Fifth Gear

From The President’s DeskIf it's felt like spring all winter, when does it start tofeel like summer??It's snowing as I type this - in mid April, and I'mthinking of how great that would be for the learningexperience at the Time Attack School we areorganizing in three weeks. Though wet weather mayturn off some students, it's a great way to learn carcontrol. It makes the skid-pad much more fun!The Time Attack and Autoslalom seasons havekicked off with their Open Houses on April 1st. Thanksto Jennifer and Ralph at CSC Racing in Newmarket.They do a great job hosting us, and offer gooddiscounts on that day. Though we don't keepattendance, it seemed like numbers were up. Therewere a few potential novice candidates who signed upwith the club, and I heartily welcome them. Come onout to our TAC events: The DDT School, TMP/Cayugaon July 7, and Grand Bend on September 22/23!I had a great time chatting with people I hadn'tseen over the winter, and trying to figure out how toset up my car to run in an good class. I may take outWife Sue's new (to her) BMW 335xi. With all-wheeldrive,it's a blast in the rain. Maybe if I do well, she'lllet me run it as an Ice Racer, or enter it in someperformance rallies!Speaking of rallies, the RSO AGM took place lastmonth. It was comparatively low key compared to lastyear. All current board members were returned byacclimation. There was some discussion on changesto proxy voting procedures, but the committee that wasstruck last year decided it was best to leave theexisting rules in place. I was on the committee, andthough we looked at a number of different processes, Iagree that what we have now works very well. Thesmaller clubs were concerned that a large club coulddominate meetings and take over the AGM to get theirown members elected. However this has never beenthe case, and the larger clubs are very supportive ofanyone wishing to step up and be on the Board -regardless of which club they belong to.I thank everyone who sent their proxy to me. I canassure you that you were well represented!Coming up this weekend is the CASC-ORPresident's Meeting. The main item up fordiscussion is their fee structure. CASC isproceeding with license fee increases, but havedecided not to increase club affiliation fees. I'vefound the whole process very frustrating. The TACBoard wrote a letter to CASC expressing ourconcern that they were pricing themselves out ofreach of new members. While President PerryIannuzzi acknowledged receiving our note, CASCnever responded to it. I would much prefer thatCASC keep license fees down for individualmembers, and charge clubs more, lest they scareaway people when they apply for licenses. We alsoneed inexpensive entry level licenses, or waivedlicenses for novices just coming out for a trialweekend.Now, be sure to mark some upcoming TAC eventson your calendars! The weekend of May 5/6, TAC ishelping to organize the Time Attack School atMosport's DDT track. I hope to see some TA rookiesout, and some of our more experienced drivers helpingto instruct around the track and skid-pad.The monthly meeting in May - on the 16th - willtake place at 1st Choice Garage. They are at 51Jevlan Drive in Vaughan, which is right around thecorner from our usual meeting place, the Moose &Firkin. We will meet at 1st Choice at 7pm. Please letSocial Director Jane Worobess know if you arecoming, as she'll be providing food for all. She can bereached at socialdirector@torontoautosportclub.ca.Our Discover Ontario Rally runs in early June.We are hosting the Alfa Club of North America at afun rally later in June, and our first Time Attackcompetition goes in early July.Our big social event of the year runs the weekendof July 20. This is the ALMS race at Mosport. Watchfor flyers in upcoming Fifth Gears. We need 30people to come out to make this event viable, andcontinue getting the great deal on tickets thatMosport offers. Please bring your friends. They'll getthe same discount as members, and they're invited tothe barbecue at the TAC corral!On a sad note, I have to observe the passing of adear friend. My 1998 blue BMW 328is was sold bymy daughter a few days ago. The car had 400,000kms on it. It had been driven to British Columbia fora winter of ski patrolling, and even with a new rad itwas overheating and leaking coolant. The newowner expressed his appreciation of the Euro M3suspension and M3 limited slip differential.This was the car that got me into auto sports. Itstarted off in BMW schools at Mosport and Cayuga,then graduated to Time Attack the following year.The OMP race seat that I installed in it wastransplanted into my M3 race car. The Avus Blue328is will be missed by us all. How fitting that mywife's 335xi is the same colour!Looking forward to seeing you at the track!RobTAC President