COMPANY REporT & 2009 GroUP FInancIAL STATEMENTS 2010 The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association Limited MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION COMPANY REPORT 2010 Chief Executive’s Message Welcome to the Motor Sports Association’s The MSA has consistently invested in the training of IRC Rally of Scotland was widely praised as one of Company Report for 2010. its volunteer workforce and the quality of these the best events of the year. programmes has recently been recognised by the This publication is designed to provide a summary of In terms of the sport itself, we are in the midst of FIA Institute which has appointed the MSA as one of the continuing development of the governing body reviews in both karting and stage rallying, both of only two gold status ‘Regional Training Providers’. and its activities over the past twelve months. As you which should be concluded in 2011. We need to Alongside CAMS in Australia, the MSA is now tasked will see, there is much more to the modern MSA than make our sport more accessible, easier to with helping other ASNs around the world to learn simply a new logo, but even with all these pages at understand, reduce the barriers to entry and, where from our experience in their drive to raise standards. our disposal it is difficult to do justice to what has possible, the cost of participating – these reviews will been achieved this year. Under the direction of MSA Performance Director guide our thinking in terms of the future direction. Robert Reid, the MSA Academy goes from strength Economically, we know that times are difficult right I am immensely grateful to my team at Motor Sports to strength and has been significantly assisted in its across the country and unsurprisingly we have seen House for their continued enthusiasm and hard work ambitions by the generous long-term support of the a small dip in licence numbers and event entries for that keeps the administration, regulation and Racing Steps Foundation. The creation of the the second consecutive year. The downturn may development of motor sport moving forward. For a Performance Master Classes has taken an well last another couple of years, but the MSA relatively small team, I am proud of what we are able introductory level of sports science training to remains committed to investing in the development to achieve. I would also like to register our thanks to hundreds of young drivers in national of the sport during this period so that we can be in the thousands of volunteers and officials involved in championships, while the government-funded the best possible position to reap the rewards when the sport, whose dedication makes all of the Advanced Apprenticeship in motor sport is the situation improves. successes in this report possible. progressing well under the specialist team at The MSA’s development activity focuses on three Loughborough College. The national squad, now Of course, there is no room for complacency and we key areas: attracting more people into the sport; branded as Team UK, has established itself as the will continue to strive for improvements in all of our investing in the sport and its infrastructure; and pinnacle of the structure in its first full year and the services, but we are proud of the great esteem in identifying and training the most promising young inaugural members have benefited hugely from the which the MSA is held around the world for its talent. scheme. professionalism and expertise, which reflects on the whole of British motor sport. The Go Motorsport campaign continues to spread The change of government earlier this year the motor sport message and bring new recruits to presented an opportunity to open a fresh dialogue Despite the large amount of work going on, we are the sport, whether as participants, spectators or with the new administration on a number of topics. mindful as a governing body that many are still volunteers, and this process is now spearheaded by The campaign to bring closed road motor sport back unaware of much that we are doing. We constantly ten Regional Development Officers around the to mainland Britain is progressing well and is starting strive to communicate better with our licence country. Let’s Go Karting – offering youngsters a first to gather momentum within Westminster. There is holders, officials and volunteers and to spread our taste of karting for just £5 – has now delivered more still a long way to go, but we have been delighted key messages to other organisations and influential than 11,500 experiences, while the British Schools with the strong demonstrations of support from people. Karting Championship aims to establish motor sport across the motor sport community. I hope that the information contained in the following as a genuine school sporting activity. The country’s showpiece events once again pages will enable a fuller understanding of the delivered handsomely in 2010. Silverstone provided on-going work of the Motor Sports Association. If you a fitting celebration for the new contract that secures have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the long-term future of the British Grand Prix, Wales me at Motor Sports House. Rally GB was able to take the spectacular action to a wider audience in north and central Wales while the Colin Hilton Chief Executive “ THE MSA RemaINS COMMITTED TO Motor Sports Association INVESTING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORT.” 01 MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION COMPANY REPORT 2010 Chairman’s Message I am delighted to report that the past 12 months have As an example, when our Regional Development WE ARE CREATING been another extremely positive period for both British Officers visit school classrooms to introduce motor “ motor sport and the MSA. sport, we do not expect that the young people will a GOVERNING instantly become competition licence holders. But we The British Grand Prix secured its future at Silverstone BODY FOR THE do believe that by exposing them to motor sport at an for at least the next 17 years, while British drivers have early age, we can encourage them to consider an 21ST CENTURY. been securing championship glory around the world. ” alternative to the ubiquitous football fanaticism. Yes, it No fewer than eight of the 12 Formula One teams now is a slow burn, but we believe it is one that will yield have operations in this country and a number of British continuing dividends in the long-term, well after the drivers are banging on the doors of stardom in conclusion of my tenure as MSA Chairman. Formula One, the World Rally Championship and other leading international series. We are delighted to see that the Go Motorsport bandwagon is starting to gather momentum. British motor sport is enjoying a rich period of success Individuals, clubs, venues and championships are and it is the duty of the MSA, as the governing body, to getting behind the campaign that aims to open the capitalise on the opportunities that this presents, to door for new recruits, take them by the hand and lead develop the sport and safeguard its future prosperity. them into a lifetime of motor sport enjoyment. As a Prosperity may not be a word that is heard much at the sport, we should ensure a more ‘joined-up’ approach, moment as everyone, not just within our sport, feels so that we do not waste our efforts encouraging them the pinch. But we promised last year that the MSA to join us on the one hand, whilst making it difficult for would continue to invest in the future of the sport and them to do so on the other. As Chairman, I will we remain true to our word. endeavour to resolve this kind of conflict wherever possible. It is testament to the excellent management and leadership of the company under Colin Hilton that we With the implementation of new strategies and our could afford to re-invest more than a million pounds Whole Sport Development programme, the MSA is into the sport this past year. Without Colin’s steady busier than ever and is winning plaudits for its activity hand and attention to detail, the MSA would not enjoy across the board. The new MSA is unrecognisable the solid platform that enables these kinds of from the governing body that ruled motor sport a investment programmes to be undertaken. I must also decade ago; a new logo, an improved reputation and thank Andrew Coe and his IMS team for continuing to more effective communications all play a part in this create the profits that we are able to reinvest into the regeneration. But we will never lose sight of the vitally sport. important administrative and regulatory role that we provide to the sport and the MSA continues to make The development programmes with which the MSA is great strides in this respect. involved are not short-term projects to deliver a quick return on investment; they represent a long-term Each year I am moved to congratulate all involved with commitment to ensure that the sport will grow and creating an MSA even better than the previous version thrive in the future. and this year is no exception. The speed of change and commitment to excellence in everything that the MSA does means that we are genuinely creating a governing body for the 21st Century. Alan J Gow Chairman Motor Sports Association 02 MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION COMPANY REPORT 2010 COMPANY REPORT 2010 03 MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION COMPANY REPORT 2010 About the MSA STRUCTURE OBJECTIVES THE INDUSTRY The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is recognised The primary function of the MSA has always been to The UK is the world-leader in the motor sport by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile regulate and administer the sport, which it has been industry; eight of the 12 Formula 1 teams are based (FIA) as the sole national governing body for UK able to do more effectively and efficiently in recent in the UK, as are major World Rally Championship motor sport.