Passion and opinion can bring out the best and worst

With the announcement this morning on nzmotorracing.co.nz (New controlled Formula 1600 proposal approved for the future) of a new proposed controlled Formula 1600 class, opinions have already started flowing.

Here’s some of the proposal:

“Plans are well underway for a new controlled Formula 1600 class to get underway in the 2019/20 season. The Motorsport New Zealand board recently approved a proposal to run the new Class One field commencing in the 2019-20 season.

The cars will be identical Spectrums running two-way dampers and powered by a Kent engine built to Schedule F regulations. It is understood that the engines will have a CNC’d cast iron head, again built as identically as possible.

The proposal is to lease the cars and not sell them with the intention of eventually fielding up to 20 cars of both local and international drivers. This would be similar to the current ‘arrive and drive’ Toyota Racing Series model, rather than individual chassis ownership. The group organising the new class have not publicly identified themselves but reportedly are associated with the F1600 category.

The Formula 1600 category would run at all Tier One Speedworks meetings under Schedule CH, and compete for the national F1600 title. “

With any change there is the potential for division as we have witnessed before in motorsport.  There will be much debate on the pro’s and cons surrounding the future of Formula 1600.  Every car owner and former driver will have an opinion on the way forward, which is great.

The key to moving ahead is have an open discussion. There does appear to be a concern that the proposal so far has taken place behind closed doors and not involved relevant stakeholders.  However, often this is required due to commercial sensitivities.

It is imperative that the organisers of the proposal identify themselves and start talking to the different stakeholders.  Give them the facts and reasons for the proposal and listen to the questions, concerns and suggestions from the motorsport community.

Let’s face it, generally we don’t like change.  it is how we conduct the change that counts.