Ray Solomon to interested Sprintcar owners and drivers.
Over the past 12 months I have sent several emails to the SRA, inter alia, proposed changes to the SRA structure, revised policies and procedures. These representations have been ignored.
It seems to me, the SRA are not interested in providing any opportunity or forum for me to discuss any of these matters, many of which involved the relationship between the SRA and the SCCA and perceived obligations on SRA members.
This poses the question as to where is the leadership within the SRA and the SCCA, and what is their role and responsibilities to their members?
My guess is that collectively, Victorian Sprintcar owners’ total investment (race cars, spares, transporters and equipment) in Sprintcar racing, would exceed 30 million dollars.
Based on this, Sprintcar owners/drivers in Victoria deserve a high level of leadership and representation given their enormous capital investment in their chosen sport.
The “exposure profile” of Sprintcars to the public and potential sponsors etc, is less than satisfactory. This is most evident when lawn bowls, darts, poker and several other minor activities/sports are featured regularly on Fox Sports.
So where are programs featuring Sprintcars?
Fox Sports is only one exposure platform, Sprintcar competitors need to drive change through the various Sprintcar organisations (or alternatively develop a new independent organisation) to focus on developing a diverse range of exposure platforms to promote Sprintcars and their drivers.
In my view, the SRA and the SCCA, need to concentrate more on developing a “professional management and marketing capability” to better benefit all Sprintcar owners, sponsors, track operators and speedway supporters.
To do this, the SCCA/SRA would almost certainly need to engage highly qualified independent professionals in the areas of sports marketing, event management and social media/digital platforms etc.
Sadly, I can’t see anything changing in the near future!
One of the key aspects of my emails to the SRA in recent times concerning the SCCA, was about trying to obtain a copy of the SCCA Inc rules of association.
It is interesting to note that my attempts to simply obtain a copy of the SCCA’s Rules of Association followed by the subsequent obfuscation by the SCCA and the SRA in providing them, seem to be in direct contrast to the SCCA Membership Protection Policy. The SCCA Policy states.
This Membership Protection Policy applies to all people including members, employees, casual staff, volunteers, contractors, officials, SCCA licence holders, car owners and other persons acting as agents or members or State Member Club members of the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia Incorporated (SCCA).
2. Membership Protection Policy. The SCCA requires every individual and organization bound by this Membership Protection Policy to:
• Be ethical, fair and honest in all their dealings with other people.
• Treat all persons with respect and courtesy and have proper regard for their dignity, rights and obligations.
• Comply with the SCCA’s memorandum and articles of association, racing rules, regulations and policies.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of the sport.
• Comply with all relevant Australian laws (Federal and State), particularly anti-discrimination and sexual, verbal and physical harassment.
• Be responsible and accountable for their conduct.
So, the SCCA are stating that SRA members must comply with the SCCA’s memorandum and articles of association, but seemingly won’t provide them to SRA members so they can see what they are supposed to comply with.
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RECENT EMAILS TO THE SRA.
My most recent email to the SRA on the 12 May 2022.
I write to the SRA to express my concern regarding the lack of communication from my previous correspondence to the SRA.
My previous correspondence is summarized as follows.
June 13th, 2021, (Via email) regarding suggested changes to the policies and procedures within the SRA. I also asked for a copy of the SRA and the SCCA’s Rules of Association.
I received a response from the SRA on July 27th, 2021. This included a copy of the SRA’s Rules of Association and the following statement in relation to the SCCA’s rules.
“As for the SCCA rules request the SRA of Vic Inc was informed that SCCA Rules of Association are not for distribution to SCCA State / Territory Club/Association club a members”. If you wish to take this further please contact the SCCA.
NO FORMAL RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE SRA REGARDING SUGGESTED CHANGES TO THE SRA POLICIES AND PROCEEDURES.
- March 22nd, 2022. (Via email) to the SRA formally raising a range of matters which included:
- Lack of response in relation to Paragraph 1 above and a further request for the “SCCA Rules of Association”.
- Obligations imposed by the SCCA rules that “car owners” must be a member of the member club (e.g., SRA in Victoria) and also clarification of the SCCA rule regarding an SCCA License holder competing in events not approved by the member club (SRA).
- Requirement for Sprintcar Drivers to purchases 2 speedway licences (an SCCA licence and a Speedway Australia) to compete in Sprintcar events in Australia.
I indicated that the SCCA license seemed to be a complete waste of money, given that competitors must have a “Speedway Australia” licence to compete at Speedway Australia insured tracks and the fact that the “SCCA” license is not accepted, on its own, at any SRA sprintcar event. So why do drivers need a second license when it could be argued, that the SCCA license has no real value.
The monies paid to the SCCA could be better used by the State based clubs for Marketing and Administration purposes.
- That the SRA needs to scrutinise any potential conflicts of interest.
NO FORMAL RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE SRA.
March 31st, 2022 (Via email) to the SRA, formally advising the SRA of my agenda item for the SCCA specifications conference. In particular: a motion relating to having 3 individual classes of Sprintcars in the future; LS, 360 and 410.
April 5th, 2022 (Via email) to the SRA formally notifying of my unavailability to attend the specifications meeting due to ill health.
April 21st, 2022. (Via email) to the SRA, requesting minutes of the SRA specifications meeting referred to in Paragraph 3 and 4.
I now formally request the following information regarding the 2022 SRA/SCCA specifications meeting held at Avalon.?
- Please provide a copy of the minutes of the meeting.
- Confirmation that my motion (as sent on March31 2022) to the SRA/SCCA specifications meeting, was presented and discussed at the meeting.
- Was the motion upheld or defeated?
- What other motions were adopted at the meeting including any motions relating to the 360/LS Sprintcar specifications.
I also request a copy of the minutes of the SCCA conference held in 2021 (last year’s conference) or any other correspondence presented at that meeting in relation any matters concerning Sprintcar tyres.
Recommendations
Many SRA members have expressed a view that they do not receive sufficient information from the SRA or have had the opportunity to provide input into the decision making within the SRA.
I recommend that the SRA immediately review its “communication strategy” to its members and implement changes in line with member’s feedback.
In my view, the following matters require urgent attention.
- Improved web site (design and content).
- Minutes of meetings to be available to members especially car owners.
- Utilization of the following communication mediums; Group Emails, Facebook, Survey Monkey, ZOOM Meetings, other forms of Social Media etc, whatever it takes to get information to members and receive their feedback/views on issues affecting them. This is most important for the future development of the SRA.
- Professionally written media releases.
- Ensure that all meetings that the SRA attend include as an agenda item “Conflicts of Interest”.
Please respond to the above matters within 7 days.
I am happy to meet with the committee to discuss these matters at any time.
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If you would like further details of my emails and proposals to the SRA committee, please let me know by return email to ray@solomongroup.com.au
Regards
Ray Solomon
0407 801 513