Minutes from MA's February board meeting contain information on Super X. Image: Sport The Library.

Confidential information regarding information discussed in February’s Motorcycling Australia Board of Directors Meeting was accidentally uploaded onto MA’s website on Monday, 28 March.

The minutes, which were referred to in CycleOnline.com.au’s Cycle Insider #13 on Wednesday, included a variety of concerning matters regarding the sport of motorcycling in Australia, forcing MA’s CEO David White to release an apology to representatives involved this afternoon.

“It has come to my attention that the minutes from the February MA Board Meeting were incorrectly placed on the MA website on Monday, 28 March,” White stated.

“The minutes contain minimal notation of issues discussed at board level and are completed for internal use to formulate reports for general dissemination – this is normal operating procedure.

“These minutes, though final, were not for general distribution and should not have been made publically available as they do not provide the necessary level of context and could potentially be wrongly interpreted – they have since been removed from the website.

“MA is currently investigating how this occurred, and will undertake a review of its internal processes and procedures immediately to ensure formal structures are adhered to.

“I would like to personally apologise to all parties affected, assuring them that the issue is of the upmost importance and MA is currently dealing with the situation.

“In light of the situation I would urge media to consider the context of the information when reporting. I would encourage any affected parties to contact MA directly with their concerns so they can be addressed and once again I would like to apologise on behalf of MA.”

According to MA, a finalised version of the February 2011 MA Board Report will be released shortly.

The minutes included formerly top secret information that MA’s budget deficit was at $334,000 for this year and that MA Insurance Limited had ‘made a loss in the 2010 year’.

Also included in the minutes was information regarding the Australian Supercross Championship, specifically that White stated that ‘supercross is currently not operating well’ and that the series promoter owed MA money, which had been proposed for MA to wipe the remaining debt at the time of the meeting.

White reportedly stated that the Super X promoter is severing ties with Chad Reed. That had been suspected after Reed skipped the majority of last season when he didn’t have a ride, instead focussing on launching TwoTwo Motorsports in the U.S.

Ongoing discussions were due for March’s board meeting regarding any contract changes that may take place.

Recently it was announced that MX Nationals promoter Kevin Williams has taken over the role of Super X general manager in a new-look structure, taking over from the outgoing Mal Peter. When contacted this afternoon, Williams said everything is on track for the 2011 series.

A host of information on the current state of the Australian Superbike Championship was also accidentally leaked, with much of the attention based on a bizarre claim that Honda and Suzuki could be considering switching to the rival Formula Xtreme series alongside Yamaha if ASBK promoter International Entertainment Group (IEG) isn’t successful in sustaining the series.

The minutes mentioned that White provided a verbal overview of meetings with Honda Motorcycles general manager Tony Hinton, as well as Suzuki Australia general manager, Motorcycles, Perry Morison.

Alongside it, it read ‘D. White stated that industry representatives are stating that if IEG are not successful, there will be no option but to move over to Formula Xtreme’.

When contacted this afternoon, Morison said that Suzuki has absolutely no intention of competing in Formula Xtreme and fully supports the ASBK.

“[White’s] comments in those minutes are absolutely wrong in relation to any suggestion that we would consider moving to FX, because we wouldn’t,” Morison said.

“Obviously with our investment and commitment in racing we meet regularly with MA, either individually or with other members of the industry, so there’s nothing unusual with any of that. The comment about considering with us going to FX, no – definitely not.”

In confirming it’s stance on the topic, Honda released a statement on the matter stating that ‘committed to the success of Australia’s premier road racing series, Honda plays an active role in working to develop the future of the series’.

The statement also said that ‘along with other industry representatives, Honda Motorcycles general manager Tony Hinton is constantly striving for new ways to make the series better’.

When speaking of his meetings with MA, Hinton did however confirm that Honda wouldn’t rule out a switch to FX if the ASBK series was to ‘fail’.

“I have regular meetings in conjunction with Motorcycling Australia and other key industry representatives to discuss the state of various championships,” Hinton commented. “At the World Superbike event in February, we took the opportunity to discuss the Australian Superbike Championship.

“From time to time, as industry representatives, we put our view forward of what we think is in the best interests of the championship. Whether it be a two-day meeting or one bike per rider, as per the British Superbikes, those ideas should be put on the table and considered.

“While we are fully committed to the Australian Superbike series, Honda Australia does have contractual obligations to its supplier of road race services which is, of course, Motologic Pty. Ltd.

“If the Australian Road Racing Championship, for whatever reason, failed to run in some way, we acknowledge that contractually we would have no option but to move to an alternative race series We will address that situation only when and if the need arises.”

IEG boss Yarrive Konsky, is also the team owner of Honda Motorcycles’ factory motocross and supercross team in Australia. That team competes under MA-sanctioned series in the MX Nationals and Super X.

Also mentioned in regards to the Australian Superbike Championship was that there are suggestions for the series to switch to two-day events, plus there is talk of a single bike rule similar to the British Superbike Championship.

A statement said that ‘Konsky is meeting with John Tetley to try and prevent Formula Xtreme going to Queensland Raceway’. Tetley is the manager of the Ipswich-based venue, however when Konsky was contacted by us he denied the claim and said that it certainly wasn’t true as he met with Tetley only to discuss the future of the ASBK events at the circuit.

Minutes from the meeting also indicated that MA cannot commit additional funds to the ASBK series as believed to be proposed by Konsky, however the Victorian told us that he was looking to next year and beyond when seeking additional funding. The budget is reportedly safe for 2011.

It was also confirmed within the minutes that the board approved the premier Superbike category to be contested as an Australian championship at all rounds despite there being less than 15 bikes on the grid at the opening two events this season.

Finally, it was revealed that ‘the issues concerning Eastern Creek and the ASBK were discussed at length’. White is seeking the assistance of the current Minister for Sport and Recreation in NSW in order to help get the ASBK back to Eastern Creek as there’s currently no rounds run in NSW.

The February MA board of directors meeting was held in Melbourne on Wednesday, 16 February. In attendance at the meeting included MA CEO David White, MA president Stephen Foody, vice president Les Thomas and directors Lyal Allen, Ray Jonkers and Beach Thomas.