STADIUM SUPER TRUCKS ISSUE FURTHER STATEMENT

Stadium Super Trucks issue further statement – Photo: InSyde Media

The man behind Stadium Super Trucks, Robby Gordon has issued a further statement in regards to the exclusion of the category from CAMS sanctioned events.

It was announced on Wednesday (October 17) that the Stadium Super Trucks will join the AASA affiliated Australian Motor Racing Series at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 27-28 after the class was removed from the Gold Coast 600 support schedule.

Read the statement below:

Mr. Arocca has made a series of false and misleading statements, not the least of which relates to the authority and position of Boost Mobile and Peter Adderton. Contrary to Mr. Arocca’s assertions, Peter Adderton and Boost Mobile are financial partners of SST and have a very real business interest as well as SST’s authority to negotiate on its behalf with regards to events in Australia. Peter Adderton has SST’s full authority to request and receive CAMS’ explanation of what now seems to be a closely guarded secret as to whatever it is that CAMS wants SST to do to make the series more safe. CAMS has never properly explained itself on this point, and the documentation proves that fact. However, if Mr. Arocca doesn’t want to send the information to Mr. Adderton, he can send it to SST. Either way, we will get it. A solution has never been suggested or discussed by CAMS despite every effort from SST, and CAMS is currently in BREACH by not following its own safety resolutions or standards.

Also contrary to Mr. Arocca’s assertions, the Judge in the case in which SST sought a mandatory injunction as to the Gold Coast 600 race event never determined that SST is unsafe. Instead, the Judge merely concluded that there is a very high standard for obtaining a mandatory injunction at this stage, and SST had not yet provided sufficient evidence to meet that high standard far enough in advance of the Gold Coast race to which the injunction would have applied. The Judge noted that to obtain a mandatory injunction SST would have to establish either (1) that CAMS didn’t actually believe its own assertions concerning safety, or (2) that no reasonable person could form that belief. Given these high standards and the short time remaining before the Gold Coast race, the Judge concluded that he could not issue a mandatory injunction at this time.

SST has now sent the wheels to be tested to destruction by an outside lab, and according to FIA standards the wheels are over 4 times stronger.

Everyone knows that all categories of motorsports pose a potential serious risk to those present at race events. That is why the risk is disclosed to every spectator who buys a ticket. Reproduced below is the very disclaimer and release that CAMS imposes on every patron at its sanctioned race events:

Upon entering the Event, each Patron provides this release to SCA and the Associated Entities*:
SCA and the Associated Entities are not liable to me or to any person with me for (regardless of how or when the liability is caused, or by whom it is caused and regardless of whether such liability or claims are for negligence (excluding gross negligence), breach of contract, breach of statutory duty or any other liability or claim recognised at law):

a. my death, injury to me or the injury or death of anybody else with me;
b. damage to, destruction of, theft of or unauthorised delivery up of any of my property or equipment, whether authorised or not;
c. or damage to, destruction of, theft of or delivery up of any of my clothing or other personal items;
And, in respect of all of the subject matter referred to in each of 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c), I release SCA and the other Associated Entities from any liability or claim, which I do or might, or which anybody with me does or might have or in the future might or would have against SCA or any other Associated Entities.

* Associated Entities means the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd (CAMS), Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), V8 Supercars Australia Pty Limited; Touring Car Entrants Group Australia Pty Ltd, promoters, sponsor organisations, land owners and lessees, organisers of Events, their respective servants, officials, representatives and agents, and all other persons involved in the conduct, promotion and organisation of the Event including officials, marshals, rescue and medical staff, competitors and drivers.

Mr. Arrocca knows that these risks exist for every category of motorsports that has ever been sanctioned, including every category for which CAMS is now the sanctioning body. That is why Mr. Arocca insists that every patron and every one of his events must release CAMS from all liability.

By flatly refusing to respond to SST’s safety proposals, Mr. Arocca has called into question the legitimacy and reasons for CAMS’ actions. I have been involved in racing at all levels for all of my life. I can honestly say that I have never seen nor heard of any CEO at any sanctioning body engaging in conduct of the type displayed by Mr. Arocca.

We ask again – Mr. Arocca, please tell us why our safety proposals are insufficient and what we need to do to meet your thus far undefined safety concerns.

Finally, Mr. Arocca, you have repeatedly stated that CAMS has sent correspondence identifying what SST needs to do to address your safety concerns. We don’t know how many different ways we can say this: WE DO NOT HAVE THE CORRESPONDENCE AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

If the correspondence you’re referring to actually exists, you should be able to find it readily and provide it. Please locate whatever correspondence you are referring to and forward it to Mr. Adderton and to me immediately!

Robby Gordon
SST CEO

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