OHIO VALLEY KARTING ASSOCIATION

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2006

 

 

CALL TO ORDER: President Rick Coombs called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at Ramada Inn, Middletown, Ohio.

 

OPENING REMARKS: Rick Coombs extended wishes for a Happy New Year and reminded attendees to sign in and keep cell phones off or on vibrate mode.  Coombs said there were quite a few OVKA members who participated in the WKA Nationals at Daytona last week.  The event was the largest in WKA history with 693 entries.  Bill Brundage reported the Snell family was recognized as WKA Family of the Year. 

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Lynda Whitaker made a motion to accept the November minutes as published.  The motion was seconded by Steve Smith and passed with 9 in favor and 1 abstained. 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Gary Gregg provided an update on finances and said there has been very little activity.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

RULES COMMITTEE: Rick Coombs asked the board to continue reviewing the rulebook draft so it can be voted on at the February board meeting.  He explained there has been one change to the draft which involves the transponder location. Steve Rumsey inquired about having a novice class for the Sportsman-age drivers.  Coombs responded the recommendation of the committee is for it to be available on an as-needed basis.  Coombs asked the board if they want to adjust the gate or entry fees for 2006.  Following discussion, it was the consensus of the board to keep fees the same as last year unless there is an increase in the cost of insurance.

 

BANQUET COMMITTEE: Rick Coombs reported that banquet preparations are in place and reservations are coming in. 

The banquet will be held Saturday, January 21, 2006 at Kings Island Resort and Conference Center.  The banquet registration form is available online and in the newsletter.  Ticket prices prior to January 6th are $30 for adults (ages 13 and older); $15 for ages 6 through 12; children 5 and under are free.  After January 6th, ticket price increases $5.00.  In order to get the special room rate of $69 plus tax, hotel reservations need to be made by January 6, 2006. 

 

SHOWS & PROMOTIONS: Nick Ouwerkerk asked for volunteers to staff the OVKA booth at the upcoming Cavalcade of Customs Show.  This event will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 27 through 29, 2006 at Cincinnati Convention Center.  Contact Ouwerkerk at (513) 791-1636 or NOuwerke@EESUS.JNJ.com.  Randy Vermillion reminded the board of the upcoming Springfield Car and Parts Show in May and said no further action is needed at this time.  Vermillion said information is needed about the Lang Show.  Ouwerkerk responded that show is usually held in March and coordinated through DARF.  Vermillion discussed the upcoming KMI Show on February 25th & 26th explaining that names of volunteers have to be submitted in advance in order to obtain badges.  Volunteers should contact Lynda Whitaker at (513) 293-6905 or Lwhitaker23@aol.com.

 

SPONSORSHIP / PIT SPOTS: Randy Vermillion reported he and Hal Thornton are working on sponsorship packets.

 

SWAP MEET: On behalf of Tim Bussen, Gary Gregg reported booth rental reservations are coming in at a higher rate than this time last year.  Rick Coombs said volunteers are needed to work at the gate and can contact Jeff Morningstar at (937) 859-1167 or Jeff.t.morningstar@delphi.com.  Gregg explained that if enough volunteers don’t step up, it will be necessary to hire people which affects the overall profitability.  The Swap Meet will be held Saturday, February 4, 2006 at the Clark County Fairgrounds.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

WKA CHEST PROTECTION REQUIREMENT: Rick Coombs reminded everyone that as of December 26, 2005, WKA now requires the use of chest protection in Kid Kart and Sportsman-age classes (12 years and younger) in all series.  More information can be found on the WKA website.

 

2006 WORKERS: Rick Coombs extended thanks to Beth Slater who has stepped up to be trained as an AMB operator this upcoming season.  Coombs explained other positions will still need to be filled, including corner workers which is the most difficult one to staff. 

 

WEBSITE OVERHAUL: Rick Coombs thanked Doug Stempfley for the excellent job he has done in redesigning the OVKA website.  Steve Smith asked if the website address will remain OVKA.com to which Lynda Whitaker responded it will.

 

2006 OFFICERS: Rick Coombs said the following people have expressed interest in filling officer positions in 2006: Randy Vermillion – President, Max Viney – Vice-President, Lynda Whitaker - Secretary, and Jason Gregg – Treasurer.  Any one else interested in running for one of these positions should contact Coombs.  Election of officers will take place at the general membership meeting prior to the banquet.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

RACE #16 PROCEEDS: Rick Coombs made a motion to donate $1,500 to Dayton Children’s Hospital.  The motion was seconded by Don Boles and passed unanimously.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

DRIVING SCHOOL: Randy Vermillion discussed the need for someone to work with Nick Ouwerkerk at the driving school on Saturday, April 8th, to be trained to take it over in 2007.  Steve Smith suggested this be posted on the OVKA website.

 

BANQUET PRIZES: Eric Jeffries made a motion to allow a proxy member of an immediate master membership to pick up prizes at the banquet provided the prize earner is registered for the banquet.  Bill Brundage seconded the motion which failed with 8 opposed, 3 in favor and 1 abstained. 

 

OVKA FRIENDS: Don Boles extended wishes for wellness to Gerald Whaling who had health issues arise while in Daytona.  Randy Vermillion extended wishes for restored health to Matt Webster, a former OVKA racer, who was seriously injured in a fall.  Cards will be sent to both.

 

TECH WORKERS: Hal Thornton inquired about the need for people to help with 2 and 4-cycle tech.  Ted Cradlebaugh asked why some people are opposed to having engine builders perform tech inspection for the club as he feels it should be allowed.  Randy Vermillion responded this has been a big issue with tech.  Vermillion asked how much tech should be done at a local level.  Cradlebaugh replied people should be ready to be torn down.  Gary Gregg said we should be as strict as we can.

 

WKA AGE GUIDELINES: Bill Brundage asked about the new WKA age guidelines.  Rick Coombs explained that we go by WKA whose tech update states, “In WKA, any driver who reaches the age of 12 before June 30 of the competition year may move up to the next highest level of competition at the beginning of the year. In Stars, any driver who reaches the age of 12 at any time during a competition year and who has placed in the top three in any three Stars, IKF, SKUSA, or WKA National event can move up at the beginning of the competition year. To resolve this inconsistency, WKA will allow any driver who will reach his or her 12th birthday in the 2006 competition year and meets the Stars criteria of three top three finishes can move up to any Junior class in Manufacturer’s Cup. Of course, any driver who reaches his or her birthday by June 30, 2006 can move up without meeting the Stars criteria. (At its next meeting, the WKA Board of Trustees will consider adopting similar “move up” criteria in its Speedway program.)”

 

RECOGNITION: Randy Vermillion pointed out this is the last regular board meeting that Rick Coombs will be officiating and thanked him for his dedication as OVKA President these last three years.  Vermillion said it has been a pleasure serving as an officer with him.  Coombs returned to the seat of his kart in Daytona and plans to continue racing both locally and nationally.  Coombs received a round of applause.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

·          Annual General Membership Meeting – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2006, Kings Island Resort & Conference Center, 5691 Kings Island Drive, Mason, OH

·          Monthly Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2006, at Ramada Inn Middletown, 6147 West State Route 122, Franklin, OH (east side of I-75)

 

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. was made by Nick Ouwerkerk, seconded by Don Boles and passed unanimously.

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Bell, D. Boles, B. Brundage, R. Coombs, G. Gregg, R. Landes, M. Lewis, N. Ouwerkerk, S. Rumsey, S. Smith, H. Thornton, R. Vermillion, and M. Viney.

 

MEMBERS / VISITORS PRESENT: D. Benson, S. Benson, R. Cox, T. Cradlebaugh, J. Hartings, M. Hartings, V. Hartings, D. Lawson, T. Michimi, Randall Potter, Randy Potter, D. Queary, and L. Whitaker.

 

Respectfully submitted by Lynda Whitaker, OVKA Secretary, 1/30/06.