CAMS backflip, full twist and half pike?

[Big Trev]

First this on February 5 from the Cams Website

Current Australian motor sport approval standards acknowledged internationally
CAMS Press Release
5 Feb 2004

A proposal to develop an alternative regulation structure for motor racing track and vehicle safety has been rejected by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).

CAMS President Mr Colin Osborne said a proposal to introduce an additional layer of review by Standards Australia would provide no benefits to the Australian motor sport community while exposing circuits, event organisers and participants to financial risk.

"A move in this direction would be to the detriment of Australian motor sport," said Mr Osborne. "The introduction of a new set of standards could result in a sudden and steep rise in compliance costs that could put some circuits and event organisers out of business and take participation in motor sport out of the reach of many."

CAMS’ current standards are recognised by the FIA, the international governing body of motor sport, as being world’s best practice. Last year CAMS was officially recognised by FIA President Max Mosley as one of the world’s top motor sport regulators.

Australian motor sport already benefits from a set of internationally recognised and endorsed standards established and maintained by CAMS. Those standards are the product of more than 50 years of Australian and world-wide experience.

CAMS’ standing at an international level is illustrated in that it has frequently been engaged by other governing bodies to provide advice and assistance in the safety planning and management of various overseas events. Most recently CAMS has been engaged by the Bahrain Motor Federation to advise on the development of standards and procedures for Formula One officials at the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix to be conducted in April, 2004.

"Whilst Standards Australia is of significant assistance to the Australian community through its routine work of compiling or endorsing standards for many things – from electrical appliances to baby toys – it has no legitimate expertise or experience in relation to motor sport safety," said Osborne.

"Comparing Standards Australia’s motor sport safety expertise to that of CAMS is like comparing a single grain of sand to an entire beach," he continued.

Geoff Arnold, General Manager of Eastern Creek International Raceway agrees.

"It’s impossible to have a single national standard that applies to Australian motor sport, simply because every circuit, and every event, is different in any number of ways – some circuits are built on gravel, others on sand or dirt," he said. "Any fixed standard imposed by a non-specialist, outside organisation would not be flexible enough for variations in the type and number of motor sport events and competitors, which is something that CAMS understands and practices through the Track Operators’ Safety Guide."

Mr Osborne stated that CAMS is always willing to work with all circuits and organisers to continue the development of its internationally recognised standards for the benefit of the entire motor sport community.

Then this on February 18 again from the CAMS Website

CAMS initiative to enhance risk management and OH&S systems
CAMS Press Release
18 Mar 2004

CAMS today announced the appointment of Avert Risk Management to lead an extensive project aimed at enhancing CAMS’ risk management and occupational health and safety compliance systems.

“CAMS is always striving to develop the world’s best practices in its administration of Australian motor sport,” said Dr Rob Nethercote today.

“In response to the ever-changing legislative and insurance climate, CAMS commissioned an independent review of its systems in 2003, carried out by Riskcomm Pty Ltd. Acting on recommendations from Riskcomm’s report, CAMS has appointed Avert Risk Management Services after a lengthy consideration of their capabilities and experience.”

The project will include motor sport specific training and industry accepted accreditation in risk management areas, plus a review and audit of processes and systems.

"One of the reasons we have chosen Avert is their experience in change management and implementation and we are sure this will be the key to success in this project," concluded Nethercote.

Avert Risk Management Services established themselves as market leaders in 2001 when they were the first to achieve AS4360 risk management compliance certification for a permanent, multi-use motor sport venue. One of the Avert team members is Chris Hones, experienced competitor and former general manager of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club which manages Eastern Creek Raceway.

Hones said, "I feel that I can bring to this team a unique perspective from an operations point of view, as an official, a competitor and a track operator. I also have over 25 years experience through my own risk management company. In conjunction with the Avert personnel, we will apply methodology implementing current world’s best practices and Australian standards in risk management.

“CAMS already has a very good system, applying a huge wealth of knowledge, data and experience in its development of venue and vehicle standards and systems. We will be assisting CAMS to fine tune its existing processes to fit evolving legislative and corporate governance requirements,” concluded Hones.

Go figure?????

[pete55]

I thought you sounded surprised Big Trev.

[RaceTime]

He is - but only that they managed to do a bronze medal performance in under 14 days.

Usually CAMS takes at least 3 months to master the backflip....

[Crash Test]

When the world's best practice just aint enough

Just as a bit of an aside, I read in there the bit about the Bahrain GP. Last Friday night at the QLD CAMS Evening of Champions, two of the folk who visited the country recently got up and told some of their experiences. I think the best one was the cheif fire marshall. Walking through the pit lane, "oh yes, we'll have buckets here in case of fire"... except he then went on to say that they would be full of sand, because that extinguishes the flames when go-karts catch on fire... So having some experienced hands around proved worthwhile for everyone!

[Dirk]

It is funny, I have been talking to some people who CAMS were looking at sending to Bahrain to work. It would appear that unless you are Dutch or part of the 'old boys club' you won't even get thought about. It is a shame that an allegedly professional organisation like that would sacrifice experience for 'mateship'

And thank you Crash for confirming the rumors I had heard!

[Big Trev]

I am surprised Pete, surprised that they would reveal the backflip so publicly.

BTW, there is a mistake in my post that I can't change because of the stupid 10 minute edit rule. I had the date at Feb 18 for the 2nd part of the post when it should have been March 18. My apologies.

[Crash Test]

Apparently this track that they've built is like nothing else... absolutely huge, everything schmicko and perfect, and hopefully now their officials will be ready for the task

[PVDA]

Originally posted by Dirk
It would appear that unless you are Dutch or part of the 'old boys club'

I didn't get an invite not that I'd go anyway.

This will be the biggest high profile event in the Middle East this year and no matter how much security they have someone will still try to blow something up.

So those of you who are heading for Bahrain keep your heads down as we've had enough funerals in the past year or so in motorsport.

Did someone mention the "Darwin Junket" has moved further north. You didn't. I must have miss understood.