R, 500R, 1100H, for Lake Alfred, FL, on October 21-24, by the Race
for the Kids Foundation.
Officials:
The
following updates were made to the PRO Championship/Records
Referee/Inspector list
The
Commission approved Fred Schletty as Referee and Joe Johnson as Inspector
for the 2010 Nationals.
A motion
was approved to include Scorers on the list of approved Championships/Record
officials (to ballot of the PRO membership).
Capsule
Classes Safety Rules:
A motion
was approved to require a minimum 6-point polyester harness in capsule boats
(effective 30 days after passage).
A motion
was approved to require a form-fitted seat in capsule boats (effective 30
days after passage).
A motion
was approved to require four inches of head clearance on capsule boats built
after October 31, 2010. Two
inches of head clearance remain required for capsule hulls built before
November 1, 2010.
Technical
Class Rules:
The
Commission approved a proposal to reduce the lower displacement limit on
1100R to “over 350cc” (to ballot of the 1100R drivers).
A
proposal to eliminate C, D, E, and F runabout specs for C Service/C Racing
runabouts was referred to the Technical Committee for a recommendation.
Promotion:
A $1,000
DePue high school graduating senior PRO Category scholarship was approved
for 2010.
The PRO
Wounded Warriors program continues to report success.
Contact Commissioner George Thornhill for more information.
A motion
was approved to create a “PRO Category Driving School Support” program.
During 2010, the program will reimburse 75% of the local club’s
ambulance cost for Friday, up to a maximum of $600, provided there are a
minimum of 10 driving school participants, only one driving school per
region, for a total expenditure not to exceed $3,000 during the 2010 season.
Contact Chairman Steve Greaves for more information.
A motion
was approved to establish a “Commission Promotional Fund” of $2,000 from
which Commissioners can request funds for local promotional projects for the
2010 season with the approval of the Commission.
Other:
No
classes were placed on probation for 2010.
The
Commission recommended that the formula for allocation of elected Commissioners
should include Super-License members for each category, not just the primary
category.
The PRO
category will get two inductees to the Hall of Champions for the 2010
season.
PRO
safety checklists are now available from Commissioner Tom Cronk.
Creation
of PRO inspection stickers was approved.
PRO
COMMISSION MEETING
Doubletree Guest Suites,
Commissioners Present:
Howard Anderson, Tom Cronk, Bill
Diamond, Kristi Ellison, Rich Fuchslin, Brianna Johnson, Joe Johnson, Dave
Jones, Dwight Malhiot, Bruce
Summers, Shirley Summers, Bill Tetro, Ed Thirlby, George Thornhill, Pete
Voss, Pat Wright
Absent:
Joe Johnson (Friday afternoon)
The PRO
Commission meeting was called to order by Steve Greaves, PRO Chairman, on
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 9:15am PST.
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 classes and 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 are doing in 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.
The awards and plaques were displayed and winners announced:
Col. Green Round Hill Trophy, Michael W. Schmidt; George Townsend
Medal, Ashley Rucker; Petermann Award, Billy Allen; PRO Officials Award,
Steve Greaves. Hall of Champions
inductees for the PRO category are Jim Nilsen and Sean McKean.
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. Change may not
always be good and year-to-year consistency can promote growth.
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 and Col. Green Round Hill Trophy
maintenance fund were reviewed.
The Col Green Trophy fund has been zeroed out since Tom Johnston renovated
the trophy last year. There are
19 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 not likely to be fixed soon because of the fragile nature
of the software that APBA uses, but we will continue to try.
PRO
SEASON REVIEW
The
report to the Board for the 2009 PRO season was reviewed, as well as season
statistics for the PRO Category.
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.
In 2009 vs. 2008, drivers were up by 5.5%, races by 10%, and entries
by 12.8%.
It was
noted, with much pride, that the PRO category celebrated its 85th
year in 2009.
Dave J
also noted that the PRO category has more new motors available for classes
than other categories.
The PRO
Divisional, National, and World Championships were reviewed.
The PRO category celebrated its 25th consecutive year at
DePue.
A $1,000
scholarship was awarded to a DePue high school student again in 2009.
There
were four records set in the PRO category this year – 3 kilo and 1
competition.
INPUT
FROM OUTSIDE PRO
Issues from the Board of Directors:
Kristi E reported on the informal discussions of the Board regarding
promotion and growth. One
important item is updating the website and computer system.
There is also further discussion about standardizing the points
system which was first brought up last year.
Driving schools are being encouraged.
Issues from Race Management Committee:
The Commission reviewed items brought before the Race Management
Committee and provided the Commission’s input.
1.
You can
remove your helmet if tethered to a towboat. (OK with Commission.)
2.
Add the
word “closed” footwear in any restricted area.
(OK with Commission.)
3.
Official
notification of a Divisionals, Nationals, or North American championship
within 30 days (Commission would like an exception for ‘act of God’, timing
of 30 days might also be inadequate, or maybe a maximum distance for the
change, within same region).
(General concept favored by Commission.)
4.
No
additional classes or additional running of classes can be added to a
sanction for the period between September 1 and October 31.
(OK with Commission.)
5.
To allow
smaller LED digital clocks. (OK
with Commission.)
6.
To add a
new ¼-mile straightaway record with competition set-ups.
(Joe J made a motion to oppose this proposal, Dave J second, passed
with 3 in opposition to the motion)
7.
Boats
must run 300 feet away from the scanners at kilos.
(The Commission has concerns about the Oroville kilos being able to
comply with this requirement.)
8.
There can
be no major changes during the course of the trials.
This proposal defines trials as the six one-way runs covered by the
registration and the entry fee.
(OK with Commission.)
9.
To allow
the yellow flag to be yellow and blue as well.
(OK with Commission.)
10.
To allow
a breathalyzer test to be done at the race site.
Kristi E added that this is based on the Inboard rule.
(Tom C made motion to ask for adoption of the Inboard rule by the
Race Management Committee, seconded by Joe J, motion passed with no
opposition).
11.
This
proposal regarding boat numbers has already died.
Issues from the Outboard Steering Committee:
The
effort to standardize points across categories continues.
Issues from the National Safety Committee:
#1 –
proposal to make half-shell helmets illegal (favored by Commission)
#2 –
proposal to require recertification of helmets, lifejackets, cut-suits, and
seat belts (not favored by Commission)
#3 –
proposal to give power over General Safety rules to the National Safety
Committee (not favored by Commission)
#4 –
proposal to have SFI develop standards for safety equipment (not favored by
Commission)
Issues from the Hall of Champions Committee:
The PRO
category will get two inductees for the 2010 season.
REGULAR
PRO BUSINESS
The
minutes from the DePue Commission meeting were approved.
The
Committee assignments were approved as submitted.
Steve G explained about why George T is no longer on the J Committee,
the reason being that the Board has now taken over making the appointments
for the J Committee.
Additions
that have been suggested for the Championship/Records Referee/Inspector
list:
All of
these (as well as everyone currently on the list) are contingent on having
passed the appropriate APBA tests.
Three
classes are eligible to be put on probation this year, having less than 10
participants during the year – 175R, 0 participants; 500H, 8 participants;
700H, 5 participants. 175R has
just gotten started so no one felt this was a problem.
Pat W explained that the problem with the capsule classes is expense
and difficulty in racing without a team, and the economy has definitely hurt
racing in general. Ed T made a
motion to put no classes on probation this year, seconded by Pat W, and
passed with no opposition.
Divisional Championship requests were discussed as follows:
There is
a bid from the DePue Men’s Club for the 2010 National Championships in DePue,
IL, July 30 – August 1, with testing July 28-29, for all classes.
A motion was made by Kristi E, seconded by Bill T, and passed with no
opposition.
Kristi E
made a motion to approve Fred Schletty as Referee and Joe Johnson as
Inspector for the Nationals. Tom
C seconded, and the motion was passed with one opposed.
There is
a bid for the North American Championships at Hartford, CT on September 4-5,
for 700H, 350R, and 250H (motion Pat W, second Dave J, and passed with no
opposition).
A bid for
the 2010 World Championships for O175, O350, KPH, 125R, 250R, 500R, 1100H,
for Lake Alfred, FL, on October 21-24, by the Race for the Kids Foundation
was previously approved via email by the Commission.
Tom C reported that preparations are going smoothly.
NEW
BUSINESS
Bill T
reported on his research on transponders.
There was a presentation to the Commission by DB COM Marine.
The
National Safety Committee is not holding its major meeting until Saturday so
Rich F could not report on their actions.
Rich F will attend and report back as necessary.
A sample
safety checklist prepared by Tom C was reviewed.
It can be used as an aid to inspectors.
Tom C made a motion that we have safety stickers produced
specifically for PRO inspection (maximum cost of $150).
The motion was seconded by Rich F.
Motion passed with one opposed.
Bob
Wartinger made a presentation about different elements of safety in
reinforced cockpit boats, including seats, belts, head and neck restraints,
head clearance, etc.
Pat W
made a motion (seconded by Dwight M) to exempt reinforced cockpit boats
built before November 1, 2010 from the 4-inch head clearance requirement
that becomes mandatory as of November 1, 2010 (Safety Rule 3.20.G) due to
safety concerns related to retro-fitting capsules.
Those boats must still have 2” clearance.
After much discussion, Pat W asked that this motion be tabled for
further information.
Before
lunch: Pat W made a motion to
un-table this motion (Dave J second).
Motion failed.
After
lunch: Pat W made a motion to
un-table this motion (Dave J second).
Motion passed to un-table.
Pat W
made a motion (Joe J second) to require a minimum of 6-point polyester
harness, with a minimum of 2” strap width, on all reinforced cockpit boats
effective immediately for this season.
Motion passed with no opposition.
(Safety Rule: To National
Safety Committee for review; effective 30 days after passage.)
Kristi E
made a motion to mandate that reinforced cockpit boats will have a
form-fitted seat (pg 110 in OPC rules).
Motion seconded by Joe J and motion passed (10-4, with two
abstentions).
(Safety
Rule: To National Safety
Committee for review; effective 30 days after passage.)
Kent
Fauntleroy from Lifeline gave a brief presentation on their line of safety
equipment. He made the point
that belts should be replaced every two years and that helmets should be SA
(special application) certified.
A new
5/8-mile competition record course was proposed by Tom C for a new lake
being developed in
Pat W
proposed that the formula for allocation of elected Commissioners to include
Super-License members for each category, not just the primary category (pgs
B12-13 in By-laws). The
definition of “racing membership” has been considered only the primary
category checked, even on the Super-License.
(Steve G brought this to the attention of the Steering Committee
members and they seem to agree with this, so it may be changed without
further effort from the PRO Commission.)
The Commission supports this position.
Class-specific Proposals/Issues:
Hall of
Champions Proposals:
PROMOTION
/ GROWTH
Kristi E
made a motion (seconded by Bruce S) 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.
There were a couple of events last year where some of the wounded
warriors were brought to races and given rides.
He encouraged more local clubs to get involved in these activities.
The Commission thanked George and Kristi for their work.
Steve G
made a proposal to the Steering Committee to provide financial support, via
matching funds, to local clubs for “test drive/driving school” programs
similar to the SOA Olympia, WA race.
This idea was not supported by the Steering Committee.
APBA, however, liked the idea and has agreed to reduce the cost of a
sanction by $200 when a driving school is included.
Steve G discussed the possibility of doing something like this just
from the PRO category.
Further,
the $35 single event fee for “students” will cover the whole weekend of
racing and a Propeller magazine subscription for a year.
Dave J
made a motion for Steve’s plan (“KPH/OSY400 Driving School”), to reimburse
75% of the ambulance cost for Friday up to a maximum of $600 if there are a
minimum of 10 driving school participants, one driving school per region,
for a total expenditure not to exceed $3,000 in 2010 season.
Kristi E seconded, and motion passed with no opposition.
FINANCIAL
The
Commission had previously approved $600 for the Category Awards Banquet and
$420 for the trophy maintenance fund via email.
No action
was taken on Bruce S’s proposal to pay one Commissioner’s expense to the
Annual meeting from the PRO Promotional Fund.
Rich F suggested that a better idea might be for regions to pay the
expenses for a Commissioner who might need the financial support.
Pat W
made a motion to establish a “Commission Promotional Fund” of $2,000 from
which Commissioners can request funds for local promotional projects for the
2010 season with the approval of the Commission (Pat W motion, Dwight M
second, passed with one opposed).
The 2010
PRO Promotional Fund budget was approved (Dave J motion, Pat W second, and
passed with no opposition).
OTHER
ISSUES
Shirley S
made a motion to include Scorers on the list of approved officials and
change rule in various places (example, Rule 3.11, pg 36), seconded by Dave
J, and passed with no opposition.
(This issue will go to ballot and be effective November 1, 2010 if
passed.)
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 29th,
2010, in DePue, Illinois.
Respectfully submitted by Sheri Greaves.
---------------Draft agenda ---------------
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