CAMS Statement Re Bathurst Officials

[RaceTime]

CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT (CAMS)
18 October 2002

CAMS STATEMENT: BATHURST OFFICIALS' CLEAN SWEEP


CAMS today announced that all officials who received random alcohol breath tests during the Bathurst 1000 event passed with flying colours, with all 43 officials tested achieving a blood alcohol level of zero.


The testing of officials was conducted between 9am and 4pm on Sunday 13 October at the Mt Panorama circuit. Officials tested included gate and flag marshals, national and support race stewards, scrutineers, senior race control personnel and executive management personnel.


CAMS' National Competition Rule 145A states that, "During any competition, consumption of alcoholic beverages in the paddock, pits, or any other portion of the competition venue under the control of the officials is expressly forbidden".


This rule exists for the safety of drivers, their crews and any other
parties directly engaged or involved in the event.


"CAMS takes its drugs in sport policy very seriously and we're happy with the results from Bathurst, which were as we expected", said Rob Nethercote, Chief Executive Officer of CAMS.


"It is important that we enforce CAMS' Drugs in Sport policy and test not only competitors but also officials in an effort to keep everyone involved in the event on the ball."


Drivers have echoed Nethercote's sentiments throughout the year stating that it is reassuring to know that the same rules that apply to competitors are also being enforced for those that control the event from trackside.

[RaceTime]

Tis a pity, however, that they haven't always been this way with at least one senior official being stopped on the way to a V8 SUpercar meeting on the Sunday Morning and booked for being over the limit - yet he was permitted to continue with his duties.

One rule for some, another for the rest.

(2000 - Northern Territory btw before anyone asks - even made the Darwin paper during the following week...)

[275 GTB-4]

Well done CAMS, keep up the good work.

Now how about standing up for the long suffering volunteer officials who have worked so hard to allow the great race to be conducted for so many many years with next to nothing being spent to make their stay tolerable whilst the corporates and others skim off the cream!

[Flaggie]

Absolutely, 275 GTB-4.... That is one of the reasons why very few Victorians make the trip. (Me one of them)

The other was when an IMG guy actually said "We're here to make money and if we cant make it from the punters, we'll make it from the officials."

[RaceTime]

Flaggie - enjoy Calder - was out there today and the wind!

Just make sure you keep your kilts tied doen

[Airhead]

I thnk the great well natured volunteers - should be able to really hit the CUB product! The racing would improve...

Official One "Skaife's in the lead again!"

Official Two "Not more boring shyte to try and stay awake through - pass us a VB mate!"

Official One "Let's get 'im for not indicating when he went into the pits"

Official Two "Yep, Yep Yep, (burp) there's some blend line fiasco rule we can get him with, let's do it, now where's the number of the lycra clad Supacheap Girl again?"

[Crash Test]

On the other hand, the Bathurst pubs could release some PR stating that sales were down this year, and Bathurst means nothing to the community.

BTW- what does Murph think of the sobriety of the officals?