Australian Formula 3 Management calls for independent inquiry into CAMS Formula 4
The promoters of Australian Formula 3 have issued a statement encouraging an independent inquiry into the shuttering of the Australian Formula 4 series by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).
Image: CAMSmedia
CAMS announced on Wednesday that the open-wheel series would not return for 2020.
The statement, signed by Director Ian Richards, stated it was not a gloating “I told you so”, instead asking for a co-operative independent inquiry, to primarily identify the impact on other categories and if the individuals responsible for the “failure can be identified and at the very least counselled for their actions…”
In their original notice, CAMS said that they “will announce details around its future development programs in the coming months”, notably that these would follow “extensive consultation within the industry both locally and overseas.”
The first Australian Formula 4 Championship was held in 2015, as the FIA began to streamline the ladder to Formula One. Formula 4 is designated as the highest level of national open-wheel racing, before regional Formula 3, then the global Formula 3, Formula 2, and Formula 1.
Speedcafe.com noted on Wednesday that Australian Formula Ford and Australian Formula 3 Championships both abruptly lost their national status just over a week before the 2015 debut of Formula 4.
FORMULA 3 MANAGEMENT PTY LTD FULL STATEMENT
At this time of CAMS announcing the axing of the Formula 4 Championship it would be all too easy for any number of interested parties and motor sport enthusiasts to trot out the ‘I told you so’ line over the demise of this open wheel category.
However the matter is far too important for any glib comments, and if any good is to be gained from this unfortunate saga a full independent inquiry into the CAMS handling of the Formula 4 experiment is required.
Any major business enterprise or sporting organisation that has experienced the failure of a major initiative such as that which has occurred with CAMS and Formula 4 should welcome and initiate an independent inquiry to ensure it benefits from findings going forward.
Matters such as how the Formula 4 decision was reached, what due diligence into the proposal was undertaken, what business plan was put forward, what cost/benefit was to be achieved, what impact the implementation of Formula 4 would have on other categories, what consultation with interested parties was undertaken, plus the final cost to CAMS member should be among the matters examined by an independent inquiry.
Recommendations as to how such matters should be handled in the future, and whether or not those responsible for the Formula 4 failure can be identified and at the very least counselled for their actions are needed.
Formula 3 Management would cooperate with such an inquiry, and in the meantime would be prepared to instigate a two part grid to allow any Formula 4 drivers or teams to participate in Formula 3 events so as to maintain some value and use for these race cars.
Ian Richards
Director
Formula 3 Management Pty Ltd
