NEW AKA BOARD ANNOUNCES CHAIR
The newly formed Australian Karting Association Board has elected five-time World motorcycle champion Mick Doohan as its first Chair to guide the sport of Karting in Australia.
The entire Karting community stands to benefit from Mick’s incredible experience in motor sport and business as well as his passion and desire to improve karting for competitors, their families and supporters.
“Mick has a unique understanding of the needs and challenges facing all participants in Karting from kids starting out right through to international competitors,” said Phil Smith, AKA Board member and keen karting competitor.
“He also understands the needs of our hard working clubs, officials and volunteers and hundreds of dedicated volunteers – which is a key focus for the new Board.”
Doohan also brings a commercial perspective to the AKA having sat on the Board of Rally Australia and worked closely with the Board of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to help promote the Australian Moto GP and Formula One Grand Prix. He was also on an advisory committee with Dorna Sports, manager of the MotoGP Championship, and also General Manager of Racing for the Honda Racing Corporation.
“Karting is the most accessible and important motorsport category for developing young drivers,” said Doohan.
“As someone who came up through the ranks of Australian racing and as a parent of a young driver I know we can take Karting to the next level in Australia.
“The entire Board is committed to working with National Karting Council (NKC), the Executives of the State Associations and the thousands of licence holders across the country to make the sport more enjoyable, better resourced and accessible to a wider audience.”
The appointment was the first item of business for new AKA Board Members, Melissa Holzberger, Bradley Collins, Sam Moreton, Phil Smith and Doohan, who held their first official meeting in Sydney on Monday 10 June.
The top priorities for the new board include:
- A smooth and seamless transition to the new AKA structure - the new board is committed to working closely with the NKC and State Executives;
- Less bureaucracy and process wherever possible – it’s about more track time and less paperwork on race day.
- Strengthening links to the other motorsport governing bodies, particularly the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) and the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK) to leverage the best partnerships, resources and support for karting and karters in Australia.
Comments12
Lets hope that taking Australian Karting to "the next level", doesn't require it to become more expensive. Mick has a big task ahead of him, and I wish him lots of luck.
I hope what I am hearing is not right, but true to form it probably will have some substance.
Now that Mr Doohan has been elected as the Chairman of the Board he apparently has identified the need for a paid assistant?
If what I am hearing is correct, we have gained nothing.
Any speculation as to who the paid employee might be?
geez I hope you are wrong Nev, and I hope its not who I suspect it might be and WHY would he need an assistant he has a whole board to help him out
I think what you are hearing is that long term there is an intention to have a paid CEO. There is a lot of "structural" work for the board to do leading to that though.
I must say that I have met with a couple of board members - and they are out there trying to soak up knowledge of where we are now....and where we want to be - and I believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel which will indicate a much better world for karting as a sport. I wish Mick, and the balance of the board, best wishes to ensuring that this transition is successful. For the sake of our sport.
To say they are out there 'soaking' up knowledge is a misnomer. They have avoided the rank and file karter like lepers and fed off the rubbish being fed to them by the obsessed.
Well John the new board hasn't taken over as yet and must have built those structures pretty damned quick eh?
On top of the 125K @ year we waste on Hanacheck, how much do you reckon this position will pay? Straight out of the coffers of you and all your fellow karters, for what return? Who is going to benefit by having a paid CEO? The average karter or the select few with visions of grandeur?
John Lane said:
I think what you are hearing is that long term there is an intention to have a paid CEO. There is a lot of "structural" work for the board to do leading to that though.
I must say that I have met with a couple of board members - and they are out there trying to soak up knowledge of where we are now....and where we want to be - and I believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel which will indicate a much better world for karting as a sport. I wish Mick, and the balance of the board, best wishes to ensuring that this transition is successful. For the sake of our sport.
Attachments:
CEO AKA.pdf, 206 KB
http://www.kartsportnews.com/content2013/news_130709-6.html
Now they want a poll?
Sorry Neville, have to disagree...after meeting Mel (admin) and Phil(Finance) last weekend at the NKC Committee conference, we are heading in a very positive direction.
Regards
Dave
And you most likely have have confused the proposed structure.
The CEO position will report to the board, via the chairman.
Mick is the chairman (at present) and also the Competition manager....
very different roles and responsibilities......and I say well worth the $125K IF that's what the figure is.
You pay peanuts and you get monkeys....
AND the position will be financed from existing sources and NO additional costs to the karter. - cutting costs and maximising income is one of the fundamental benefits that best practice will provide...
I am confident that karting is looking towards a bright future...
Regards
Dave
David
I certainly hope you are correct, but I think not. Promotions and marketing is costing us 125K @ year and what do we get for it?
The position advertised is a highly qualified position, that in my opinion no one currently in karting has the credentials to fill? If you believe that we can employ someone with those qualifications for 125K, then the expertise won't be there.
I am not sure under what circumstances you have met with them, but who else was invited to any meeting?
Is this what you were told or your opinion:- "AND the position will be financed from existing sources and NO additional costs to the karter. - cutting costs and maximising income is one of the fundamental benefits that best practice will provide."..
Anyone with half an interest in the sport can see that we need to cut costs, given we lost 122K in the last 2 years. So then it will have to be a massive turn around to the current financial situation and huge increase in the membership base to improve the turnover.
If we were to take on a CEO Honorarium we could handle that but a paid CEO? How much given the open ended job description in respect of salary? "The package will be negotiable depending upon experience, skills and qualifications. At the time of applying, candidates are invited to indicate their current salary and salary expectations."
Why do you believe I have confused the proposed structure?
Mick is the Director Competition. He was elected amongst his peers to be the chairman of that board. Nothing unusual there. The AKA Constitution (Pty Ltd) R12 Chief Executive Officer. David Price said:
And you most likely have have confused the proposed structure.
The CEO position will report to the board, via the chairman.
Mick is the chairman (at present) and also the Competition manager....
very different roles and responsibilities......and I say well worth the $125K IF that's what the figure is.
You pay peanuts and you get monkeys....
AND the position will be financed from existing sources and NO additional costs to the karter. - cutting costs and maximising income is one of the fundamental benefits that best practice will provide...
I am confident that karting is looking towards a bright future...
Regards
Dave
Hey Neville,
Yes - told, by those people at the NKC conference last weekend. The board has apparently identified areas that can be trimmed/ tweaked to provide the funds to cover the position.
I personally have no idea what figure will be settled on, but that's the realm of the board come Sept 1, however I too feel 125 is a little light given the role.
IMHO, the marketing budget would be better suited to the CEO, as I feel we will get more out of it at this stage of the implementation.
What was interesting, from the existing AKA personnel, the negativity towards Kartboook. It is largely seen as a place that draws disgruntled voices, of which none seem to be able to, nor interested in providing support to the association.
I understand that there are differing opinions and I too have been vocal voicing mine when I disagree - that's the beauty of living in a democratic society.
However I was also quick to make the point, in support of Kartbook, that love it or hate it, the truth of the mater is that the vast majority of NEW / prospective karters, google and end up on here. I find it disappointing that there is no AKA representative, but given the tirade of abuse they have received in the past, from a very limited membership, is it any wonder.
How many rumors, could have been laid to rest by a few carefully chosen words, but alas one or two self-righteous fools has put an end to that.
Anyway, as I said previously, things are looking brighter, there were a number of key issues that affect us all (current Karters/officials etc - not keyboard warriors with a chip on their "I raced 20 years ago" shoulders), that will see improvements to the sport.
There were also a few scary issues that have started to poke their head up, namely Hire Karts !
If anyone has an interest in the sport, rest assured that this could be the biggest thing to negatively impact the sport over the next few years. It has the potential to change karting as we know it forever and "issues" like new engines will pale into insignificance...and why.....Insurance and Australian standards...
RegardsDave
Dave.
I share your concerns of the last five lines. IF what is to effect the "hire kart" world transfers over to racing karts we are in BIG TROUBLE. lets hope sanity prevails and the two areas are kept seperate, but we are talking about suits in ivory towers here.
And the reason they dislike KB is not the facing of the so called "keyboard warriors" it means they would have to answer questions on their failings, if they didn't "fail" the so called keyboard warrior would have little to say would they. Bit like Fed Labour complaining about all the bad press they get, calling them biased etc, the media never made the stuff up Labour did all the things they reported on. same here, the AKA did all the things that was discussed and attacked over. And rumours are a direct indication their communication is simply failing.
Dave, I am not having a go at you but will point out some discrepancies with your post.
You have been TOLD 'by those people at the NKC conference last weekend'. Here in itself of that statement directly relates to the inefficient method of operation of the organization. WHERE ARE THE MINUTES OF THAT MEETING? so that ALL karters can garner the information instead of this adhoc method that is in place now. What about the A1 rule to start with?
Yes the 125 K would be better spent with a CEO, but a paid CEO, is that what the sport/hobby needs?
What was interesting, from the existing AKA personnel, the negativity towards Kartboook. It is largely seen as a place that draws disgruntled voices, of which none seem to be able to, nor interested in providing support to the association.
When the Association supports the members, then I will support them in their endeavors, until then I will continue to question its ability to run the organization.
The administration in its current form is vastly ineffective and incompetent. Why should anyone offer support to a bunch of people who are not true representatives of the majority of karters? They refuse to abide by the rules of the organization and wonder why they receive so much flack. Trust me when I say they attempt to discredit people using Kartbook through stealth. If they followed the proper guidelines as set out and kept the membership properly informed in a timely manner instead of the cloak and dagger operation, they might get more respect. Too much apathy exists within the member base as there are a lot that are fed up with mis information or lack of any information.
What about the unauthorized publishing of Press Releases that no one wants to rectify? How many rumors, could have been laid to rest by a few carefully chosen words, but alas one or two self-righteous fools has put an end to that.
How true.
See why hide the Hire Kart issue? Why doesn't the AKA make a statement in relation to the issue? Through a University a professor is attempting to rewrite the AS so that hire karts are fitted with a roll bar. Big deal. There is fear that the standard will impact on our sport/hobby. The issue needs to be resolved and distinguish between 'Amusement device' and Motor Sport. Whilst at that point in NSW hire karts will fall under the ambit of being classified an amusement device, and will need to have an engineer certify them as safe periodically. I don't see a problem with that, they after all a motorized vehicle being used for profit or gain and need to be independently certified as safe. Most forms of transport are subject to regular safety checks, why not hire karts too? There is no need to hide the fact this is happening.
At the end of the day Dave, those holding administrative positions within our sport have encouraged publications like Kartbook to manifest as they have bought it upon themselves by hiding behind a veil of secrecy.
David Price said:
Hey Neville,
Yes - told, by those people at the NKC conference last weekend. The board has apparently identified areas that can be trimmed/ tweaked to provide the funds to cover the position.
I personally have no idea what figure will be settled on, but that's the realm of the board come Sept 1, however I too feel 125 is a little light given the role.
IMHO, the marketing budget would be better suited to the CEO, as I feel we will get more out of it at this stage of the implementation.
What was interesting, from the existing AKA personnel, the negativity towards Kartboook. It is largely seen as a place that draws disgruntled voices, of which none seem to be able to, nor interested in providing support to the association.
I understand that there are differing opinions and I too have been vocal voicing mine when I disagree - that's the beauty of living in a democratic society.
However I was also quick to make the point, in support of Kartbook, that love it or hate it, the truth of the mater is that the vast majority of NEW / prospective karters, google and end up on here. I find it disappointing that there is no AKA representative, but given the tirade of abuse they have received in the past, from a very limited membership, is it any wonder.
How many rumors, could have been laid to rest by a few carefully chosen words, but alas one or two self-righteous fools has put an end to that.
Anyway, as I said previously, things are looking brighter, there were a number of key issues that affect us all (current Karters/officials etc - not keyboard warriors with a chip on their "I raced 20 years ago" shoulders), that will see improvements to the sport.
There were also a few scary issues that have started to poke their head up, namely Hire Karts !
If anyone has an interest in the sport, rest assured that this could be the biggest thing to negatively impact the sport over the next few years. It has the potential to change karting as we know it forever and "issues" like new engines will pale into insignificance...and why.....Insurance and Australian standards...
RegardsDave