What are the membership arrangements between the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia Inc (SCCA Inc) and the state based Sprintcar Associations and their members?
This is important because the SCCA somehow seek to:
- Compel Sprintcar competitors and owners to be members of a State member club of the SCCA.
- Cancel Sprintcar owner/drivers licence and registration if owners or drivers attempt or compete in non sanctioned SCCA events. Where is the SCCA’s authority to take this action given that owner drivers are not actual members of the SCCA and have not signed away their rights to the SCCA.
On the 13th of June 2021, I formally wrote to the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria Inc (SRA) requesting a copy of the “Rules of Association for the SCCA.
On 27th of July 2021, I received the following reply from the SRA;
“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.
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On the 9th of August 2022, I wrote to the SCCA, attention to Mr. Mark Richards and requested the following.
Regarding the SCCA Rules of Association, could you please provide a copy of the SCCA’s Rules of Association or any other contract, agreement, or understanding that binds the SRA or its members to the SCCA.
If the SCCA are unwilling or unable to provide this information, please provide reasons why they are not available to SCCA state member clubs or their members.
No response was received from the SCCA.
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On the 6th February 2024, I again wrote to the SCCA seeking clarification regarding a range of matters including.
- SCCA and SRA refusal to provide details of the membership arrangements between the SCCA and the SRA.
- SCCA rules that obligate Sprintcar owners to be members of a member club of the SCCA.
- SCCA rules relating to the threatened cancellation of car registration and licence if the owner or driver competes in events other than the SCCA events.
- Requirement for Sprintcar competitors to purchase 2 separate competition licences to compete in Sprintcar events in Australia.
Again, no response was received from the SCCA.
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In my view, it could be the case, that the SCCA are unable to respond to these matters because there aren’t any formal arrangements between the SCCA and state based Sprintcar clubs or simply the Sprintcar organisations don’t want Sprintcar competitors to see what the membership arrangements are.
I have previously referred these and other matters to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Ray Solomon – Editor – Speedway Media Group Inc.
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In following media releases, I will explore the following issues;
- Why do Sprintcar competitors in Australia require 2 competition licences (SA and the SCCA) to compete in Sprintcar racing events in Australia.
- What is the overall marketing plan for Sprintcars in Australia. Is the promotion of Sprintcars being restrained by the current structures.
- What is speedway’s financial contribution to each State’s economy. Should it be measured and how could this information be utilised.
- Why hasn’t state based speedway clubs and organisations combined to own their “building headquarters” in each State so they can hold meetings and promote a professional approach to Government, public and the commercial sector.