Voting On The Ardc Ballot

[The Bogan]

Got my ballot paper in the mail for the ARDC, as they rule the world in regards to Eastern Creek Im not sure on who is best to vote for, any tips or names of who would be the best choice would be most appreciated.

The choices are;

Neil Turner

Terry Conroy

Andrew Leithhead

Paul Dortkamp

Christian Reeves

Peter Boylan

Im not wanting to start a "I hate this guy" thread, so only positive feedback please.

My idea on this is I dont know any of these people, BUT, if you feel that someone you know has the right minerals and will be good for "our" sport/hobbie then send me a PM with the reasons why.

I will be filtering the replys by only taking note from those of you that are, how would you say, "are well know to the Motorsport thread".

Thanks for any input that comes in, I feel that a uneducated vote is as bad if not worse than not voting at all.

Thanks, Mark.

[Duncan]

you are brave to trust the internet Mark!

I was going to say I know Terry and Chris personally, and then say something nice about them - but I got this email through the other club today:

I am a fellow racer in a HSV Production Car #3 and I would like the opportunity to represent all members but in particular – Racing Drivers who feel that they don’t have a voice.

In the past two years the ARDC has been going in a good direction but we can do more for our Racing members. I would like to focus on competitive value as well as membership value. I would like to look at race drive time, event security, parking and access, which are the most common gripes on race day.

I will always welcome member discussion on issues and your suggestions to fix those issues. Look for me on the Ballot paper…

Thanks for your consideration.

Chris Reeves

My involvement in Motorsport has spanned the past fifty years, and I have watched it grow from backyard specials to today's highly technical race cars.

In that time Production Car racing has been the starting point for many of Australia's top Racing Drivers, but has been through tough times due being over shadowed by higher profile Classes which has pushed it into the background.

Ten years ago Sam Rigoli and myself sat down and created Combined Touring Cars with an emphasis on 3E Production Vehicles, which is now Production Touring, and has matured into the largest State based dedicated Production Car Championship in Australia, even overshadowing the National Championship.

During my first term on the ARDC Board I proposed that we promote an Endurance Race for Production Cars at the end of each year to cater for the loss of the Bathurst 12 Hour, and in that time we have alternated as either an 8 or 6 Hour event which means that Eastern Creek Raceway provides six meetings a year for 3E Production Cars.

Our Class is not the only one that competes at the Creek and as a member of the Board I have to be part of a team that covers all aspects of the Sport including making decisions relating to the $9000 000 upgrade that will make the Creek the best Motorsport Facility in Australia.

As a Street Sedan Racing Association and an ARDC Club and Board member I will continue to emphasise the importance of Production Car Racing and act in the best interest as a representative for both organisations on the Board of the ARDC.

Terry Conroy

It's your vote, but in my opinion the current board that obtained funding to split the track in 2 to make more money at the cost of a good race track, don't deserve support. There is no doubt that people like Neil Turner put in a hge amount of effort into CAMS each year, but they really are the "institution" that protect current interests rather than opening up new ideas.

For example - CAMS and ARDC worked together to shut down the WSID car park as a location for drifting because it competed with their skidpan (which is too expensive and not often available). They frequently look after big/commercial interests instead of club and grass roots motorsport.

[Duncan]

Sorry, I should also have mentioned, it was Sam and Terry that made the very brave decision to change the Street Sedan association (VK commodores) into Production Touring cars, and at the same time fight for the right to have imports on the grid. Previously my car and all Skylines/Silvias etc were not eligible to race, Terry not just opened the door but encouraged us to enter.

There can be plenty of politics in car clubs, but Terry has always handled himself professionally even when on the wrong side of a power struggle.

[The Bogan]

Thanks Duncan.