Edition #7 - April 2011

 

OPERATIONS MANAGER REPORT

I’m thrilled to be sending out this first Foundation Focus as the new Operations Manager of the AMSF, a role which I undertook at the end of February this year. Whilst there is always a lull over the Christmas and New Year holidays, there is a lot to report on since the September issue last year, so I hope we’ve managed to capture it all and that you enjoy this newsletter.

The very core of the AMSF lies with the identification and development of our young Aussie drivers, and with this in mind 2011 will herald a re-energised and strategicly focused recruitment process to ensure that we find the next Australian Formula 1 champion of years to come. We want to provide our talented aspiring drivers with the best possible platform for success, and to do this we first need to find them! I’ll keep you updated on this process as it unfolds.

Speaking of talented young drivers, we continue to be impressed with our current stable of Aussies competing on a national and international stage under the AMSF banner. AMSF International Rising Star and current British Formula Ford Champion Scott Pye had a battle on his hands at his first British Formula 3 round in Monza with new team Double R Racing, whilst fellow International Rising Star Molly Taylor has also been busy with her WRC debut in Portugal having secured a scholarship to fund her WRC Academy Season which is the new feeder series to the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Closer to home, CAMS Rising Stars Trent Harrison and Jack LeBrocq battled it out at the Clipsal 500 street circuit in Adelaide and prior to that they joined the AMSF Rookie Rising Stars Callum Mitchell and Jon Collins to be put through their paces on a tough weekend at the AMSF Fitness Camp on the Gold Coast.

I had the opportunity to join the participants at the Fitness Camp, but luckily only as an observer! The weekend gave me a real insight into the levels of fitness, strength and stamina that these young drivers need to develop in order to succeed as world class racing drivers. It was great to meet the guys and spend a bit of time getting to know them – they’re gritty and determined, and looking forward to all the challenges that 2011 will present.

For the AMSF Rookie Rising Stars Jon and Callum those challenges included a tough initiation to car racing at Phillip Island, but their commitment and determination earned them top 10 positions through all three races.

The upcoming AMSF Drive Day at Eastern Creek in NSW in July should be another event to get the heart racing in a fun-filled fundraising day! If you’re interested in attending the event or bringing your car to the track, info@amsf.org.au.

The AMSF relies on a range of supporters, not least of which are our corporate sponsors. This year we’re excited to welcome Go Markets! to our sponsorship group, and it’s great to see Penrite Oil, OAMPS Insurance, Boylan Traffic Solutions, Relux Slabs and Revolution Racegear back on board again for 2011. A big thank you to all our corporate sponsors, Network Group members and individual donors – our work would not be possible without your help.

The AMSF would like to thank Martin Stillman for his work over the past 2 years as the General Manger of the Foundation and on behalf of the Board and all the staff here at the AMSF we wish him all the best in his new role at Tennis Australia.

We try to make the Foundation Focus newsletters as current and as interesting as possible, and appreciate any content or comment – just email your ideas to info@amsf.org.au and we can go from there. In the meantime, enjoy this edition, have a Happy Easter and please take care on the roads this weekend.

Lucas Docking
Operations Manager – AMSF
info@amsf.org.au +61 3 8415 8661