Competitors Conference
22nd April 2017
Twin Turfs Pavilion, 6A Manawaroa Street, Palmerston North
Meeting Opened at 5.30pm
www.nz4x4trials.co.nz
Present: Brent Samson , Brian Howat, Brittany Hobart, Bruce Gilmore, Bruce McGregor, Campbell Huston, Cohin
Thomason, Daniel Howat, David Vanderschantz, Dean Russell, Gary West, Glenn D'Ath, Grant Harrison, Hamish Auret,
Hendrik Hofstee, Ian Templeton, Jason Riini, Jenni Templeton, John Cowper, Kaye Hobart, Kevin Hermansen, Kevin
Morley, Kylie Biggs, Malcolm Mcleavey, Mike Gibbons, Mike Gee Taylor, Nathan Fogden, Nathan Smith, Nicholas
Hamilton, Paul Chapman, Peter Murphy, Phil Conwell, Phil Hobart, Renee Harrison, Rowan Huckstep, Russell Biggs, Scott
Biggs, Silven Schicker, Steven Thomason, Warren Jeffery, Wayne Buckthought, Jenni Samson, Rachel Lobb, Stacey
McGregor and Ron Sturme. Linda and Archie Griffin. William Jeffrey. John Ravenscroft.
Apologies: Phil Cameron, Phil Walton
Minutes from Previous Meeting (25th March 2016) were posted online and circulated prior to the meeting. Agreed that
they did not need to be read out. Moved as a true and correct record by Ron Sturme, seconded Bruce (Rocket)
McGregor. All in favour, none against, carried.
Matters Arising - none
REPORTS
NCO
Another year of trialing almost done and we’ve been treated to some good competition. I think as a sport we need to
take a step back and appreciate the quality of the competitors and trucks we have out there. It’s clear that the passion
for the sport is still strong when you see the high standard of trucks and the condition they are kept in.
Truck numbers are low this season, something the new classes should help improve and I believe there are some more
trucks coming out next season. This is a short-term lull in numbers as we are holding excellent trials. The fun and
camaraderie between competitors at rallies is a good advertisement for our sport.
The rule changes made this season, particularly to the roll cage, were paramount for health & safety in our sport. We
have seen in the most part this season, the 4WD family come together and make the most of a bad situation.
Competitors, both for and against the change, have embraced the need to move forward for the sake of safety and help
one another get back out in there to the sport we love. I’m proud to be part of a committee that worked together and
tackled this diverse issue with a positive outcome and I believe we can put this one behind us as a necessary step
forward for our sport.
Whether you are happy with the way it went, the committee and the safety design team can’t be thanked enough for
their time and effort during this period. Resolving issues like this is very involved, time consuming, at times a thankless
job and taxing on the committee. I am happy to announce that we have not had any injuries so far this season.
To the critics that continued to give the committee grief after the decision was made, I look forward to you stepping up
for a position at this AGM.
The trials this season were well-run. Clubs are doing an extremely good job to bring their own flair to each round, with
the different types of hazards that they’re throwing at the competitors – it mixes it up, and that along with the weather,
meant there’s been a good variety of driving styles which have been able to be showcased through these courses. Host
clubs and their volunteers can’t be thanked enough for stepping up and putting countless hours into producing these
awesome trials.
I’d like to thank the committee for their continued work and support this year and I’d also like to acknowledge the
efforts of the safety design team, who got a bit of a workout this season.
Our trials are run by volunteers who put in a huge amount of their time and effort into assuring the competitions runs,
as smoothly as possible, within the constraints that have been placed upon the sport. This can be a thankless task at
times so a pat on the back for these people from time to time, doesn’t go a miss. As a reminder, none of this can happen
without the land for us to play on so a big cheers to the landowners who allow us to do what we do.
Along with some of the other committee members, I will be stepping down and giving others the opportunity to put
back into the sport. Some of these have been long standing committee members, and have put many years of
dedication to the sport, so I’d like to thank them for their commitment and wish them well with their next endeavors.
Congratulations to the members about to step into these roles at the coming AGM; I’d like to mention I am available if
they require assistance. I have enjoyed my time as NCO and wish the new committee well. Ron Sturme
Stewards – quieter year with a very low number of incidents, none serious.
Scrutineers – thank you for everyone’s efforts in maintaining the high level of trucks presented this season
Treasurers Report – I expect this season to finish with $1,800 loss once final costs and payments received. This was due
to the extra Special General Meeting expenses that was held in August to discuss the roll cage changes.
Secretary
The sport really seems to be growing in popularity with the public with over 2,500 Facebook likes. Sharing events on
Facebook is helping to grow spectator numbers and hopefully helping Host Clubs to cover costs. We just need to convert
some of these spectators into new club members and future competitors. I was relieved to see that we had no serious
injuries this year which weighed heavily on the Executive this year, given the injuries of the last few years. Thank you to
everyone who did their part in making our sport safer this year, we know it wasn’t easy.
We completed our Health & Safety Programme with a new Fire Safety document and introduced a document for Host
Clubs based on the one Egmont Club has been using for some time. We have also made examples of other documents
required to run an event available for all Host Clubs – so we are not reinventing the wheel. Thanks to everyone who
helped with these.
This season has been an interesting one with several changes and the lowest entries in the sport for many years. It
doesn’t seem that long ago we had 99 competitors and were struggling to manage that many! Recently, Stuart and I did
some research and analysis on competitor numbers as to why they have been down. Overall it just seems to be a timing
issue with “LIFE” getting in the way of some rebuilds, roll cage changes or new trucks slowly being built. Great to see
some of these competitors making these last few events. Everyone seems busy at present… even in our club, trip
numbers are down with a number of members not currently active or with trucks stuck in garages. We have also lost a
handful of competitors over recent years to injury or retirement. Then there are the competitors that have found the
hazards too hard or dangerous who have left our sport. The lower numbers in the entry classes reflect this as well –
which is a real shame as I still believe A, E and F are great starter classes where trucks do not need to be expensive and
competitors can learn technique, rather than rely on horsepower to negotiate hazards. But I believe this season has seen
this feedback taken on board and more technical less dangerous hazards being run – which allows these other classes a
chance to complete hazards & less injuries, which I hope will continue next year. After 5 years on the committee and
many changes implemented, I am stepping down this year. Just as we need competitors and clubs to host events, we
also need everyone to take their turn and help run this sport.
Remits
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Extend Truck # 1st – 3rd winners
Change Zone performances to best 2
Change National performances (3 options)
Tidy up First Aid on site till last competitor finishes
Change Safety to reflect H & S documents now in place
Change name of Super Limited Modified Classes – Daniel withdrew
Change letters of Super Limited Modified Classes
Combine Super Limited Modified Classes in rule book
PASS
FAIL
FAIL
PASS
PASS
FAIL
PASS
AGM
22nd April 2017
Twin Turfs Pavilion, 6A Manawaroa Street, Palmerston North
Meeting Opened at 5.00pm
Present: Brent Samson , Brian Howat, Brittany Hobart, Bruce Gilmore, Bruce McGregor, Campbell Huston, Cohin
Thomason, Daniel Howat, David Vanderschantz, Dean Russell, Gary West, Glenn D'Ath, Grant Harrison, Hamish Auret,
Hendrik Hofstee, Ian Templeton, Jason Riini, Jenni Templeton, John Cowper, Kaye Hobart, Kevin Hermansen, Kevin
Morley, Kylie Biggs, Malcolm Mcleavey, Mike Gibbons, Mike Gee Taylor, Nathan Fogden, Nathan Smith, Nicholas
Hamilton, Paul Chapman, Peter Murphy, Phil Conwell, Phil Hobart, Renee Harrison, Rowan Huckstep, Russell Biggs, Scott
Biggs, Silven Schicker, Steven Thomason, Warren Jeffery, Wayne Buckthought, Jenni Samson, Rachel Lobb, Stacey
McGregor and Ron Sturme. Linda and Archie Griffin. William Jeffrey. John Ravenscroft.
Apologies: Phil Cameron, Phil Walton
Minutes from Previous Meeting (25th March 2016) were posted online and circulated prior to the meeting. Agreed that
they did not need to be read out. Moved as a true and correct record by Ron Sturme, seconded Bruce (Rocket)
McGregor. All in favour, none against, carried.
Matters Arising: none
Reports accepted from Competitors Conference: Moved Steve Morley, seconded Brian Howat.
Ratification of Remits voted on from Competitors Conference
Moved that all the remits that passed and failed at the Competitors Conference be ratified.
Moved Peter Murphy, seconded Brian Howat. All in favour, none against, carried.
Election of Officers
Stewards: Bruce (Rocket) McGregor and Ron Sturme declined nominations. Brent (Probie) Samson decided to restand.
Warren Jeffrey nominated and accepted unanimously as 2nd Steward.
Scrutineers: Glenn D’Ath and Wayne Buckthought restanding, accepted unanimously.
Treasurer: Jenni Templeton volunteered, but stood down as Stacey McGregor decided to restand, accepted
unanimously.
National Scorer: John Ravenscroft (SWAN) nominated by John Cowper and seconded by Jenni Templeton. Phil Shailer
nominated by Nathan Smith and seconded by Brent Samson. Vote was 33 for Phil and 8 for John.
Secretary: Brittany Hobart volunteered and was accepted unanimously.
National Competitions Officer: Nathan Smith (Big Red) nominated by Paul Chapman and seconded by Mike Gee. Mark
Pincock (SKID) nominated by Brent Samson and seconded by Phil Conwell. Vote was 31 for Nathan, 10 for SKID.
Design Safety Team: Scott Biggs, Phil Conwell, Brian Howat, Chris Tomalin staying on; Peter Osborne (Pedro) nominated
by Brian Howat and seconded by Glenn D’Ath.
Big thanks to Rocket, Jenny, Rachel and Ron for their years of service on the committee.
Reimbursements and Honorariums –stay as per last year
NCO, Secretary, Treasurer
$900
Scorer, Stewards
$400 per trial
Scrutineers
$125 per trial
nd
Moved by Brian Howat, 2 by Brent Samson. All in favour, none against, carried.
Licence Fees - stay as per last year
Drivers $130, Navigators $ 80 and Emergency (day navigator license) $ 30
Moved by Brian Howat, 2nd by Scott Biggs. All in favour, none against, carried.
Competition Levies - stay as per last year; $20 Moved by Ron Sturme, 2nd by Brian Howat
Entry Fees - stay as per last year
Maximum Entry Fees now $120 and $240 for late entry. Host Clubs can charge less
Moved by Nathan Smith, 2nd by Rachel Lobb. All in favour, none against, carried.
2017/18 Trial dates:
Oct Labour weekend – EBTDC
Dec 9thCounties
Jan 20th Hawkes Bay
Feb 24th Mike Gee Taylor (Northern Zone)
Mar 24th Taranaki
April date TBC Wanganui FINAL
Health & Safety
Rachel advised that the ENCC have now completed the Health & Safety documents with the Fire Safety guidelines and
Host Club document issued this year. Now it is up to the competitors to drive safety changes required for themselves
and by presenting remits based on incidents or near misses, rather than the committee or DST who do not always have a
handle on what is happening. As example, Rachel commented on concerns about side intrusion raised by a previous
competitor, that hasn’t been raised to the ENCC before. Much discussion was had about neck braces, hans devices etc.
with many different views and positons on what should be done. Rachel offered to do a special postal vote for any
urgent changes required if received from competitors by end May. The point was made that by Christmas each year
these things to be thought about so they can be included in the remit process.
The consensus is that everyone needs to be responsible for and seriously look at their own safety in terms of updating
helmets, neck braces etc. and whether they should introduce new measures like Greg & Chris McDell with head nets or
half doors as some other competitors are doing.
General Business
Financial Report: John Cowper queried why the Income Statement distributed doesn’t reflect the full season. ENCC
responded - we have to have a 31st March close off to tie in within the NZFWDA accounts. If requested, Stacey can do a
final overview once the full season accounts are received and paid later in the year.
Why is our alcohol tolerance zero rather than what is allowed on the road? ENCC responded – it is because we run under
Motorsport NZ rules who have zero tolerance. We have also based our stand down period on what they advise.
Discussed issue of getting marshals and how hard it can be. There was a discussion about whether we split the day into
three sessions so less marshals are required, which makes things hard based on our rules and SWAN, especially when we
have more trucks. Rachel said there was also the option of getting competitors to bring someone, which has mixed
success previously.
Meeting closed 6.54pm