Friday June 24, 2011 at 2:38pm
In his Article basically about the TT, John made mention of the fact that there still appears to be a degree of misunderstanding by a majority of people, including ACU Members, regarding the ACU and ACU Events Ltd., especially considering the similarity in the names of the companies and the individuals linked to both bodies.
He wondered why it was felt necessary for one Company to form another as a subsidiary to carry out what appeared to be the same role and felt that this particular question had never been clearly answered.
He also mentioned the already well publicised issue of the £100K loan facility granted initially by the ACU to ACUE and this figure, of course, is the one that sticks firmly in a lot of peoples minds.
Jim Parker replies….
As Managing Director of ACU Events Ltd I have the highest regard for John Dickinson - and if he says that is a lot of confusion abroad about the two companies – then disappointing to me though it may be – it must be so – and it’s surely high time that I had another go at clearing the air…
In broad outline, the ACU now operates in two main streams – the ACU itself is the Internationally recognized Governing and Regulatory body for Motorcycle Sport and ACU Events operates as the ACU’s Commercial Arm.
There are sound legal reasons for keeping these activities apart especially in the area of Track Inspection, Certification and Licensing.
Also, of course, ACU Events has the advantage of being able to respond quickly to opportunities as they arise. This is extremely important in the ever present and increasing commercialisation of our sport and the number of rival organizations operating within it.
As for the £100K it was perhaps inevitable that such a figure would stick out in many peoples minds – but it is a fact that not a penny of that money was ever used until we took over the Milton Motocross Park and needed funds to develop the venue for the benefit of our Licence Holders.
In the short while that ACU Events has been operating, it has successfully organised a number of World Class events including the Motocross of Nations at Donington, the World Superbikes and the Moto GP. ACUE is also running the prestigious Maxxis British Motocross Championships.
It also organises the World Famous Isle of Man TT Races and it is by no means certain that the ACU would have been granted a contract to organise this meeting had ACU Events not existed.
So. A great deal has been achieved in a short space of time and there will be more of the same in the future as Milton gets fully on stream and other projects and opportunities are brought to fruition.
And, finally, it is worth remembering that all of this is not for anybody’s personal gain. Every penny earned is for the benefit of our ACU Licence Holders.
Jim Parker
ACU Events Ltd.
Ware 24th June 2011