Threat to Motorsport in UK andEurope

tmr

Club Member
I have just received this worrying circular which I would ask all interested parties to kindly take a bit of time to respond to
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Urgent Action Required
Help save our Sport from EU directive
There is a truly serious threat to our sport looming out of the EU very soon – that will result in all forms of motorsport in Europe being forced to shut down. This threat is very real and is no joke. It is imperative that we all respond to the EU Survey on this issue to make our views known. The deadline for submissions is October 20th. Chris Aylett of the MIA has put together an extremely useful guide explaining how to respond, exactly what to say, and which sections to ignore. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete if you follow the MIA guidance.

If you are a company active in motor sport, please amend the figures for staff etc at the relevant point. If you are an individual, I suggest you just substitute ‘we’ for ‘I’.

It is vital that we all respond to this survey right away.

Here is the message from Chris Aylett, Chief Executive of the Motorsport Industry Association:

Subject: URGENT ACTION - to save motorsport in all EU Member States your personal action is needed before October 20th - THIS IS A GENUINE THREAT
Importance: High

Dear Motorsport friend and colleague,

I do not apologise for the dramatic title to this message as our industry and sport face a serious, immediate problem which you can help resolve.

We have until October 20th to respond to this important EC consultation, details of which are attached - if we fail to secure the amendment we seek then the likely outcome is that all motorsport activity, in every EU Member State, will cease.

All involved in the business and organisation of European motorsport need to act NOW to overcome this genuine threat to our own future and that of our employees and sport, from the unintended consequences of action taken by the European Commission (EC).

The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), along with others including the UK Department for Transport, has been fighting to resolve this issue for more than two years, on behalf of our members and the wider EU motorsport community. Now, with your personal leadership and action, it is possible for us to resolve this.

In simple terms, the EC plans to issue a new Motor Insurance Directive, as a result of which all EU Member States must put into their National Law compulsory and unlimited third-party liability insurance to cover personal injury between motorsport competitors and car-to-car damage during any competition – from Formula One, Moto GP, World Rally to karting, historic and grass roots, whether regulated by the FIA or FIM or not.

However such widespread unlimited new insurance is not currently and, we understand, will not in the future be available - so motorsport will be unable to continue anywhere in the EU.

Please respond BY OCTOBER 20th to the EC Review Consultation - https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/finance-2017-motor-insurance_en by using the simple ‘MIA Response Guidelines’ which can be downloaded here. This will take LESS THAN TEN MINUTES – a short time commitment to keep motorsport alive, and the jobs it supports, in place.

It is most important that you estimate, if motorsport were to cease, how many jobs will be lost directly from your organisation and indirectly by your suppliers or the sport, as this significant economic impact will influence the European Commission.

We really must work together to make the European Commission fully aware of the economic importance of motorsport and the employment which our sport and industry provides across the European Union. Please forward this email to fellow drivers, friends, car preparers and other motorsport contacts.

If you have any questions or comments then please email me and I will respond immediately as we must meet the deadline of October 20th.

Thank you most sincerely – your immediate help is invaluable and much appreciated

Best regards

Chris

Chris Aylett
Chief Executive Officer
Motorsport Industry Association
The Apex on 10th Street, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG, UK
T: +44 (0) 2476 692 600 M:+44 (0) 7771 786 500
E: chris.aylett@the-mia.com W: www.the-mia.com


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Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
I don't know how much of a threat this really is but I have heard that they are trying to push for all motorised vehicles to have insurance (including laid-up, never to be run vehicles).

Where would all this insurance requirement end - cyclists, mobile scooters etc ?

Then what about other sports - football, rugby, even badminton that I play? It's quite possible to injure someone.

I must admit when spectating at motorsport I have been concerned by the damage to other peoples cars caused by reckless drivers.

When I was road-rallying we had to have special insurance of course to cover damage to third parties.
 
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SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Bullshit and the date is a joke !

There is currently insurance cover for circuit use whether that be blanket cover for organisations or driver/team specific.

What is this , Brexit-fodder ? All the BRG cars soon destined for museums only ?

So Le Mans Classic and the HSCC are all doomed - c'mon guys - get real !

Total horse manure.
 

tmr

Club Member
Wish it was bull **** I know the author very well indeed and the threat is very real! Each event would need to ensure that all participating vehicles have Third party insurance whether on private or public land.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Each event would need to ensure that all participating vehicles have Third party insurance whether on private or public land.

So what ? Back in 1993 when The Z Club hired Aintree Circuit, we had to provide proof of same.......don't tell me that in 25 years, insurance has gone backwards !:D
 

tmr

Club Member
All organising clubs have to cover for damage to the circuit and members of the public. The difference being with this new criteria every vehicle would need to be insured, getting Third party insurance for track use would be very expensive , you can't even drive round the Nordschleife a public road with your normal fully comp insurance
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
The difference being with this new criteria every vehicle would need to be insured, getting Third party insurance for track use would be very expensive

Insurance companies don't want to kill anything off - that would be counter-productive - no-one kills a cow that produces milk;) !

The insurance market will adapt and competition will reduce prices AND event organisers will pressurise insurers not to reduce grids - no panic !
 

tmr

Club Member
As you know I have bought into laissez faire. I am afraid I don't have your optimism with regard to this, more regulation always results in added cost so I will post my opposition to this review.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Post-Brexit blueZ !

Your mate quotes ".....that will result in all forms of motorsport in Europe being forced to shut down" whereas you speak of it 'only' costing more !

Still existing warrants some optimism - surely ?
 

tmr

Club Member
I know from trying to run some events it is becoming increasingly difficult to get entrants mainly due to costs as well as apathy, tell the intending entrant that they must have third party insurance will reduce the numbers even further . Insurance costs will greatly increase if you have to cover for the potential of taking out another competitor's car in an incident. I remember an event when the car on my left currently valued at £20m on my right £3m don't think any insurer would take on that risk for a low premium
 

Dougs260z

Club Member
I don't know enough about this, but added to the issue of insurance premiums it would appear the if third party would be introduced to the track, if someone crashes into you, you would be able to claim damages to the car and yourself. If you cause a crash your own premium would increase perhaps to the point you would no longer go to the track. As insurance premiums get shared between insurers then to on the road insurance premium may increase as you are seen as a greater risk. Who would determine the responsibility?. I suppose most claims would be 50/50. Can I ask is there is a serious injury to a drive as it stands who pays for the care, support, and time off work? I would all be in the detail and cost, but would it really cause all track days to cancel? If so it would cause Street racing which is far more dangerous and problematic. D.
 
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