AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE 124th MEETING
HELD BY TELECONFERENCE
TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015
ATTENDANCE
Commissioners:
Lyndon Punshon
Michael Dennis
Frank Lowndes
Ian Mayberry
Peter Nelson
LP
MD
FL
IM
PN
2015-2017 Chair
2015-2016
2015 - ? tba
2015-2017
2015
Administration
Lawrie Schmitt
Scott McGrath
Daniel Gargaro
Matthew Pote
Tom Snooks
LS
SMc
EO
MP
MS
CAMS Manager, Motor Sport Operations
CAMS CEO Appointee to Commission
Executive Officer to Commission
CAMS Administration Assistant
Minutes Secretary
CEO
Eugene Arocca
for CEO address
APOLOGY
Board Member:
Graeme Emerton
GE
Board Portfolio Member
These minutes cover AMRC Minutues No 2339 to 2253
Refer to list of meeting’s action items for action required by attendees
1.
MEETING OPENING
The meeting was opened at 1902 hours with the Chair welcoming attendees to this first
meeting of the restructured ARMC, and reminding them of the need for declaration of a
conflict of interest with any agenda item, of the confidentiality agreement, and informing
that the meeting will be recorded to assist with the minutes preparation.
2.
DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY AND/OR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST/S
3.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S ADDRESS
The CEO, Eugene Arocca, addressed the Commission, which included an outline from
the Board on some expectations, obligations and direction, principally covering
Commission Standing Orders, Commissioners as delegates to the Board, the necessity
for Commissions to act strategically, conduct of Commissions and Commissioners and
Health and Safety.
The following is a summary of the CEO’s address:
Commission Standing Orders
 Pointed out that the Commission is a body that is appointed and delegated by the
Board to fulfil a role that the Board simply cannot do – that is the reality of the
situation - and therefore the Commission represents the best talent available in one
particular area of the sport. Importantly, the Commission is not just there to report
down the line but to contribute to CAMS. Commissioners are de-facto Directors
because the Board under its constitution delegates to Commissioners its
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 1 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION

responsibility in certain disciplines and with that comes responsibility and
accountability of being a Director.
Stressed the importance of reading and comprehending the Commission Standing
Orders. These have been changed, with some significant changes in terms of the
appointments of Commissioners – no longer yearly appointments but three years on
a rotation basis, and CAMS has gone public with the nomination process, doing
everything possible to be transparent about the appointment of members to the
Commissions.
Commission Reporting Structure
 To address the concerns about reporting CAMS has appointed a Minutes Secretary
for all Commissions to prepare minutes within a short period after meetings, and also
prepare a summary that the Chair can then distribute both down the line to the State
Councils, State Panels and any other bodies they apply to, and up the line to the
Board, as well as being posted on the website for all to view.
Confidentiality
 One of the most important elements of being a Director in any Board or organisation
is confidentiality. What happens within the Commission is confidential. What is public
are the minutes or the summary that has been ticked off by the Chair.
 If questioned on an issue processed through the Commission Commissioners should
always refer back to what is publically reported, and if a member of a Council or
Panel wants background to an issue he/she should be channeled through the
Commission Chair.
Acting In The Interest Of CAMS
 Commissioners are to act solely for the benefit of CAMS and their duty is to the
CAMS organisation, making decisions based on what is good for the sport and what
is good for CAMS, not what may be good for a particular discipline, or a particular
club or members, or a particular State Council, etc.
 With this responsibility comes one of the prime duties of directors – not to publically
criticise their own organisation.
CAMS Values
 A document outlining CAMS values has recently been published and is on the
website. These values are what the CAMS organisation aspires to - respect, integrity,
passion and efficiency and CAMS Commissioners should look at these values and
aspire to them so they can always stand behind these values.
CAMS Staff
 CAMS staff work under considerable pressure, and it is disappointing to hear or read
comments running then down, either collectively or individually. They need support,
they need encouragement, and they need mentoring – what they don’t need is ego
bashing, and Commissioners should be prepared to step forward to defend
everything that CAMS does even if Commissioners don’t agree with it personally, and
should not stand by at Commission level and allow personal attacks on staff
members.
 In today’s age there is a growing willingness by members of organisations to sue for
harassment and bullying, and CAMS has had to mediate a number of such instances
where that has happened and to come up with outcomes which should not have had
to be dealt with.
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 2 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
Strategic Planning
 Commissioners are entrusted to come up with strategic plans and outcomes to assist
and compliment the strategic plans that have been outlaid by the CAMS Board for the
Commissions particular area.
 The job of the Commission is to take that plan and add to it, to assist with amending it
where this is needed, and provide some insight as to where it can be improved for the
next round of Strategic Planning.
 It is critical that Commissioners become familiar with the CAMS Strategic Plan so far
as their Commission is concerned for it is important that the Commission works on its
own strategic plans to harmonise or compliment the CAMS plans.
Getting the Commission’s Job Done
 In a volunteer organisation that meets a relatively few times a year for two or three
hours at a time, and occasionally for a full day, Commissioners are not going to solve
all the problems with a relatively tight timeline. What is needed is to select the high
profile, high priority issues and concentrate on these as it is better to have a few
bigger wins than try to achieve many lower priority issue wins, achieved on a step by
step, bit by bit basis.
 The advice is to concentrate on attaining what can be achieved within the limits of the
capacity of available time-frames and available capacity, appreciating that at the
CAMS administrative support level staff have full time jobs and have to follow up and
do other work. Rather than select many issues to work on and only complete a few of
them, it would be much better to take on a few higher priority issues and do all of
them and do them well.
 Commissioners are not appointed to just THINK about things, they are there to DO
things, which means setting up working groups of two or three Commissioners to
investigate issues between meetings and come back with solutions. It is often better
to have a group of two or three with (say) one or two members of the staff and get the
job done, rather than allocate it to one person only to have this person come back
meeting after meeting with some reason or excuse why action hasn’t been taken.
Rule Changing
 Changing of rules mid-season is not good for any sport. There are going to be
occasions where this might have to happen on a safety basis, where something has
happened that requires immediate attention but as a general rule changing rules in
mid-year is bad management.
 People (both competitors and officials) like certainty at the start of the year and want
to finish on the same terms and as a general rule if a Commission is going to make a
decision on changing rules the change should be implemented in the following year,
unless health and safety issues are involved which necessitate a more immediate
implementation.
Health And Safety
 One issue the CAMS Administration always considers as a priority is health and
safety and the Board is particularly concerned about it as at the end of the day the
Board Members are the ones who are liable to be sued, civilly or criminally, for health
and safety breaches.
 When CAMS make decisions at the administrative level it is privy to information and
material that CAMS Members, State Councils and Panels and Commissioners are
not privy to, so when a staff member comes to the Commission and states that there
is an issue which requires immediate or prompt attention this is not just to make life
difficult but it is because of pressure, legal or otherwise, most probably by
government, that is being brought to bear on the sport.
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 3 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
Commissioners Competing In Non-CAMS Sanctioned Activities
 The Board has amended the CAMS Constitution in April, to exclude anyone acting as
a Commissioner if they compete in an event conducted under the auspices of a
competing organisation (AASA, AMSAG, and Tetley).
 Frankly I can’t understand why someone who has a significant role at CAMS, such as
a Commissioner, would want to support, as a competitor, organisation/s that
piggyback on the work that CAMS does for their own benefit, for their own particular
club or for their own financial gain.
 Most are basically low cost insurers and whilst they purport to have safety in mind or
to have valid rules and regulations, they are driven by two things – low cost and high
return. They make no meaningful contribution to motor sport as a whole. To have a
Commissioner quite comfortably support such organisations is disappointing and
shows bad judgment from a governance point of view.
 Accordingly, the Board has decided that not only will Commissioners who officiate in
such events be excluded from a Commission, but also those who compete. In our
view it is a prime example of parking one’s own self-interest in order to work for the
sport. Commissioners are required to elevate themselves above their own personal,
club or state business when signing up as a Commissioner and accordingly, must
park those interests to one side and always consider issues from the point of view of
what is good for the sport as a whole.
Lobbying
Commissioners may experience individual approaches seeking information, or to lobby.
In this case Commissioners should advise that any concerns/issues be put in writing and
forwarded to the Commission Chair, or the Commission CEO Delegate, so that it can be
tabled at a Commission meeting. Commissioners are not obliged to engage in these
discussions.
3.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Moved PN, second IM that ……”the minutes of the meeting of the 123rd meeting
(teleconference) held on 10 February 2015 be accepted”………..carried.
4.
COMMISSION STRUCTURE AND OBJECTIVES
Chair outlined in a paper presented to the Commission that the AMRC will now be a
two-tiered structure, which will operate independently linked by the Commission Chair:
 Tier 1 - Regulations Working Group - Managing technical and other regulations for
national, state and club circuit racing, as well as speed events, across all states
and ensure they are consistent with agreed strategic objectives;
 Tier 2 - Strategic Working Group - Managing strategic objectives for all levels of
circuit racing that will enable the sport to grow and prosper.
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 4 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
The Regulation Working Group will comprise:
 Lyn Punshon (Chair)
 Mike Dennis (Commissioner)
 Frank Lowndes (Commissioner)
 Ian Mayberry (Commissioner)
 Peter Nelson (Commissioner)
 Scott McGrath (CAMS Technical Manager)
 Daniel Gargaro (CAMS AMRC Executive Officer)
The Strategic Working Group will comprise:
 Lyn Punshon (Chair)
 Vince Ciccarello (Motorsport Officials – National, State & Club Level Experience)
 Craig Fletcher (Major Events Management)
 Tim Edwards (Team Management, International and Local)
 Fergus Cameron (Motorsport Promotion/Circuit Management)
 Paul Dumbrell (Competitor/Business Director)
 Michael Smith (CAMS Motorsport Manager)
 Cameron McConville (CAMS Motorsport Development)
 Graeme Emerton (CAMS Board Member AMRC Portfiolio Holder)
Regulation Working Group Appointments
The Commission Standing Orders calls for the appointment of Commissioners for
three years and in the interim some initial appointments will be for one year and for
two years so that two or three Commissioners rotate each year rather than all
Commissioners being replaced in the one year. Commissioners can re-nominate after
their one or two year term for the following three years.
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 5 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
Commissioners agreed to the following term appointments:
 Mike Dennis
2015 to 2016
 Frank Lowndes 2015 to tba (after Strategic Working Group appointments tba)
 Ian Mayberry
2015 to 2017
 Peter Nelson
2015
5.
RATIFICATION OF DECISIONS BETWEEN MEETINGS / MAINTANENCE OF
REGULATIONS
-
6.
B15/006 Formula Vee Technical Regulations
2015 Australian Formula Ford Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V1
2015 Australian Formula Ford Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V2
2015 Australian Sports Racer Series Sporting Regulations – V1
2015 Australian Super Six Touring Car Series Sporting Regulations – V1
2015 Australian Touring Car Masters Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V1
2015 Australian Touring Car Masters Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V2
2015 Australian V8 Touring Car Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V1
2015 Australian V8 Ute Racing Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V1
2015 CAMS Australian GT Championship Sporting and Technical Regulations – V1
2015 CAMS Australian Manufacturers Championship Sporting & Technical Regs – V1
2015 CAMS Australian Manufacturers Championship Sporting & Technical Regs– V2
2015 CAMS Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship Sporting & Technical Regs – V1
2015 CAMS Porsche Carrera Cup Australian Sporting & Technical Regulations – V1
2015 CAMS Porsche Carrera Cup Australian Sporting & Technical Regulations – V2
2015 CAMS Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Sporting & Technical Regs – V1
2015 CAMS Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Sporting &Technical Regs – V2
2015 Sports Sedan Series Sporting and Technical Regulations – V1
MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
AMRC 2339
REVISED JUNIOR COMPETITION LICENCES STRUCTURE
LS reported that this issue is progressing; the Administration wants to carry out
research on how to fit the licence structure to the progression path in the sport.
ACTION: Present Discussion Paper when researched
AMRC 2340
LS
TARGETED SCRUTINY
In discussion on this topic the following points were raised:
 Targeted scrutiny works well with vehicle categories that participate in three (say)
or more meetings a year. However, considerable scrutiny problems occur when
large fields (eg: some 400 vehicles at the Historic meeting at Phillip Island) and
some 60/70 percent (or more) of the vehicles that participate in one or two
meetings a year all need to be checked at the meeting;
 Entry forms (both on-line and paper) now have no provision for the competitors to
record their scrutiny target records; previously the Meeting Secretary would check
the forms and remind competitors that they needed to have their vehicles targeted
scrutinised before turning up for the meeting; now there is no reminder;
 The interpretation of targeted scrutiny varies significantly from state to state and
this causes some degree of frustration for national competitors;
 Only two states carry out targeted scrutiny beyond the Racing discipline (ie:
Speed), despite a Board decree in 2009 that it was to be used for Speed
meetings;
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 6 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION


The CAMS Technical Department would like to see targeted scrutiny introduced
across all disciplines as CAMS does not have the resources at some meetings,
for example with the number of scrutineers required to process a largish number
of vehicles;
Targeted scrutiny needs to be a constantly communicated issue so that
competitors and officials understand what it is all about.
It was resolved that FL and IM set down thoughts on the issue and forward to the EO
in order that a Discussion Paper be prepared and presented to the Commission with
the aim that targeted scrutiny be constanly improved.
ACTION: 1) FL & IM set down thoughts for EO and 2) EO prepare Discussion Paper
AMRC 2341
TWO-WAY RADIOS AT WAKEFIELD PARK
IM reported that further enquiries on the issue have been made and basically that if
the use of the radios (from Race Control to competitors) is managed properly by the
Race Control operator there is no problem. Wakefield regulations require competitors
to have radios and this is the circuit’s perogarative to impose this on competitors.
Following discussion it was resolved to remove this item from the agenda.
AMRC 2342
CAPACITY OF PRODUCTION-BASED VEHICLES
Lengthy discussion was again conducted on this issue with the following comments
offered:
 Most meeting regulations state that if a vehicle is manufactured with an engine in
excess of six litres it is eligible to participate;
 It is anticipated there is potential for vehicles having engine transplants exceeding
six litres;
 A similar issue exists with the Speed discipline with larger capacity vehicles
entered in hillclimbs and sprints;
 A solution will need to be worked out in conjunction with the Australian Motor
Sport Development Commission (AMSDC) which controls Speed Events.
The Commission agreed that the issue needs to be addressed and a Discussion
Paper outlining what the issue is, the extent of the problems, and what the solutions
can be, needs to be prepared.
Recent AMRC Commissioner Michael Barry was involved with presenting this issue to
the AMRC at past meetings he is to be approached about producing the Paper.
ACTION: Approach Mike Barry re presenting Discussion Paper
AMRC 2343
GROUP 3E CIRCUIT EXCEL TOURING CARS
The suspension package for these vehicles needs to be established nationally and
this should happen about mid-2015 in readiness for 2016.
ACTION: Keep this item on agenda
AMRC 2344
EO
EO
CAMS MANUAL REVIEW
This item is to be incorporated in future agendas as a standing agenda item providing
Commissioners with the opportunity to raise any issues in regulations in the CAMS
Manual that have been identified as needing change.
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 7 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
ACTION: Place on agenda as a standing item
AMRC 2345
EO
RACE MEETING STANDING REGULATIONS 6.13
LS advised that the wording in the minutes of the last meeting will be placed in the
Race Meeting Standing Regulations (RMSR), and suggested that Clause 7 (‘Points’)
of the Australian and States Titles Conditions – Race also be placed in the RMSR, as
this is where the state and club meeting organisers refer more often when preparing
regulations.
The Commission concurred with the above.
AMRC 2346
7.
YELLOW FLAG REGULATIONS – REDRESSING OF POSITION
Following discussion Commissioners resolved to leave the situation as it is. No further
action required.
NEWLY AGENDERED BUSINESS
AMRC 2347
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN COMMISSION AND STATE COUNCILS / PANELS
LP raised the issue that the Commission needs to ensure it has good lines of
communication between the Panels and the Commission.
Following discussion which raised a number of issues it was resolved that the
Commission Chair contact the Panel Chairs to set out suggestions for an acceptable
and effective communications procedure.
ACTION: Discuss communications between Commission and State Panels with State
Chairs
LP
AMRC 2348
SUPERKART TECHNICAL REGULATIONS – MINIMUM WEIGHT
A Decision Paper was presented outlining a submission from Superkarts Australia
(SKA), who manage the Australian Superkarts Championship, requesting an
amendment to the minimum weight of 125 Gearbox National Class.
The submission outlined that the minimum weight for this class has not been reviewed
for at least ten years and does not otherwise move generally in line with the FIA
Commission Internationale de Kating (CIK) classes as do the 250cc classes. The
weight change recommended is determined from accurately recorded CAMS race
meetings data, a consideration of similar class weights overseas, and from broad
discussions with the class competitors. Class evolution over the data review period
saw the introduction of more bodywork elements, high back seats, data acquisition
instrumentation and revised chassis designs, all of which have added to the total
vehicle weight.
The Commission resolved to approve in principle, subject to National Superkart
Association (NSA) approval, amending the Superkart Tehncial Regulations to increase
the minimum weight for 125cc Gearbox National Class from 180kg to 190kg, with an
implementation date of 30th April 2015.
AMRC 2349
CAMS INFRINGEMENT NOTICE (Appendix I of MRSR) – UPDATE
LS reported that the Infringement Notice has been updated such that the Notice is a
Charge Sheet when first issued (previously if a driver did not admit to a breach of
regulations as stated in the Infringement Notice a seperate Charge Sheet was then
issued).
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 8 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
Commission noted the update.
8.
AMRC STRATEGY GROUP
Post meeting report:
The AMRC Strategy group conducted it’s initial meeting on Monday 13.04.15
The CEO covered topics as per Point 3 above.
The group reviewed and agreed on the review process and scope. It also agreed that
further Member & Participant research was required prior to the initial planning
workshop.
Initial workshop has been scheduled for 08.05.15.
9.
OTHER BUSINESS
AMRC 2350
SUPERKARTS – REQUEST FOR COLOUR COMBINATION FOR 125 STOCK
HONDA CLASS
PN reported that in the Superkart Regulations each of the various classes have a
colour combination of background and number. The most recent 125 Stock Honda
class does not have such and NSA has requested approval to allocate this class with
a red background and yellow number and for this to be included in the regulations.
Commission resolved to accept the request.
AMRC 2351
NSW SUPERKART CLUB – WING TESTING
PN sought clarification of an earlier decision for the Superkart Club of NSW to test
wings in an upcoming meeting with view to making a proposal to have them as a nonmandatory fitment item.
Commission confirmed its earlier agreement for the test.
AMRC 2352
TOYOTA 86 RACING SERIES
PN enquired further regarding a recent (March) announcement that the series will be
run as a pro-am as from 2016. This issue is tobe taken up by LP with the CAMS
General Manager Motor Sport and Commissioners are to be advised of the outcome.
ACTION: Discuss issue of recent announcement with CAMS GM Motor Sport and
advise Commissioners of outcome
LP
AMRC 2353
AUSTRALIAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP INVITATION TO MARC V8 CARS
It was reported that the Australian GT Championship organisers of the Phillip Island
meeting in May propose to accept entries of the Marc V8 cars on an invitational basis.
Following discussion it was resolved that the CAMS Administration prepare and issue
a Discussion Paper as early as possible for Commissioners comments and this be
carried out between meetings.
ACTION: Prepare Discussion Paper & issue for comment between meetings EO/SMc
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 9 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
10. LIST OF MEETING ACTION ITEMS
Minute
number
AMRC 2339,
2289, 2281
AMRC 2340,
2295, 2042,
1966, 1953
AMRC 2341,
2332, 2312,
2288
Action Item
Junior Competition Licences
Present Discussion Paper when issue researched
Targeted Scrutiny
1) Set down thoughts on targeted scrutiny
2) Prepare Discussion Paper on FL/IM thoughts
Two-way Radios at Wakefield Park
Action by
Status
LS
WIP
FL / IM
EO
WIP
COMPLETE
AMRC 2342,
2333, 2313,
2290, 2280
Capacity of Production Based Vehicles
Approach Mike Barry regarding presenting a Discussion
Paper
EO
WIP
AMRC 2343,
2315, 2293,
2277
Group 3E Circuit Excel Touring Cars
National suspension package for 2016 to be finalised; keep
on agenda
EO
WIP
AMRC 2344,
2317, 2297,
2170
CAMS Manual Review
This item now to be a regular agenda item
EO
WIP
AMRC 2345,
2335, 2318,
2298
Race Meeting Standing Regulations 6.13
Wording in minute 2335 to be written into RMSR, together
with Clause 7 of the Australian and States Titles Conditions
LS
WIP
AMRC 2346,
2321
Yellow Flag Regulations – Redressing of Position
AMRC 2347
Communications Between Commission And State
Councils / Panels
Discuss with Chairs of these bodies
LP
Toyota 86 Racing Series
Discuss issue of recent announcement with GM Motor
Sport and advise Commissioners
LP
AMRC 2352
AMRC 2353
COMPLETE
Australian GT Championship Invitation to Marc V8 Cars
Prepare Discussion Paper and issue for comment
between meetings
EO / SMc
WIP
WIP
WIP
11. NEXT MEETINGS
DATE
Tuesday 12th May
Friday 5th June
Tuesday 21st July
Tuesday 11th August
Tuesday 29th September
Tuesday 27th October
Tuesday 24th November
Wednesday 16th December
TYPE
Teleconference
Face-to-Face; CAMS Melbourne
Teleconference
Teleconference
Teleconference
Teleconference
Teleconference
Teleconference
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
TIME
1900hrs AEST
0900hrs AEST
1900hrs AEST
1900hrs AEST
1900hrs AEST
1900hrs AEDST
1900hrs AEDST
1900hrs AEDST
Page 10 of 11
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING COMMISSION
12. MEETING CLOSURE
In closing Chair thank Commissioners for their contribution to the meeting.
The meeting closed at 2125 hours.
Chairman’s Declaration:
“I have sighted these minutes and believe they are a true and accurate record of the meeting.”
………………………..
Lyn Punshon
AMRC Chair
Australian Motor Racing Commission
Meeting minutes of teleconference of 7 April 2015
Page 11 of 11