Governing Motor Sports in the UK The MSA is a member of the Motor sport takes its message to the party conferences As part of the Motor Sports Association’s commitment to raise the profile of motor sport within Westminster and to further the specific campaign for closed road motor sport, the ISSUE 06: OCTOBER 2010 governing body has recently held Fringe Meetings at each of the three main political party conferences. Under the heading ‘How motor sport can benefit local communities’, the General News forums were designed to demonstrate the significant impact that motor sport has across Judicial the country, not just in terms of jobs and tourism, but also in terms of the roles that venues and events play in the fabric of society. Championships Update backing to the idea of closed roads, saying it would be “great for the country” and Regulations Update bring visitors and pride to parts of the MSA Academy country staging such events. He said the government should “embrace motor sport”, Team UK given the country’s world leading position, and its ability to help provide opportunities Go Motorsport and focus for young people. Profile An excellent article about the Conservative Rt Hon Michael Moore MP (left) joined Colin Hilton in Liverpool The series kicked off in Liverpool where Fringe meeting can be found on the BBC MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton was website here joined by Allan McNish, Silverstone MD www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11480367 Please send us your news. Email: [email protected] Richard Phillips and Secretary of State for In addition to the forums, the MSA was able Scotland, the Rt Hon Michael Moore MP. to hold key briefing meetings with senior As Mr Moore also happens to be the local MPs and Ministers, including Transport MP for the Jim Clark Rally, he was able to Minister Mike Penning, to further the cause speak first hand about the benefits to his for the closed road campaign. constituency of the annual asphalt event. At the Labour conference in Manchester Shadow Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe praised the efforts of the Motor Sports Association for its work in developing 02 the sport and urged local authorities to understand just how much motor sport has to offer to the community. Stuart Turner, former Director of Ford of Europe, underlined the extraordinary level of L-R: Ben Wallace MP; Nigel Mansell OBE; Colin Hilton; Richard Phillips expertise found in this country but warned Reflecting on the past few weeks, Colin that Britain was losing out in relation to Hilton said: “We have had an extremely Europe and other countries by not being successful conference programme. 04 able to close roads. The Fringe meetings were universally This week in Birmingham, Nigel Mansell well received, the message is clear and OBE joined the panel alongside Colin everyone recognises that this is a ‘no- Hilton, Richard Phillips and Conservative brainer’ for the new government. However, MP Ben Wallace. A packed audience of we know that support is one thing; but more than 100 delegates, including MPs getting the amendment to the law is quite and local councillors, heard the former another. There is a still a long way to go, Formula One world champion give his but we are certainly making progress.” 09 Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] 2 General News MSA News - October 2010 Report says closed roads could net £40m A study by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University has concluded that closed-road motor sport events could bring more than £40m into local communities across the UK during the next five years. Commissioned by the MSA, the report draws upon previous studies, Photo: CMWI.NET extensive desk research and long-standing Jimmy Girvan, 1954-2010 experience to arrive at the Two-time Scottish Rally Champion, £40m figure. It concludes Jimmy Girvan, tragically lost his life on that there is compelling the second special stage of last month’s evidence to support the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally in MSA’s proposed legislation Perthshire. The rally was abandoned as amendment that would enable local authorities to suspend the Road Traffic Act a mark of respect. without having to resort to an Act of Parliament. An extremely popular and well- “We are delighted by the findings of the Sheffield Hallam paper,” said MSA Chief respected driver, Jimmy had enjoyed Executive Colin Hilton. “It confirms our belief that this amended legislation could considerable success during a 27-year provide a significant boost not only for the sport, but also for the communities career, claiming Scottish Championships themselves. We will now circulate the research paper among our key Westminster in 1990 and 2008. He continued to be contacts, but would also ask people to send it to their local MP and local authority to a leading figure in Scottish rallying and demonstrate the depth of support behind this campaign.” his loss will be felt throughout the entire To view the report and supporting documents, including a draft letter to MPs, please motor sport community. click here. www.msauk.org/site/cms/newsarticle.asp?chapter=210&nid=1351 The MSA sends its deepest condolences to Jimmy’s wife, family and MSA announces new British Championship extensive network of friends. The MSA and Britcar have finalised an agreement for the creation of the MSA Lydden Hill to kick off British Endurance Championship with effect ERC 2011 from 2011. Lydden Hill Race Circuit has been The new Championship for GT2, GT3 and awarded the prestigious opening slot GT4 cars will feature eight rounds with of the 2011 FIA European Rallycross a minimum three-hour duration and two Championship calendar on 24-25 April. drivers per car. The full Regulations are The Kent circuit was one of 13 yet to be finalised but the organisers have bidding for a place in the ten-event proposed that next year’s annual 24-hour championship and its successful race at Silverstone will be one of the organisation of this year’s British round rounds. was key to the FIA’s decision. James Tucker, Director of Britcar Limited, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have “I’m delighted that we have been concluded this deal with the MSA. To create a new British Title, ‘The Britcar successful and that we will bring this British Endurance Championship’ is without doubt the biggest honour and it is the major European event back to Kent culmination of a great deal of hard work and dedication by a number of people. We again next year,” said Lydden Hill Race cannot wait to start the new season.” Circuit Managing Director Amy Doran. “This year was only the second time Superkart Champ Dredge gets prize G50 test that we have organised the event and Jason Dredge tested a Ginetta G50 at we were ranked third of the ten rounds Silverstone recently as a prize for winning the in the championship, ahead of more MSA British Superkart Championship. Dredge experienced organisers. That’s a real said: “It took me the first session to learn how the boost both for my staff at Lydden Hill car handles, and then in the second session I got and the hundreds of Volunteer Officials into the swing of it. I’d love to step into car racing of Lydden Hill Motorsport Club who if I can raise enough sponsorship.” make an event of this stature happen.” Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: +44 (0)1753 765000 Email: [email protected] MSA News - October 2010 General News 3 Champion Groves announces sabbatical Newly-crowned Nicholson McLaren MSA British Hill Climb Champion Martin Groves has announced that he will not contest the 2011 season, citing family and business reasons. Groves, 45, took a record 100th run- off victory this year, but has now put the Gould that he shares with driving partner Paul Ranson up for sale. “Myself and Paul have been competing together since 2003 and I’d been doing almost every round before that back to 1996,” said Groves. “I need to take a break MSA hosts Chinese delegation from it; I may be back in 2012 but there The MSA’s growing international profile was further emphasised by a 20-strong is a possibility that I’ve done my last delegation of professors and lecturers from Beijing’s Capital Institute of Physical British Championship event.” Education. The group visited Motor Sports House to learn more about the governing body’s Club renewal now open Whole Sport Development Plan and its work to support the education and training of Clubs are advised that they should young people in motor sport through the MSA Academy. renew their registrations for 2011 by 30th Mr Li Lin, Professor Director of Teaching and Research at the School of Physical November 2010. Sciences, was warm in his praise for the quality of presentations delivered during Club secretaries and Treasurers can the visit which was hosted by the MSA’s Allan Dean-Lewis and Greg Symes. visit www.msauk.org and use their club logins to play the £63.00 fee; those Rallying to undergo major review who have forgotten their logins should The MSA has announced a complete review of stage rallying to be undertaken contact Competitions & Clubs Manager within the next six months. Simon Fowler via simon.fowler@msauk. MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton has appointed Steve Stringwell JP, Chairman of org. It is also possible to pay by cheque.