BRING BACK COCHRANE TO HEAD SUPERCARS CRISIS CABINET
By Bruce Williams
Date posted: 26 June 2020
Calls to bring Tony Cochrane back to head Supercars crisis cabinet – Photo: LAT
Supercars faces so many challenges it needs to establish a ‘crisis cabinet’ headed by former category czar Tony Cochrane to deal with them.
By BRUCE NEWTON
That’s the belief of John Crennan, one of the most influential figures in the evolution of Australia’s most important professional motorsport category and a former foe of Cochrane in pitlane.
Crennan has long since settled any differences with Cochrane, who ran Supercars from 1996 to 2012, and insists he is the man to deal with both long- and short-term challenges that Supercars face.
“The person central to any recovery and reset of Supercars must be former supremo, Tony Cochrane,” Crennan wrote in his motorsport column in the latest edition of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association magazine.
“His proven leadership and intellectual sports deftness is crucial for Supercars next stage.”
Crennan’s call comes just days after Cochrane himself slammed Supercars for its management response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crennan, a tough and uncompromising backroom player in Supercars, drove the rise of the Walkinshaw Racing empire to dominance in the 1990s and 2000s with the Holden Racing Team as its headline act.
He played a key part in bringing Nissan into the category with Kelly Racing in 2013 and most recently had a commercial role with DJR Team Penske.
Crennan wrote a Cochrane ‘crisis cabinet’ would act as an adjunct and assistance to the current Supercars management led by CEO Sean Seamer.
He also argued Cochrane should be a central part of establishing any new ownership structure that replaces current majority shareholder Archer Capital, which has been interested in selling its stake for a number of years.
“There would be little argument from good judges the sport urgently needs Tony Cochrane,” wrote Crennan. “Every button should be pushed to have Tony either head up the crisis cabinet or take a lead role in organizing a new ownership regime.
“Non capitulation to Team vested interests and deal making strengths were the hallmarks of his success.”
In his article Crennan ran through a long list of challenges facing Supercars, breaking them up under three headings.
The first group were those flowing from COVID-19 including sponsorships, government funding and team sustainability.
The second grouping were what he labelled “self-inflicted”, including television contract negotiations, Supercars being for sale for so long and the struggles of Team Sydney.
The final grouping included “out of the blue events” such as the axing of Holden, the receivership of naming rights sponsor Virgin Airlines and the return to the category of controversial sponsor Peter Adderton.
The Supercars championship kicks back into gear this weekend after a three-month hiatus with a TV-only sprint event at Sydney Motorsport Park.
For more of a full preview of Supercars return pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.
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