Season Finale ‘03

           What a great season, 2003 was the best year yet. Congratulations to Keith Turk and Tonya Hanley for their super ‘03 Car Championship win. And to Scott Guthrie for his impressive ‘03 Bike Championship. Scott certainly had the field covered, this year, taking the top three positions, and five out of the top thirteen. Now that’s a level of commitment that we haven’t ever seen before. Scott is also our first ECTA Champion from 1995 and he helped Cary McNamara rise to the Championship in 1998.

           Keith and Tonya started the year in the trusty old “girley” Camaro. Putting up a slim 4 point lead, over Jeff Isaacs, at the summer break. Then disaster befell “Team Turk” as the trusted Camaro, that won the 2000 Championship, caught fire and burned beyond immediate repairs. Fortunately Keith had already purchased a “Kali-fornya” car, a /MS

           And what about “Team Yancy”! Man, 250 MPH, at Maxton, Wow! That thing looks like a bullet every time it heads toward the timing tower. Incredible, fantastic runs. I was reminded that way back in ‘96 I had predicted that some day we might see 250 MPH runs on the concrete. Gotta tell ya, I never thought it would be this soon, and I never would have thought it would be on a scooter. Congratulations guys. Now if Rich can find someone even smaller to pilot that demon, can 255 MPH be around the corner?

           The ECTA Championship Banquet is coming up in March. As of this moment we can’t use the Armory. So we are in the process of looking for a new location that can hold a 150 people. The Candlelight Station is unfortunately just too small. Did find something in Bennettsville, but that’s a little further away than I would like. Will keep you all posted on the progress.

           As you all know by now we can’t function without our volunteers. We are going to start a new process for volunteers in ‘04. We plan to have a list of positions needing help at the meet, for all to see. If you can volunteer a half day or more we will put you down for that position. Hopefully you will also know who is supposed to relieve you. Also there are other, none event, jobs that need assistance. Newsletter folding, letter stuffing and stamp licking. I’m sure Lionel wouldn’t mind letting someone else write the newsletter from time to time also.

           Currently working on the rule book for ‘04. Don’t foresee any big changes. Hopefully just some additional clarifications. Hopefully to be mailed in February. If anyone wants to help stuff envelops and mail... As a reminder if anyone has some future recommendations for rule changes for next year please submit in writing to the ECTA for review. We will consider all submissions, but they must be in writing. Ghost