Originally Posted by
Sandra Perry
In the meantime, the Auckland Motorcycle Club, who were to host the final round of the National Championship, contacted MNZ and advised that they were considering cancelling the round as they had insufficient entries (39 at close of entry) and were looking at a large financial loss – another worrying sign of the current economic recession biting.
Our CEO, together with the NI Road Board member, held an emergency meeting with the Club to decide what to do. In the end, the Club decided to run the Championship event; MNZ provided them with additional media coverage to increase the gate take and thereby avert any potential loss.
Again conflict arose with Jim Tuckerman after the CEO arranged the Breakfast Show from TV3 to promote the event live on the Friday morning saying it would clash with other networks. This was done and, although the Club are still sorting through the final accounts, it appears that the potential loss has been averted.
The Board however remains concerned about the current state of Road Race Championship competitor numbers. This no way reflects on the Commissioners performance and seems to be a sign of the current economic recession and huge cost of road racing. As an example - the Moto GP with as few as 18 competing in 2009.
As a result of Board discussion it was suggested that a ‘Think Tank’ meeting to be chaired by the Road Commissioner, a wide range of riders and trade be held to discuss the way forward. Unfortunately, the “Think Tank” has not happened because the Road Race Commissioner withdrew his application to continue for a further term.
The fifth incident of alleged “interference” concerns the CEO’s decision not to appoint Jim Tuckerman and his Company, Motorsport Network, to manage road race media for the 2009/10 session. This decision was made for a number of reasons. Again, under our constitution, this was a decision for the CEO, and not the Commissioner, to make.
The Board of MNZ unanimously voted to support the CEO’s recommendation to allocate media to Mr McGechan who has a long association with MNZ and proven record in his profession.
The Board received a complaint from Road Race Commentator, Ray Whitham, that whilst engaged as MNZ’s media manager, Mr Tuckerman, threatened to “punch [his] f@#king head in”.
The Board also received a complaint from the owner of DRD magazine, Paul Lance, that at the same event, Mr Tuckerman leaned through the driver’s window of his (Mr Lance’s car) and began a tirade of abuse which greatly upset and offended both Mr Lance, and his elderly father who was seated in the back seat. DRD magazine is a major, and much valued sponsor, of many MNZ events, including the MX National Championships.
After receiving the two complaints, the Board considered whether to initiate a Code of Conduct hearing against Mr Tuckerman. However, it was then discovered that he was not an MNZ member so no action could be taken against him by the Board.
Mr Whitham complained to SPARC that MNZ was not doing anything about his complaint regarding Mr Tuckerman.
SPARC contacted MNZ and asked what action was being taken. At that time, Mr Tuckerman was still not an MNZ member. However, he has since joined and I have personally discussed the matter with our SPARC liaison person being mindful that SPARC fund MNZ to the amount of $100,000 per annum.
Strict criteria for SPARC funding is partially focused on stable management and governance practices that they monitor on an annual basis.
The Board has since received a further complaint about Mr Tuckerman, from an MNZ staff member.
The staff member has recorded that, on 22 April 2009, Mr Tuckerman telephoned the office expressing concern about the accidental omission of the Junior MX Commissioner’s name from the MNZ Annual Report.
After introducing himself, it was recorded that Mr Tuckerman said, “Well, I’m very angry, so angry…my wife is running around hiding any small things that I could throw at the moment. Do you have a copy of the annual report”
He then went on to say, “This has got to be the biggest f#$k up the office has made since the Noel Curr thing. Now I want you to roll up that report and walk into your CEO’s office and shove it up his nose, coz it’s the biggest f@#k up. I’m telling you, you guys had better get prepared for what’s to come when this hits the streets of Auckland – I’d say it will already be out there and Auckland will get theirs first”.
As a result, acting on legal advice Mr Tuckerman has been advised that he must not contact any staff member at the MNZ office, other than the CEO.
Jim Tuckerman then left a message on my phone demanding that someone in the MNZ office loose their job over Junior Commissioner from the Annual report.
Voters need to think very carefully about who they vote for in this election.
The President’s role is a demanding one involving about 20 hours of volunteer/unpaid work per week.
MNZ has a lot of different factions within it, and it takes a lot of patience and diplomacy to ‘steer the ship’ in a steady direction.
Relationships are extremely important, especially those with the office staff, SPARC, sponsors, and our International colleagues.
Remember, ‘atom bombs’ get the job done but at what cost?
Sandra Perry
MNZ President
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