2nd Floor, Meersig 1, Cnr. Upper Lake Lane & Constantia Boulevard, Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort. P.O. Box 6677, Weltevreden, 1715
e-mail: [email protected] Telephone (011) 675 2220 Fax: (011) 675 2219, National Number: 0861 MSA MSA (0861 672 672)
MOTORSPORT SOUTH AFRICA IS THE ONLY RECOGNISED MOTORSPORT FEDERATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Directors: Adv. G. T. Avvakoumides (Chairman), A. Scholtz (Chief Executive Officer), A. Taylor (Financial), M. du Toit, P du Toit, D. Easom, J. Fourie, G. Hall, M. Rowe, Ms N. Singh, T. Sipuka
Honorary Presidents – Mrs B Schoeman, T Kilburn
REPORT BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR THE MSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO
BE HELD ON 08 SEPTEMBER 2015
This report covers the latter part of 2014 and the year to date in 2015. Although local motorsport has been, and remains, under serious economic pressure, there have nevertheless been many positive developments during this period, with more expected during 2016. The sport does however also face some significant challenges looking forward, which will need to be addressed if local motorsport is to have a vibrant and sustainable future.
POSITIVES
Below are some of the highlights:
MSA introduced QR Code licensing in 2015, whereby competitors are able to have access to their competition licences on their smartphones. This initiative has been well received and has hopefully contributed positively to the intended aim of making life easier for both competitors and race organisers.
Not only did the premiums payable by competitors for personal accident insurance cover not increase for 2015, they actually decreased relative to the premiums paid during 2014. It is not often that anything comes down in price so competitors were sure to have found this a welcome surprise.
MSA, for the first time, covered the full costs of personal accident insurance cover for all of its licensed officials. Without these valuable volunteers there would be no motorsport and MSA’s management team felt that it was only right that they not have to pay to insure themselves while being involved in the sport they love.
A highly successful National Marshal Training Day was held at Kyalami at the beginning of the year, with the aim of both raising the standard of marshalling around the country, and ensuring greater consistency in marshalling amongst the different circuits. My thanks to all involved in putting this event together and I am happy to report that it will again happen on Saturday 16th January 2016.
MSA launched a new website during the year. The new website is aimed at being ‘mobile phone friendly’ as this form of communication becomes increasingly important, especially amongst the younger generation that are the future of the sport we are all so passionate about.
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relating to circuit safety, rather than focusing on only one category of the sport. Sparky Bright is the national coordinator in this regard.
As with circuit safety, the subject of scrutineering also received attention during 2015. Westley Pappas was appointed to the position of national coordinator and the intention is also to raise standards and improve consistency with regard to scrutineering. This is still a work in progress but real gains are expected in 2016.
After a few years of turmoil, Motocross was firmly back on track under MSA’s auspices during 2015. Motocross South Africa (MXSA) has done sterling work with regard to MX at both national and Northern Regions regional level, despite some significant financial challenges, and has hopefully established a firm foundation to build on in 2016.
As consolidation is going to be an important factor for the sustainability of the sport moving forward, MSA undertook an ‘audit’ of all the various championships during 2015, principally from a competitor numbers point of view. There has been significant fragmentation of the sport over the years and the intention is to start reversing this process by working towards fewer, stronger championships. It is however not the intention to render competitors’ equipment obsolete, it being clearly understood that MSA owes each and every competitor ‘a place to race’.
MSA is accredited by the FIA as a Regional Training Provider (RTP) and, at the present time, has sub-contracted its RTP role to Motorsport Training Africa (MTA). MSA, through MTA, has completed RTP-related projects in Uganda, Zimbabwe (two projects), Zambia and Madagascar during the past year, with a project in Namibia about to kick off. In addition, Zambia, Madagascar, Ethiopia and Nigeria have secured grants from the FIA where training will be delivered during the remainder of 2015 and in early 2016. As Rallying is the most widely practiced form of motorsport on the African continent it is to be expected that these projects are mostly Rallying-related. However, MTA does also involve itself in non-Rallying projects, such as the successful hosting on behalf of MSA of the African Selection event for the FIA’s Young Driver Excellence Academy in 2013 and 2014. Where projects are undertaken for foreign federations, the funding for the project is obtained by the foreign federation (ASN), the main source of such funding in each instance being the FIA. MTA, in conjunction with MSA’s Environmental Panel, also undertook a major environmental awareness initiative on behalf of MSA, with funding assistance from the FIA. It should be noted that MTA’s contribution to this project was made without any charge to either MSA or the FIA. All of these MSA initiatives have clearly reinforced South Africa’s position as the leading motorsport country in Africa.
MSA can again apply for FIA funding assistance in 2016 and the management team has decided to apply for funding assistance for refurbishment of karting facilities most in need of such refurbishment, to assist in ensuring the sustainability of such facilities and the vital role they play in developing young motorsport talent. Currently, applications for FIA funding assistance can be made under one of four headings: Safety; ASN Structure and Management; Motor Sport Development; Social Responsibility. There is a cap on the amount of funding that can be applied for (varies between 25 000 and 50 000 Euro depending on the category) and the FIA will only consider part funding a project. In addition, each ASN may only make one application per year. Parties wishing to apply for FIA funding assistance for 2017 projects (assuming that the possibility of funding will still be available) are invited to engage with MSA as soon as possible.
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engagement has seen a number of Spinning clubs affiliating to MSA and bodes well for the future.
MSA’s ‘Kasi2Kasi’ roadshow, with assistance from the National Lottery, introduced motorsport to over 10 000 township high school children during 2014. Some of these children were also selected to attend MSA-sanctioned motorsport events, as well as an administration seminar. Hopefully an application for further funding made to the National Lottery will be successful and allow the ‘Kasi2Kasi’ programme to both continue and expand.
MSA has again been active in the Women in Motorsport area in 2014/5, with various events including fun rides and training schools being held around the country and some female competitors receiving financial assistance, courtesy of funds sourced by MSA through the FIM and Sport & Recreation South Africa (SRSA).
SRSA funding also allowed MSA to assist two transformation riders in the Motorcycle Enduro category, as well as another transformation rider in motorcycle circuit racing.
Funding sourced by MSA from the FIM also allowed a measure of financial assistance to be provided to SA riders who competed in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), as well as in the Junior Motocross World Championship.
During 2015, MSA hosted training seminars in the Gauteng and Border regions for the medical personnel who work at motorsport events. There are many aspects involved with motorsport events that the average medic is not familiar with, hence the need for specialised training. Further training seminars are planned for the KZN, WC & EP regions.
The Dezzi Raceway circuit on Kwazulu Natal’s South Coast came on stream during 2015 and has provided circuit racing the welcome opportunity to return to KZN for the first time in many years. Des Gutzeit is to be applauded for his obvious passion for motorsport and for putting his money where his mouth is when many others had been only talking for years about building a circuit in KZN.
CHALLENGES
More than ever, the sport is under intense financial pressure. There is a severe shortage of sponsorship for competitors, events and championships. National level racing has been particularly badly affected from a competitor perspective due to the high costs of travel and the fact that fewer and fewer competitors can afford to be away from their places of work for extended periods. It is heartening to note that MSA’s overall licence figures are remaining relatively stable but there has been a definite swing away from national racing towards regional and club level competition. National level racing is having to adapt by re-assessing the number of events to make up a championship, limiting practice, etc. All measures to make the sport more affordable need to be actively encouraged.
An increase in completely unsanctioned events is cause for concern. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in the non-circuit motorcycle facet, where it is very easy for competitors and event organisers to ‘opt out’ of sanctioned events. The organisers of such events potentially risk facing jail time if things go wrong and they have not complied with the provisions of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2010. However, the lure of running, and taking part in, ‘uncomplicated’ events (no rules, no licences, no insurance, etc.) is strong. MSA is devoting a great deal of thought to trying to find the right solution to encourage ‘weekend warrior’ type riders to rather take part in MSA events, with the safeguards that this entails.
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In an age of information overload, there is a need for targeted, rather than general, communication. Too much information coming out of MSA sometimes leads competitors and clubs to ignore all of it, with the resultant problems this causes. MSA is currently investigating ways of achieving more targeted communication, to better ensure that its stakeholders only receive information that is important and/or of interest to them. The technology is complicated so there are unfortunately no quick fixes in this regard but rest assured that it is something that MSA is actively working towards.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2016
The introduction of the new GTC formula looks likely to give a much needed boost to local car circuit racing, and provide once again a clear pinnacle to this form of the sport. Congratulations are due to Gary and Mick Formato, as well as Vic Maharaj, for their efforts and perseverance to get this series off the ground.
The major upgrades currently being undertaken to the Kyalami circuit are scheduled to be finished early in the new year and seem set to not only restore the circuit to its former glory but to go far beyond. A successful Kyalami is good for local motorsport and Toby Venter and his team must be warmly congratulated for their commitment to this iconic circuit.
MSA is currently reviewing its approach to the commercial rights aspect of its various championships, with the aim of finding a more structured and fairer system for the future. It is the intention to phase this in during 2016, with the view to having everything properly in place for 2017.
MSA is also reviewing its approach to media accreditation and ‘going back to basics’ for 2016. A new media oversights committee, consisting of respected members of the media appointed by MSA, will be put in place to vet applications for MSA media accreditation and to ensure that the MSA-accredited media conduct themselves in a manner that does not compromise their, or indeed anybody else’s, safety or bring MSA or motorsport in general into disrepute.
Thanks to the initiative of well-known motorsport photographer Eric Buijs, and with support from Nikon South Africa, MSA will be introducing a training and mentorship programme for aspirant motorsport photographers. In an age where everyone with a cell phone is an amateur photographer, there is still a definite need for skilled professional photographers in local motorsport and this programme aims to ensure that this need is catered for well into the future.
MSA recognizes the absolute necessity for growing and nurturing the sport at grass roots level. One such area, which can both grow grass roots motorsport and make public roads safer, is to take drag racing for street cars off the streets and into controlled environments. As this form of motorsport also needs to be made extremely affordable if it is to flourish under MSA’s auspices, a new approach was needed. This new approach is that the car (genuine street-legal cars only), rather than the individual competitor, will be the holder of a competition licence. With the very social nature of street drag racing, this will allow a bunch of friends to all take turns in the same car to compete for individual ‘bragging rights’ but without each of them having to hold an individual competition licence (each will still have to sign an indemnity however). It is hoped that this new approach, aided by the cooperation of the various drag racing venues, will encourage street drag racers all over the country to take their racing off the streets and into safer environments.
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The UK-based Bloodhound project will be undertaking an assault on the world land speed record in SA during 2016. The scale of the project is immense and the project leader, Richard Noble, and the driver (and current world land speed record holder), Andy Green, are two of the most interesting people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. MSA will be involved with the record attempt and I trust that it will be every bit the success that the Bloodhound team has been working towards for many years.
On the local land speed record front, Jaguar Land Rover’s highly successful event overseen by MSA at the beginning of this year, where a number of records were claimed, has provoked a great deal of interest amongst other manufacturers and we should see one or two local record attempts as well during 2016.
THANKS
As always, my thanks to my management team (Jacqui Monteiro and Wayne Riddell), as well as all the rest of the MSA staff, for their unstinting support, hard work and enthusiasm.
My thanks to the members of the MSA Board, newly elected at last year’s AGM, for their willingness to serve MSA as a company, and the sport as a whole.
Last, but certainly not least, my thanks to the countless volunteers involved in the sport, whether it be within MSA’s official structures, race officials, club representatives or event promoters. Without you, motorsport would simply not exist. MSA, the sport in general, and the competitors who get so much enjoyment out of it, all owe you a huge debt of gratitude and appreciation for your contributions towards making the sport happen.
CONCLUSION
Over the past few years, MSA has undergone some fairly dramatic changes. I would like to think that the MSA that has emerged is a more user-friendly organization that is more responsive to the needs of its stakeholders. I hope you agree but there is always room for improvement and we are always open to constructive, solution-driven, criticism. Jacqui, Wayne and I have an open door policy and we are happy to engage with anyone who has the best interests of South African motorsport at heart.
Kind regards,
ADRIAN SCHOLTZ
