RC racing is not a sport!

[Cardnim]

I am meeting my local council in an effort to re-open an old rc track in my town.

Unfortunately, while the council have been so far very supportive, they hinted that because "rc racing is not a recognised sport" they can do little under their "sport & leisure activities" programme to help me.

Has anyone else come across this before, and if so, can you offer any advice about obtaining permissions from councils to open a track & club.

I am meeting with their sub-committee next Wed (29th June) to discuss my proposal.

Thanks guys

[Legacy555]

Originally Posted by Cardnim

I am meeting my local council in an effort to re-open an old rc track in my town.

Unfortunately, while the council have been so far very supportive, they hinted that because "rc racing is not a recognised sport" they can do little under their "sport & leisure activities" programme to help me.

Has anyone else come across this before, and if so, can you offer any advice about obtaining permissions from councils to open a track & club.

I am meeting with their sub-committee next Wed (29th June) to discuss my proposal.

Thanks guys

As Hemingway said,
"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games."

RC Racing isn't motorsport in the truest sense as your not going to die doing it unless you eat too much food from the trackside burger van.

[Hog]

The BRCA is recognised by the RACSMSA (RAC Motor Sports Association) as a legitimate branch of motorsport - and hence your council are wrong.

If you go to the RACMSA home page and search for clubs using the "Club Finder", under B you'll find the British Radio Car Association listed.

http://www.msauk.org/custom/asp/home/default.asp

[Cardnim]

@Hog - thats great to know mate, really appreciate that. The more ammunition like that I have, the better chance I think.

@Legacy555 - really helpful as always hehehehe. (although Im taking your warning as good advice. Those burger vans are mighty tempting!!)

[Hog]

May be worth signing up to the RACMSA website and contacting them to verify that the BRCA is recognised by them. That would be good to wave in front of the councillors at your meeting (especialy as the RACMSA is affiliated to the FIA!)

@Cardnim - you're very welcome. Keep us posted how you get on.

[bpwain]

Originally Posted by Hog

May be worth signing up to the RACMSA website and contacting them to verify that the BRCA is recognised by them. That would be good to wave in front of the councillors at your meeting (especialy as the RACMSA is affiliated to the FIA!)

Futher info on this..... the BRCA is a member club of the ANWCC (Association of North Western Car Clubs), which is how they fall under the MSA (Motorsports Association) see member clubs here --> http://www.anwcc.org/. Every club or organisation that organises motorsport events (on any scale) in the UK must be affiliated to the MSA via at least one of the regional assosciations that are part of the MSA. ...... Being part of the ANWCC/MSA/FIA means that you cannot be doubted over the legitimacy of this being a true sport.


As a side note, there is the added bonus of you being able to take part in full scale motorsport such as rallying, using your BRCA card (along with an MSA lisence) so long as the event organising club is part of the ANWCC

[JohnM]

You could point out that R/C racing is how Lewis Hamilton started out, might not mean too much, but it can't hurt.

[RogerM]

I know of at least one club that has had good support from their local council's sports program ....

[Cardnim]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions guys.
Im especially interested to hear the likes of RogerM's story about people who have actually got support and/or funding from local councils.

@RogerM - can you give me the details of the club and council? I could then provide this as examples of where the relationship between club and council has worked elsewhere in the UK.

[Therepairman]

Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition. MotoSport refers to compitition with a vehical with either 2 or four wheels and includes off-road and on-road racing.....

[cjm_2008]

Originally Posted by Therepairman

Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition. MotoSport refers to compitition with a vehical with either 2 or four wheels and includes off-road and on-road racing.....

exactly!

it might not be as physically demanding as full-size motorsport disciplines, but it still requires mental discipline and judgement to compete. a bit like snooker.

the fact it isn't as physically demanding opens it up to more people for obvious reasons.

definately a sport IMO! as other posters have said, focus on the benefits of the activity, particularly for kids, when making any pitch to council officials.

[Si Coe]

Originally Posted by Cardnim

I am meeting my local council in an effort to re-open an old rc track in my town.

Unfortunately, while the council have been so far very supportive, they hinted that because "rc racing is not a recognised sport" they can do little under their "sport & leisure activities" programme to help me.

Has anyone else come across this before, and if so, can you offer any advice about obtaining permissions from councils to open a track & club.

I am meeting with their sub-committee next Wed (29th June) to discuss my proposal.

Thanks guys

Sorry guys but I don't think showing it is a sport is going to help. See the words I've highlighted from the original post - sport & leisure activities, well that suggests that really the council just aren't interested. Because if its not a sport it is a leisure activity instead - their remit covers both.
Councils are quite happy to help dance clubs, craft groups and other non-sports under the same programme. Most likely they just figure RC isn't big enough for them to warrant paying for.......

[Churk]

Si Coe is right either way councils have no money along with government. whether they reli see RC racing as a sport or not they probably dont think its big enough to justify the funds.

[Cardnim]

Guys,

Thanks so much for the excellent replies - this is all really good advice, and its given me loads to think about.
Very interesting about the motor sports association - that should help validate the "sport" argument.
...and great point about snooker - a 'sport' I am very into myself!

@SiCoe / Churk - you are probably correct, and its a valid point. I also want to make sure that the council dont go down the road of debating whether it's a sport or not. I want them to think its a good way of engaging with the community and providing something for kids/teens/adults to participate in and enjoy.

However, I dont care at present about the costs. Im happy to find these elsewhere (and feel confident that I probably could do so).
All Im looking for at this stage is permission to re-use an old track which is already there.

Here's hoping!
I'll keep you guys informed of how I get on in this process.

Thanks again.
Oople rocks

[Cardnim]

P.S. jsut thought I would mention to anyone else thinking of this - dont be discouraged that councils/government have less money.

That is true, but they HAVE to be seen to be supporting worthwhile initiatives.
As evidence of this, my own council have just granted permission to build a permanent moto-cross (& super-cross) track facility and donated £10K to do so!
Fair play to them for supporting one of the fastest growing sports in UK today, and here's hoping we can go some way towards that for the RC potential in my area.

Bottom line - prove its worthwhile and a benefit to your community.

[Si Coe]

My club (Bury Metro) have just a nice sparkling new track courtesy of Bury council so yes, its true they do have the money and can be willing to help. However, it was easier for us as we already had a track on council land (ie they just moved us) and could demonstrate healthy membership and attendance proving it is worthwhile providing the facilities.

That was my point really. A response like 'its not really a sport is it?' is designed to make you give up and stop trying. If they ask about numbers it means they they are open to persuading.

To be honest, going back with the info you now have is probably the best move. Councils typically rebuff first enquiries anyway, its sort of a way of weeding out those not committed ehough to actually see a project get off the ground. Proving you aren't easily put off stands well in your favour.

[Hog]

Originally Posted by Si Coe

Sorry guys but I don't think showing it is a sport is going to help. See the words I've highlighted from the original post - sport & leisure activities, well that suggests that really the council just aren't interested. Because if its not a sport it is a leisure activity instead - their remit covers both.
Councils are quite happy to help dance clubs, craft groups and other non-sports under the same programme. Most likely they just figure RC isn't big enough for them to warrant paying for.......

I think you've misinterpreted Cardnim's post Si. I think what he meant is he's approached the council saying RC racing is a sport, not a leisure activity, and as they don't see it as a recognised sport they cannot help right now.

There are funds available - you just have to go the right way about getting your hands on it.

[chris_dono]

Originally Posted by Cardnim

I am meeting my local council in an effort to re-open an old rc track in my town.

Unfortunately, while the council have been so far very supportive, they hinted that because "rc racing is not a recognised sport" they can do little under their "sport & leisure activities" programme to help me.

Has anyone else come across this before, and if so, can you offer any advice about obtaining permissions from councils to open a track & club.

I am meeting with their sub-committee next Wed (29th June) to discuss my proposal.

Thanks guys

My advice would be to get in touch with the BRCA committee for the sections you are planning to run with, they will be able to advise you on how to get the support you need !

[teamorsum96]

its amazing how the councils waste money on building skate parks for the chavs to just hang about drinking making them look like assholes they are!!!

[jukeboxman]

No matter how you classify your club - be it a sport or leisure activity, you will need numbers on your side.

If you can go to a meeting with the council with a list of genuine names of potential racers with an address within the council boundaries then they would show more of an interest. Joking aside, if a lot of seperate letters were written asking for the same facility then even better - a few submitted by females, ethnic minorityies and disabled people would strengthen your case.

If you could demonstrate that the new club could become part of a bigger group like the BRCA and therefore qualify for their third party liability insurance you would be alleviating one of the council's biggest concerns - another point in your favour.

Also mention that a lot of maintanence would be carried out by volunteer club members - the camaraderie and team building aspect is another point in your favour.

Point out the positives for youth participation and education, getting them out in the fresh air, etc., etc., Try and go with a list of potential sponsors as well, they all pay council tax or rates - get some of them on side and take it to the council to show community support.

Best of luck - it's all uphill from here!