THE BURGESS DOCTRINE I

THE BURGESS DOCTRINE I

In 1983, I founded the Finger Lakes Microd Club. At that time I

sighted three goals for starting FL.M.C. These were stated on Page 2

of our proposal for membership. All three times we asked for

admission to the New York State Microd Assoc. (they were also

printed on page 24 of both planbooks we have used over the years).

A fourth “goal” was conceived at the same time F.L.M.C. was born

but it was never written down mainly because it was an attitude (a

way of looking at things). During the past year and a half it has

become painfully clear that this “goal” not only needs to be written

down clearly, but is the most important of the “Five Goals”. This

doctrine we will be discussing. The fifth “goal” was developed over a

period of years starting in 1987. While goal five was not an original

goal of F.L.M.C., the current directors and I feel very strongly that it

be included as an official goal of F.L.M.C. at this time.

Goal I: To bring Microd Racing within reach (money wise) of any family.

Explanation: From the very beginning I wanted a club where money

was not the determining factor of who had a chance to win races. it

was also my opinion that while most families could afford a microd,

many could not afford the expense of being competitive at higher

levels in the metal frame clubs. This is mostly because of the level of

technology involved.

Goal 2: To make cars as even and competitive as possible so that

the driver’s skill wins the race instead of a well built engine or well

designed car.

Explanation: This was a big challenge to develop a system where all

drivers had equal chance to win (even for drivers without a lot of

experience). We know there are better and faster ways to build race

cars - that was never our aim at F.L.M.C. Our objective will always be

to minimize “Daddy racing”. We do not want a lot of things on the cars

that are adjustable. Parents who enjoy tinkering on the car will find

the system we’ve developed very frustrating. This is intentional.

These parents should look to move up to the metal frame clubs in the

area because innovation is one of the main features of these clubs!

Goal 3: To simplify construction of microds and reduce maintenance

of engines so that a person of no special skills can build and maintain

his own car.

Explanation: This has come to mean strict adherence to the Little

Wheels plan book, and club owned stock motors for all classes. Every

member should realize these two principals afford all members the

best opportunity to remain competitive on an on-going basis. Lack of

latitude on interpretation of “car specs” insures all competitors of

uniformity among cars and no advantages to “Rule Stretchers”. A list

of do’s and don’ts on engine care is provided to each family. Among

other things this states only authorized personnel may take a motor

apart.

Goal 4: To teach children to be successful in life (long term). Also to

let each child know he or she can be somebody and that they can

make a difference for others with their lives.

Explanation: Our biggest responsibility at F.L.M.C. is to teach each

child success principles he or she can use and apply in their lives

after they leave F.L.M.C. Many people believe success is winning

races, but this has never been the case and never will be. * “Success

isn’t a matter of being the best. Success is a matter of handling the

worst. It’s being able to deal constructively with life’s

disappointments.” The people who keep focused on achieving their

goals despite disappointments are the real winners in life and always

will be! Children are taught not to measure themselves against

others but against their own personal best records. Children need to

understand that winning is something “special” that happens as a

result of doing their best. Demanding parents that “expect” winning,

take the joy out of the experience of winning. Remember these are

kids and they do not need to deal with adult situations this early in

life.

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* From Robert Schuiler’s book “Life’s Not Fair. But God is Good”

Goal 5: To always be willing to accommodate the Physically &

Mentally Challenged, or people with other special needs.

Explanation: Since the time I was seven years old, I have believed

very strongly that God places each of us here on earth with both a

purpose and a destiny. Whether a person fulfills God’s destiny for

themselves is in large part up to the individual themselves. But make

no mistake; the environment in which a child is raised has a big

effect. At F.L.M.C. our goal is to provide an environment where

children can both be encouraged and loved, not by just their

immediate family, but by their club family as well. The current

directors and I believe the system of racing we have developed

builds the self esteem of all drivers (not just a select few) because no

one dominates from week to week. in the years since 1987 I have

encountered people who have criticized me for allowing handicapped

individuals to race with us stating “They should stay home where

they belong.” The thing these people haven’t taken the time to

understand is, that if you are trying to hide what you are, or what you

have, you live in fear for someone finding out. This is not really living.

Every child needs a place where they can be accepted for who they

are, and be treated as just one of the gang. It is my hope that F.L.M.C.

will always be a place where any person can come and be welcomed

regardless of their special situation.

In Conclusion: Over the years many members have become

discontent and left F.L.M.C. The reason is almost always the same.

F.L.M.C. has refused to change (progress in their eyes) as they

change. This is because our focus is not on technology advancement

or competition, our goal is to not change, to be stable so that

members do not have to spend money making changes, trying to

keep up with advancing technology. My vision for F.L.M.C. has

always been to focus on people rather than on competition.

In my opinion, “it is for this reason more than any other that

makes F.L.M.C. unique among other microd clubs.” It was

never my intention that F.L.M.C. compete (competition wise) with

other clubs around the state. In my view, F.L.M.C. serves a

completely different type of person as compared to our metal frame

counterparts. The Board of Directors and I want everyone to know of

these differences before they join F.L.M.C. We’ll also require that if

you still wish to join our club after reading these goals, you sign a

pledge to support these goals for as long as you are a member of

F.L.M.C.

Sincerely,

A.J. Burgess

F.L.M.C. President

1983-90,1991-present

(I/we)agree: ____________________________________________________________________ to support these goals for as long as we are members of F.L.M.C.

Signed_____________________________________________________________

Date_____________________