by Bob Morin

There have not been any events since my last column, but this time of the year it is still easy to find some people to thank.   The members of the 2004 board all deserve our thanks and those who have volunteered to run again in 2005 deserve a second thank you.   But there are three members who have been serving for several years now that have decided not to run this time around, so I would like to single them out to thank them for their past service to the Chapter.  

Jonathan Bisset has been a member-at-large and finds that trying to start a business and a family along with his car club commitments left him without a life.   Jim Hurczyn has been our secretary for several years, has served on our investment committee and instructed at Driver’s Schools as well as helping with other events.   Steve Wasley has been a member-at-large and our Driver’s School Registrar and our Display Advertising Coordinator, along with organizing our Kart Nights among other things.   Steve will continue to do Driver’s School Registration, but has given up the other duties and Jim will still plan to instruct.   All three of these gentlemen deserve our thanks for their dedication to making the club better.

Our success ultimately depends on our volunteers and we will miss Jonathan, Jim and Steve, but wish them well and look forward to seeing them at future events.  

One vacancy that has not been filled is the position of advertising coordinator.   I am going to take over in Steve’s absence, but it would be great if someone else came forward.   To learn more, give me a call.

Upcoming events include the April 2^nd Wine & Cheese Party in Bristol, CT at the Hurczyn’s.   Please make a note of this because I know someone is going to get their March issue late and then say they didn’t have time to plan for it.   Also, don’t forget to send your Driver’s School registration in on the correct date.

Speaking of Driver’s School, you’d love a raise equal to the increase Lime Rock dropped on us, but there isn’t much we can do about it.   We can’t even cover the increase with new registration fees, but we’re hoping we can make some other adjustments to our budget to compensate.   It seems each year we get the new track rentals and wonder if anyone will show up at the events when they see the new registration fees.   This year will be no exception.   We feel it is still a good value, but at some point you have to think there will be limit to how much you can charge for the event.  

The F1 season is just around the corner and I can’t say I’m very optimistic.   Of course, last year at this time I was very optimistic, so was I ever let down.   At least this year, I won’t have a let down.   I can’t see BMW Williams doing much of anything.   I see them as a team in complete disarray.   They put all the eggs in the Jenson Button basket and lost that in arbitration and now they don’t even seem to have a definite driver lineup.   We know that Mark Webber is on board.   His claim to fame is one good finish while at Jaguar and a reputation for having the widest car (read good blocker) on the grid. That and a batch of test drivers send shivers up the spines of the opposition.   NOT!   Thank goodness there’s still Minardi to make us look great.  

In News From National membership now stands at 75,306, up 1.4% over last year, but has been declining month to month.   This has prompted the National Office to give some thought to a membership drive.   If you have any thoughts on some types of incentives that might entice you to get out there and recruit members, forward them to National and we may have a contest coming our way soon.    

This one handed typing is still a drag, so I’m going to cut it off for another month.   Be careful on the slippery roads and stay warm.   See you at event soon.