Present: Hugh Price, Richard Ranson, Colin Painter, Jonathan Price,  Mark Hulme, Graham Kiddy, Gareth Walters, David Shaw, Andy Jones, Paul Dibden, Graham Fennymore, Simon Jackson, Benn Simms, Heinrich Langfermann, Alan Morgan (FF2K), Graham White (HSCC),

Apologies: Richard Trott, Keith White, Tom Powell

1.  2014 dates discussed – Hugh went through dates and said we still need to reduce the number of rounds but be selective. Below are general thoughts -
6 April – Donington  ??
19/20 April – Thruxton YES
17/18 May – Silverstone GP YES 
7/8 June – Snetterton (Double Header) NO
21/22 June - Cadwell Park (Double Header) YES
12/13 July – Brands GP YES
2/3 August – Croft (Double Header) ??
23-25 August – Oulton Park YES but not if combined with DBT
27/28 September – Brands Indy YES
18 October – Silverstone National YES
Analysis carried out showed reasonable support especially here and last race at Brands. HSCC say 18 is break-even point. Final calendar to be agreed at AGM.
Alan said he had spoken with Steve Nichols about allowing URS class A cars (81-82) to make up the numbers and we stated they are allowed already under the current regs as a class. (it has since been suggest we offer them a three race series with trophy next year!) He also said Croft nostalgia meeting was growing and has been well attended so worth considering.
Silv GP round might lose entries due to closeness of Monaco F3 race, four in room said they would try for Monaco entries.
Suggested we could not we combine with FF2K at Silverstone GP round but Alan said his drives were against it.
The general mood of CF3 drivers is that they are not in favour of amalgamation with DBT.
It was suggested we drop Snetterton as too many races in one day and people like Benn cannot race two cars i.e. FF1600 and CF3 on same day if 4 races.

2. Rules and Eligibility – Data logging was discussed and Graham F says his only monitors the engine data not other sensors such as wheels and gyros as they have experienced engine problems and want to prevent anything happening due to the high cost of engine damage. Others said they have suffered past issues but that is just an accepted risk and it doesn’t fit with period cars. There was mention of a possible   blanket ban across all HSCC championships to outlaw all data logging save lap timers. Post this meeting, it was mentioned that even on board videos now have the capability to give data logging and this should be taken into account.

3. Race Duration – many feel 12 minutes qualifying is unacceptable for our cars, 15 would be ok. Someone stated that with other outside championships being invited, the HSCC members were being disadvantaged yet they pay the memberships and should be given first priority. It was pointed out that the outside clubs are needed to cover high track fees to avoid a loss.
There is news that the HSCC will in future pass surplus funds back to members in best possible ways and invite members to suggest those benefits. Graham K said if not more track time he will consider racing elsewhere. Alan stated they will invest surplus in ways that benefit everyone and invite comments from members as to best ways.

4. Pre-race scrutineering – all were in favour of it the day/evening before wherever possible.

5. Paddock arrangements – it was suggest the investment goes into this as a start but there is a cost factor, some circuits do it well certainly better on mainland Europe. Andy said it would be difficult for them as they run multiple cars across different championships and Alan suggested an area for multi race teams to be located.

6. AOB – Dave Shaw said he cannot understand why more cars don’t come out as they are fantastic to drive and CF3 is great fun. He asked for thoughts about the Superprix and racing jointly with the French and disappointed more not turned up and if they came en mass we would have an amazing grid on a great circuit. Doing more longer expensive races abroad, you have to make the commitment and be prepared to pay for more qualifying and longer races. Not everyone is. Spa was good with a fair British contingent and also from the French – Graham K said when race with them they were well look after.

Graham White (HSCC) said we have to remember track curfews so track time is always limited and most drivers prefer to get longer races in preference to longer qualifying. Would need to charge more and find the time to fit it in, it certainly won’t happen with falling grids and it’s a chicken and egg situation. Get full grids and then have a negotiating position – cannot justify if less than 20 cars and others have more cars than us i.e. Guards and they want more track time so cannot possibly give us preference with smaller grids. HSCC is committed to CF3 but we need more entries before both parties can consider any discussions about track time.

The meeting concluded at 10:30am.

Richard Ranson
26.10.13