interesting Reading: Motorsport News talks with ARC

[fro]

http://ggg.com.au/clients/cams/20090.../ARC_MNews.pdf

As I say, interesting reading. I'm not sure that I agree that there's been enough movement to looking after all competitors (forest access and rally rego spring immediately to mind), but interesting nonetheless.

[Ric Cary]

Originally Posted by fro

http://ggg.com.au/clients/cams/20090.../ARC_MNews.pdf

As I say, interesting reading. I'm not sure that I agree that there's been enough movement to looking after all competitors (forest access and rally rego spring immediately to mind), but interesting nonetheless.

Yeah I read that and thought it must be another script written by the Chaser boys

[Factor]

Interesting - but is Ben Rainsford a closet Policy Wonk from PM&C or what!!!

(Don;t take offence Ben - I am a bit of a policy wonk myself)

And having read it a few times I am reminded of the proverb - There is none so blind as those that will not see.

or to put it another way

"The tyranny of a principal in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy." --Montesquieu, 1748

[Mark]

Good find, Fro. It seemed like a bit of a change for the better - to me at least - talking about putting the sport first rather than the sponsorship/TV time, which is what I thought matched a bit of an undercurrent on this forum? It was a more interesting - as we're all using that word - article for what Alan Heaphy and Sue Evans were saying in my opinion.

Mark

[Spac]

So... my take on it is:

SE gets it.
AH gets it, from his particular point of view.
GF knows the words, but doesn't really understand what they mean.
CT knows what he's meant to say and knows what he wants to say, but they're too different to each other, so he keeps his mouth shut.
BR has NFI.

And my apologies for the cynicism. I'm Gen X, its part of the job description.

[Mathew Boorman]

Originally Posted by Spac

SE gets it.
AH gets it, from his particular point of view.
GF knows the words, but doesn't really understand what they mean.
CT knows what he's meant to say and knows what he wants to say, but they're too different to each other, so he keeps his mouth shut.
BR has NFI.

Sounds close. In GF case, that is fine. That means he has been listening. As long as the policy/message/goal is right his minionsstaff can do the right things.

Control tyres will fix everything

So sounds like BMSC has the opportunity to run ROC 'right'. Not exactly sure what right is though. No heats. Night stages. MUCH Less weekday stuff. ONE event, not two.

[Mike Cherry]

On the surface, it would appear that the "needs" of the ARC are being addressed.
I don't really care what the outcome is in that arena.
What concerns me is that club level of the sport is again being given lip service, most of the changes that GF espoused are not related to rallying.
There are two huge issues (in NSW at least) that require immediate and concerted attention, from that interview, you have to say that none of those responsible for attenting to such matters are across these issues.

[Rallyray]

Yet again we are talking about how to make the ARC better rather than how to improve grass roots motorsport...

Why don't they care about improving grass roots motorsport? BECAUSE THERE IS NO MONEY IN IT FOR THEM.

THEY WOULD RATHER STAY IN A FLASHY HOTEL IN MONACO AND MEET THE FIA PRESIDENT.

I thought it was time to change my signature but I'll leave it because it still applies.

[gslrallysport]

Originally Posted by Rallyray

Yet again we are talking about how to make the ARC better rather than how to improve grass roots motorsport...

Why don't they care about improving grass roots motorsport? BECAUSE THERE IS NO MONEY IN IT FOR THEM.

THEY WOULD RATHER STAY IN A FLASHY HOTEL IN MONACO AND MEET THE FIA PRESIDENT.

I thought it was time to change my signature but I'll leave it because it still applies.

I think that view is pretty short sighted. People get into go karting because they want to get into V8 Supercars. People don't stumble into V8's cause they liked Go karting.

Grass roots motorsport can run itself, it doesn't need CAMS, that's why we have clubs and volunteers, but if you want more people involved in the sport, they first need to know it exists*, and for that you need to promote it the top level, and get that in order. Joe public isn't going to jump into grass roots if there isn't a professionally run, sound level top level. It's absolutely no different to the rise of Australian club soccer after our recent world cup successes. Rallying is no different to any other sport, and kids get into Aus-kick because they see their AFL hero's on TV.

* People don't know rallying exists! Fact of life. I've been doing a fair bit of promoting of the QLD Excel series on various forums recently, and the number of people that have said, "Fantastic idea, why doesn't Vic or NSW have that?!" is getting ridiculous...

[macksrallye]

I agree with greg 100%.

Rallying suffered quite badly in WA when we lost Rally Australia, because alot of the officials that got out there and did road closures for rally oz would do one or two state championship events per year. When the WA government decided they didn't want a 60% profit all of these people just thought "well thats the end of rallying in WA" now 3 years later we are only just starting to see some* of these people coming back and supporting the state championship. We do need the ARC to ensure the future of rallying** in australia, without people know that it exists we lose future competitors, officials, venues etc.

*when i say some i mean maybe a handful.
**future meaning more then the next 5 or 10 years.

[bob moore]

You've made a good point.

However I think all the NSW competitors who have been waiting months(years) for a decent rally rego scheme would probably dispute this:

Originally Posted by gslrallysport

Grass roots motorsport can run itself, it doesn't need CAMS...

[Dweller]

Cams have provided the infostructure for clubs to attend to the grass roots sport, I am pleased and proud of the CNCSCC for the level of interest that the committee of that club give to that area, yes there could be some changes to make it easier for the events to happen, but and I may well be wrong here,if changes are required don't the affilliated clubs have to make applications to Cams for changes? Again I could be wrong, but when was the last time the Clubs got together and sent requests for the changes that are required?
Our governing body doesn't, nor should it, pay much attention to what individuals say, nor should it pay much attention to what goes on here.

[MATNESmotorsports]

we've got all the right ingredients; it now about making the cake

i though they where making the Australian Rally Championships

shame they didn't have some grass roots input

MATT

[Ric Cary]

Originally Posted by gslrallysport

Grass roots motorsport can run itself, it doesn't need CAMS,

Yep, Isn't it great that there are now alternatives, so not only don't we need CAMS we can step well back so when the shyt hits the fan it doesn't splash us

Originally Posted by gls

if you want more people involved in the sport, they first need to know it exists*, and for that you need to promote it the top level, and get that in order. Joe public isn't going to jump into grass roots if there isn't a professionally run, sound level top level. It's absolutely no different to the rise of Australian club soccer after our recent world cup successes. Rallying is no different to any other sport, and kids get into Aus-kick because they see their AFL hero's on TV.

The sport is heavily promoted at the top level WRC after every event there is a fabulous tv program on SBS and Fox with many 1000's of interested parties watching it, some who I have no doubt would love to get involved locally if they new how or where ....... surely you have seen all the adds and pointers to local ARC competition in that show @ less than $300 per 30sec add nationally......... gee thats a concept and the kind people at both organisations will even give you cheaper spots if you only want it state by state. Gee then in the ARC show you could do the same thing down to state level.... Oooops nah it would never work !!!!

[Rallyray]

Fair Point. I agree in part with what you say. There should be promotion of our sport at the higher level.

Look at it my way though...

Joe Bloggs goes and officials/spectates with his mates at an ARC event after seeing all the promotion and glitz and glamour. Joe might even be lucky to be taken for a spin with a leading crew and falls in love with the sport.

Now, Joe and his mate decides that he wants to try this rallying business and they decide to get into the sport.

But first he has to jump through the hoops of CAMS processes and fee's etc. Then every year another rule is introduced that increases the cost to Joe and his mate. Soon he starts to loose interest in the sport because of the cost and the constant hoop jumping.

Since I started Rallying not much has been done that has made it easier to go rallying at a grass roots level. Can you think of any examples? I'm happy to stand corrected.

You have a National sporting body who looks after the WHOLE of rallying but spend 90% of the time looking after the top 5% of the sport. It does not make sense.

You think Simon Evans, Ed Ordynski, Neal Bates, Cody Crocker went straight into the ARC? Might have spent a fair chunk of time in the grass roots level?