AGPC STAFF CUTS

Organisers of the F1 and MotoGP Australian Grands Prix have shed staff in the wake of the double cancellations.

Both events were cancelled last year and again this year.

To fill the gap, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is promoting the scheduled October 22-24 Supercars and ASBK round.

The loss of both AGPs two years in a row has forced the Victoria government instrumentality to trim its workforce.

Among the casualties is Craig Fletcher, general manager of motorsport and entertainment.

According to insiders, Fletcher’s departure is unrelated to the organisation’s restructure.

The AGPC is now operating on a “skeleton staff”.

Most of the cuts were to contractors rather than employees.

Characterised as “a restructure of the department”, a spokesman said key staff had been retained to continue planning events.

“We’re keeping the lights on,” he said.

The AGPC is promoting the Bass Festival Of Motor Sport at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in place of the MotoGP round.

It may mean Supercars’ return to the Island will become an annual event under the auspices of the AGPC.

The planned October event will be the first time the AGPC has promoted an event other than the F1 and motorcycle AGPs.

Along with the early October Winton round, another regional meeting will help justify the Victoria government’s support of major motorsport events.

The AGPC is planning on F1’s return to Albert Park next year – probably as the third race in early April – and also MotoGP back at Phillip Island late in the season.

Supercars would fit in at the Island in March or November.

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