Dixie Annual Meeting
Dixie Annual Meeting:
I believe this year’s annual membership meeting may well be the most important meeting in a long, long time. It will define not just where Dixie is going, but even if it will continue to exist.
For those who are unsure, Dixie is truly a nitrous association. I already voted with my billfold in that direction, how about you??
Are we going to allow Turbo cars in? Are we going to allow Blown cars in?
Turbo cars were admitted on a trial basis. Name one that has consistently supported Dixie by making race after race? It’s been years now since we in essence, allowed Erica Ortiz in, so she would have a place to run her car locally. Truth is, turbo cars haven’t really supported Dixie at all. Why even consider them further? You can’t sell races, if you can’t realistically offer a committed car count. And that car count absolutely needs to be reliable. The membership itself has to be able to be “banked on” for races. Can we rely on Turbo cars? No. So let’s get ‘em out of here & forget about them once and for all.
Blown cars? Admit them and you have uttrerly stomped Dixie down the drain. Once that is done, there wouldn’t even be a reason for Dixie to exist! It isn’t as if they don’t already have a place to race, is it? Appears the entire state of Alabama is only for “open fields" these days. For those who somehow think this “water and oil” mix will work for Dixie, they have to completely have their “head up it”. Besides, how many of the blower guys do you think will commit to a Dixie schedule? Show up at every race? Here’s a thought; how about ZERO..
The ONLT thing that can make Dixie unique these days is that it remain a NITROUS association. Give that up and you have nothing unique to market at all - other than being your own worst enemy, by actually driving the market down with outdated Dixie booking fees - which haven’t been raised now in 13-14 years. Booking a Dixie race is an absolute steal these days.
I also believe the $250 new membership fee is counter-productive when it comes to increasing the car counts. Putting the screws to a new member before they can run with you, really can’t help, can it?
Further: When it comes to voting at the meeting; I propose ONLY those who have already paid their dues for 2012 can vote. Simply pay beforehand when you show up at the meeting. If you haven’t paid, your opinion shouldn’t count. Only those who have made an investment in Dixie for the upcoming year, should be heard and their vote counted.
Just my opinion - and yes, I realize opinions are like belly buttons: Everybody Has One.
BTW.. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.
See you at the meeting!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dixie Pro-mod President on
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All very good points that need addressing, there will be more restrictive voting protocals in place this year as in years past we had several people voting that should have had no voice and only caused contention.
I am looking at January 15th for the meeting since that is the MLK weekend but have not heard back from our gracious host to verify if that is a good weekend for them.
See you all soon! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All of you!
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Permalink Reply by brian russell on -
I agree with everything you said except one thing, only members who paid their dues for the 2011 racing season should have a vote.
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Permalink Reply by James Duncan on -
brian russell said:I agree with everything you said except one thing, only members who paid their dues for the 2011 racing season should have a vote.
Brian, I guess I wouldn't be totally adamant about voting per se'. But, isn't the vote for next year? Doesn't it make sense for those who really are going to run with Dixie next year, make the rules?
But let me ask you, why do you believe someone who is not committed and has not joined for next year - should be voting on the rules for next year? Maybe you have a good reason which I never thought of or about?
Someone suggested only allowing the top 8 points earners from the preceding year, can vote. I'd probably go along with that too.
Why? Sadly everyone knows (for the last few years) there are only about 6 members who can be counted on, to make virtually every Dixie race during the season. Maybe those particular members deserve 2 votes each, lol. We have cars who show up at one track and/or others who only show up at another track. They can't be counted on for anything. I'm always happy to see them show up to fill out the show, but Dixie can't really sell races and continue to exist like that. "Whenever I feel like racing - I'll show up" members is not what the association really needs right now. We need to get our act together.
Turbos - it's just another way to achieve forced induction to me. Though I was actually happy to see One man say he was willing to run our schedule. Maybe keep turbos in on a purely trial basis, for 1 more year and see if he makes good on his word?
I don't have the bucks to run the ADRL or NHRA do you? I don't have the bucks to try to make a nitrous car run with the screw blown cars at "open" races either. Do you? Hell, the Sheik can't even do that!
Some of you guys really need to think hard about Dixie. You've already spent way too much money, time and effort not to "support yourself" through Dixie.
Ok, I'm off my Soapbox for now.
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Permalink Reply by brian russell on
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I just don't think it would be right for someone to show up who has never raced with us,pay their dues and have a vote in our future.
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Permalink Reply by James Duncan on
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brian russell said:I just don't think it would be right for someone to show up who has never raced with us,pay their dues and have a vote in our future.
OK, I understand you now. I agree with what you stated, too.
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Permalink Reply by Boo Baxley on -
I don't have a problem with someone new who expresses an interest in joining our group and has a car that meets the current specifications for membership coming to the annual meeting and voting on changes for the upcoming season. Current specifications meaning a nitrous car capable of running the minimum ET stated in the rules. Turbos are voted on each year and as for me I have no problem with them continuing to run with us. If Josh Peel is committed to support our group then I say let him run because we need all the support that we can get.
As for voting, I am for establishing some way to assure that those people voting are the ones that are committed to supporting the group. I don't think folks that are not committed to supporting our organization should have a vote in the rules that govern the group. This could be addressed in a number of ways such as paying dues in order to have a vote, the top 8 points earners from the previous year or people that were members the previous season. Regardless, DPMA is a member directed group and any change in the way voting is handled would need to be addressed at the meeting as the first item on the agenda. I also think that it would be a good idea for each team to have one spokesperson when discussing these issues at the meeting.
I am not for allowing Blowers to run in DPMA. If that's allowed then what's the use of having the assiciation? Also, in order to continue having an association we must have enough people committed to attending races because we have to be able to provide what we're selling.
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Glad to see you guys are using the forum for what it is intended for, discussing the hot topics within the association.
See you all in just a few weeks!
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Permalink Reply by James Duncan on
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Boo Baxley said:I don't have a problem with someone new who expresses an interest in joining our group and has a car that meets the current specifications for membership coming to the annual meeting and voting on changes for the upcoming season. Current specifications meaning a nitrous car capable of running the minimum ET stated in the rules. Turbos are voted on each year and as for me I have no problem with them continuing to run with us. If Josh Peel is committed to support our group then I say let him run because we need all thesupport that we can get.
As for voting, I am for establishing some way to assure that those people voting are the ones that are committed to supporting the group. I don't think folks that are not committed to supporting our organization should have a vote in the rules that govern the group. This could be addressed in a number of ways such as paying dues in order to have a vote, the top 8 points earners from the previous year or people that were members the previous season. Regardless, DPMA is a member directed group and any change in the way voting is handled would need to be addressed at the meeting as the first item on the agenda. I also think that it would be a good idea for each team to have one spokesperson when discussing these issues at the meeting.
I am not for allowing Blowers to run in DPMA. If that's allowed then what's the use of having the assiciation? Also, in order to continue having an association we must have enough people committed to attending races because we have to be able to provide what we're selling.
From talking with other members, below are some some talking points mentioned for discussion at the meeting: (As Boo mentioned, 1st thing on the agenda should be about ground rules for voting itself.)
THEN Discuss:
A) New member dues.
B) Returning member dues.
C) Admit turbos for next season.
D) Admit blown cars for next season.
E) Dixie's race booking fee.
F) Develop framework for a real Dixie marketing plan for 2012 AND beyond.
G) Elect member steering committee.
H) Elect association president.
I) Review rules & race procedures. Here's just one example: The 4.99 minimum rule has been in there for what, 20 years now? Is that real number these days?
J) What else???
I'm just thinking back 15-20 years ago about Dixie annual meetings: They used to even be kinda' exciting! Sometimes there was some real cussin' and discussin'. Strong opinions and even some real arguments about rules - and even some real contests about who was going to be elected president. We haven't really had that for years now. In some ways that may be good, but I believe one reason for the way our meetings used to be back then, was because members Really did give a shit about Dixie.
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"I believe one reason for the way our meetings used to be back then, was because members Really did give a shit about Dixie. "
This is more true than even you realize! Self interest is definitely at an all time high in all facets of our lives, if we all did just a little more for the sake of others the association would definitely be better.
I have several new things ready to "unveil" at the meeting, and am excited about the 2012 and the future of this association.
As usual, my phone is always on and my voicemail is typically empty, if anyone needs to discuss anything I am more than willing to answer phone calls, emails and text messages.
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Permalink Reply by tim wise on -
Would really love to see the DPMA at I-22 Motorsports Park. Been talking to Scottie Tucker the track president for a race in April. We love to see those nitrous cars after dark with those candles lit, it's better then any blower car good luck in 2012
Dixie Pro-mod President said:"I believe one reason for the way our meetings used to be back then, was because members Really did give a shit about Dixie. "
This is more true than even you realize! Self interest is definitely at an all time high in all facets of our lives, if we all did just a little more for the sake of others the association would definitely be better.
I have several new things ready to "unveil" at the meeting, and am excited about the 2012 and the future of this association.
As usual, my phone is always on and my voicemail is typically empty, if anyone needs to discuss anything I am more than willing to answer phone calls, emails and text messages.
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Thanks Tim! I have been in contact with Greg Burgess over there and it's in the works to have at least one Dixie race over there sometime in 2012...
tim wise said:Would really love to see the DPMA at I-22 Motorsports Park. Been talking to Scottie Tucker the track president for a race in April. We love to see those nitrous cars after dark with those candles lit, it's better then any blower car good luck in 2012
Dixie Pro-mod President said:"I believe one reason for the way our meetings used to be back then, was because members Really did give a shit about Dixie. "
This is more true than even you realize! Self interest is definitely at an all time high in all facets of our lives, if we all did just a little more for the sake of others the association would definitely be better.
I have several new things ready to "unveil" at the meeting, and am excited about the 2012 and the future of this association.
As usual, my phone is always on and my voicemail is typically empty, if anyone needs to discuss anything I am more than willing to answer phone calls, emails and text messages.
© 2012 Created by Dixie Pro-mod President.
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