In the beginning we were Nebraska SCCA.
March: The first official meeting was on March 7, 1954 to form the region and plans were laid out. On March 21, 1954 the articles of incorporation and the by-laws were passed.
The Charter Members of the new organization were L. F. Bollinger, Clyd Bourgeois, Maynard Buchanan, Blain Carey, Sandy Downs, Richard Ferguson, Loyal Katskee, Joe Mayer (who served as the first R.E. or Regional Executive) and Jerome Ritter.
April: The articles of incorporation and the charter were filed with the state of Nebraska on April 12, 1954.
May: The first newsletter. "Yes! It's finally here. It's the Nebraska Region, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. News has just come from National Office that we have been officially chartered as the Nebraska Region."
December: "Results of Brickyard Trials ... etc. (long list of names omitted) On Sunday afternoon, November 11, 1956 the NRSCCA staged one of its most successful and best attended events of the year in the clay pit of Yankee Hill Brick Manufacturing Co." (You wonder where this is? With a little research we found these instructions on an old flyer:)
"... follow U.S. Highway 6 (by pass) around to Lincoln to the intersection with West "O" Street. Continue west on "O" for one mile and turn south across the rail road viaduct. Proceed south past Pioneer Park and look for tall chimney to the right of the road. Turn in through the Brick Piles til you find a friendly face."
January: The newsletter officially became the "Exhaust Notes."
"Probably of greatest significance is the announcement of a new Nebraska Region Award, the Woody Dun Memorial trophy. To be presented to the member deemed most valuable to the club throughout the preceding year. This is a perpetual or traveling trophy, gold and white, two feet high and most impressive.
The idea for this recognition came from Roly Styskal and Dave Hollenbaugh. Roly told us he has purchased the trophy, with the intention of donating it to the Region. Everyone who knew Woody will appreciate the thought behind the award, and will understand why such a magnificent trophy should bear the name of this late and great NRSCCA sparkplug. Our deepest and most sincere thanks to Roly and Dave." (The first member to win it was Sandy Downs, in April, 1957.)
(award) Woody Dunn Memorial Trophy
March: "Club Badge -- The decision on a Nebraska Region car badge which has been pending for several years now has finally been brought to a conclusion thanks to Jim Lloyd." ... "The badge will be the same size as the National (SCCA) emblem and will correspond in color with red and black. It is a Brooklands type Racing Steering Wheel with the name Nebraska Region spelled out around the middle. It is a very impressive looking design and should be well accepted by the members."
March: "January SMALL CARS carried an article about the national Volkswagen Club. Their annual Safety Award is presented in the name of Woody Dunn, a Nebraska Region member who lost his life in a truck/car accident here in Nebraska. Our Region trophy honoring Woody is presented to the Region's most valuable member. We're very pleased that a man, many here in our Region knew and loved, leaves his name to such a worthy memorial."
January: The activity points trophy became the Mayer Trophy but there is no explanation in the Exhaust Notes from January 1958 to January 1959 about why the trophy was named after Joe Mayer when he was still in Omaha until August of 1960.
July: NRSCCA held their first Divisional Rally "The Golden Rod Rally" put on by Mike Lemmers and Will Mead. Don Scheidt came in third overall and first Nebraska Region. The Golden Rod Rally is to be scheduled next year as a National Rally.
