Monthly Meeting November 2025

 

Meeting started at 7:34 pm – 14 members present.

 

Charlie: Sad news…Marion Henderson, a member of Western New York Region died Oct. 28th.  She was a long-time grid worker at WGI and other tracks.  Her husband Phil Henderson is a Starter with SCCA.   The family has asked that donations be made to the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen. Mary Hartman, Earl and Judy Hurlbut attended her calling hours this afternoon in Williamsville, NY.

 

Super Tour dates have been announced for 2026. Starts at Buttonwood, CA. February, 21-22 and ends in Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park Augusts, 29-30. WGI hosts the Super Tour June 19-21st with Finger Lakes as the host Region. Sebring is not on the schedule this year.  Formula F, FV and F600 have been added to Super Tour/Majors races.

 

SMX series will be using Hoosier Tires, see SCCA.com for information.

 

In Road Racing news, the helmets with 2015 rating have been continued for one more year and are good for 2026. In solo the 2010 helmets are good for 2026.

 

FLR BOD will have their meeting in December.  Year End Awards will be discussed, if anyone has someone they would to see honored let anyone on the board know. (Please see the list of awards below the minutes).

 

Elections for BOD:  anyone interested in being a candidate let someone on the board know.

FLR has a small enclosed trailer that was used for our defunct Rallycross program.  It is about 5 feet long.  If anyone is interested in it – contact Bruce Perry or Charlie.

 

Mike Toombs has been elected to the Area 10 Director on the SCCA Board of Directors.

 

Registration opens on December, 21st for the virtual SCCA National Convention, January, 15-21, 2026. The Northeast Divisional Convention will be in Scranton, PA February, 20-22, 2026.

 

It has been decided that the monthly meeting will be continued at Jeremiah’s on the first Tuesday on each month. Members present liked the venue and the food!

 

Membership report: Barbara reported that we have 431 members with 2 new members.

Activities: Year-end banquet: January 25, 2026 at Creative Caters, 2328 Old Browncroft Blvd. Starts at 11am. More information to follow.

 

Rally: Fall series – we had a rally in September with 2 cars, October saw 7 cars entered. November 23rd will be the 3rd one.  Rick Barnes is the rally chair and the rally starts in Middlesex.  See region website for more details.

 

Rally: Winter series – There will be a training rally for novices and anyone else interested on December, 6th.  It will start at Bill Grays (behind Jeremiah’s) in Henrietta with a run down to the Dansville area and end at the Wadsworth Grill.  The Wadswoth Grill is looking forward to have us visit their grill for our rallies. The 1st Winter Rally Series is January 3, 2026. Start is at the Wadsworth Grill. See the region website for more details. Rally Christmas party will be on Dec.12th at Cheap Charlie’s in Bloomfield. Rest of series schedule is on the region’s website.

 

SOLO: The end of year picnic was this past Saturday.  About 30 soloists attended.  Year-end class awards were handed out.  Planning is a ready started for next year.   The trailer is at Jim Perrin’s for some interior work. The group is thinking about having their own monthly meetings.

 

Race: With the short notice of Pitt Race closing made for some tough scheduling for Steel Cities Region to secure race sites and dates. The Cumberland Majors will be held at Nelson Ledges May 30-31, 2026.  This is the same weekend as the Glen Region’s divisional race weekend at WGI. The Glen Region will be holding a Time Trials event also on that weekend.

 

Time Trials National Finals: originally scheduled for Pitt Race will now be held in Texas in October.

 

Fun One: S2000 and the Challenge Cup would like to have their own groups for this event. That would make it 8 groups.  There was some discussion about having the Time Trials as well.  It was decided to see if there was any interest is after the Glen Region’s event.

8:05 Motion to end meeting – Andrew 2nd it.

 

Marsha Toombs

Assistant Secretary

 

FINGER LAKES REGION YEAR END AWARDS

(The following are awarded at the year-end banquet if, and only if, there is a suitable recipient.  All awards are subject to final approval by the Regional Board of Directors.  The Assistant Regional Executive has the responsibility of coordinating the awards.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUITON TO THE REGION - (George B. Merwin Trophy)

Awarded to the member who has contributed the most to the Region during the past year.  All areas of the Club activities are taken into account—racing, rallying, concours, publicity, community services, etc.  Participation is considered as well as working. The recipient should represent the best the Region has to offer the sport. This is the Region’s highest honor.  (Selected by the board of Directors; “rotating” and “keeper” trophies)

SPORTSMANSHIP – (Alix Lafontant Trophy)

Awarded to the member who has most consistently exhibited the attributes of sportsmanship throughout the year and whose participation in SCCA events has been a credit to the Region.  The term Sportsmanship implies that the award go to a true “sportsman”—one who competes in a race or rally competition seriously and who consistently places the ideals of sportsmanship above his own personal gain.  (Selected by the Board of Directors – “rotating” and “keeper” trophies)

TOP END AWARD – (Finger Lakes Trophy)

Awarded to a Regional member who has made an outstanding contribution to motorsports in general.  (Selected by the TOP END Editor and Staff; “keeper” trophy)

MECHANIC OF THE YEAR AWARD – (AAMCO Transmission Trophy)

Awarded each year to a member in good standing of SCCA who has worked without financial gain as a primary motive.  Success of the supported team should be strongly considered.  The winner should normally come from Road Racing, but mechanics who work on Solo or Rally teams are not excluded.  The winner shall be a credit to the sport.  There shall be no repeat winners.  Nominations should be made by the Rally, Solo and Competition Boards and the Road Racing Drivers Club with final selection being made by the Board of Directors. (Selected by the Board of Directors – “rotating” and “keeper” trophies)

OUTSTANDING WORKER AWARD – (Gene Dinkel Trophy)

Awarded to the Finger Lakes Region member who has devoted a notable amount of his or her time as a worker at motorsports events sponsored or sanctioned by the Finger Lakes Region.  The accumulated working points recorded in the Region’s High Points for that year will be considered.  Primary consideration will be given to individuals who have worked in general worker categories, not as chiefs of specialties or as chairpersons of events.  The individual must have worked in at least two different motorsports areas at least once, worked on at least one public service activity if the Region has conducted such, and been a true credit to the Region.  (Selected by the Board of Directors; “rotating” and “keeper” trophy)

RACE

DRIVER OF THE YEAR – (John and Emily Castle Trophy)

Awarded to the Finger Lakes Region driver who has compiled the most outstanding record in SCCA race participation.  Caliber of races attended and competition in class are considered as well as record of success.  Recipient shall have been a credit to the Region at the race course.  (Selected by the Competition Board; “rotating” and “keeper” trophies)

MOST IMPROVED DRIVER

Awarded to the Finger Lakes Region driver who has shown the greatest improvement during the season.  Usually not awarded to a beginning driver who shows great promise, but to a license holder whose improvement over the previous season has resulted in a greatly improved competition record.  He shall have been a credit to the Region on the race course.  (Selected by the Competition Board;  “keeper” trophy)

 

BEST NEW DRIVER – (David H. Martin Memorial Trophy)

Awarded to the Finger Lakes Region driver who shows the greatest degree of promise during his first full season of competition.  He shall also have been a credit to the Region at the race course. (Selected by the Competition Board – “keeper” trophy)

RALLY

OUTSTANDING RALLYIST - DRIVER – (Finger Lakes Trophy)

Awarded to the rally driver, navigator or rally team who has compiled the most outstanding record in rally competition.  All types of rallies are considered, with greater emphasis being placed on the higher levels of competition.  The recipient shall have been a credit to the Region.  (Selected by the Rally Board; “keeper” trophy) -- Outstanding Rally Driver - Finger Lakes Award

BEST NAVIGATOR – (Dick Bailey Trophy)

Awarded to the navigator compiling the most outstanding record of performance in rally competition.  (Selected by the Rally Board; “rotating” and “keeper” trophy)

BEST HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM – (Ray and Fran Hicks Trophy)

Awarded to the husband and wife team who have compiled the most outstanding record of performance in Finger Lakes Regional rallies. (Selected by the Rally Board;“rotating” and “keeper” trophy) (I will research this for other recipients. – CFD) 

OUTSTANDING RALLY CONTRIBUTOR – John Robinson Outstanding Rally Contribution Award

(Not in Appendix C.  Selected by the Rally Board,  “keeper” trophy) —  Recipients are selected by the Rally board and may be competitors, workers, organizers, or any combination thereof, in the Road Rally and/or Performance Rally program. FLR membership is required.

RALLY WORKER OF THE YEAR

(Not in Appendix C)  — Recipient selected by the rally board from the RoadRally and/or PerformanceRally program. Usually a member of Finger Lakes Region, but in some rare instances may be from outside the membership.

SOLO

SOLO DRIVER OF THE YEAR

Instituted around 1994, and was determined to be awarded to the FLR Solo driver who demonstrated exemplary skill in his / her driving during the season. Consideration is given to a driver’s performance at the divisional and national levels of competition. This award may be given to a driver who wins a National Championship. Some consideration may be given to a driver’s performance and contributions during the season to the FLR Solo program as well.  The winner will represent the Finger Lakes Region with dignity as well as excelling in his / her driving competition. 

 OUTSTANDING SOLO CONTRIBUTOR – (Marv and Eunice Brudno Trophy)

Awarded to a driver who has made an outstanding contribution to the Regional Solo program.  (Selected by the Solo Board; “keeper” trophy)

SOLO OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Initiated around 1999 to recognize a driver for his / her performance as a Solo driver when a particularly noteworthy achievement was made that may not have been provided for in the standard Solo year–end awards.

SOLO IMPROVED DRIVER

Awarded to the driver who has shown the greatest improvement in his / her driving performance over the course of the season.  This driver will also be a credit to the Region.

OUTSTANDING SOLO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – (Finger Lakes Trophy)

Awarded to the Finger Lakes Region driver who shows the greatest degree of promise during his first full season of Solo competition.  He shall also be a credit to the Region. (Selected by the Solo Board; “keeper” trophy)