QMA Annual Meeting - 2010 - Begins in Las Vegas

-The 2010 QMA Annual Meeting begins on Thursday, February 4 and will continue through Saturday in Las Vegas. The venue this year is the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa located just minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip. http://www.southpointcasino.com/

The National Board is headed up by President, Charlie Cagle. This is Charlie's 4th meeting being at the helm. Vice President, new for this year, is Tom (Ziggy Motors) Zickefoose. Secretary is Cheryl Caldwell, wife of former Region 3 Director, Scott. Tresurer is Stacy Perone. This is Stacy's 2nd year on the Board. Rich Tisone is the Publicity Director and this is his 3rd meeting. Mark Tobey is the new Safety Director. Mark has been at the National Meeting for 4 years as Region 2 Director. Rusty Barnard is the new National Tech Director.

The National Board will hold their meeting on Wednesday as the Regional Directors will also meet. On Thursday both Boards will come together to make decisions for QMA. The meeting will continue through Saturday morning and will close with a Tech Seminar on Saturday.

According to the survey we have just recently closed on QuarterMidgets.com - racers across the country are adamant about the changes they hope come from the new Boards and the 2010 meeting.

First and foremost, the racers and families want controlled costs, especially in this economy. They want an answer to the tire expense that is causing QMA families to pick and choose races instead of racing weekly.

Racers also hope for dual-charters. They want to be able to race at many different venues, under different sanctioning bodies, without the fear of retribution or punishment.

Racers and Families also hope that QMA will amp up their support of local clubs hosting the National events. It was suggested that QMA, should forward the amount of $5,000 to each hosting club at the start of the season so that the club doesn't have the added stress of funds while getting ready for their events. Since Honda gives QMA $3,000 for each National event, and the local club keeps a certain amount of the sign-ins; this would enable the clubs to use these funds to get their facilities ready for their big event.

Racers are begging the National Office to listen to them. They aren't happy with the RCP system. Many Regions have not had their voices heard because somehow their RCP's did not meet the timelines for one reason or another. This has happened in many Regions over the past few years; Region 2, Region 3, Region 4 and Region 12. Members are asking for communication. John Hall, past QMA President, says that when an organization keeps information from their members, it has an adverse reaction. People want to be informed. Power isn't in withholding information! Power is good communication, honesty and respect between the racer and the organization. In order for an organization to survive, there must be mutal respect.

Racers want to know about Engine Platforms. They want to be informed. They have heard rumors of new pieces and parts and engines coming from Japan, China and Thailand. They want to know the EXACT QMA Rules in plenty of time for them to make changes before their racing season begins. It was suggested that the QMA hold their National Meeting in the fall of the previous year so that they know the exact rules by January 1.

RCP's are to be discussed and voted on - Thursday. National Board Members will give their presentations on Thursday. Presentations by Honda and Briggs and Stratton will be on Friday morning.

Racers and Families are looking to the meeting for much needed changes so that they can continue to enjoy this sport that has provided over 50 years of Quarter Midget Racing history.

We wish all of those in attendance, the best of luck making decisions that will govern the organization, for the coming year.
It is with heart felt thanks for your time that you put in and we hope that you can make the necessary changes that the members are asking you to do.