Just to add comment, I got involved in setting up the Northern TKM Club Championship, and to say the MSA is not supportive of attempts to improve the "grass roots" seems really unfair. Yes, there were some hoops to jump through to make sure we had a championship, and there was a bit of leg-work involved in making sure drivers and clubs were genuinely interested. Of course we had to present evidence of this to the MSA, but that's only fair, as they can't have their own sanctioned championships competing with one another without good reason. Once we made sure all the Blue Book requirements were covered, and that all the necessary permit applications were sent in, it really was very much a "rubber stamping" exercise from their point of view.
The MSA and ABKC take a lot of stick on these forums for not doing enough for club competitors, but it's a hell of a lot easier for them if we do a bit for ourselves first. The 4 (ABKC) clubs involved in the Northern TKM Club Champs, Grahame Butterworth (Formula TKM coordinator), and Tal-Ko all did everything they could to make the idea a reality. It probably helped that it was drivers that wanted it to happen, but I felt like I was pushing on open doors all the way through the process of getting the championship organised. The MSA put no obstructions in the way of anything, but of course they do also take a fee for their sanctioning of a one-make championship. Would be the same for "The Max Series" I'm sure.
Getting back to Richy's point about timing of permit applications, if you want to run a championship you need to get organised pretty early. I set the ball rolling back in June/July last year to be sure of having permits in place for a championship this year. I now have huge respect for the club comp secretaries who do at least 5 times as much organisational work every year...
Liam
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