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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Apr 2002 : 11:49:58 PM
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ACOTREL RISK MANAGEMENT PTY LTD
7 Latimer Street
BENALLA 3672
7th April 2002
Phone:61-3-57626737
MOTOR RACING TECHNICAL MATTERS
The other evening at an auto club AGM, there was a level of dissatisfaction expressed at the lack of competence of the Confederation of Motor Sport Technical Committee (CAMS), which handles such matters as safety of racing vehicles, and eligibility of vehicles to race in certain classes.
In the world of motorcycle racing a similar situation exists with Motorcycling Australia (MA). For many years eligibilty and safety rule changes have depended on input through affiliated club’s representatives to MA.
This has resulted in a situation where input has been disproportionate, those who cry the loudest have the greatest effect. The rules for historic racing in particular vary considerably from those of existing international organisations such as the International Classic Association, International Historic Organisation, American Historic Motorcycle Racing Association.
When a promotor such as Bob Blythe runs a meeting at Eastern Creek, and the riders move on to Pukehohe (NZ), the machines running against the international riders vary enormously in eligibilty aspects.
Historically both CAMS and MA have been rider’s unions. They now proclaim themselves to be ‘controlling bodies’ for motor sport in Australia. It should be noted however that during the Coroner’s inquest into a death at Albert Park last year, that one of the organisations was not so anxious to identify itself in this way!
I suggest that the proper forum for determining eligibility and safety issues relevant to racing vehicles, should be Standards Australia. This organisation is the primary standardisation body in Australia. Industry codes of practice may be published as Australian Standards after vetting and public comment, and the ‘rules’ for Australian motor sport could easily be handled this way.
It is becoming more and more evident that bodies such as the Victorian Workcover Authority view motor racing circuits as workplaces. I suggest it’s time we took a more professional view of the sport. Australian Standards on motor racing would provide a level of stability in vehicle design, which would encourage class development, and an associated industry manufacturing special parts.
More importantly the input to ‘rules’ development would be democratic!
Best Regards,
Alan Cotterell
Alan Cotterell
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Allan
Site Moderator
National
599 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2002 : 12:41:51 AM
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one should tread with care . if work place auth, who ever, starts to state what is safe for OUR sport , what will happen! max speed 105k's and corning at max 20k's "CRAPP" leave it out of work place control, they will stuff it up for all racers. not only will riders have problems, what about our race tracks! all fencing 50 meter for track, gravel pit all around, medical room attended at all times and that would even mean practice! WHO pays for this? dont we complain about racing costs NOW! give up, just think how lucky we are having a working system that at least we can have a ride. "NO TO WORK COVER" type of control/rules for all motorsport.
Allan Greening |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2002 : 10:39:03 AM
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Workcover have attended the last three Australian Motorcycle GP's at Phillip Island. Since the accident where the corner steward got killed at Albert Park they have become even more involved in circuit safety matters. We don't have the choice as to whether they come or go, they represent the state govt and can go almost anywhere except Commonwealth land. We now have a major insurance problem, and we'll be lucky if our sport survives. I agree with you the safety of our sport should be primarily in the hands of the riders, but we are disregarding the promoter's duty of care.
Safety precautions such as speed limits in races and sand traps all around circuits will never happen. In fact Peter Brock, at a recent court case, was rubbished when he suggested that sand traps should be installed right around circuits. It's actually unsafe to have entry into a sand trap, other than straight ahead.
I suggest we should take a long hard look at the sport and move with the times. Things have changed dramatically from the old days.
Alan Cotterell |
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