To all, there have been a couple of references to the VINTAGE
MOTORSPORTS COUNCIL in this thread. As the President of that
organization, I would like to clear the air and set the record straight
on who we are and what we do. The VMC is not a "national licensing
org." It is an organization which serves as a forum for the exchange of
ideas. It was originally founded in order to get more realistic rates
on liability insurance for vintage racing which was getting lumped into
the actuarial date of "real racing." This was accomplished. Presently
23 clubs and organizations which put on vintage races belong to the VMC.
The VMC has no authority except what it is given by its members. It is
much like the League of Nations or the USA in its early years when
"states rights" were paramount. Over the years, it has been difficult
to get all of the members to agree on many things. The VMC license is
one. This was initiated in order to make it easier for people to travel
and race with different groups. The infraction list is another.
However, not all member groups use the VMC insurance program, report to
the infraction list, or submit nominations for the VMC license. A
national "points system" for infractions has been proposed many times
but never adapted. I am currently working on a VMC Medical form which I
hope will be adopted by all of the clubs, but at least one member
organization doesn't even require physical exams in order to have a
license! There is too much individualism and independence for much
agreement.
As you can imagine, it is difficult to accomplish anything that requires
universal approval. This would certainly be the case with flag
procedures. I think Maura said it correctly in a subsequent
posting--the SCCA is not universal thruout the country, and if they
can't be with a strong national organization, then certainly the VMC
can't. From a practical point of view, I think that there are local
conditions and track design constraints which would make a national
policy difficult to institute and that doesn't begin to address the
ideas of individual stewards and race chairman who think they "know best."
In a perfect world, perhaps the VMC could set national policies so that
there would be uniform rules, rules enforcement, car eligibility,
licensing requirements, physical exam requirements, etc. thruout the
country. I don't look for this to happen in my lifetime.
Richard E. Buckingham, Jr. MD
President - Vintage Motorsports Council
Race Chairman - SOVREN
"Wm. Severin Thompson" wrote:
>
> Sounds like something the Vintage Motorsport Council ought to do.
>
> For a "national" licensing org., other than provide a yearly trip for mucky
> mucks in various race orgs and take money for a license every 2 years... I
> find them to be awfully low profile...
>
> WST
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jack W Drews <vinttr4@geneseo.net>
> To: <vintage-race@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 6:49 PM
> Subject: Reflections on a racing incident
>
> >
> > To have more than one set of flag rules in existence in the fastest
> > growing segment of motor sports is gross madness. SCCA never did that.
> > Boy, they are totally consistent, and you can race anywhere in the
> > country with SCCA knowing that the flag rules are the same.
> >
> > This situation needs to be fixed.
> >
> > --
> > uncle jack
> > occasional maker of mistakes, too
> >
> >
> >
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