The Official Newsletter of the Motorsport Emergency and Turnworkers Association

M.E.T.A. c/o: 10952 McAdam Road, Delta, BC, V4C 3E8

Newsletter E-Mail: maydayeditor@meta.bc.ca

META Website: http://www.meta.bc.ca/

February 2018 Volume 43 Issue #2

CLUB EXECUTIVE

PRESIDENT: Mike Bailey 604-716-2660 president@meta.bc.ca

VICE PRESIDENT: Bryan Nuttall 604-464-0983 vicepresident@meta.bc.ca

SECRETARY: Ann Peters 604-581-7189 secretary@meta.bc.ca

TREASURER: Angus Glass 604-596-4736 treasurer@meta.bc.ca

PAST PRESIDENT: Roger Salomon 604-581-7189

pastpresident@meta.bc.ca

NEWSLETTER STAFF EDITOR:

Andrew Clouston 604-942-4974

maydayeditor@meta.bc.ca

MEMBERSHIP Thomas Liesner 604-584-1503 membership@meta.bc.ca All opinions expressed in the Mayday are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Mayday staff, Club Executive, or the members of META. META meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month, except December. Publication deadline is the 30th of each month. Submissions may be e-mailed to the Editor. Produced in Canada.

Next META meeting will be

February 28February 28February 28February 28, 2018, 2018, 2018, 2018 Our meeting location is Boston Pizza

1045 Columbia, New Westminster, BC

Speed Reading Feb 10&11 Thunderbird Rally TSD Rally WCRA Merritt, BC Feb 15 AGM SCCBC Meeting – Burnaby Lake

Rugby Clubhouse 7:30 Burnaby, BC

Feb 17&18 Ice Race # 4 – Barnes Lake WCIRABC Ashcroft, BC Feb 28 META Meeting – Boston Pizza 7:30 New West, BC Mar 11 Grand Prix of St Petersburg Indycar St Petersburg, Fl Mar 14 SCCBC Meeting – Burnaby Lake

Rugby Clubhouse 7:30 Burnaby, BC

Mar 17 12 hours of Sebring IMSA Sebring, Fl Mar 17&18 Karting Race #1 - Greg Moore

Raceway WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Mar 24&25 Driver Training – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC Mar 28 META Meeting – Boston Pizza 7:30 New West, BC

Note that Ice Races are subject to Ice and Weather conditions. Please check the website http://www.carsonice.ca/ before traveling.

TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN META It’s that time of year again!!!

The membership list will be purged of non-renewals

March 31.

Look elsewhere in this issue for the renewal form or you

can renew your membership on-line using PayPal or credit

card at: http://meta.bc.ca/wordpress/forms

Thank you for your support. Also note that all 2018 META members will receive a

free 2019 META membership.

From the President We had a great banquet even if it was a tight fit in the room downstairs. I had the honour of sitting at the same table as Wray Nixon and his guests, one of them (Gerry Geissinger) being a turnworker over 40 years ago. There was some great conversation from them about the old days; some of those stories predated my original involvement in motorsport (1976). Everyone should have received at least 1 door prize, and most received 2; however Ann and Roger no longer have door prizes filling their crawlspace.

Gerry & Jeannie Geissinger (Gerry was a flag marshal), Wray Nixon, and Wray’s friend Steve (another x-

racer).

I suspect we broke even with expenses for the 2017 Banquet, based on the information I’ve received so far, so we are starting 2018 in a good financial position. As most are already aware META received a $6,000 donation from Wray Nixon and a motion was passed to give all 2018 META members free membership renewal for 2019. Beyond that the executive has no plans for the balance of that money, although I am sure it will go for the good of the club and membership. Vic Kennedy has suggested we approach those doing track days and give them information on volunteering at the track since they are already showing an interest in motorsport. Unfortunately we can’t just show up at a track day, as these are all private events, however I will be contacting the SCCBC executive to see if these track renters can be given materials to distribute. There has been one Cars on Ice event, an Ice-X, which was sold out. Many of the participants were new to the sport and my sources tell me a fun time was had by all.

Mike Bailey

2018 President

(Presidents Report Cont’d)

META History

10 years ago (February 2008)

Mike Bailey was the president of META and talked about Ice racing, the banquet, Bowl for Big Brothers, and the upcoming car show in his column. There was a report on talks between the IRL and the Champ Car World Series. See: http://meta.bc.ca/newsletters/2008/mayday_08_feb.pdf.

20 years ago (February 1998)

Marc Rovner was president of Meta and talked about the banquet, casino dates for META fundraising, and a few other things in his column. There was an interesting letter from the late Rodney Cockroft. The following editorial in that issue caught my eye:

How Dedicated Are You

When I first got involved in racing, back in 1978, I thought to myself that these people are insane, standing outside, in all types of weather, and they got paid how much?! They’re nuts! But I knew that I was going to be one of these lunatics well. Twenty years have passed and I am still here; I am just as crazy as anyone else out

there is, and we get paid even less now (NO LUNCHES or BARBEQUE). It’s nice to know that we have a new home with Mission, but it’s equally as sad to say that driving at Westwood is now measured in yards, not laps. Some of the same people are involved in META, and for the large part they are still the ones doing all the work. It seems that a lot of people have the opinion, “What’s in it for me?” What we should be asking is, “What can I give to the club?” We complain when other clubs don’t help us, but at the same time, we as members of META are not willing to help our own club. It’s always, “I don’t want to do it”, and “Someone else will do it”. WELL

WAKE UP GUYS!! If we don’t do it, there may not be that person to do it anymore. We worry about how we can get new workers; in the meantime we are losing some of our long-time workers. Why? Most times it’s due to burnout; too much work being put on the same people over and over again, and to make things worse, when those people leave, we give the work to someone who is already over-worked. We also take for granted that someone will do a job because they have done it in the past, instead of asking him or her if they mind doing the job. We wonder why no one volunteers to take on a position. It might be because if they do they may not be able to get away from that job again. Just ask someone who has done the Mayday. No one else wants to do a job, but we all complain if that job is not done the way that we expect it to be. It’s time that a lot of us paid our dues, and I am not meaning money. Let’s give something back to the sport we all love. It’s time the majority did their part, so that the minority can rest a bit. I, for one, aim to make this club what it once was. FUN!!

Brian Meakings Editors Note A: Hear! Hear!

Editors Note B: I can’t believe this came out of Brian’s mouth.

I think Brian’s editorial still has some merit today. See: http://meta.bc.ca/newsletters/1998/Vol.23_No.2.text.pdf.

40 years ago (February 1978)

Roger Salomon was president of Meta. Jim Sheldon gave a report on Ice Racing, a letter from G. Roland Selby of Selby - Canadian Racing Enterprises to Roger praising the commitment of META workers was published in the Mayday. See: http://meta.bc.ca/newsletters/1978/Vol.3_No.5B.pdf and check out the editorials.

Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society

WRAY NIXON Pioneer - Sports Car and Road Racing - Nominated 2013

By Wray Nixon edited by Tom Johnston In 1954, as a young boy, Wray Nixon lived in Peterborough, Ontario with his grandmother, mother and younger sister. Across street was an automobile dealer; MG, Morris, Humber, Hudson, Nash as well as John Deere farm equipment. The auto dealership became his playground, he hung around to the point of the owner put him to work in the shop as lot boy and janitor, later progressing to lube and oil, tires and mechanic's helper. Enthusiasm for sports cars and events was introduced by being involved at the dealer to the point of participating in solo events and being on the pit crew of a Lotus 9 and other cars at Mosport. Wray assisted with the Shell 4000 rally as mechanic's helper under Frank's Imports who sponsored a few cars campaigning in Ontario and Quebec Wray then went on to running in events on his own such as slaloms, rallies, hill climbs and ice races. Circuit racing at Mosport was out of reach financially but many thought Wray had a special talent. After moving west, his adventures began with a ‘64 Mini Cooper S,1071cc. Finding employment was a test in Vancouver, first employer was Fred Leverington, next was Johnston Motors working in the used car department where he met Wayne Jamieson who introduced him to local solo events and then to the Royal City Sports Car Club (RCSCC) and Westwood. Wray's western life of motor sport began then, as RCSCC was active in all events. Introduction to circuit racing was competing against senior drivers like Mickey McGuire, Hal Blake, Robin Gascoigne and others.

Wray Nixon 1974 The following winter, Wray went north to go ice racing , enhancing his desire to be better. The birth of famous Mini 777: in the winter of 1966, Wray found a broken Mini racing car in Winnipeg, owner, soon to be Canadian driving champion, George Chapman had an ex- Al Pease mini for sale. Leaving Friday after work, highballing to Winnipeg to buy car, back to Vancouver for work Monday am, the car was his. The Mini was a test of his mechanical knowledge and $$$$$.. No money, no sponsor, only a desire to compete. Most of mechanical work was done in his upstairs apartment, installation of the motor in the parking stall under the apartment. First event to compete was a late entry, SCCBC officials said it was not legal, he could run but not be counted, Tommy Hamilton came by to give support. Sedan races at that time were staggered, C sedan, B sedan, then A sedan with a 15 second delay between. he immediately took to the front with a good lead, knowing the big boys will catch him.. John Hall in the Fogg motors Mustang didn't catch him until near the end putting on a quite a show. Jubilant, at the end of the race on the Victory lap, Wray blew the transmission. There was so much crowd appeal that British Leyland through Fred Deeley

donated a new transmission which started a lasting relationship with them. GVM Pioneer Blackie Green was a friend, employer and a guide to Wray’s future, He admired Wray’s style and determination and together they formed an import division of Green's Automotive. In the spring of 1970, Blackie and Wray parted ways, Blackie’s last comment was "You will never make it on your own" This was Blackie's way of getting Wray to accept a challenge. Nixon Automotive began May 1970. On the first day of business there were three cars waiting for opening. Wray’s focus on customer service caused prosperity. By the time he sold out in 2003, he had a customer base of 1500. There were many famous names coming through Wray’s shop. In 1992, Wray volunteered to assist good friends Tony Morris, Frank Allers, and Bari Ihaksi in the Player’s/GM Motorsport series across Canada for a few years. Later, he went on to do the same for Mary Beth Harrison in a Trans Am race at Laguna Seca by assisting son Glenn who was head of the team. Significant achievements were: Victories at CASC runoffs at Westwood 1971, Edmonton 1972, Mosport 1973, Gimli 1974 and Westwood 1978 Many club Championships in Slalom, Hillclimb, Rally, Ice racing. Awarded Mechanic of the Year three times between RCSCC & SCCBC. Wray has also been involved in off road cross country motorcycle enduros as well as serious karting and downhill skiing, anything that goes fast.

Congratulations to the 2017 META Awards Winners

President's Award (META Member of the Year)

******** Andrew SlaterAndrew SlaterAndrew SlaterAndrew Slater ******** Non-META member Worker of the Year

** ** ** ** Wray NixonWray NixonWray NixonWray Nixon ******** Rick Neydli Memorial Award

******** Mark MillerMark MillerMark MillerMark Miller ******** Buzz Beley Memorial Award

** ** ** ** Andrew CloustonAndrew CloustonAndrew CloustonAndrew Clouston********

In recognition of many years of dedicated service to METAIn recognition of many years of dedicated service to METAIn recognition of many years of dedicated service to METAIn recognition of many years of dedicated service to META

** ** ** ** Joe ProudJoe ProudJoe ProudJoe Proud********

From: CACC Website- http://www.caccautosport.org/licenses/

CACC Officials Licence Application can be found here:

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/2018-cacc-officials-licence-application-297605

604-287-3332 Mission, BC

Specializing in Sports and Vintage Cars

Surgery Hours 8:30 to 5:00

Monday to Saturday

Membership C/O Thomas Liesner, 8849 143A Street, Surrey, BC V3V 7P7

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________Province/State __________________Postal Code ____________ Phone No ____________________E-mail Address: _______________________________________

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO META or Renew on-line by PayPal or credit card at

http://meta.bc.ca/wordpress/forms Membership cost is $25 / year – Membership year ends Dec. 31 – Note that the META newsletter is only sent via E-Mail

2018 Race Schedule --- February to June

Date Event –Track Club/Sanction Location Legend

--MRP-- Mission Raceway Park

--ORP-- Oregon Raceway Park

--PIR-- Portland International Raceway

--PR-- Pacific Raceways

--SCR-- Spokane County Raceway

-- TRMP – The Ridge Motorsport Park -----------------------

--CACC-- Confederation of Autosport Car Clubs

--CSCC-- Cascade Sports Car Club

--ICSCC-- International Conference of Sports Car Clubs

--IRDC-- International Race Drivers Club

--NWMS-- Northwest Motor Sports

-- SCCA/NWR -- Sports Car Club of America/North West Region

-- SCCA/OR -- Sports Car Club of America/Oregon Region

--SCCBC-- Sports Car Club Of BC

--SOVREN-- Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts

-- TC -- Team Continental

--VRCBC-- Vintage Racing Club of BC

-- WCRA -- West Coast Rally Association

Feb 3&4 Ice Race # 3 – Barnes Lake WCIRABC Ashcroft, BC

Feb 10&11 Thunderbird Rally TSD Rally WCRA Merritt, BC

Feb 17&18 Ice Race # 4 – Barnes Lake WCIRABC Ashcroft, BC

Mar 11 Grand Prix of St Petersburg Indycar St Petersburg, Fl

Mar 17 12 hours of Sebring IMSA Sebring, Fl

Mar 17&18 Karting Race #1 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Mar 24&25 Driver Training – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Apr 7 Phoenix Grand Prix Indycar Avondale, Az

Apr 7&8 Karting Race #2- Greg Moore Raceway WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Apr 14 Long Beach Grand Prix IMSA Long Beach, Ca

Apr 14&15 Double Regional – PIR SCCA/OR Portland, Or

Apr 15 Long Beach Grand Prix Indycar Long Beach, Ca

Apr 21&22 Lucky Dog Racing 7+7hr – TRMP LDR Shelton, Wa

Apr 21&22 CACC Race #1 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Apr 22 Grand Prix of Alabama – Barber Motorsports Park

Indycar Birmingham, Al

Apr 28&29 Spring Sprints – PR SOVREN Seattle, Wa

Apr 28&29 Karting Race #3 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

May 5&6 ICSCC Race #1 – PIR CSCC Portland, Or

May 5&6 CACC Race #2 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

May 6 Mid-Ohio Grand Prix IMSA Lexington, Oh

May 12 Indianapolis Grand Prix – Roadcourse Indycar Indianapolis, Ind

May 12&13 Karting Race #4 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

May 19&20 ICSCC Race #2 – PR IRDC Seattle, Wa

May 19&20 Knox Mountain Hillclimb KMMS Kelowna, BC

May 19&20 SCCA Majors Super Tour– PIR SCCA/OR Portland, Or

May 26&27 SCCA Majors Tour– PR SCCA/NWR Seattle, Wa

May 27 Indianapolis 500 Indycar Indianapolis, Ind

Jun 2&3 ICSCC Race #3&4 – PIR CSCC Portland, Or

Jun 2 Detroit Grand Prix IMSA Detroit, Mi

Jun 2 Indy Dual in Detroit – Double Race #1 Indycar Detroit, Mi

Jun 2&3 Lucky Dog Racing 7+8hr – PR LDR Seattle, Wa

Jun 2&3 Spokane Festival of Speed–SCR SOVREN Spokane, Wa

Jun 2&3 Karting Race #5&6 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Jun 3 Indy Dual in Detroit – Double Race #2 Indycar Detroit, Mi

Jun 9 Texas Motor Speedway Indycar Fort Worth, Tx

June 9&10 Double Regional – PIR SCCA/OR Portland, Or

Jun 9&10 Driver Training – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Jun 15-17 ICSCC Race #5&6&7 – SCR NWMS Spokane, Wa

Jun 23&24 CACC Race #3 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Jun 23&24 Karting Race #7 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Jun 24 Road America Indycar Elkhart Lake, Wis

2018 Race Schedule --- July to December

Date Event –Track Club/Sanction Location Legend

--MRP-- Mission Raceway Park

--ORP-- Oregon Raceway Park

--PIR-- Portland International Raceway

--PR-- Pacific Raceways

--SCR-- Spokane County Raceway

-- TRMP – The Ridge Motorsport Park -----------------------

--CACC-- Confederation of Autosport Car Clubs

--CSCC-- Cascade Sports Car Club

--ICSCC-- International Conference of Sports Car Clubs

--IRDC-- International Race Drivers Club

--NWMS-- Northwest Motor Sports

-- SCCA/NWR -- Sports Car Club of America/North West Region

-- SCCA/OR -- Sports Car Club of America/Oregon Region

--SCCBC-- Sports Car Club Of BC

--SOVREN-- Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts

-- TC -- Team Continental

--VRCBC-- Vintage Racing Club of BC

-- WCRA -- West Coast Rally Association

Jul 1 Six hours of the Glen IMSA Watkins Glen, NY

Jun29&30 Jul1

Pacific NW Historics – PR SOVREN Seattle, Wa

Jul 7&8 Lucky Dog Racing 7+8hr – PIR LDR Portland, Or

Jul 8 Grand Prix of Mosport IMSA Bowmanville, Ont

Jul 8 Iowa Corn 250 Indycar Newton, Iowa

Jul 13-15 Rose Cup – PIR

Friends of PIR Event

Portland, Or

Jul 14&15 CACC Race #4 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Jul 15 Toronto Indy Indycar Toronto, Ont

Jul 21 Lime Rock Park IMSA Lakeville, Ct

Jul 21&22 ICSCC Race #8 – PR IRDC Seattle, Wa

Jul 21&22 Karting Race #8 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Jul 27-29 Portland Vintage Racing Festival – PIR SVRA Portland, Or

Jul 28&29 24 Hours of LeMons – TRMP Shelton, Wa

Jul 28&29 ICSCC Race #9&10 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Jul 29 Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Indycar Lexington, Ohio

Aug 5 Road America IMSA Elkhart Lake, Wis

Aug 10-12 Triple Regional – PIR SCCA/OR Portland, Or

Aug 18&19 ICSCC Race #11 – PIR CSCC Portland, Or

Aug 18&19 BC Historic Motor Races – MRP VRCBC Mission, BC

Aug 19 Virginia Grand Prix IMSA Alton, Va

Aug 19 Pocono Indycar 400 Indycar Long Pond, Pa

Aug 25&26 Karting Race #9 / Western Championship - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Sep 2 Portland Grand Prix Indycar Portland, Or

Sep 8&9 Columbia River Classic – PIR SOVREN Portland, Or

Sep 8&9 Karting Race #10 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Sep 9 Monterey Grand Prix – Laguna Seca IMSA Monterey, Ca

Sep 15&16 ICSCC Race #12&13 – TRMP IRDC Shelton, Wa

Sep 15&16 Lucky Dog Racing 9+6hr – ORP LDR Grass Valley, Or

Sep 15&16 CACC Race #5 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Sep 16 Grand Prix of Sonoma Indycar Sonoma, Ca

Sep 22&23 Fall Finale – PR SOVREN Seattle, Wa

Sep 28-30 Pacific Forest Stage Rally WCRA Merritt, BC

Sep 29 Cascade Enduro – PIR CSCC Portland, Or

Oct 6&7 Maryhill Loops Hillclimb SOVREN Goldendale, Wa

Oct 6&7 Karting Race #11 - Greg Moore Raceway

WCKC Chilliwack, BC

Oct 13 Petite LeMans IMSA Braselton, Ga

Oct 13&14 CACC Race #6 – MRP SCCBC Mission, BC

Oct 27&28 Lucky Dog Racing 7+7hr – PIR LDR Portland, Or

Dec 7-9 Big White Winter Stage Rally WCRA Kelowna, BC