Australian motor racers united

All forms of major Australian motorsport are about to have a united future.

Car, motorcycle, kart and drag racing will all be unified for the first time, through the newly-created Australian Motorsport Council.

The AMC will represent more than 335,000 participants, 1000 affiliated clubs, 460 licensed racetracks and 18,000 trained officials across the country.

The four groups responsible for the umbrella group are Motorsport Australia, Motorcycling Australia, Karting Australia and the Australian National Drag Racing Association.

The only notable absentee is speedway racing, but its operation is controlled by a number of category-specific groups.

The new Council is not replacing any of the functions of its member groups, but is instead focussed on presenting a united front for the future development of all forms of motorsport.

It’s the first time there has been a unified body in Australia and its creation comes as a reaction to the 21st century challenges required for advocacy with all levels of government and the various motorsport stakeholders.

Mick Doohan is the first chairman for the Council, with the CEOs of the four individual bodies – Eugene Arocca, Peter Doyle, Kelvin O’Reilly and Brett Stevens – to form the rest of board.

“We’re at a pivotal time for motorsport, on all sorts of fronts. It’s everything from government relations to insurance, safety and future growth,” said Doohan.

“We need to re-set the bar. And set it high.”

The four founding organisations of the AMC have a combined history of almost 260 years and are all not-for-profit and membership-based organisations.

They do everything from setting regulations and issuing licenses to certifying track safety.

The AMC board intends to meet with all state and territory governments early in 2021 to introduce the new body, identify policy priorities and seek support.

Its early objectives cover a broad sweep of topics from creating a united voice for advocacy to growing the participation level of motorsport, improving safety, and pushing the political and social significance of motorsport.

“Often people outside of motorsport, including many levels of government, have a misunderstanding about how and where motorsports fits into the sporting landscape,” said Doohan.

“Outside of the Olympic sports, motorsport has generated more international success for Australia than most other ‘global’ sports.

“It has inspired generations of followers to dream the dream of both national and international competition and to conquer the best that Australia and the world has to offer.

“Motorsport delivers long-term social, sporting, community and economic benefits. The mission of the AMC is to build upon the rich heritage of Australia motorsport, both domestically and internationally.

“In so doing, we must ensure that all Australian motorsport is conducted with the highest standards of safety, integrity and fairness.”