FEATURE : FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Ever-changing times
Chairman Roger Bevan comments on current issues .
The Club ’ s 2021 season drew to a close with the resounding success of our Awards Evening at Sywell Aerodrome . The evening was in many ways a reflection of our racing events this year . Very well supported and very well organised . Of course , Covid continues to exert its malign influence over much of our daily lives , but it did not deter members from turning out in good strength to support the Club ’ s race meetings . In many instances entry numbers were on par with pre-pandemic years , indeed at some meetings they exceeded those years . Without the continuing loyalty of members , supporters and teams the outcome for our Club over the past two years would have been very different .
What better motivation then for your board and committee to try to deliver what you , the member , want from your Club . There are not the opportunities to introduce novel formats into racing as was done for Sywell . But perhaps that is not what members seek for their racing . I think it more likely members will want their series to have well supported grids , a variety of circuits and a sensible spread of dates . They will want to know they compete on a level playing field with series regulations firmly but fairly applied . Above all , the racing must be fun . Wherever a driver finishes in the results , being on track should be an enjoyable experience and that enjoyment should extend to the paddock environment .
That is the remit of your board and championship chairs . The rules and regulations of race meeting organisation
are pretty much fixed and understood . Providing racing opportunities that meet member ’ s expectations surmised above is the real challenge . I know your board and your representatives are committed and dedicated to the task . We will seek continuous improvement in our processes to strengthen your Club .
In addition , the security of the Club ’ s finances must rate of equal importance . The introduction of new financial processes of both actual presentation and forecasting of results has enabled greater control of our finances . Our CEO , Andy Dee-Crowne , now has access to real-time financial data , a vital tool in the increasingly competitive market for track time and circuit choice .
There is a maxim many of you will be familiar with : ‘ the only constant is change .’ That is so true of our world in general and now of the historic racing organisation and event planning . The dates of events and circuit availability were , until last year , largely predictable . Not so any longer , and it cannot be blamed solely on the Covid pandemic or Brexit . Changes to the previous almost traditional dates of major events have caused difficulties for your club and others .
An example is the loss of the usual Silverstone Classic date next year . The August Bank Holiday weekend was substituted as the Classic date . Result ? One of HSCC ’ s premier events , The Gold Cup Meeting , on that weekend was considered by the Oulton Park management to be no longer viable and a new date and a new format was
Roger Bevan , Alan Jones , Andy Dee-Crowne and Frank Lyons offered . The European historic racing calendar has been similarly affected . The fall-out from these changes has created new challenges almost daily . Fortunately , our CEO is up for those challenges !
Returning to the Awards Evening , it was the opportunity to say a formal farewell to Alan Jones as he heads off to a well-earned retirement . Alan has been a loyal servant to the HSCC for sixteen years as Competitions Secretary and will be sorely missed , although I suspect he will not be too far away . His farewell speech was a nostalgic reflection of those years , delivered as you would expect professionally and not without a little pathos . On behalf of the Club , I was honoured to present his farewell gift .
As one chapter draws to a close another one begins . So it is that Jasmine Walker takes up Alan ’ s role . I expect Jasmine in time to make it her own , but Alan ’ s legacy will always be in the background and be a part of the HSCC ’ s rich heritage .
Let me finish by saying your Club is in good health thanks to your continuing loyalty and support . I extend my sincere thanks to all of our officials , Clerks of Course , race control teams , stewards , scrutineers , marshals , track support teams , our office team , Donna , Jasmine , Lindsey and Alan not forgetting Andy D-C . Without the vital role each and every one of you plays our Club could not exist .
May I wish you and your families and those dear to you a very happy and a very safe Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year .
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