REGION 5 WELL REPRESENTED AT THE 2007 DIRT GRANDS IN
RIO LINDA, CALIFORNIA

Jordan Campbell, Brycen Hicks, Levi Curry, Blake Beauford, and Bailey Goldsberry and their families attended the 2007 Dirt Grands in Rio Linda, California. These drivers and handlers represented their region well.

These families traveled over 2000 miles and 30+ hours to race the Dirt Grands. They arrived at the track on Friday, June 15, 2007. The temperature was approx. 106?F (“dry heat, of course”). Over the course of the week, these drivers and their families not only put all their cars into the A-Main, they also made frequent visits to the swimming pool and spent a day in San Francisco. Not even Alcatraz could have contained this group!

If you’re wondering what happened to Jordan in the LT 160, well here’s the scoop. Jordan locked his Sr. Honda and WF into the A-Main via qualifying, with the exception of his LT 160. Jordan’s LT 160 made a loud bang and rolled to a stop right in front of the flag person, resulting in a NT and placing him in the last position of the D-Main. We did come here to race, though, right? Well, all turned out okay, each day the crowd followed Jordan through the lower mains. He won the D-Main, finished 2nd in the C-main, and won the B-main, earning him a 6th-place starting position in the feature. Jordan met up with Levi Curry in the C-Main, where they began working together. Jordan opened the door and Levi closed it behind them as they made their way to the front of the pack in both the C-main and B-main, putting them both in the A-Main. This was an awesome sight, watching these young drivers so cleanly and deliberately making their way through the competitive traffic to finish up front, not just once, but twice. Way to go boys!

Wow! You should have seen Brycen in the AA. He handled this fast and furious car as if it was his Jr. Honda. He had some steep competition; literally, he was by far the youngest driver and at least a foot shorter than his fellow drivers. However, on the track size and age was unrecognizable as he drove this car like a pro. The Sr. Stock and LT B A Main races were amazing to watch, however probably exhausting to drive. The Lt B race went on for more than 280 laps and 45 minutes. These cars changed positions more than our local Sr. Honda classes do.

Blake drove his Sr. Novice straight to the front and there he stayed. We have a bona fide 2007 SR NOVICE GRAND CHAMPION among us. Sr. Honda here he comes.

STATS:
Jordan Campbell
Sr. Honda – Qualified 2nd in the A-Main – Finished 3rd
LT 160 – NT(last), transferred from D to A-Main – finished 5th
World Formula – Qualified 8th in the A-Main – Finished 6th

Brycen Hicks:
Sr. Stock – Qualified 6tth - transferred to the A-main starting 10th and finished 5th
LT B – Qualified 5th in the A-Main – Finished 6th
LT AA - Qualified 3rd in the A-Main (in wreck taking 1 to go)

Blake Beauford:
Started 2nd in Sr. Novice – Finished 1st

Levi Curry:
LT 160 – transferred from C to A-Main – Finished 6th

Bailey Goldsberry:
Jr. Honda – transferred from D to C-Main – Finished 6th
Jr. Stock – transferred from C to B-Main – Finished 6th

Thank you for your calls and emails wishing us good luck. It was greatly appreciated.

Region 5 – Board Meeting
January 6, 2007

Roll Call of Regional Officers

Roll Call of Club Representatives

Meeting was called to order at 9:00 am

Tony Verardi welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. Individual introductions were made.

Each club verified that their insurance and charter had been paid. Each member verified that they had a paid membership for the 2007 year.

Tony Verardi made everyone aware of the National officers for 2007-2008.

The regional RCP votes were verified:

#1 N
#2 N
#3 N
#4 Y
#5 N
#6 Y
#7 N
#8 removed
#9 N
#10 N
#11 Y
#12 N
#13 N
#14 N

If the region can find a flagger that will commit to flagging at all regionals the club will provide food and lodging for that person. Possibly Dan Wallace or Bill Marquart.

If the region can find a head judge that will commit to judging all weekend the club will provide food and lodging for that person. This was tabled depending on the person that is being considered for this job. Possibly Kenny Bonnell.

The carbon fiber axle issue was discussed. Each club voted no to the carbon fiber axles.

For the ALQMA State’s race it was decided to set Monday, May 28th as a rain date.

If any member of Region 5 presents a bad check to any other track in region 5, they will not be allowed to race until it is taken care of. The club that has received the bad check must provide the member with a receipt for verification.

Tony Verardi expressed concern to each club president about the Novice Program. He feels as though kids are staying in the Novice program to long and has emphasized to the club presidents that they keep a closer eye on what the Novice Trainers are doing and how the progress is going with the novice drivers. Tony also indicated that the club presidents need to encourage the club board members to communicate and work with the regional board.

There has been a limit of $250.00 allowed for Karen Adams to spend on a better printer. Also approved was the expense of ink cartridges and paper necessities.

There will be one safety sheet kept on file to use all year along with the insurance waivers. These will be kept in a binder and taken to each regional. The binder will be kept in the possession of Karen Adams.

J R Van Gilder presented the treasurer’s report that had been passed to him by prior treasurer, Tony Weyant. At this time the region has $7963.20 in the bank, however that does not include banquet income or expenses.

Mike Graybeal was confirmed as Regional Tech Director. Mike indicated that he was not in need of any tech tools unless there will be something special needed for the World Formula class. He also expressed a concern for help from the regional tech directors at the regional races

Rod Johnson said he is going to make an effort to update the website more regularly. He will be adding a “last updated date” on the front page. Rod also is requesting help from the club publicity directors with updates on upcoming events and pictures for the regional banquet.

Darrick Scott said he will be using safety ties this year. Darrick emphasized that he will be doing random safety checks at each regional and if handlers are not in compliance they will be subject to DQ. He will be enforcing national safety issues. The defibrillator is in his possession and he will be purchasing a new battery.

Tony Verardi suggested that Karen Adams be put in the Regional Tower Director position. This would give everyone one person to talk to if there is a problem. It would also allow for the continued assistance to the club tower personnel at the regional events.

ALQMA, CCQMA and THQMA indicated that they have no issues they are dealing with at this time.

I-70 wanted to let everyone know that the March Madness series will be coming up soon.

The following changes were made to the 2007 race format:

• Sign ins on Friday night will be from 6 – 8 pm.
  
• No one will be allowed to sign in after all qualifying is over. Exceptions: at the State’s race the driver or handler must be present and in line to sign in and there will be NO late sign ins.
  
• Safety inspections will be conducted by the Region 5 Safety Director, Darrick Scott, prior to the regionals, if possible. Safety ties will be used by Region 5 in lieu of individual safety inspections at each event and the original safety sheet will be kept on file and updated at each regional.
  
• Pretty Car, Pretty Crew, Pretty Helmet, Long Haul and Participation awards will be eliminated.
  
• Regional board meetings will be held Friday evening at 8:30.
  
• Sealing of motors will be done on Friday night and Saturday morning. If your motor is not sealed before qualifying it will be the handler’s responsibility to see that it is done and done correctly after qualifying before the car leaves the tech area.
  
• Race order is as follows:
  • Jr. Novice
  • Sr. Novice
  • Jr. Honda
  • Sr. Honda
  • Hvy. Honda
  • Jr. Stock
  • Sr. Stock
  • Lt. Mod
  • Hvy. Mod
  • World Formula
  • Lt. B
  • Hvy. B
  • Jr. Half
  • Lt. AA
  • Hvy. AA
  • Lt. 160
  • Hvy. 160
    
• Regional fees will change to $9.00 to region at regional races and $8.00 to the regional for the State’s race.
  
• All cars are subject to random safety & tech inspections.
  
• If rain moves in, the Race Director has the authority to allow cars to leave the hot chute or keep them where they are. If the cars are released any work can be done and race will start over.
  
• In the event of inclement weather, if qualifying cannot begin by 2:00 pm on Saturday, the lineups will automatically be changed to run in order of point standings and racing will begin as soon as possible. Ex. top 5 Sr.’s and top 4 Jr.’s to the A-main, 2nd 5 Sr.’s and 2nd 4 Jr.’s to the B-main and so on. If this happens at the first regional, line-ups will be prepared according to pill draw. Lower mains must be started by 10 am on Sunday. If A-mains are left they must start by 12:00 pm on Sunday. If these time limits cannot be met the races will be called.
  • Exception will be I-70 QMA and they will be allowed an extra hour.