GOOD NEWS

Well, talk about boring! No rollover, only one small fire, no fighting drunks, no allegations of a “fix”, no dual payouts, and the cops didn’t even have to show up! The 2002 State Fair Demolition Derby was a huge success, even if it was without the drama and controversy of previous years. The hits were hard, the mud was tasty, and an overflow crowd got to see a great show that was on time.

Thanks are simply not enough! Ed, Tom, Darrell, Mort, and all the rest of the club did a terrific job overseeing this event. Ed and the tech crew started early in the morning and were joined by the rest of the crew as the day progressed to keep things moving smoothly. This club, in addition to the three free ExpoPark dates we earn by working the Demo Derby, is getting a reputation for hard work and smooth event facilitation. You ladies and gentlemen do nice work! It shows. Great job all around and kudos to all who were there. Again, the entire club benefits from the efforts of those who eat some dust and give freely of their valuable time. A hearty “CRUNCH” to everyone who helped.

SAD NEWS

We had high hopes of returning to Malmstrom Air Force Base this year and into the future. We knew that right after 9/11 there was no way to get back to those pristine taxiways, but this spring’s Sportorama held out hope that we, too, could return. Not so.

The powers that be, the MAFB administration, consider the Sportorama to be a big community relations deal and are thoroughly prepared to take the necessary extra security precautions to assure its success. But we, the SCCA, are small spuds to them, and they cannot justify the work, coordination, and cost for our small group. So until the national defense posture changes, we will not be back to MAFB anytime soon. Rats! But keep the faith, hope springs eternal.

REMINDER NEWS

Have you shopped or bought anything at Bumper-to-Bumper Champion Auto Parts, Ike & Susan’s Lounge & Casino, or Pizza Hut lately? And did you say “Thanks” to them for sponsoring Top Gun? Just checking. It’s not too late, you know. Do it. Or else. We know where you live, so don’t make us come there.

THE BIG AUGUST NEWS!

Yup, the Helena Regional Airport event is a go! Sunday, August 25, 2002. Be there. Guaranteed fun; by actual scientific testing, nearly 23% more fun than is legally allowed in most states. The legislative special session didn’t cut this at all. Details:

The event starts early Sunday. The course will be set by 7:30, and early registration and technical inspection are encouraged. If you arrive by 7:30 to 8:30 you will be right on target. We anticipate high interest and high entry numbers, so registration may even have to be cut off by 10:00, depending on the turnout numbers. 30 cars, we lose money but get lots of runs; 40 cars we’re OK; 50 cars it’s a long day; 60 cars at three runs each is creeping up on 200 comp runs in one day, 70 cars is over that. We will get at least three runs each.
No nitrous, tanks must be removed.
No open cars or convertibles without rollbars.
Helmets must be Snell 95; no less.
No riders under the age of 18 for this event.
No video cameras that are not firmly fastened to the vehicle.
No noise restrictions.
How are those brakes?
No cord showing on any tire.
Event Chairman and Technical Inspector have the final say on all safety matters and their decisions are NOT appealable. They will have the right to eject those driving in an unsafe manner, as well.
$15 for SCCA members; $25 for all non-SCCA members.
PLEASE, you must bring your own food, water, sunscreen, and fuel. There are no on-site concessions or fuel facilities, but there are very nice restrooms and inside shade available. You might even think to bring your binoculars.
We will clean up our own areas. It’s the old “pack-it-in; pack-it-out” deal. We can leave no garbage.
We will run two cars on the course at a time. You will need to be very cognizant of that fact at all times.
Once on-site, you may not take vehicles that have been numbered and classed off-site without removing the numbers and class designation from the vehicle. We are on display and essentially on “probation” there, so we will be safe, discrete, and displaying our best public manners at all times. No donuts, burnouts, or speeding on airport grounds at any time. Period. We want to be welcomed back time and time again. We presume that if you cause any behavior problem for the club, you will die a slow and painful death.

How to get to the event site? Here goes, both by written directions and via the map as well:

Go to Helena. You will need to either be on Cedar Street headed east over I-15 or taking the Cedar Street east exit from I-15. As you get to the east side of I-15 at that location (at the big olive drab helicopter on a stick at the intersection signal light), turn north towards the airport on Washington Street (it is sort of a frontage road that parallels the interstate). Turn east onto Skyway Drive towards the airport terminal, but stay on Skyway Drive past the terminal. Also continue east past the Army National Guard Building and you will find yourself at the Fire Fighting Training Center. You have arrived! You are maybe only one or one and a half miles from Washington Street. We’ll be there to direct you to the pit and inspection area, anyway.

Questions? Call Ed Austin at 452-1135 or Jerry Rukavina at 761-4357

SEE YOU THERE!