Easier Access to Race Licences

Sporting administrative bodies are, by and large, bureaucratic and lumbering beasts. And that makes them pretty easy ‘gets’. Irrespective of the sport you’re talking about, everyone seems to have an agenda-driven axe to grind about how the sport could and should be run better, and most are only too willing to share those views publicly. And Motorcycling Australia (MA) – the national body whose charter it is to administer and promote the sport of motorcycle racing in this country – certain isn’t exempt from that scrutiny and slander.

But every now and then, MA steps up and makes an important change that benefits existing and prospective members alike; a change that warrants positive attention. And MA’s recent announcement about their restructure to One Event Licences in Australia is one such example – primarily because the changes help streamline the process and make is easier and more cost-effective to get into the sport. As Transmoto now runs five events per year – events in which more than half the entrants need to purchase a One Event Competition Licence to race – we understand better than most the positive impact and cost savings these changes will have.

So, what exactly has MA done? For those of you who love the technicalities of the rulebook, MA has combined the “One Meeting Competition Licence (7 & Over)” and the “Senior One Meeting National Competition Licence (16 & Over)”. Which means what exactly, in layman’s terms? It means that MA has got together with its State Controlling Bodies (SBCs), reviewed the licence options for people looking to race one event (rather than spend $300 for an annual licence), accepted that there was lot of room for improvement, and recognised the merit in amalgamating these two one-event licences into one.
The new, all-encompassing “One Event Competition Licence” combines the benefits of both pre-existing one-event licences at a set rate of $75. Unlike the previous set-up – where licence eligibility and benefits varied from state to state – the revised One Event Competition Licence now covers riders for practice, coaching, recreational events, club and Inter-club events, and National/Open events.

So, aside from simplifying the licence structure, the change also means that all SCBs will now offer the same One Event Competition Licence for the same $75 cost. In other words, it’s a nationally unified licence for people who are looking to get into the sport (or who simply want to ensure they’ve got insurance for the odd race they decide to do), which offers more flexibility and fewer restrictions. And in doing so, it offers better value for MA customers. Hats off to you, Motorcycling Australia!

Want more detail? Competition licencing information can be found on page 33 of the 2017 Manual of Motorsport (MoMS).