Championships

ASWMC Win the Inter-Association Car Trial

Congratulations go to Duncan Stephens, Barrie Parker and Tim Lakin who won the 2008 Inter-Association Car Trial at the Wye Valley Trial in Gloucestershire. The ASWMC 'B' team of Bill Moffatt, Nigel Weeks and Carl Talbot took second overall with the West Midlands team coming home in 3rd spot.

This is the second time the ASWMC have won this title in the last six years. The West Midlands are the only other Regional Association to have won this title and have won it a total of 16 times.

Kieron Winter
1958 ~ 2008

The ASWMC were shocked to hear the news of Kieron Winter who sadly died while marshalling at the Wessex Sprint on May 5th. Kieron was Chairman of Bristol Pegasus Motor Club and was devoted to grass roots motorsport. He was a regular at our ASWMC Council Meetings, his valuable experience and input will be a loss to the South West motorsport scene.

The ASWMC would like to offer our condolences to Kieron's family and friends, he will be sorely missed.

A full tribute and a message area is available on the Bristol Pegasus MC website.

ASWMC AGM News

Paul Parker of Bristol MC has been elected as the new ASWMC Chairman, Paul will take over the reigns with immediate effect as Bob Jones stated tha he would stand down after the AGM. The ASWMC would like to thank Bob for his many years of service and wish him well for the future.

Witney MC Autocross 26th August 2007

The above event has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to a lack of medical cover, the club have spent several days phoning around to find a Doctor or Paramedic and even put out requests on the local radio stations, with no one coming forward they have had no alternative but to cancel the event.
The club would like to thank those competitors who had entered and hope to run the event in 2008.

URGENT!!!
Deadline 10th December 2006
If you club has not yet submitted dates for the 2007 Championship Calendars, you may miss out on being a round of the ASWMC Championships, our deadline for publishing the 2007 ASWMC Yearbook is fast approaching as is the date for application for Championship Permits from the MSA.

A thank you to the following clubs who have submitted dates, if your club is NOT listed you need to act fast.

Bexley LCC
Bournemouth & DCC
Bristol MC
Bristol Pegasus MC
Burnham-on-Sea MC
Camel Vale MC
Carmarthen MC
Castle Combe Racing Club
Dolphin MC
Epynt MC
Exmouth MC
Farnborough & DMC
Forresters Car Club
Holsworthy MC
Jersey MC & LCC
Launceston & North Cornwall MC
Minehead MC
MGCC D&C Centre
MGCC (SW)
The Motor Cycling Club
Newquay AC
Plymouth MC
Ross & DMSL
Sixty & Worcs MC
Southern CC
South Hams MC
Southsea MC
Tavern MC
Torbay MC
Weston-Super-Mare MC
Windwhistle MC

The full calendar will be published on the website for the first time, so is a good place to advertise the events your club promotes from a club autotest to an International event.

I need date, type of event, grade of event (ie closed to club or Nat B etc), whether ASWMC Championship status is sought and venue or map details. So if your club is not listed above, go and kick someone into action very quickly and send the details to:

Nic Ayre
6 Rosecroft Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 6AP

Or E-mail to nic@aswmc.org.uk

Steve Sanders
1963 ~ 2006

It is with great regret that we have to announce the death of Steve Sanders, who sadly died on Friday 15th September 2006 after a brave battle against throat cancer. Steve was the ASWMC PR Officer back in the mid 1990's and was the current Chief Marshal for North Devon Motor Club, his enthusiasium for his beloved sport never wained over the years and whenever health problems stopped him from driving, he would go out and marshal instead, ensuring that others could enjoy their motorsport.

The South West motorsport scene has lost a willing volunteer.

Our thoughts are with Steve's family at this time of loss.

Funeral arrangements will be posted on the NDMC website.

NEWS RELEASE
We are pleased to announce the addition of two further awards in the 2006 ASWMC Speed Championship donated by TOYO TYRES UK LTD. via our sponsor BRIDGE TYRES & WHEELS
You will find the rules and Entry Form on the website.
Please liase with Mike Potter at Bridge Tyres & Wheels at Taunton if you require any further information Telephone: 01823 334494

ASWMC 2005 Awards Presentation
Sunday February 5th 2006 at 2.15pm
Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster.

The ASWMC would like to wish all it's member clubs, competitors and marshals a very
Happy New Motorsport Year

ASWMC Team win Inter-Association PCT

Congratulations also go to the ASWMC Team of Tim Lakin, Mike and Duncan Stephens, who represented the ASWMC at the Wye Valley Trial and came away with the win.

ASWMC Team win Inter-Association Autocross

Congratulations to the ASWMC Team of Colin Anderson, Chris Butler, Andy Hoare and reserve driver Paul Dible on winning the Inter Association Autocross at Oakington Airfield, Cambridgeshire. The team retained the title they won last season in Gloucestershire, the ACSMC came home in the runner up spot, showing that the Southern Counties Autocross Championship is a good breeding ground for competitive drivers.

Threat to UK Grass Roots Motorsport

PRESS RELEASE
First motor sport events cancelled as campaign grows to overturn new DEFRA regulations

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has received notification of the first cancellations of motor sport events as a direct result of legislation imposed by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

DEFRA's decision to stop subsidies to farmers who allow part of their land to be used, even temporarily, for any form of motor sport has threatened to destroy more than 40% of 4-wheeled grassroots motor sport in the UK as well as 4,000 off-road motor cycle meetings. The first events to fall victim to the legislation include sporting trials, autograss racing and 4x4 events that had been due to take place on rural farm land, but there are fears that these are just the tip of the iceberg.

The media campaign to overturn the legislation is gathering momentum and reflects the serious nature of the threat posed by DEFRA's actions.

Auto Express magazine estimates that nearly 50,000 competitors and officials will be directly hit by the new ruling, with as many as 250,000 spectators, families and service crews also affected. "There will be a knock-on effect on garages, local B&Bs and other rural businesses," 4x4 event organiser Chris Tomley told the magazine.

Motorsport News has started its own campaign to save Britain's grassroots motor sport. It urges everyone to sign up to its petition at www.petitiononline.com/som, and quotes trials multi-champion Julian Fack: "As we see it, this could be the death of sporting trials. This is devastating news."
Elsewhere in the paper, MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton has written: "This is a fundamental threat to motor sport and we need everyone to join the campaign. The time for taking it on the chin is over; we now have to fight for our sport." The full text of his article can be found on the MSA website, www.msauk.org, in the News section, as can previous press releases.

Editor's notes:

The Single Payment Scheme (SPS) replaces the Common Agricultural Policy and now pays farmers for the land they own, not what they produce. The European Directive on agricultural subsidies does not prohibit motor sports on land eligible for SPS. However, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has taken the decision, without consultation, to stop these payments to UK landowners if agricultural land is used, even temporarily, for motor sport.

Release MSA05-026: 20 April 2005

Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association by MPA Media Limited

Hillclimb and Sprint Championship Date Changes.

Due to circumstances beyond the ASWMC's control the following changes have been made to the calendars.

Hillclimb: Camel Vale MC's Castle events are now scheduled for 16/17th July and the 14th August.

Sprint: NDMC have had to cancel their Chivenor Sprint on June 19th due to military operations, this event has been replaced by the RNAC/BOS run event at Merryfield and the last round at Dunkeswell will now be run on Sept 11th.

Southern Counties Autocross Championship
Date Change

Due to venue availability problems South Hams MC have postponed the Aardvark Excavations Autocross until 25th September 2005, so it will now become the final round of the 2005 Championship.

It is with the greatest sadness that we have to report that Dick Mayo lost his fight against cancer and passed away on the 20th March 2004. Dick was the ASWMC General Secretary and Treasurer for over 25 years and he will be sorely missed. A full tribute to Dick can be found by clicking the banner above.

Date Posted
04/07/08	ASWMC Win the Inter-Association Car Trial Congratulations go to Duncan Stephens, Barrie Parker and Tim Lakin who won the 2008 Inter-Association Car Trial at the Wye Valley Trial in Gloucestershire. The ASWMC 'B' team of Bill Moffatt, Nigel Weeks and Carl Talbot took second overall with the West Midlands team coming home in 3rd spot. This is the second time the ASWMC have won this title in the last six years. The West Midlands are the only other Regional Association to have won this title and have won it a total of 16 times.
13/05/08	Kieron Winter 1958 ~ 2008 The ASWMC were shocked to hear the news of Kieron Winter who sadly died while marshalling at the Wessex Sprint on May 5th. Kieron was Chairman of Bristol Pegasus Motor Club and was devoted to grass roots motorsport. He was a regular at our ASWMC Council Meetings, his valuable experience and input will be a loss to the South West motorsport scene. The ASWMC would like to offer our condolences to Kieron's family and friends, he will be sorely missed. A full tribute and a message area is available on the Bristol Pegasus MC website.
13/05/08	Wessex Sprint 5th May Due to the sad loss of Kieron Winter at the Wessex Sprint, the event was abandoned before all the competitors had completed a timed run. Therefore no points will be awarded for this event.
18/3/08	MSA British Autocross Championship 2008 sees the return of the MSA British Autocross Championship. There are 6 rounds on offer, which two are our North Devon Motor Club Autocross on the 19th/20th July. Championship details are below MSA British Autocross Championship This year, the Association of Eastern Motor Clubs have regained the MSA British Autocross Championship for 2008. It will consist of 6 rounds. They will take place over 3 weekends in the year with 2 separate events being held each weekend with one in the South East, one in the South West and the final in the North East. The proposed dates are as follows:- Rounds 1 & 2 – 10th/11th May – Braintree, Essex – Green Belt MC and Wickford AC Rounds 3 & 4 – 19th/20th July – Sugworthy, North Devon – North Devon MC Rounds 5 & 6 – 23rd/24th August – Causey Park, Morpeth, Northumberland – Cramlington and District MC After, the final round, there will be a barbeque for anyone who wishes to stay as the following day is Bank Holiday Monday which would allow for those people to travel back the following day. If you have any autocross competitors in your region who wish to compete in this Championship, please pass on my details, as co-ordinator, to them. My email address is john@jewhitemotors.co.uk or tel. no. 01279 731039. John White AEMC Chairman
3/1/08	Presentation of 2007 ASWMC Championship Awards Sunday February 3rd 2008 2pm for 2.15pm Hartnoll Country House Hotel, Bolham, Tiverton
3/11/07	Urgent Reminder Dates forms have been sent out to all member clubs, these should have been returned to Nic Ayre by Sept 8th. Please ensure that your club has returned their form or date clashes may happen and priority for Championship Status may be given to those clubs who have submitted dates by the deadline. Some Championships have now been finalised, so if your club has failed to return the form your events may not be rounds of the ASWMC Championships for 2008. We are now editing the 2008 Year Book, so if you wish your clubs dates and correct officials to be published the deadline is the 1st December 2007. A big thank you to the following clubs who have already returned their forms or attended to AGM/Dates Meeting to submit dates. Amman & DMC BARC (SW) Bournemouth & DCC Bristol MC Bristol Pegasus MC Burnham on Sea MC Camel Vale MC Carmarthen MC Castle Combe Racing Club Cirencester CC Dolphin MC Epynt MC Exmouth MC Herefordshire MC Farnborough & DMC Jersey MC & LCC Launceston & North Cornwall MC MG Car Club (Devon & Cornwall) Minehead MC Newquay AC North Devon MC Plymouth MC Road Rally Register Southsea MC South Wales AC Sutton & Cheam MC Tavern MC Torbay MC Weston-super-Mare MC Windwhistle MC
24/10/2/07	ASWMC AGM News Paul Parker of Bristol MC has been elected as the new ASWMC Chairman, Paul will take over the reigns with immediate effect as Bob Jones stated tha he would stand down after the AGM. The ASWMC would like to thank Bob for his many years of service and wish him well for the future.
29/9/07	The Torbay MC Autocross scheduled to run on Oct 7th has been cancelled due to a lack of entries, only 9 entries had been received by the closing date. The Torbay MC would like to thank those that made the effort to enter on time and apologise to them that they are unable to run the event. Closing dates are there for a reason, these events cost a lot of money to organise and it is down to you the competitors to ensure that entries are sent in before the close. I am not aware of any clubs who bank the cheques until after the closing date, by which time they know whether the event is running or not. If you have to withdraw from an event, your fee will normally be returned in full, providing that you inform the organising club within the rules of the SR's. The officials that are needed to run Autocrosses, such as Doctors, Medical crews, Rescue Units, Scrutineers along with field hire, MSA Permit Fees, toilets and other bits and pieces all add to the ever increasing cost of running an event, which means many clubs need 35+ cars to break even. It is your sport, if you do not support the organisers who spend hours and hours working for nothing to provide you with a days motorsport, then the sport will decline into non existence. For me it is a sad way to end my role as Championship Co-ordinator after eleven years and I hope that you the competitors rise to the challenge and give your full support to the new Co-ordinator and the organising clubs for 2008. My advice to clubs for future seasons is to have two entry fees, one standard fee before the closing date and a much higher one after the closing date. Nic Ayre Championship Co-ordinator
23/09/07	Bob Jones has reluctantly decided to step down from the ASWMC Exec as Chairman due to a number of personal reasons not the least of which include a number of external pressures which prevent him from expanding his role for the Association.
23/08/07	Witney MC Autocross 26th August 2007 The above event has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to a lack of medical cover, the club have spent several days phoning around to find a Doctor or Paramedic and even put out requests on the local radio stations, with no one coming forward they have had no alternative but to cancel the event. The club would like to thank those competitors who had entered and hope to run the event in 2008.
13/05/07	To All Speed Event Organisers Please note that the dates for the 2008 Longleat Hill Climb has been moved to 5th and 6th July 2008. This is a result of the specific request from the owners of Longleat. Obviously this is a weekend that none of us would want to lose, so I request that you avoid using this weekend as a date for a Speed Event. Signed Howard West ASWMC Speed Championship Co-ordinator
4/3/07	2007 ASWMC Registration Cards and Yearbooks Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control the production of the 2007 ASWMC Yearbook has been delayed, fingers crossed it should be with us soon and we should start to post them along with the registration cards and any other items purchased from about the 19th March. Please accept our apologies for this delay. A full listing of registered contenders up to the 4th March 2007can be found here.
2/3/07	The ASWMC Eligibility Scrutineer has issued the following statement with regard to cars running in Classes C1 to C4 Please be aware that where specific reference to MSA 'Blue Book' Regulations has been made in the 2007 ASWMC Regulations for Hill Climb and Sprint Championships (eg. with regards to Modified Production Cars Classes C1 - C4), it is expected that competitors will ensure that their competition cars duly comply with all relevant sections within these Regulations. An example of this, in the case of Classes C1 - C4 would be with regard to Section L12.3.1 of the 'Blue Book', and which deals with the requirement that the unitary construction of the car within the wheel hub centres, remains to the manufacturer's original specification with regard to both construction and materials. Howard West Speed Championship Co-ordinator therefore recommends that all contenders in Classes C1 - C4 inclusive, ensure that their cars are in compliance with L12.3.1. to L12.3.5. inclusive. Please be aware that the onus is on the competitor to prove to the organisers of the events that their vehicle complies with the regulations. Signed Howard West Speed Championship Secretary
18/12/06	NEWS RELEASE The Welsh Counties Car Club's Llandow Sprint held on 29th May 2006, has been voted the best event in the 2006 ASWMC Speed Championship sponsored by Bridge Tyres & Wheels. The votes were cast by some of the Championship Contenders. The Club will be presented with the Dick Mayo Trophy at the ASWMC Prizegiving Event to be held at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset, on Sunday 4th February 2007. Congratulations to the Welsh Counties Car Club, and especially their Organising Team. Well Done Howard West ASWMC Speed Championship Co-ordinator
23/11/06	URGENT!!! Deadline 10th December 2006 If you club has not yet submitted dates for the 2007 Championship Calendars, you may miss out on being a round of the ASWMC Championships, our deadline for publishing the 2007 ASWMC Yearbook is fast approaching as is the date for application for Championship Permits from the MSA. A thank you to the following clubs who have submitted dates, if your club is NOT listed you need to act fast. Bexley LCC Bournemouth & DCC Bristol MC Bristol Pegasus MC Burnham-on-Sea MC Camel Vale MC Carmarthen MC Castle Combe Racing Club Dolphin MC Epynt MC Exmouth MC Farnborough & DMC Forresters Car Club Holsworthy MC Jersey MC & LCC Launceston & North Cornwall MC Minehead MC MGCC D&C Centre MGCC (SW) The Motor Cycling Club Newquay AC Plymouth MC Ross & DMSL Sixty & Worcs MC Southern CC South Hams MC Southsea MC Tavern MC Torbay MC Weston-Super-Mare MC Windwhistle MC The full calendar will be published on the website for the first time, so is a good place to advertise the events your club promotes from a club autotest to an International event. I need date, type of event, grade of event (ie closed to club or Nat B etc), whether ASWMC Championship status is sought and venue or map details. So if your club is not listed above, go and kick someone into action very quickly and send the details to: Nic Ayre 6 Rosecroft Road Ipswich Suffolk IP1 6AP Or E-mail to nic@aswmc.org.uk
20/09/06	Congratulations to Tom Potter the 2005 ASWMC Under 21's Champion, who has just finished 10th overall in his first attempt in the 2006 British Sprint Championship.
17/09/06	Steve Sanders 1963 ~ 2006 It is with great regret that we have to announce the death of Steve Sanders, who sadly died on Friday 15th September 2006 after a brave battle against throat cancer. Steve was the ASWMC PR Officer back in the mid 1990's and was the current Chief Marshal for North Devon Motor Club, his enthusiasium for his beloved sport never wained over the years and whenever health problems stopped him from driving, he would go out and marshal instead, ensuring that others could enjoy their motorsport. The South West motorsport scene has lost a willing volunteer. Our thoughts are with Steve's family at this time of loss. Funeral arrangements will be posted on the NDMC website.
29/08/06	The ASWMC Team of Jason Byrom, Chris Butler and Colin Anderson narrowly missed out on their defence of the Inter-Association title at the Witney MC Autocross, they were beaten by the ACSMC team of Jason Riggs, Derek Hill and Andrew Hoare by just 1 point, with the AEMC team a further 7 points adrift. Even though we lost, ACSMC are part of the Southern Counties Championship, which shows the level of competition within that Championship is still the best in the UK.
11/08/06	The Dunkeswell Sprint due to take place on 10th September has been cancelled due to the current planning situation at the venue. The last Sprint of the year will be at St. Eval on 3rd September 2006. Therefore a total of 10 events will have been run in 2006, with the best 7 results to count. It is hoped that Dunkeswell and Chivenor will be back in 2007, with possibility 3 events each to choose from.
06/08/06	Central Sussex MC has informed us that the Team CenSus Autocross on Sept 9th/10th 2006 has had to be cancelled due to venue problems. This is just a temporary problem and they will be back in 2007. With the Championship reduced to 9 rounds it will be the best 7 to count.
29/06/06	The North Devon Motor Club have informed us that the second Chivenor Sprint, due to be held on Sept. 17th has been cancelled due to permission problems with the military. However, on a brighter note, there is a strong possibility that they will get permission to run 2 events in 2007. Please note that an extra St Eval Sprint on the 30th July has been included in this years championship.
05/06/06	Newquay AC Sprint 25th June Please note that the above event is a round of the ASWMC Championship, even though it does not state this in the regulations for the event, this will be amended in the final instructions. The Regulations have been sent out already, if any contenders have been missed will they please contact Martine Brewer 7 Curlew Close Pentire Newquay Cornwall TR7 1SU Tel: 01637 850054 The entry list will be kept open until Sunday 18th June and entries will be accepted at the Chivenor Sprint a week before, provided that the entry maximums have not already been met. The event held on 28th May does not form part of the 2006 ASWMC Sprint Championship. With apologies for any mis-understandings from your Championship Co-ordinator. Howard West
28/04/06	NEWS RELEASE We are pleased to announce the addition of two further awards in the 2006 ASWMC Speed Championship donated by TOYO TYRES UK LTD. via our sponsor BRIDGE TYRES & WHEELS You will find the rules and Entry Form on the website. Please liase with Mike Potter at Bridge Tyres & Wheels at Taunton if you require any further information Telephone: 01823 334494
2/2/06	ASWMC 2005 Awards Presentation Sunday February 5th 2006 at 2.15pm Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster.
1/1/06	The ASWMC would like to wish all it's member clubs, competitors and marshals a very Happy New Motorsport Year
29/06/05	ASWMC Team win Inter-Association PCT Congratulations also go to the ASWMC Team of Tim Lakin, Mike and Duncan Stephens, who represented the ASWMC at the Wye Valley Trial and came away with the win.
29/06/05	ASWMC Team win Inter-Association Autocross Congratulations to the ASWMC Team of Colin Anderson, Chris Butler, Andy Hoare and reserve driver Paul Dible on winning the Inter Association Autocross at Oakington Airfield, Cambridgeshire. The team retained the title they won last season in Gloucestershire, the ACSMC came home in the runner up spot, showing that the Southern Counties Autocross Championship is a good breeding ground for competitive drivers.
13/05/05	Please find below a press release issued today (13 May 2005) by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Note to media: Please note that there will be no further comment from the Motor Sports Association at this time. Note to clubs: Clubs are reminded that all events will still need to conform with Cross Compliance rules. ***************************** NEWS RELEASE** Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR Out of hours: 020 7270 8960 SINGLE PAYMENT - UPDATED GUIDANCE ON NON-AGRICULTURAL LAND USE 13 May 2005 Announcing a revision today to the rules governing the use of agricultural land for motor sports during the 10-month qualifying period under the Single Payment Scheme, Lord Bach, Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food, said: "Defra received a number of representations from motor sport interests following the issue of new guidance on 29 March. Having considered these, I am happy to announce the publication of updated guidance which now provides for motor sports to take place on up to 28 days during farmers' 10-month eligibility period on land used in support of 2005 Single Payment claims. Guidance for 2006 and beyond will be reviewed in the light of experience of this first year of the Single Payment Scheme. " http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050513a.htm " Public Enquiries: 08459 335577 Press Notices available via Defra website www.defra.gov.uk
27/04/05	Threat to UK Grass Roots Motorsport PRESS RELEASE First motor sport events cancelled as campaign grows to overturn new DEFRA regulations The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has received notification of the first cancellations of motor sport events as a direct result of legislation imposed by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). DEFRA's decision to stop subsidies to farmers who allow part of their land to be used, even temporarily, for any form of motor sport has threatened to destroy more than 40% of 4-wheeled grassroots motor sport in the UK as well as 4,000 off-road motor cycle meetings. The first events to fall victim to the legislation include sporting trials, autograss racing and 4x4 events that had been due to take place on rural farm land, but there are fears that these are just the tip of the iceberg. The media campaign to overturn the legislation is gathering momentum and reflects the serious nature of the threat posed by DEFRA's actions. Auto Express magazine estimates that nearly 50,000 competitors and officials will be directly hit by the new ruling, with as many as 250,000 spectators, families and service crews also affected. "There will be a knock-on effect on garages, local B&Bs and other rural businesses," 4x4 event organiser Chris Tomley told the magazine. Motorsport News has started its own campaign to save Britain's grassroots motor sport. It urges everyone to sign up to its petition at www.petitiononline.com/som, and quotes trials multi-champion Julian Fack: "As we see it, this could be the death of sporting trials. This is devastating news." Elsewhere in the paper, MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton has written: "This is a fundamental threat to motor sport and we need everyone to join the campaign. The time for taking it on the chin is over; we now have to fight for our sport." The full text of his article can be found on the MSA website, www.msauk.org, in the News section, as can previous press releases. Editor's notes: The Single Payment Scheme (SPS) replaces the Common Agricultural Policy and now pays farmers for the land they own, not what they produce. The European Directive on agricultural subsidies does not prohibit motor sports on land eligible for SPS. However, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has taken the decision, without consultation, to stop these payments to UK landowners if agricultural land is used, even temporarily, for motor sport. Release MSA05-026: 20 April 2005 Issued on behalf of the Motor Sports Association by MPA Media Limited
27/04/05	PRESS RELEASE MSA tackles DEFRA threat to UK motor sport The Motor Sports Association has vowed to fight all the way to Brussels to safeguard the future of nearly 50 percent of its sanctioned motor sport events after the government decided to stop subsidies to farmers who allow part of their land to be used, even temporarily, for any form of motor sport. The MSA has joined forces with the governing body of motor cycle racing (ACU) and other affected parties to challenge the Government's decision, channelling its efforts through the Land Access & Recreation Association (LARA) of which the MSA is a founding member and major funder. The Single Payment Scheme (SPS) replaces the Common Agricultural Policy and now pays farmers for the land they own, not what they produce. The European Directive on agricultural subsidies does not prohibit motor sports on land eligible for SPS. However, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has taken the decision, without consultation, to stop these payments to UK landowners if agricultural land is used, even temporarily, for motor sport. Activities that will be particularly impacted are autograss, autocross, sporting trials, production car trials, 4x4 events and some rallies. "We believe the current guidance from DEFRA to landowners is incorrect, is inconsistent with EU policy and fundamentally threatens the future of motor sport in this country. The MSA is a founding member and substantial funder of LARA and it is entirely appropriate that the concerted response of all interested parties to this threat is channelled through LARA. We hope to have a successful conclusion to our urgent dialogue with DEFRA, but should the need arise we are prepared to pursue this issue further," said Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association. Release MSA05-025: 20 April 2005
26/03/05	Hillclimb and Sprint Championship Date Changes. Due to circumstances beyond the ASWMC's control the following changes have been made to the calendars. Hillclimb: Camel Vale MC's Castle events are now scheduled for 16/17th July and the 14th August. Sprint: NDMC have had to cancel their Chivenor Sprint on June 19th due to military operations, this event has been replaced by the RNAC/BOS run event at Merryfield and the last round at Dunkeswell will now be run on Sept 11th.
09/03/05	Southern Counties Autocross Championship Date Change Due to venue availability problems South Hams MC have postponed the Aardvark Excavations Autocross until 25th September 2005, so it will now become the final round of the 2005 Championship.
01/03/05	ASWMC Treasurer Barry Luxton has taken over the role of Treasurer for the ASWMC from Paul Waterton who resigned from the position as he was unable to devote the time to the Association due to work committments.
16/02/05	Nigel Bigwood 1954 ~ 2005 It is with great regret that we have to report that 2004 ASWMC Sporting Trials Champion Nigel Bigwood died suddenly earlier this month. A member of Bristol MC, Nigel stamped his mark on the ASWMC Championships back in 1979 and 1980 when he won back to back ASWMC Speed Championship titles. Nigel then moved on to the British Sprint Championship again winning back to back titles in 1989 and 1990, before switching to circuit racing. 2004 was his first foray into Sporting Trials, a discipline with a reputation for being difficult, yet Nigel took to it like a duck to water winning the 2004 ASWMC Championship. No doubt, he would have kept up his reputation for winning back to back titles. The ASWMC extend their condolences to Nigel's family and friends.
Oct 2004	Derek Drayton has taken over the position of ASWMC General Secretary.
22/03/04	It is with the greatest sadness that we have to report that Dick Mayo lost his fight against cancer and passed away on the 20th March 2004. Dick was the ASWMC General Secretary and Treasurer for over 25 years and he will be sorely missed. A full tribute to Dick can be found by clicking the banner above.
01/01/04	New Members The ASWMC would like to welcome the following clubs into the Association; Forresters CC, London CC and White Horse MC.