FOSC 2011 not happening @ Bathurst

[Downoz]

Apparently the 2011 FOSC at Bathurst is not going to happen. Dont know reason but not on.

[Trevor]

and your proof is?

the link to the media release is?

[davelise]

all competitors were emailed yesterday. The event will still beheld but at Eastern Creek not Bathurst.

[Downoz]

Originally Posted by Big_Trev

and your proof is?

the link to the media release is?

I don’t really know how best to say this: we are not going to be conducting a FoSC Mount Panorama Easter event next year.



Selfishly, I am going to miss the pride watching the drivers’ faces returning to the paddock after their event, experiencing the fabulous camaraderie in the paddock, feeling such wonder at and pride of the flaggies returning in the evening smiling and making “high fives”, hearing continued praise for our Masters, receiving shouted welcomes and congratulations from complete strangers during the weekend and returning home and working through literally hundreds of excitable emails after each of the three years we ran at Bathurst.



I am totally overwhelmed just thinking back over those only three years.



Really, all of us in FoSC have had an absolutely wonderful time, taking into account all the difficulties we had to overcome to just get to the Mountain, it is the greatest experience we have all had in our time in our great sport. The friendships based on just being there together are numerous.



If you were there, you know the sheer pleasure we all experienced at Bathurst. We were all part of something very very special, watching everyone soak up the spectacular moment that was “us on the Mountain”.









We all came to enjoy this magic circuit, but we made it more than just magic, we joined together, driver, official, pit crew, family, everyone and we came together for a momentous period.



“We ran the Mountain”, from an office or behind a steering wheel, from a flag point or in the timing box, from a tilt tray or the spectator gate, and we all made it momentous.



We had no film stars or professional drivers, no models on the grid or sponsors pouring dollars into the event, we were just amateur motor sport at its best – enjoying ourselves.



Unfortunately, circumstances have conspired so the “team that is FoSC” cannot overcome them for 2011, so we have decided to retain our sanity, go to Eastern Creek next Easter for a different but new event and keep our Mountain powder dry for another time.



So, I am sorry, as are each of the FoSC team, but we did it, and maybe we can do it again, if circumstances allow us or another club, to bring amateur motor sport to arguably the best circuit in the world. Above all I am feeling a great hole at the thought of not being at Mount Panorama with all those wonderful people next Easter. A great circuit, but greater people, who came to enjoy!



On behalf of FoSC, we hope WE ALL can do it again!





My Best Regards

Charles Jardine

www.fosc.com.au

[Belly13]

Heard it had something to do with the regional council and their ridiculous hire charges for the circuit. No official statement but a few people in higher powers in Bathurst have told me this. How can we justify a second circuit at the Mount with now only two events per year?

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by Belly13

How can we justify a second circuit at the Mount with now only two events per year?

Drive Bathurst is still on next month.

[DAVID PATERSON]

Originally Posted by Belly13

Heard it had something to do with the regional council and their ridiculous hire charges for the circuit.

If this is the case, then the shopkeepers,innkeepers, motel owners, bakers, butchers and service station owners of Bathurst need to get together and put a size 13 boot up the arse of the Bathurst City Council. How much revenue will they lose from the loss of this event?

[356mal]

Originally Posted by PVDA

Drive Bathurst is still on next month.

maybe they are the problem !!!!!

this is from another forum

I have spoken to Charles and hear is the real story. David Jellins, CEO of Trackcorp Adrenalin Pty Ltd who runs "Drive Bathurst 2010" has a contract with Bathurst City Council that prohibits any other provider running regularity at the mountain. Trackcorp went to the Supreme Court and got an injunction in the weeks before the 2010 event which forced FOSC to make changes to its program but allowed it to run.

The cost to hire the track has nothing to do with the decision not to run in 2011and the 2010 FOSC event brought 7 million dollars to the community.

If you are interested "Drive Bathurst 2010" to be held in November is only $3415..... FOSC provided the opportunity this year for 823 drivers to race at the mountain for only $700.

The council is in damage control and with legal poceedings looming it has made it impossible for FOSC to secure & plan for the easter event in 2011, therefore after much thought and legal advice the FOSC committee has decided the best option for the future is to withdraw for 2011 and let the dust settle.

So lets support the 2011 easter event at the creek and show our support and appreciation to Charles and the FOSC committee for their enermous efforts in trying to secure more opportunities for us to run at the iconic mountain.

Wattsy

[DAVID PATERSON]

Originally Posted by 356mal

maybe they are the problem !!!!!

this is from another forum

I have spoken to Charles and hear is the real story. David Jellins, CEO of Trackcorp Adrenalin Pty Ltd who runs "Drive Bathurst 2010" has a contract with Bathurst City Council that prohibits any other provider running regularity at the mountain. Trackcorp went to the Supreme Court and got an injunction in the weeks before the 2010 event which forced FOSC to make changes to its program but allowed it to run.

The cost to hire the track has nothing to do with the decision not to run in 2011and the 2010 FOSC event brought 7 million dollars to the community.

If you are interested "Drive Bathurst 2010" to be held in November is only $3415..... FOSC provided the opportunity this year for 823 drivers to race at the mountain for only $700.

The council is in damage control and with legal poceedings looming it has made it impossible for FOSC to secure & plan for the easter event in 2011, therefore after much thought and legal advice the FOSC committee has decided the best option for the future is to withdraw for 2011 and let the dust settle.

So lets support the 2011 easter event at the creek and show our support and appreciation to Charles and the FOSC committee for their enermous efforts in trying to secure more opportunities for us to run at the iconic mountain.

Wattsy

I've heard something similar, but council's exhorbitant hire fees are still a factor. If the track was much, much cheaper to hire, then FoSC could run a racing only event without regularity and therefore not contravene the exclusive arrangement council has entered into with Drive Bathurst.

Of course, the ratepayers of Bathurst might wonder why their elected council would enter into such an exclusive arrangement with a commercial entity.

[356mal]

David

I agree and I wonder if having an "exclusive arrangement with a commercial entity" borders on a restriction of trade ?

mal

[Sultan]

I'm personally shattered about this, its been a great chance for those without big buck to go there and and fulfill childhood dreams.

I have to agree with you mal, surely something could be done about this?

[275 GTB-4]

MONEY FOR NOTHING: FoSC threatens to take millions elsewhere
MIRIAM SIERS
25 Aug, 2010 05:00 AM
RED tape is threatening to rob Bathurst of millions of dollars each year, say organisers of the annual Shannons Celebration of Motor Sport run by the Festival of Sporting Cars. FoSC’s Charles Jardine yesterday said organisers were sick and tired of brick walls popping up during negotiations with Bathurst Regional Council regarding the use of Mount Panorama.
He said ever since Mercedes pulled out due to the Global Financial Crisis in 2009, FoSC had struggled to make the race financially viable. And most of the obstacles they have to overcome are regulations and conditions council put on using the track.
“When we first came to Bathurst in 2008 the council couldn’t have been more enthusiastic or co-operative,” Mr Jardine said.
“But in the years since then, our task has been made progressively more difficult to the point where, right at this moment, council has made it impossible for us to commit to 2011.”
Mr Jardine said unless organisers could get some straight answers from council about what sorts of activities could be held on the Mount, they will have to go elsewhere for next year’s event.
“Our problem has been in getting straight answers about our contractual obligations,” Mr Jardine said.
“To put it bluntly, we are going to have to find another venue for Easter 2011 unless council can give us the answers we’ve been waiting for.
“This event requires a great degree of forward planning and our deadline has passed.”
Mr Jardine said he feared litigation between another contractor and council was adversely affecting council’s decision-making for 2011.
In 2009 the Western Research Institute prepared the Economic Impact of Mount Panorama report, which estimated Shannons Celebration of Motor Sport generated total expenditure in Bathurst of about $3.9 million, contributing about $1.7 million in value-added and creating 20 full time equivalent jobs in the city.
But Mr Jardine said after surveying participants’ spending in the city over Easter, local businesses benefited to the tune of at least $5.5 million.
“In 2010, 840 drivers entered the Easter event and a further 300 volunteers attended to act as officials,” Mr Jardine said.
Bathurst Regional Council had no comment to make yesterday in response to FoSC’s threats to pull the event from Bathurst.
“Dealings between Bathurst Regional Council and FoSC are commercially in confidence on the matter,” a spokesman from council said.

[nomad_n]

As an offical at this event for the last 3 years, I will miss the race meeting as the committee and the drivers were the best. They always waved and said hello to you as we reported for duty.

And the magic of the mountain was amazing, I can't wait to see what eastern creek is going to be like.

To all the officals it was a real honour working with you all and can't wait to see you at eastern creek

[speedracer04]

Major loss for Australian Motorsport, particularly at club level (where it really matters...)

Another case of money hungry event promoters (DriveBathurst, not FOSC) ruining a 'proper' motorsport event? Shame on Bathurst City Council too if this is the case, im sure the local business community loves the extra cash you got to make it impossible for further events to be staged...

[stigette]

Im gutted to hear this news

Considering that my car was deemed 'too old' to run at Drive Bathurst, I was relying on the FOSC event to make my Bathurst dream a reality.

Back to the drawing board I guess....but I will get there one day!

[Oreti kid]

[QUOTE=nomad_n;2772815]As an offical at this event for the last 3 years, I will miss the race meeting as the committee and the drivers were the best. They always waved and said hello to you as we reported for duty.

Same from me. i would suggest that this is par for the course currently "find a successful event plan" and someone will screw it up for you. this was undoubtedly the BEST CLUB event in Australasia without a doubt.

Go EC Easter 2011 I will be there.

[alfacors]

Very sad day for all Club Motorsport competitors..... for all the guys who have competed the last 3 years and all the guys intending on competing. I'd also like to thank all the officials and volunteers who helped to make the event happen. See you all at Eastern Creek at Easter.

[Simon S]

reading the reports in the press, it does look like a political/money issue....

Here

And here

reading between the lines, one has to ask exactly who's interests Cr Bobby Bourke represents...

[nomad_n]

After talking to Charles I am really excited about Eastern Creek and can't to get there with FOSC. We are in for a super weekend of motorsports and laughter

[Trevor]

This is exceptionally disappointing for all involved, it was on our radar for next year or the year after - bugger!!!

It is obviously a case of money and big business destroying club motorsport - AGAIN

[mtpanorama]

This is all allegedly,from an inside source
Bathurst Regional Council (BRC) have not had confirmation from FOSC that there will not be a meeting at Easter in 2011, FOSC are still under contract to hold the meeting.
The terms of their contract are to hold a race meeting of various classes and of short race distances. FOSC attempt last year to run a supersprint style event ended up with BRC in court with TrackSkill as they have a contract to run a supersprint event. It would be the same if someone else tried to run a 1000km event at Mount Panorama, V8 supercars would have you in court before you could blink.
There was rumor of FOSC running a 6hr race and this is in breach of contract as it conflicts with the 12 hour event.

BRC are happy to have FOSC run a "race" meeting at Easter, unfortunately it appears from my talks today that FOSC are determined not to run and to drag the council down as being the cause of the event not taking place.

I have a feeling that the underlying cause of this event not going ahead is the the cash has run out from FOSC without a benefactor (Merc) being there to cover some of the cost.
Word from the council has it that if you have 500 entrants at $1000 each you should have about a 1/3 left over after hiring the circuit to run the meeting, allegedly of course

[Trevor]

Ah 2 sides to a story - all will be revealed - eventually.

[alfacors]

From one of Charles' emails, it appears that BRC are being very difficult when it comes to any sort of amendment to the original contract, right down to the point of wanting a MBenz model launch as per the first year of the event! Surely there is SOME modicum of commonsense in the council... I won't hold my breath though.

Entry fees for FOSC Bathurst aren't $1000 either, so their numbers are wrong in insinuating that FOSC are reaping some sort of major income from the event.....

It's a shame for the competitors, it's a shame for the fans, and it's a shame for the Bathurst businesses who miss out on millions of dollars of income....

[nomad_n]

Originally Posted by alfacors

From one of Charles' emails, it appears that BRC are being very difficult when it comes to any sort of amendment to the original contract, right down to the point of wanting a MBenz model launch as per the first year of the event! Surely there is SOME modicum of commonsense in the council... I won't hold my breath though.

Entry fees for FOSC Bathurst aren't $1000 either, so their numbers are wrong in insinuating that FOSC are reaping some sort of major income from the event.....

It's a shame for the competitors, it's a shame for the fans, and it's a shame for the Bathurst businesses who miss out on millions of dollars of income....

The Drive Bathurst meeting is $1000.00 as the FOSC entrys were nearly a third of that... The council are extremely silly for letting this event go as it did bring in alot of money into the town. An I actaully thought it was the NSW goverment that owned the track and that the council were just the caretakers of it?

[mtpanorama]

Originally Posted by nomad_n

The Drive Bathurst meeting is $1000.00 as the FOSC entrys were nearly a third of that... The council are extremely silly for letting this event go as it did bring in alot of money into the town. An I actaully thought it was the NSW goverment that owned the track and that the council were just the caretakers of it?

FOSC was close to $800 this year.
The council don't want to loose the race meeting, but you can't go around changing one orgnisations contract without all the other race organisers wanting theirs changed as well $$$$$$$$.
I think a few figures of how much money was spent in town over the weekend are a "bit" rubbery, don't get me wrong, any money for the town is good but don't stretch the truth to suit your side of the argument.