AUGUST 12-20 INCLUSIVE
The dates for National Motorsport Week, the brainchild of the MIA’s newly formed Motorsport Foundation®, have been fixed for 2006 – they are August 12-20 inclusive.
Said the Foundation’s Simon Webb, “The idea behind the week is for the sport to help itself by opening its doors to newcomers. For the sport to flourish and grow more work for Britain’s motorsport industry, we must attract new blood.
“Teams, organisers circuits, promoters and clubs are being encouraged to do all they can to provide test drives, waive entry fees and so on during the period concerned. For its part, the Motor Sport Association (MSA) will be contacting all its 780 affiliated clubs to encourage their active support. With everybody behind this new initiative, we will create a truly lasting effect.”
For further information regarding National Motorsport Week, contact Simon Webb at the MIA on +44 (0) 2476 692600 or email simon.webb@the-mia.com
SUZUKI CHOOSES MOTORSPORT VALLEY® FOR ITS WRC BASE Suzuki is the latest company to position its global motorsport base within Britain’s burgeoning Motorsport Valley®, from where it will mastermind its entry in the World Rally Championship.
Only a few months ago, the Honda-backed Super Aguri F1 team settled in the same area and are on record as saying that it is the only region in the world where one could get a Grand Prix team up and running in a record 12 weeks.Said Chris Aylett of the MIA, the trade association which actively promotes the Valley, “These two companies are the latest of many to make powerful investments in Motorsport Valley – home to the world’s leading concentration of motorsport and performance engineering skills.
“It is easy to see how its fortunes can continue to blossom too, thanks to such bonuses as the Treasury’s valuable R&D tax credits. And if, as mooted, F1 rules change to encourage the use of off-the-shelf chassis and engines, then we can expect another influx of big budget F1 teams setting up their homes here in the UK.
“The MIA didn’t create the business cluster of Motorsport Valley, but it did name it, and has, for many years, tirelessly promoted it as the centre of global motorsport excellence. It is extremely rewarding for us to see more and more business coming to this region, thereby vindicating our and UKTI’s ongoing support.”
For further information regarding Motorsport Valley, contact Chris Aylett at the MIA on +44 (0) 2476 692600 or email chris.aylett@the-mia.com
MIA’S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT VISIT TO THE INDY 500 – THE GREATEST RACE IN THE WORLD In addition to the world of NASCAR, the MIA’s upcoming visit to the USA (May 19-29) will go to Indianapolis, known as the “Race Capital of the World” and home to Champ Cars, IRL and many drag racing teams. The trip, which is financially supported by UKTI, will be topped by attendance of the Indy 500 – the world’s biggest motor race bar none, attracting over 300,000 fans! During the trip, delegates will be the guests of the famed Indianapolis Speedway, the Indiana State University and a range of the top IRL race teams.
Said the MIA’s Olivia Harper, “There is considerable pressure on the American race fraternity to cut costs and, in the same way that the NASCAR market has recently opened up to the UK motorsport industry, there is increasing scope for UK companies within America’s premier single-seat categories.
“Britain’s expertise in single-seat racing is unrivalled and any related companies looking to expand their horizons should make a point of joining this UKTI backed trip.
“The same goes for venue and circuit operators who, by joining the mission, would get the chance to visit Charlotte Speedway, Indianapolis Speedway and Virginia Raceway and see how to handle logistics and crowds in excess of 500,000 during the week. Venues can always learn from other venues, and America remains unparalleled in its ability to run great events.”
For further information regarding the MIA’s Business Development Visit to the USA, contact Olivia Harper at the MIA on +44 (0) 2476 692600 or email olivia.harper@the-mia.com
EX-MCLAREN F1 MAN TO BOOST THE GROWING MIA MANAGEMENT TEAM Former senior McLaren F1 Marketing Manager Peter Burns is to join the MIA as Commercial Development Manager in March. He will optimise the MIA’s unrivalled network of contacts, expand their commercial activities and create long-term partnerships for the future benefit of the membership and the industry in general.
Recently involved in marketing projects for motorsport and the America’s Cup in New Zealand, Burns worked for McLaren for no less than 17 years, after securing a law degree. During this time his responsibilities included the hospitality for 12,000 corporate guests each year, and a turnover of £6 million. His impressive track record also includes work on the creation of the 1981 Dubai Grand Prix – the first motor race in the Middle East, in which the MIA’s Chris Aylett also had a hand.
Burns’s appointment follows hot on the heels of that of Simon Webb to the post of Business Development Manager. A graduate and authority in sports management, HR, professional development and management training, Webb is former deputy CEO and GM of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) where he had a close involvement in the Australian Grand Prix and the establishment of the CAMS Motorsport Foundation. Prior to this he led the Outward Bound organisation in Australia for many years.
Olivia Harper is another talented recent recruit who is also a graduate in law. The multi-lingual Harper has enjoyed an extensive career in the management of international sales and becomes International Development Manager. Harper has done much to grow the MIA’s activities in this area since joining the MIA team last year.
For further information regarding the MIA recent staff appointments, contact Fiona Aylett at the MIA on +44 (0) 2476 692600 or email Fiona.aylett@the-mia.com
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOMEAmazingly, the current Charities’ Act specifically excludes the world of motorsport. The MIA has discovered that its proposed replacement Bill, to be made law later this year, includes ‘amateur sport’. It is working with the MSA and the All Party Motor Group, courtesy of MIA President Lord Astor, to be certain that motorsport is included under that heading this time round.
Said the MIA’s Chris Aylett, “It is very important we ensure that motorsport secures the same new charitable status as all other sports, and operates on a level playing field (or race track!). We must attract charitable funds from as many sources as we can to grow the sport and help those engaged within it and cannot allow this advantage to slip past us again. With the MSA, we will do everything in our power to ensure that happens.
For further information regarding the Charities’ Bill, contact Simon Webb at the MIA on +44 (0) 2476 692600 or email simon.webb@the-mia.com
- MIA EVENTS -- Business Development Mission to Japan and South Korea (March 13-17)- Spring Networking Dinner with Paddy Hopkirk (April 5)- Business Development Mission to North Carolina and Indianapolis (May 19-29)
