News

1 April 2007 Meeting at Commerce Club in Auckland

Meeting opened 2.30pm

Apologies; Stuart Good, Darryn Bell, Garth Williams, Eileen Austin, Pete Weatherly, Simon Bishop, Wayne Lovejoy and Nigel Reid.

Present: John Walker, Jeremy Walker, George Palmer Andre Roland, Joe Kesseler, Peter Vahry, Darin Neeley, Kerry Dornbusch, Neville Mather, Steve Whitton, Tim Fensom and Arron Eades
P Vahry chaired meeting and as acting secretary

Previous minutes; Minutes of 12 Nov 2006 meeting were read. Moved P Vahry, Sec G Palmer

Matters arising, letter to S McConnell about oil tank in cab read to meeting by J Walker.

No postal mail, email tabled from Wayne Lovejoy

Finance, no detailed report from treasurer, $4700 in bank. P Vahry requested approval to pay $50 room hire for meeting and $49 for Digital 8 tapes purchased to film for training video. Approved

General business; J Walker spoke on rules and his involvement in the process as convener of the rules committee.
D Neeley indicated a winch challenge is being planned as the Northland Winch Challenge but without the direct involvement of the Whangarei 4WD Club. There was discussion on the role of 4x4 Challenges. P Vahry advised that 4x4 Challenges was set up to take the role of lead club for challenge events to assist organizers and provide the link to the NZFWDA.
Discussion around the reasons for some clubs lack of enthusiasm for running winch challenges. Still some feeling that the new competition is eroding sponsor support for Trials. Steve Whitton raised some Waikato area feelings about involvement.

There was interest expressed by the Waikato visitors, Steve, Tim and Arron in being involved in organizing a challenge. They posed several questions that they thought the Waikato 4WD Club would want answers to, including what the financial return could be.
There was talk on how a challenge might be run to draw more paying spectators. From a sponsors value angle there is already strong interest from TV in NZ and Oz. A 4 day National Final is suggested.

Funding of 4x4 Challenges was raised by D Neeley and two options were suggested ..a set percentage of event income to go to 4x4 Challenges or a fee from competitors at each event is paid. For further discussion.

T Fensom questioned the vehicle checks being made by a vehicle builder and what plans there were for more scrutineers. P Vahry suggested the adoption of the use of “audit” rather than scrutineer as the idea is to place the responsibility on the vehicle owner for safety compliance with the rules.

P Vahry presented the work done by Mitch O’Brian on the logbook and various forms. A draft logbook had been shown at the Norwest event and comments taken into account in a slightly revised version. The meeting approved the current draft.

An example of the new website look was shown and it will include a forum and downloads of all application forms. Some work is still needed before the site goes live.

P Vahry offered suggestions for membership costs….

The 2007/08 annual subscription for 4x4 Challenges to be $6.00 inc GST with an initial joining fee of $20.00 inc GST. The joining fee is only paid once, unless membership lapses.

To apply for a competition licence costs $10.00 inc GST and a vehicle logbook is $10.00 inc GST. (Vehicle photos to be supplied by vehicle owner to logbook specifications)

For the 2007/08 year the NZFWDA fee is $31.50 inc GST. (4x4 Challenges must add GST as it is GST registered)

For a new competitor/ vehicle owner to join 4x4 Challenges NZ Inc, the first year’s cost would be $77.50 inc GST. For a non-competing existing member a fee of $6.00 inc GST and if not already a NZFWDA member, an additional $31.50 inc GST.

Some felt the member fee should be higher than $6. There was talk about a concession to the 4x4 Challenge founding members. It was agreed the figures would stand. The annual fee needs to be approved at the AGM.

P Vahry proposed the suggestion by Darryn Bell of a written test before a competition licence is issued. It would ensure that competitors had at least once read the rules. It would be an “open book” test with a 75% pass required. Agreed after discussion.

J Walker asked for a system to allow free entry to winch challenge events by 4x4 Challenges NZ officials even if they are not directly assisting. (Observing helps to ensure the rules etc are practical)

A 4x4 Challenges NZ annual meeting date of Sunday 13 May at 2.00pm was agreed.
Commerce Club as venue if available

Meeting closed 4.30pm.

Formal notice of the AGM will follow shortly.