Mal Bulley has been announced as the new CEO of the Australian National Drag Racing Association following a month long search.
Among a group of high calibre candidates, Mr Bulley stood out due to his experience with drag racing in Australia as well as across wider motorsport venue management.
Mr Bulley’s previous role was as general manager of the WA Sporting Car Club and Barbagallo Raceway, a circuit track in Western Australia that hosts V8 Supercars as well as many other motorsport events.
Mr Bulley was a project consultant for ANDRA from 2010 to 2011 as it shifted from an incorporated association to a national company limited by guarantee.
His career has involved senior executive roles in a number of national and multinational organisations but a grounding in motorsports will ensure that Mr Bulley is able to apply his skills well to drag racing in Australia.
In particular interest to ANDRA are Mr Bulley’s experience with government funding and sponsorship, which will be helpful in developing new venues and events, as well as his involvement in member based organisations, ensuring that racers and members of ANDRA can expect the best service and leadership.
Importantly, Mr Bulley has a deep running passion for drag racing, having competed in the sport for 20 years, last in a supercharged altered (pictured right) in events at Perth Motorplex.
“Drag racing has always been a passion of mine so I am happy to be able to merge my career and the sport I love,” he said. “Member based organisations are about just that – the members – so I look forward to applying my skills to develop the sport of drag racing in Australia and to give members an organisation they can be proud of.
“There’s no doubt the sport has gone through a number of changes in recent years with differing levels of success; the overall growth of drag racing in this country is paramount and we need to be on the front foot.
“Never before has the paying public and fans had the range of options for outdoor entertainment and events as they do today; competition is ripe and we need to be better than the competition. There is a definitive way forward for our professional and sportsman racers and the key is to have everyone rowing in the same direction.”
Mr Bulley officially begins the role on 6 August 2012.
The ANDRA Board would like to thank interim CEO Rob Sharp for his services over the past few months in ensuring a smooth transition to the new CEO.