TERMS OF REFERENCE

A.   INTRODUCTION

The function of the Western Australian Off Road Panel is to assist the Western Australian State Council  in the administration and regulation of Offroading in the state. In practice, this places the panel in a dual role.  It has both an administrative function and, on matters of policy, an advisory role. The panel responsibilities, as outlined below, differ depending on which function is being performed.

B.    COMPOSITION

1.                                             The Off Road Panel will consist of a Chairman and members as follows:-

(I)                    Two members from the Off Road clubs conducting events in each year as listed in the WA Calendar of Motor Sport (Refer Appendix 1). The two members shall be the President and one other club representative, and

(II)                   The national off-road panel delegate for the current year.

(III)                 One (1) delegate from the scrutineering panel.

(IV)                 Car club delegates shall be the only voting members of the panel.

(V)                  Voting at meetings shall be by show of hands.

(VI)                 Matters on which the voting is equal shall be decided in the negative.

2.                                             The Chairman, who will be appointed by State Council, will not have a deliberate vote.

3.                                             There shall be one alternate delegate from each car club.

4.                     Membership of the Panel may be terminated for any of the following reasons:-

(I)                    upon member's own resignation, written or verbal, being accepted by the panel;

(II)                   upon being absent without prior notice or apology from two successive meetings of the panel;

(III)                 upon disqualification or suspension under the provisions of NCRs, or

(IV)                 by the State Council at its discretion.

6.                                             A casual vacancy on the Panel may be filled during the current year by State Council appointment.

7.                                            A meeting shall neither begin nor continue if a quorum is not present. A quorum shall be four voting members.

C.   ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

In general, unless State Council specifically requires, administrative matters essentially fall within the ambit of the Panel. It therefore follows that the Panel’s decision on such matters will be adopted by State Council with the minimal review only. The administrative functions to be performed by the WA Off Road Panel are:

1.         Formulation of an annual Off Road calendar;

2.        The approval of date changes and the allocation of new dates for postponed Off Road events;

3.        In conjunction with other relevant panels, advising the State Manager regarding the validity of draft Supplementary Regulations of Off Road;

4.        Where appropriate, offering advice to the National Off Road Committee, provided this is done through the State Office and the National Off Road Committee delegate;

5.         Development and review of activities to promote Off Road Racing

6.         Other matters of a similar nature which are referred to the Panel by the State Manager or State Council;

D.   POLICY MATTERS

The Panel’s role in the regulatory or policy area is strictly advisory. The elected Councils, State or National, are the only bodies competent to formulate or issue CAMS' policy or regulations. Therefore, the Panel makes recommendations to State Council on such questions. It is the prerogative of the State Council whether to accept such advice.

In the first instance, State Council will ordinarily refer recommendations of which it does not approve back for further consideration. Only if this process fails to remedy Council's objections would a recommendation be refused. However, it must be stressed that for this procedure to operate effectively, the Off Road Panel must offer its advice to State Council in good time.

Without limiting the generality of this provision, the policy functions of the Panel cover:

1.        National Competition Rules in as much as these apply to Off Road in Western Australia;

2.         Membership of the National Off Road Committee;

3.         Planning for the future of Off Road in Western Australia;

4.        Publication of documents pertaining to the conduct of Off Road in Western Australia;

5.         Other matter on which advice is sought by the State Manager or State Council;

6.        Eligibility of race cars that compete in Off Road events in Western Australia.

E.   REPORTING TO STATE COUNCIL

Off Road Panel minutes should be tabled at State Council in the same month as the Panel’s meeting. The Chairman or his/her appointed deputy shall attend State Council meetings to present the panel’s recommendations and take the view of Council back to the Panel.

APPENDIX 1

Currently, Off Road clubs in Western Australia are:

West Australian Off Road Racing Association                     WORRA

Western Desert Racers                                                                 WDR

Nissan Car Club                                                                              NCC