6 June 2011

With the first meeting of the full Board and the gazzetting of the final approval of the Corporate Affairs Commission, the process of changing the Australian National Drag Racing Association Incorporated into a Company Limited by Guarantee is complete, apart from the final transfer of funds and assets.

This is a milestone for the controlling body of drag racing in Australia, enabling the organisation to operate with greater authority and to pursue funding directly in all states, and strengthening the ANDRA governance process.

The new full Board of ANDRA Ltd met for the first time on Wednesday, May 25th 2011. The seven Directors are;

  • Simon Pinnock, a highly accomplished director and corporate executive with proven capabilities in the practice of directorship, strategic thinking and business planning across a range of enterprises, both for-profit and not-for-profit. Previously Pinnock has held management roles with Suzuki Australia and Hyundai Automotive. He is currently the Executive Director of Lead and Direct Pty Ltd and Chairman of the Norwood Association Incorporated, both based in Victoria.
  • Liam Waldron, a highly motivated and organised professional skilled in orchestrating outcomes to achieve corporate goals. Waldron is a Director of Waldron Solutions Pty Ltd, dealing with management, business solutions, networking and training. He is also a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management at the Australian National University (Canberra) and serves as a Director for Engineers Australia Pty Ltd and Advocacy for Inclusion, The Association (improving life for people with disabilities).
  • Steve Bettes, Managing Director of Willowbank Raceway with motor sport venue management experience dating back to the eighties in Victoria. He is involved in the racing activities of his children Kelly and Scott and serves as a Director of the Drag Racing Australia Group Limited. 
  • Rick Gauci, NSW Division Director of ANDRA and successful competitor in ANDRA Pro Series Top Alcohol. Gauci also operates a growing financial services company in Sydney.
  • Terry Jongen, Western Australian Division Director of ANDRA and a medical professional based in Perth. Terry has been involved in the development of medical services for drag racing and speedway in motor sport, and competes in ANDRA Competition Bike when time permits.
  • Kevin Prendergast is the General Manager of Perth Motorplex, overseeing drag racing and speedway operations at the venue. He has previously been involved in the management of Ravenswood Raceway, Eastern Creek Raceway, the Phillip Island circuit and Taupo Motorsport Park in New Zealand. 
  • Christine Steffens, South Queensland Division Director of ANDRA and a member of the Board of Willowbank Raceway. As well as operating her own business as a CPA, Christine is a successful competitor in Supercharged Outlaws, taking the Australian Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Pinnock was unanimously elected as Chairman at the May 25th meeting.

On May 26th, Issue 33 of the South Australian Government Gazette carried the formal approval of the Corporate Affairs Commission for the change, which was advised to ANDRA on May 31. Through June, titles and bank accounts will be transferred and a single audit will be commenced on July 1st by which time the change will be complete.

There will be no cost increases to members as a result of the company change, and some aspects of ANDRA operations will see little change. Some of the strategic changes associated with the new structure include reviews and upgrades of ANDRA services, which will be obvious over time.

The new ANDRA Constitution may be viewed at www.andra.com.au