(Each month, Nick Dunlap, the Solo® Events Board (SEB) chair, brings you the latest goings-on, including SEB membership changes, explanations of rules adjustments, and more.)
When it comes to SCCA® Autocross, it’s not difficult to get in touch with someone in a position of authority. From SCCA Staff to the Solo Events Board (SEB) and various Advisory Committees, there are many individuals who can be reached in a number of ways. However, as with many things, there are “more correct” and “less correct” ways to contact individuals, and it all depends on what question you have or the feedback you’re trying to provide.
I tried to cover the common communication methods below (there are undoubtedly more) to give you an idea of what each one is appropriate for.
Remember that the reason for so many communication methods is so we can help you with whatever you need. But a little time spent thinking about who you’re trying to reach and what kind of response you need will go a long way toward getting a correct – and timely – response.
Use the Solo Rules Letter System
It sounds cliché, but it’s true: Submit a letter to soloeventsboard.com. This is where you can send your feedback on current rule change proposals, suggest new rule changes, or get clarifications on existing rules. If you want an official answer, this is your first stop.
Call the SCCA National Office
Yes, there’s a phone number published on the SCCA website. Yes, a real live person will pick up the phone when you call (or you’ll at least be directed to voice mail where someone will respond to your inquiry). However, unless you know specifically who you need to talk to, it may take a moment to find the right person. Also, keep in mind that the SCCA Staff are not the rule makers for Solo competition, nor can they offer binding opinions about what modifications are legal for certain classes. They will likely be able to point you in the correct direction – but remember, even they have to submit letters to soloeventsboard.com for rules changes or suggestions.
Email someone at the SCCA National Office
If you’ve never looked at the “Contact Us” page on SCCA.com, you’re missing out. You can see the SCCA National Staff involved with each area of the organization with links to email them. As with the phone call method, it helps if you know who you need to talk to. If you’re unsure, that brings us to the next communication method: mailing lists.
Email and Mailing Lists
SCCA has a variety of email addresses and mailing lists set up so that people can get a response faster than contacting someone directly. There are generic email addresses for many of the typical National Office responsibilities, such as membership@scca.com for all your membership questions, and rallysolo@scca.com for general inquiries about the autocross program.
Contact information for those on the SEB and Advisory Committees can be found on my.scca.com by clicking the “Board and Committees” link under the “Member Resources” tab – contact info for your Area Director can be found there, too, by clicking the “SCCA Board of Directors” link.
Also, there are mailing lists for certain programs or Advisory Committees and Boards, such as camxsrules@scca.com for questions and feedback on the CAM/XS ruleset.
SCCA on Facebook
Kind of like the mailing lists, Facebook is good for general questions that don’t really have a place otherwise. SCCA has an official group on Facebook, as well as an official Solo page. Ask questions on the group, check the latest news on the page.
Official Post-Event Surveys
Yes, these count as a communication method. Yes, people do read the responses. If you have feedback on a National event you attended, this is the best place for it as it will get to the people who can most effectively address that feedback. If your feedback would apply to all events, feel free to send it to the SEB via the letter system. But if you want someone to know a restaurant that was suggested in the pre-event email is no longer in business or that you had a great time and will definitely be back next year, these official surveys are the best place to make your voice heard.
In Person
SCCA’s Solo community is mighty, but it’s also relatively small. Chances are, you know someone on an Advisory Committee or the SEB or who works for the SCCA National Office – you might even see them regularly at events. While we’re always happy to talk with members at events, keep in mind that we often have responsibilities at those events that will distract us (like driving, or running the event). Also, some of us have a terrible memory, which is why more persistent communication methods like emails work so well.
Yes, there are numerous ways to contact people in positions of authority within the SCCA Solo community, but once you know what your question actually is and what you wish to accomplish by asking it, you’ll likely find there’s one path that’s better than the rest.
Photo by Jon Krolewicz
