Latho
09-12-2009, 03:37 PM
Hi all,
This is a bit of a chairperson's report for two double oh nine, and what's happening moving forward.
The year that was!
Firstly I'd like to congratulate those that competed this year, and the final standings this year were as follows:
Driver
ED WILLIAMS 29 pts
ALLAN REINIKKA 19.5 pts
JUSTIN SINCLAIR 15 pts
MICK GILLETT 9 pts
ROB DIXON 8 pts
Co Driver
JOSEPH BRENNAND 20 pts
RODNEY PATMAN 17 pts
TERESA DANIELS 8 pts
STEPHANIE MOSSMAN 7 pts
Congratulations to Ed and Joseph who dominated the series this year! Great to see Al and Rob both step up to the plate this year, and showed that unlike the DMS/Proflex dominated series of last year, Excels built on a budget can be just as fast (and reliable) as those on the wiz bang suspension.
Right from the beginning of this year we knew it was going to be a tough season. In 2008 the series debuted with 5 Excels, which was a great start to a new QLD series, particularly in state which has been somewhat more reluctant to take up FWD's than our southern counterparts. Moving into 2009, we knew we were going to loose 3 cars straight up.
- Luke Page decided to step up and build his car to F16 spec for the ARC, albeit at a loss to the local series, it was a great result for the Excels nationwide! :clap:
- Kelvin Taylor misses doing it sidways, and is looking back in the RWD domain! :potstir:
- I personally had to sell the car due to financial contraints... :(
So we started the year with 2 previous competitors, and the additional of Hyundai's Mick Gillet, and Central QLD's Al Reinikka made for a 4 car assault at Rally QLD! Later in the year the series was fortunate enough to welcome seasoned rally competitor Rob Dixon to it's ranks, and Rob is hanging around for a tackle at the 2010 series! As one door opens, another closes, and as Rob entered the season, start-up competitor Justin Sinclair upgraded his hardware to a 3 diff'd farting machine (2 door! ;)), and the series wishes him the best with that! Justin also competed in the National Excel Round in Bega earlier in the year.
Gallangowan was to be a cracker of an event, with 3 new cars to be entered, but unfortunately all 3 had to pull out close to the event. These 3 are definites for next year, but more on that later!
All in all, a fairly frustrating series with lack of entries, but given the overall lackluster nature of rallying at the moment, not a bad result all things considered. Again, congratulation to Ed and Joseph!
The low down on 2010!
Series Structure and Sponsorship
In 2010 the series is moving away from having a central chairperson (myself), and moving to a more open format. We've got an independent chair (Gideon Street) who right from the inception of the Excels in QLD, has shown interest in the series. Gideon is also involved with QLD's other FWD series, the Pocket Rocket Series, and recent rule changes to that series, has allowed a greater number of Excels to cross over to that sister series, which is a positive for both!
My stepping down from the series chairperson is a result of consultation between competitors that agreed my filling 3 roles (chairperson, competitor, sponsor) could be viewed as a conflict of interest from people outside the series. To the best of my knowledge, no current or former competitor ever had such an issue.
The little secretarial work that is required, is continuing to be handled by 2010 Excel Series debutant, and current secretary, Dirk van Holst Pellekaan. Ed Williams has picked up points scorer for 2010, relieving current series scorer Anthony Tanzer.
All competitors will be encouraged to attend meeting, and put their thoughts and ideas forward. With an independent chair, all votes on issues will be directly derived from competitors involved with the series.
GSL RallySport will continue to the series trophies, but as I'll discuss later, will no longer be the naming rights sponsor to the series.
2010 Calendar of Events and scoring
2010 will see the series tackle 6 rounds, with competitors to nominate 5 rounds along the way. Pending discussions with the relevant clubs, the draft calendar will include:
- 2 Pace noted / 4 blind rallies
- 2 Central QLD rallies / 4 SE QLD rallies
- 2 Club rallies / 4 QRC Rounds
Weeks between draft rounds is 6, 8, 8, 3, 8 giving plenty of time for competitors to 'back up' for the next round.
The points system has also been tweaked for 2010, with all series competitors starting a rally receiving 5 points, whilst points for places will be awarded 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for the top 10 respectively.
Name change, branding and the series logo
Mid way through this year I proposed an idea for the QLD series to adopt a new promotional name, 'Hyundai Max Attack Challenge', and have a suitable logo produced to assist in promotion and branding of the series. In speaking to the general motoring and motorsport public on a regular basis through work activities, it became clear that to anybody not involved directly with rallying, and already aware of the Excel's credentials as a gravel car, the idea of racing an Excel doesn't invoke alot of excitement. Hopefully with the name change, and some future promotion of the series, it's ability to attract new competitors, particularly those of Gen Y, will increase. I put this idea forward at our recent AGM, and glad that the notion was approved.
The chosen logo, of which GSL RallySport sponsored development of ($200):
http://www.gslrallysport.com/excel/Logo/9.jpg
It was chosen for it's simplicity, easy of branding with only 2 colors (such as embroidery), and obvious relation to motorsport. Prior to the start of next year I'll be producing a media kit to send to all clubs explaining these changes, and how best to promote the series for the benefit of both parties. There will be no naming rights sponsor, instead using the series name on all promotional items such as windscreen banners as to best promote the series. Series sponsors may however require smaller promotional items to be affixed to the competitive cars.
All other aspects of the series, including use of the national regulations and participation in national activities will remain unchanged. It's simply a re-branding of the existing great series.
Competitors
2010 is shaping up to be the biggest year with 7 competitors on the cards to start next year that we know of! Rob, Al and Ed are all carrying over as far as I'm aware. I will be returning in a two car team with the ex-factory Vic Hyundai car, and will be joined by team mate, and rally debutant Cassie Stanford in another Victorian sourced car. Cassie's dad Peter has long been involved with QLD rallying, and looks to be taking up the critical role of navigator.
Current QLD Charade competitors Dirk and Jason van Alphabet were unlucky to not loose their Excel virginity at the last round this year, but unfortunately government red tape got in the way! The latest competitor to come on board is a junior and the son of a current QLD competitor, and also look to have their car ready for 2010. I've also heard of a couple of other potential competitors, but time will tell if and when we welcome them to our ranks!
That's basically it from me. Any questions at all feel free to email me greg at gslrallysport dot com, or phone 1300 884 836. On a personal note I'm looking forward to returning to the series next year, and would like to thanks everyone that has made it what it is so far, and what it will be in the future!
Best regards,
Greg Latham
Out going QLD Excel Series Chairperson
This is a bit of a chairperson's report for two double oh nine, and what's happening moving forward.
The year that was!
Firstly I'd like to congratulate those that competed this year, and the final standings this year were as follows:
Driver
ED WILLIAMS 29 pts
ALLAN REINIKKA 19.5 pts
JUSTIN SINCLAIR 15 pts
MICK GILLETT 9 pts
ROB DIXON 8 pts
Co Driver
JOSEPH BRENNAND 20 pts
RODNEY PATMAN 17 pts
TERESA DANIELS 8 pts
STEPHANIE MOSSMAN 7 pts
Congratulations to Ed and Joseph who dominated the series this year! Great to see Al and Rob both step up to the plate this year, and showed that unlike the DMS/Proflex dominated series of last year, Excels built on a budget can be just as fast (and reliable) as those on the wiz bang suspension.
Right from the beginning of this year we knew it was going to be a tough season. In 2008 the series debuted with 5 Excels, which was a great start to a new QLD series, particularly in state which has been somewhat more reluctant to take up FWD's than our southern counterparts. Moving into 2009, we knew we were going to loose 3 cars straight up.
- Luke Page decided to step up and build his car to F16 spec for the ARC, albeit at a loss to the local series, it was a great result for the Excels nationwide! :clap:
- Kelvin Taylor misses doing it sidways, and is looking back in the RWD domain! :potstir:
- I personally had to sell the car due to financial contraints... :(
So we started the year with 2 previous competitors, and the additional of Hyundai's Mick Gillet, and Central QLD's Al Reinikka made for a 4 car assault at Rally QLD! Later in the year the series was fortunate enough to welcome seasoned rally competitor Rob Dixon to it's ranks, and Rob is hanging around for a tackle at the 2010 series! As one door opens, another closes, and as Rob entered the season, start-up competitor Justin Sinclair upgraded his hardware to a 3 diff'd farting machine (2 door! ;)), and the series wishes him the best with that! Justin also competed in the National Excel Round in Bega earlier in the year.
Gallangowan was to be a cracker of an event, with 3 new cars to be entered, but unfortunately all 3 had to pull out close to the event. These 3 are definites for next year, but more on that later!
All in all, a fairly frustrating series with lack of entries, but given the overall lackluster nature of rallying at the moment, not a bad result all things considered. Again, congratulation to Ed and Joseph!
The low down on 2010!
Series Structure and Sponsorship
In 2010 the series is moving away from having a central chairperson (myself), and moving to a more open format. We've got an independent chair (Gideon Street) who right from the inception of the Excels in QLD, has shown interest in the series. Gideon is also involved with QLD's other FWD series, the Pocket Rocket Series, and recent rule changes to that series, has allowed a greater number of Excels to cross over to that sister series, which is a positive for both!
My stepping down from the series chairperson is a result of consultation between competitors that agreed my filling 3 roles (chairperson, competitor, sponsor) could be viewed as a conflict of interest from people outside the series. To the best of my knowledge, no current or former competitor ever had such an issue.
The little secretarial work that is required, is continuing to be handled by 2010 Excel Series debutant, and current secretary, Dirk van Holst Pellekaan. Ed Williams has picked up points scorer for 2010, relieving current series scorer Anthony Tanzer.
All competitors will be encouraged to attend meeting, and put their thoughts and ideas forward. With an independent chair, all votes on issues will be directly derived from competitors involved with the series.
GSL RallySport will continue to the series trophies, but as I'll discuss later, will no longer be the naming rights sponsor to the series.
2010 Calendar of Events and scoring
2010 will see the series tackle 6 rounds, with competitors to nominate 5 rounds along the way. Pending discussions with the relevant clubs, the draft calendar will include:
- 2 Pace noted / 4 blind rallies
- 2 Central QLD rallies / 4 SE QLD rallies
- 2 Club rallies / 4 QRC Rounds
Weeks between draft rounds is 6, 8, 8, 3, 8 giving plenty of time for competitors to 'back up' for the next round.
The points system has also been tweaked for 2010, with all series competitors starting a rally receiving 5 points, whilst points for places will be awarded 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for the top 10 respectively.
Name change, branding and the series logo
Mid way through this year I proposed an idea for the QLD series to adopt a new promotional name, 'Hyundai Max Attack Challenge', and have a suitable logo produced to assist in promotion and branding of the series. In speaking to the general motoring and motorsport public on a regular basis through work activities, it became clear that to anybody not involved directly with rallying, and already aware of the Excel's credentials as a gravel car, the idea of racing an Excel doesn't invoke alot of excitement. Hopefully with the name change, and some future promotion of the series, it's ability to attract new competitors, particularly those of Gen Y, will increase. I put this idea forward at our recent AGM, and glad that the notion was approved.
The chosen logo, of which GSL RallySport sponsored development of ($200):
http://www.gslrallysport.com/excel/Logo/9.jpg
It was chosen for it's simplicity, easy of branding with only 2 colors (such as embroidery), and obvious relation to motorsport. Prior to the start of next year I'll be producing a media kit to send to all clubs explaining these changes, and how best to promote the series for the benefit of both parties. There will be no naming rights sponsor, instead using the series name on all promotional items such as windscreen banners as to best promote the series. Series sponsors may however require smaller promotional items to be affixed to the competitive cars.
All other aspects of the series, including use of the national regulations and participation in national activities will remain unchanged. It's simply a re-branding of the existing great series.
Competitors
2010 is shaping up to be the biggest year with 7 competitors on the cards to start next year that we know of! Rob, Al and Ed are all carrying over as far as I'm aware. I will be returning in a two car team with the ex-factory Vic Hyundai car, and will be joined by team mate, and rally debutant Cassie Stanford in another Victorian sourced car. Cassie's dad Peter has long been involved with QLD rallying, and looks to be taking up the critical role of navigator.
Current QLD Charade competitors Dirk and Jason van Alphabet were unlucky to not loose their Excel virginity at the last round this year, but unfortunately government red tape got in the way! The latest competitor to come on board is a junior and the son of a current QLD competitor, and also look to have their car ready for 2010. I've also heard of a couple of other potential competitors, but time will tell if and when we welcome them to our ranks!
That's basically it from me. Any questions at all feel free to email me greg at gslrallysport dot com, or phone 1300 884 836. On a personal note I'm looking forward to returning to the series next year, and would like to thanks everyone that has made it what it is so far, and what it will be in the future!
Best regards,
Greg Latham
Out going QLD Excel Series Chairperson