NIPA Meeting 04/03/15 –

NIPA Committee Meeting 4^th March 2015 –

A few weeks back I pointed out how long it had been since the price of crates had been raised. Crates were last increased by 25p in 2006 making it £9 Inland and £9 Cross Channel. Not been changed since, and no plans for increase in 2015. That was exactly the decision made at the most recent meeting, both for Inland and Cross Channel. It was thought that with the change in oil/diesel prices plus the fact we will attempt this year to collect with five lorries, saving the cost of one, big savings will be made. The monies raised from the Comeback or Additional races also help with the revenue and no doubt the subject will come back up again in another season, but no change for 2015.

One thing changed which will need addressed immediately is the Committee have suspended to use of the Tauris ETS until the problems with Basket Lists and Arrival Lists are fixed, this was raised at the RPRA Meeting and a report is due back following the March Meeting. The Race Books are almost ready to go for printing, these should be available for the start of the race season.

Permission was granted for a number of lofts to use Doagh & Dist Centre, R Fenton and W Ferguson (applied Horseshoe), and D & J Campbell & Bigger, Grattan Bros and J Burrows (Eastway). Two members will visit sites in Southern Ireland to view possible liberation sites that are required to complete the 2015 race programme J Ramsey and B Durkin. It was agreed that Sennen Cove will be used for the OB Classic on 6^th June, replacing Penzance which is not available on that date. Bude will be replaced by a new site, and new code for distances to be obtained.

Application date has passed for the advertised jobs and interviews are being arranged at present, interview panel will include Chairman Alan Darragh, Secretary Fred Russell, Transport Manager Terry Mulgrew with Ken Wilkinson representing the Committee. Applications include 10 for Driver, 4 for Race Controller and 3 for Convoyer. Long time since there has been a selection like that.

We had some more discussion on the never ending saga of the adoption of the Unikon ETS as the preferred system took on by the NIPA who at the time (2007) became agents in Northern Ireland. Latest twist was a partnership changing to a club not operating Unikon and the need for a Base Unit. I think the drift was since an ETS was not purchased at this club, then no base unit can be supplied. I would have thought at the very least they supply a Universal Lead in these circumstances, to enable race marking on another system. Ballymena & Dist are still not sorted out, Unikon for the past 3 seasons have refused to supply the Club System Activations. Why you might ask, it’s because we refuse to sign the Equipment Registration Form that we would accept the company terms and conditions for service/repairs and administration/support costs which could be anything. The form was returned, filled in but unsigned. So there we are, no form signed and no codes. I have long been of the opinion since NIPA (our organization) are Agents, it should be them who act on member clubs behalf. This situation does not exist for any other system used at our club, three members backed the choice of the NIPA. It’s not all over and done with, we intend to achieve satisfaction. It was not cost effective to join Unikon Club, and they would not supply a free Unives Lead while we had a Club System. They did say one could be purchased for £75, at the time that was the same cost to join the Unikon Club. We were told by the Company Rep at the start no costs would be involved, advertising at the time said No Activation Codes or Hidden Costs for Full Compatibility.

Race Sheets etc –

All clubs will be making arrangements to have clocks, race sheets and vaccination forms returned in preparation for the new racing season. Ballymena & District ETS members should contact James Harris when ready so he can allocate a time and date for return of clocks for ring allocation and updates, T3 Clocks should be returned to the club on Tuesday 17^th March at 8.00pm. The Mid Antrim Combine AGM will be held in Harryville HPS on Wednesday 18^th March at 8.00pm.