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As I know from my own experience being a member of the SSOT can be a difficult and de-moralising use of free time. However when things go well it also can be very rewarding. So the challenge is to come up with proposals and regulations that can be accepted by a representative number of logical and reasonable minded SS participants. Had vouchers, something along the lines of Adam Reed's driving school idea or perhaps a "foundation" fund that we all had a chance of benefiting from could have avoided the emotion that the "cash for points" proposal generated! At the 11th hour there is still in my opinion an opportunity for further SSOT "browny" points by not having a requirement for passeger seats in any class. It has been a subject of disquiet over many years. No one is allowed to sit on them while competing in sprints and hill climbs and as far as my research reveals there is no requirement for them to be present for the MOT nor are they specified in the Blue Book to be fitted. If anyone wants to keep them in (in what ever class) then it is their decision but it should not be a rule IMHO. As far as I know all of the current SSOT members have been in post for most of 2018 so maybe some the workload issues identified are somewhat self inflicted. If Terry was swamped with work was he not able to get assistance from others or did he not ask? Yes we definately needed a 2019 calendar but I feel sure the existing regs would have stretched for another season after the great 2018 campaign just recently completed. Thanks again Graham Graham

After taking on board comments regarding the awarding of cash prizes, the SSOT will be amending this to something more appropriate whilst still satisfying our valued sponsors and the views of those who expressed a change to the type of awards given out. The basic technical regulations will remain with the exception of a few minor issues which are also under review. We appreciate some of your feedback and are in the midst of taking appropriate actions. Please bear with us Best wishes John (on behalf of the SSOT)

Well done all for getting these out as early as possible. Some interesting ideas and new thoughts. These are always done with the best intention and only time and results after bedding in will say if they achieve the intention or some other un-ntended consequence. I know from the past how demoralising something you have worked on is shot down or some other angle is provided and you think oh crap we didnt think of that. All that said the only thing I feel strongly on is cash prizes. Maybe im a snob but it feels cheap. Is it a big draw to me its off putting. As a long time sponsor of the series, I probably wont carry this on becuase of this. My sponsorship is there to make the series happen and work it isnt to put a few quid cash into competitors pockets - that doesnt sit right to me as a sponsor. In business you are very careful to ensure everything is done indirectly, properly and above board - this just feels wrong for me. I think it totally flys in the face of what the ethos of the series is about.

I purchased my 1990 Westfield last February as a (barely) running project with MOT. After a year long almost nut and bolt restoration (www.10-42.com/westfield) , which included a new stage 3 Crossflow engine, Type 9 gearbox, 3.54:1 CWP, drive shafts, coolant system, ignition system, alternator, starter, carburettor, water pump, battery, complete braking system, wheels, tyres, lights, instruments, carpets, repaint etc, it has passed it's MOT with no advisories! The reason for the post is that Manor Garage in Brundall, Norfolk were truly excellent and very Westfield friendly; being able to MOT the car on a Saturday was a real bonus. I also meant to say they also understood the "Q" plate testing parameters very well.

Mark, John, Terry... I´ve been one of the strong moaners here... not for the prizes but for technical content that I disagree. Anyway that is going to be my last intervention in this topic. First of all, none of the opinions written here, have to be taken personaly nor against the person behind the lines. I'm firmly convinced that we could still sit toguether and drink beers and have a nice time regardless of the outcome of the regulations or if I enter again or not. At least, I would be fine with it... If you guys don't and want to take it personally, let me know to don't look like a fool when I come to say hello. From this same lines, sorry for any over-excitement I may have had in public. I may be really unfortunate, because is the second time in a row that as the regs come out, they throw my plans over the floor, hence my really big frustration. I want to point out though... that after all, working for free, doensn´t warrants acceptance, and if the people moan, and have feelings is because they wanted to be part of, but they feel somehow left out due changes, point of views, or opinions of other competitiors. However, appears that having a sayt o try to be included, hurts feelings. Again sorry, wasn´t the intention... but with some answers from the SSOT, appears that the position is "if you don´t like, don´t come and be silent" rather than value any others comments. At the end, you work for free folks, we somehow support the series too, and we choose to support this ones rather than the other similar club ones... and for some of us, simple workers is really, really expensive and needs a lot of plan ahead. So... without organising team, there is no competition, without competitors, there is no need of organising team. Is a quid pro quo where everybody gives their best to make the speed series happen, so frustration from one side, or the other or even boths, is to be expected and is completely understandable. I have loads of Ideas, most of them crazy some of them realistic to try to improve stuff and attract new people... at the end, Im a newcomer, you are stablished guys, and we need each other to keep this going, but, It´s been left clear that here is not the place to talk. As a constructive point of view... I would leave this year´s regulation as they are. It is probably too late unless you withdraw them and make a copy paste of last year´s ones as they were, but you won´t probably come with nothing better under an even bigger pressure and more hurry that when the first draft was published... but would be a very very good thing for everybody, to do a public consultation of whatever the regs are this year, and fully open them to debate. Then, someone no byased, should analize the topic at midyear, and try to agree a draft that covers most of the opinions (with sense) and publish it well ahead of the end of the season, so every one knows what they have to do as soon as they come back from anglesey in october. It Would probably be much more constructive that listening chit chat in the padock where no newcomers will be represented for example, or having to deal with over excited people just here when the regulations come out too late. Who knows me well will know that I´m not a good politician but really passionate and creative... and some times I get carried away. I´ve organized stuff as a volunteer in the past and I know how frustrating is hearing continuous complains from the others, so, to make up a bit my complains, I offer my help to the SSOT if they are understaff for the future, if that means that more people can be heard and more people can feel included in the series... witch, correct me if I´m wrong, is the whole point of it. Cheers. Maurici.

I think it is time for some constructive ideas, people need to remember that this hobby is totally reliant on volunteers. I agree with the sentiments of Terry's that most trophies end up in a box in the attic but also with others that say cash is tacky. How about free entry to the next years Bl;yton weekend, this for a novice would be a great incentive to come out the next year, prizes could be for the whole weekend, one day or just the track day. It would cost the club about the same as the proposed prizes and would encourage people to stay in the sport.

Crickey what emotion. I've been at this game for as many years as I care to admit and have run with many championships and clubs. Different regs some with and some without prize money. I've won money, tools, track days,entry fees, pots you name it. Not really a big issue either way and organisers can't be faulted for trying to offer something. Does it matter if end of season money is spent on pots or prize money. Please lighten up . Thank you organisers for putting the time and effort in.

Thanks Steve, yeah there were points when I had to have a word with myself! At the end of the day when working on the fit and finish there comes a point where you have to say enough is enough and accept that its the best its going to be!

Thank you for this Ash, it’s nice to have a supportive comment from a competitor who has been around the sprint and Hillclimb scene a lot longer than I have and have experience of other championships. I hope to see you out at a WSCC round this year sometime. I am not generally known for my diplomacy so I have restrained myself from responding to some of the comments on here, in fact I have just heavily edit this post which I was in the process of typing due to Matthew and ACW’s latest replies, which are appreciated. I agree with ACW that any strong feelings or compliaints on any technical points would probably be better addressed via PM with a SSOT member and of course our sponsors have a single point of contact in John Loudon with whom they can raise any issues or observations going forward. On a more general point, I think it is appropriate time to remind some folk that Terry and the SSOT are a group of volunteers who give up thier time to help run the championship for the enjoyment of others. Terry Everall has bravely just taken on the role of Comp Sec this year but what a lot of folk don’t realise is that for the past few seasons he has been a pivotal member of the SSOT and has been compiling the scores after each event to forward to Tigger, written Tels Tales Blog helped organise the awards evening and done a hell of a lot more behind the scenes that anyone else knows. A hell of a lot of time and effort for no thanks...... and some of the recent comments on this thread haven’t helped. Since taking over as Comp Sec and in a very short space of time Terry has arranged a new calender with new venues (not easy in itself), drafted regs etc and a lot more besides in an effort to get the calender and draft regs out as soon as possible. John Loudon has also done a sterling job liasing with and attracting new sponsors for this year, who hopefully will remain with us in the future, so following on from that I would ask that when posting negative comments on here, please consider how that looks to the current and future sponsors, without whom we won’t have a championship. Of course there will be discussion on the public forum and folk will identify issues that perhaps we hadn’t foreseen and it is right they are pointed out and discussed, but we will never be able to please all of the people all of the time, much as we would like to. Im sure things will resolve themselves in the next few weeks so let’s all calm down and look forward to a fun season Mark Anson SSOT

Well said that man. if I were on the SSOT and done all that unpaid work just for the love of what I did and to get some of the OTT responses, I’d be very hard pressed not to be pushed into responding with

I've a folder full of photos! So no worries on that front! I just hope I enjoy driving it as much as I enjoyed building it!

Summarised my views exactly Adrian. Glad I am not the only one.

One of the best awards I have received is an engraved Metal Thermos flask from Loton Park back in 2009 . And I still use it to this day!

Exactly. I'd have been just as happy with a workshop voucher or cash than a cut glass item . (Not being disrespectful to previous organisers awards). So yes I think it's a great idea for cash or a voucher. I might even register again for the SS this year.

I really hope people dont think I dont appreciate the effort and time people put into this stuff and what a thankless task it can be. I think anyone thinking that doesnt know me. But discussion should be encouraged, but also be civil. Better than that people not enter, stop competing etc. Just becuase people give thier efforts freely and act totally with the best of intentions that questions cant be raised surely? What I would suggest to avoid seige mentallity on either side - if that if you have a strong point use PM/ phone email. This shoud never be a popularity contest and politics.

I've got some spares too, long and short if anyone else needs some. Same price as above :-)

Matthew I understand you comments but what would you do. The SSOT have reacted to paddock comments etc we don't just make things up out of thin air so you come uo with some new ideas please

Matthew, Did you read my previous posting? Please accept that the situation is being reviewed and there is no need to post further regarding the issue. However, for the record, Novices, Newcomers and Mini Sprint champions are eligible for the overall honours as well so could win multiple prizes where as experts cannot. Hence the novice champion could also be say 5th overall etc and win multiple prizes (as per Simon Waterfall last season). The mini sprint championship consists of half the number of rounds to the full championship hence the logic there. However, we hear your points and will take them on board. The Draft regulations are exactly that and not final. Best wishes, John

That's the perfect mantra to building any kit car right there! Should be printed in the front of the manual that.

On the subject of Cash Prizes. I am completely opposed to Cash Prizes for a number of reasons. 1. I do not believe that Cash Prizes will encourage any new participants, nor prevent established competitors from leaving. I am sure that the research carried out by Graham Frankland did not find a single new competitor who stated prize money was part of their motivation for competing. 2. My guess is that the cash will go to the established competitors, who have been competing for years, at the expense of the entry fees of novices, and the less experienced competitors. I am sure we could write a list now of the usual suspects who will receive the cash for 2019. 3. I feel it is unethical for competitors to simply trouser the funding from sponsors. I am sure the sponsors the Speed Series do so to encourage and develop the club and competition, not to just provide beer money for the established players. 4. The values of the cash prizes have now clearly exposed the prejudices of the SSOT. We can see clearly the “worth” of various competitions, and competitors, in black and white. a. Experts are twice as valuable as novices (£200 v £100) b. The Sprint Series (now disparagingly renamed “Mini Sprint”) is worth the same as 9th place overall. (£50). Despite targeting a completely different set of competitors. c. The Ladies prize is completely worthless, as is the Best Newcomer, Area Winner, etc. (£0) 5. If Cash Prizes are allowed to continue I believe significantly improved governance, and scrutiny will be required from the SSOT as inevitably more disputes will arise in the long term. 6. I fail to see how Cash Prizes fit with the Clubs objectives as written in the constitution. 7. Finally, I believe the awarding of Cash Prizes is a complete and utter waste of money. I find it very disappointing that of all the possible and desperately needed options to invest, promote, and encourage competitors to the club, have been overlooked in favour of cheap and tawdry Cash Prizes. I respectfully ask the SSOT to reconsider the awarding of any cash prizes, and completely remove them from the Draft Regulations.

Looks a lovely build . I'll bet some of the westfield's 'characteristics' with fit and finish were a world apart from the day job!

Would it be impossible to have 2 target times in the road based classes, one for 1B tyres and one for 1C? How much slower are the 1B tyres? Working on times set in my old car I’d guess about 1sec over a 60sec run maybe not even that. Could the ones who choose to use 1B tyres have some kind of bonus in the scoring to try even it up?

Keith has not mentioned that legislation is already in place to move the next batch of energy inefficient tyres from 1A and 1B into 1C as they do not meet the wear regulations that allow them to be sold into the mass tyre market. To meet these requirements Road Going tyres by definition will become progressively harder! So the list of 1C tyres will not go away! I have been looking at tyre options myself in conjunction with Keith and others and comparisons are not straight forward. Sizes are not always similar and there is no real price benefit to go with 1A or 1B in favour of 1C List The use of the road going sized tyres could involve needing new wheels, rear wheel arches and front cycle wings! All additional cost! I have been advised that the suppliers of 1 C tyres are committed to the continued sale of the tyres into Motorsport markets! It is important that we allow freedom of choice to allow the use of equipment most suitable to the specification of the cars built by entrants etc. The removal of the use of 1 C tyres will in the foreseeable future result in only two tyre type options: progressively harder road going variants or slicks. If they match your car specs and driving skills then fine but don't stop the use of 1Cs for others that are the best match for there requirements. Please have all the factors out in the open before jumping to hasty conclusions! Graham

Hi , bald eagle booked, will be heading up from scottish borders on the friday if anyone wanting to meet up on the way? as long as we make it back from Switzerland in time lol .

may have to extend the trip by a few weeks .

The rules we are discussing are important to get right for our championship a a fair and close fought battle. Some rules are vey easy and simple to comply with but like all sport there are always contentious issues. Once we sort theses out and we are into the season all will be well. I hope that we will attract newcomers as well as the experienced guys to let the Series flourish. We are trying to make it clear, rather than ambiguous regarding class rule compliance. We will do all we can to ensure everyone's car is able to run in a suitable class.

@SimonRad See we’re just like normal disfunctioal family ! Terry thinks he’s the Alfa male, the godfather the matriarch, but we think of him more like grandad from Only fools n horses, an old fart who’s full of wind and stories from yesteryear The rest of the SSOT act like our big brothers trying to tell us what we can and can’t do, so we have to argue with them even if we know their right But when we all get together that’s all forgotten over a few beers and gallons of vin rouge

Don’t be put off Simon, just that we’re all passionate about our daft hobby On the day of an event you won’t find a friendlier bunch guys n girls all willing to offer help, advise and enjoy a little banter. Look forward to see you out soon Marto

Thank you so much for all your kind comments! SXRORY, yes I'm a gearbox tech for an F1 team. So spend most of my year away! Back for a few days here and there between races. Thrustyjust, yes Bristol for the IVA. Inspectors we're really helpful!

Blimey, did you find some rocking horse droppings at the same time? Very rare!

I suppose calling them and enquiring if the post is excessive would be a decent approach to it ? I know Car Builder Solutions say to call them if you want little bits to lower the post cost.