New Zealands Newest Race Track

[Leon]

No politics, purely

"Do you meet FIA track inspection"

FIA licence basically every track in the world, they "own" racing in cars worldwide.

[rolla_fxgt]

See Quinn is bringing out his McLaren MP4-12C for the track opening, and either Baird or Murphy will be taking it for the demo laps.

Hope I can make it down to see that. Would be a sight to see.

[TRD Man]

... they "own" racing in cars worldwide.

You couldn't more wrong. In fact I'd suggest significantly more motorsport occurs worldwide outside the control of the FIA than within it.

[Leon]

feel free to try to explain it otherwise in six words or less if you wish

frankly I could not be $&#$% bothered and this summed up the Australian track licence vs NZ track licence.

[rolla_fxgt]

feel free to try to explain it otherwise in six words or less if you wish

frankly I could not be $&#$% bothered and this summed up the Australian track licence vs NZ track licence.

I think we all understood what you meant. I.e FIA licence most motorsport, including circuits.

I was just interested to know if a NZ track could be FIA assessed by an Aussie FIA track assesor, rather than having to go with a NZ FIA assesor, if there were say personality problems/politics that were getting in the way of it being an objective assesment.
Or is it all assessed by the FIA headquarters on the plans submitted?

[Leon]

Sorry man, I was being grumpy with Bruce not you.

Tracks in NZ are assessed by an FIA appointed track inspector who is a NZ'er (and has been doing the inspections for donkey's years).

I'm not aware that there would be politics, because a track inspection is about measuring distances between track and and trackside obstacle, the type of barrier, the angle of the barrier to the track, height of trackside catch fences etc, to a track licencing template.

[rolla_fxgt]

Sorry man, I was being grumpy with Bruce not you.

Tracks in NZ are assessed by an FIA appointed track inspector who is a NZ'er (and has been doing the inspections for donkey's years).

I'm not aware that there would be politics, because a track inspection is about measuring distances between track and and trackside obstacle, the type of barrier, the angle of the barrier to the track, height of trackside catch fences etc, to a track licencing template.

Sweet thanks for the explanation.

Didn't think there'd be enough demand for a track inspector in NZ given that untill recently there hasn't been a new track in awhile.
But I guess there are still things like street races and the like which I assume have to be recertified each time they are set up.

[Leon]

Sweet thanks for the explanation.

Didn't think there'd be enough demand for a track inspector in NZ given that untill recently there hasn't been a new track in awhile.
But I guess there are still things like street races and the like which I assume have to be recertified each time they are set up.

Oh assuming it's the same guy who does the track inspection stuff as when I was working for MSNZ, it's not his job as in a paid thing he does full time. It was just another of the many hats he was wearing.

At the time I was there, Ian Snellgrove was the inspector. He was the busiest retired guy I've ever seen. He was the frontman for the motorsport scholarship trust, was heavily involved with both TRS and I think the GT3 cup as well. When he wasn't retired, he was the guy who ran the MSNZ office.

All the tracks here get relicenced and reinspected on a fairly regular basis, so it's not just a one time inspection. I can't recall if it's an annual, or every two years inspection ... but something like that.

[TRD Man]

At the end of the day Leon, you alone are responsible for the accuracy of the statements you make.
And when they are as emphatic, and incorrect, as your earlier post they call out to be challenged.

This is a thread about a new track being constructed in New Zealand and you have emphatically stated that, without an FIA Licence, there can be no racing on it. And that is simply not correct.

The FIA, and indeed MSNZ, have jurisdiction only over competitions which they themselves sanction.

In New Zealand, to date, tracks have been commercial operations, usually with significant debt, and have been reliant on attracting as much usage as possible which has meant sidling up to those who run the major meetings - vis a vis: MNZ and an FIA licence.

However for perhaps the first time we are seeing the construction of a facility for which the commercial viability is not hog tied to the establishment and it's travelling circus and whose owners are completely free to determine their own pathway.
And if that involves race meetings without MSNZ & FIA involvement, there is nothing to prevent that occurring.

Indeed, taking account of present happenings in NZ motorsport, it is very easy to imagine a major breakaway from MSNZ controlled racing in the not too distant future.

[Leon]

To this point (within my lifetime and awareness anyway), racing in NZ = MSNZ and FIA.

The future I will leave to the soothsayers and to Dr Who. Possibly those who consult tealeaves also.

[TRD Man]

Well, you're only young yet ...

[Leon]

feeling older by the minute!

[Boost_4_Life]

Hey Bruce, what are the implications of an event not coming under MSNZ control? I'm guessing it opens up organisers to a world of hurt from ACC/Insurance etc when things go wrong? Just curious...

[TRD Man]

It's a very good question but the answer is very simple.

There is already a significant amount of motorsport occurring in NZ outside of MSNZ control, presumably with adequate insurance cover.

In Australia, which let's face it is where most of our insurers are based, there is at least one permit and licence issuing organisation rivalling CAMS (AUS equivalent to MSNZ) for the business of running mainstream motorsport i.e. circuit racing & rallying. The insurance that this organisation carries is supposedly no less comprehensive than CAMS own cover and there has been previous talk of this cover being available to NZ organisations.

There will always be individuals in positions of authority with their own prejudices however, so long as your organisation and procedures are robust and in line with accepted 'best practice', there's no reason why insurers, ACC, or any policing body ought treat you differently based on your affiliation, or otherwise, with MSNZ.

[Boost_4_Life]

Interesting, thanks Bruce. Main reason I ask is in 20 years when i have enough money my goal is to buy some land and set up a private rallysprint/rallycross style track/road. But in 20 years the rules will all have changed and we'll be driving hovercraft anyway I spose... Man starlet bits will be hard to get....

[rolla_fxgt]

From a mountain biking/multisport perspective, its no different running under the auspices of the governing body (bike NZ for biking) than seperate, you just need to fill out the forms, pay the fees to ACC, and insurance, make sure you do the proper briefings to marshalls and competitors, and have a great event.

So I assume its the same for motorsport. After all there's nothing saying that any organising body has the sole right to organise and licence any set of events in NZ.

[fangsport]

havn't checked to see if it is still in the new MSNZ bible, but there may a clause that means you cannot use a MSNZ log booked car at a non-MSNZ permitted event

[TRD Man]

I don't believe such a rule ever existed Joe.
There was, in the 70's and 80's a rule that MANZ licence holders couldn't enter any event without a MANZ permit.
That rule hasn't been in the manual for decades. I suspect it was deleted soon after Bob Jane won a very expensive court case against CAMS on this exact rule citing unlawful restraint of trade.

[Leon]

they are going ahead with track licences, in fact aiming for a fairly high level of licence, despite only being limited to 16 race days per year.

I can't believe (in a good way) that we're potentially looking at another new track in NZ

[turbo tezza]

From what i'v heard track should be having 'soft' opening in March 2013. I drive past it 5 times a week so keep an eye on progress.
The museum is coming along quite nicely - only been on the go for about 6-7 weeks.
Live in Alexandra if ever anyone wants accom once the track is open

Cheers Corey