New
appointments to Motorcycling Australia Sporting Commissions (MAR
29, 2005)
The Motorcycling Australia (MA) board has approved appointments
to the following eight sporting commissions:
Dirt Track
– Mark Herfoss (three-year appointment);
Enduro – Tim Shearer (three);
Road Race – Phil Tainton (three), John Redding (one) and David
Bancell (two);
Moto Trials – Chris Leighfield (three) and Michelle Owen (one);
Classic Motocross – Mark Austin (three) and Michael Dowling
(two);
Speedway – Ivan Golding (three), Rod Colquhoun (two) and Michael
Poole (one);
Motocross – John Tisdale (three); and
Junior Sport & Development – Cameron Scheuber.
The functions
of MA sporting commissions are: To assist, advise and be responsible
to the MA board and to act in the best interests of MA and the sport;
To prepare and propose any amendments to rules, or any by-laws,
so as to ensure the orderly conduct of competitions; and To assist
and advise each other and any committee of the MA board. In
other news, the MA board has also given the green light to the following:
Sporting commissions will now consist of a minimum of three members,
and a maximum of five – all of whom will be appointed by the
MA Board; and Each sporting commission can also take on one additional
member, who will be appointed by a collective decision from MA’s
seven State Controlling Bodies (http://www.ma.org.au/Content/MA/AboutUsLinks/StateControllingBody/State_Controlling_B.htm)
In light of
the changes, the nine sporting commissions will be structured as
follows in 2005:
Dirt Track
- three MA appointed, one SCB appointed;
Enduro - three MA and one SCB;
Moto Trials – three MA and one SCB;
Classic Motocross - four MA and one SCB;
Historic Road Race - three MA and one SCB;
Speedway - four MA and one SCB;
Motocross - four MA and one SCB;
Junior Sport & Development - three MA and one SCB; and
Road Race - five MA and one SCB.
For more information
on the MA sporting commissions, contact Ross Martin, tel (03) 9684
0504, or email ross@ma.org.au
The all-new
Motorcycling Australia Museum (JAN 28, 2005)
Hot on the heels
of Motorcycling Australia (MA) announcing the formation of a new
division to cater for the needs of recreational motorcyclists, comes
yet another initiative – a museum designed to preserve significant
racing motorcycles. All too often, motorcycles that contribute to
our great sporting heritage are lost to future generations: cast
aside, forgotten or dismantled. It is MA’s aim to find these
machines, as well as sporting memorabilia, and display them for
all to see. We will establish a loan scheme with other public and
private collections, so that enthusiasts, Australia-wide, will have
the opportunity to witness our history close-up.
The motorcycles
in the MA Museum will all be mobile, and will be demonstrated wherever
possible, rather than remaining as static exhibits. MA is proud
to announce the following acquisitions to kickstart the museum:
1. Mike
Hailwood’s Ducati 750SS. Arguably one of the most significant
racing bikes in the world. When the late Mike Hailwood made his
celebrated comeback to racing in 1977, he did it on the Ducati 750SS
at the famed Castrol 6-hour. Teamed with Jim Scaysbrook, the duo
finished sixth outright and third in the 750cc class. The same pairing,
still 750SS mounted, also went on to contest the following year’s
six-hour, in addition to the popular Adelaide 3-hour. The bike has
been owned since new by Newcastle-based Malcolm Bailey, and was
completely rebuilt after its last race. It is still painted in the
livery of its main sponsor, the Adelaide clothing company Golden
Breed. MA’s purchase means that the 750SS will remain in Australia,
rather than disappear overseas like so many others.
2. Roy
East’s Matchless Metisse. Roy East, who passed away in 2002,
was one of the greatest all-rounders Australia has ever seen. A
champion road racer, dirt tracer and motocrosser, Roy spent 10 years
racing professionally in England, Europe and the USA, first on BSA
Gold Stars and later on the Metisse. On his return to Australia
in 1970, Roy became a Honda dealer and later the Australian importer
for Husqvarna. Roy’s Metisse represents the classic period
in motocross when the big four-strokes could still hold their own
with the two-strokes. The Metisse was stored for many years and
is currently being rebuilt for display and demonstration purposes.
The museum will
be established at MA headquarters in South Melbourne, and will also
be accessible as a virtual museum on the MA website – www.ma.org.au.
MA welcomes offers of a loan, donations or motorcycles and memorabilia
for sale. For more information, tel (03) 9684 0500. |
