FIA President visit to Ireland - (Wed) 16 Feb 11

Ambassador Roll for Breen

Posted: February 20, 2011 6:07 PM

After an exceptionally successful start to his 2011 campaign on World Rally Sweden, where he finished an outstanding 15o/a, Irish rally driver Craig Breen was in Dublin three days later for the launch of Motorsport Ireland’s new Road Safety Initiative. The new Initiative which is supported by the Irish Road Safety Authority (RSA), is aimed at young drivers, particularly those aged between 17 and 24 who are most at risk on Irish roads.

The Initiative is part of Motorsport Ireland’s activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which will be launched on 11 May and aims to save five million lives on the world’s roads over the next ten years.

The new Initiative was officially launched by the President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt, at Motorsport Ireland Headquarters, 34 Dawson Street, Dublin 4, on Wednesday last. During the launch it was announced that Rally Drivers Craig Breen and (Ms.) Toni Kelly were recruited as Motorsport Ireland Ambassadors.

On being chosen for the roll as Ambassador Craig said, “Motorsport has formed a major part of my life. My earliest memories are of my Dad rallying the length and breadth of Ireland. The Carrick on Suir Motor Club has formed the base on which my father gained his interest in Motorsport and I've followed in those footsteps. Within the last week I commenced my third full season of rallying on World Rally Sweden and starting in March I will be one of the drivers competing in the inaugural running of the FIA WRC Academy. Every discipline of motorsport has to adhere to rigorous safety regulations. These regulations have to be complied by every competitor. The rules of the road are there for the safety of all road users. Drivers who break these rules put all of us in danger. The main objective of this new Safety Initiative is to educate young people before they get behind the wheel. I am honored to be asked to come onboard.”

Together with Motorsport Ireland, the message from the two newly appointed Ambassadors Craig Breen (21) from Waterford, and Toni Kelly (22) from Donegal is:

• Taking risks on public roads isn’t cool.
• If a young driver wants to practice their skills behind the wheel of a car, they can do so in a controlled environment through organised motorsport events.

All participants in motorsport in Ireland will now be encouraged to “Wear the TAG”, the metal badge that declares their support for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The tag and further information on the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety is available at www.decadeofaction.org

Motorsport Ireland’s Activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety also included:

• Recruitment of part time MI Road Safety Officer (RSO), Robert Lyttle
• Displays to coincide with motorsport events throughout the country involving Road versus Rally cars to demonstrate differences
• Standard media pack to accompany demonstrations
• Working with local authorities & RSOs
• Each local motor club to appoint volunteer RSO
• Signage based on 8 x 4 sheets mounted between stages in Rallies

FIA PRESIDENT JEAN TODT LAUNCHES ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVE

Posted: February 20, 2011 12:48 PM

The President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt, today launched Motorsport Ireland’s new road safety initiative which is supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and aimed at young drivers, particularly those aged between 17 and 24 who are most at risk on Irish roads. The initiative is part of Motorsport Ireland’s activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which will be launched on 11 May and aims to save five million lives on the world’s roads over the next ten years.

From today (16 February 2011), all participants in Irish four-wheeled motorsport will display the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Tag which has been designed to encourage support for road safety. The tag, which has the message WEAR. BELIEVE. ACT., will reach an Irish audience of hundreds of thousands of motorsport fans with the clear message, ‘Motorsport supports safe driving’.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Jean Todt said:
“Our sport wants to do everything that it can to help spread the message about safe driving. Irish efforts to improve road safety have been most impressive, winning admiration around the globe. But we still believe that we can do more and that motorsport can help. Motorsport internationally has invested millions in safety. Indeed many key modern safety features like ABS brakes, tyre technology and crumple zones were developed in the crucible of motorsport before becoming standard on cars and saving many, many lives.”

“This initiative is about declaring our support for safer roads and safer drivers, and encouraging our drivers, teams and thousands of fans to do the same.”

Mr Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive of Motorsport Ireland said:
“We know that in Ireland young people, and especially young males, are much more likely to be killed on the roads. We also know that motorsport is hugely popular, with fans turning out in their tens of thousands to support our national and international events. Motorsport Ireland is committed to promoting road safety in motorsports and this initiative will contribute to both the national and global campaigns to save lives on our roads.”

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA said:
“Tragically, young men are over represented in road deaths in Ireland. In fact, young men aged between 17 to 24 years of age are five times more likely to die on the road compared to the rest of the driver population. We also know that Ireland probably has one of the highest numbers of rallying fans per head of population in Europe so it is vital that we engage with this group at their level and in their space to effect changes in attitudes and behaviour. We are delighted to support Motorsport Ireland’s initiative which will take the safe driving message straight to the most important audience. It will show that if you love driving and you love motorsport, then you should respect the roads and drive safely.”

Motorsport Ireland’s message was supported by its two young Ambassadors for Road Safety, rally drivers Craig Breen (21) from Waterford, and Toni Kelly (22) from Donegal. Their messages to young drivers are simple:

o Taking risks on public roads isn’t cool.
o If a young driver wants to practise their skill behind the wheel of a car, they can do so in a controlled environment through organised Motorsport events.

All participants in Motorsport will now be encouraged to “Wear the TAG”, the metal badge that declares their support for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The tag and further information on the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety is available at www.decadeofaction.org

JEAN TODT, FIA PRESIDENT TO VISIT IRELAND

Posted: January 31, 2011 2:53 PM

The President of the FIA, Jean Todt, will visit Ireland on Wednesday 16th February. This will be his first visit here since being elected FIA President in 2010.

The FIA is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world’s leading motoring organisations. It was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Paris. The FIA is a non-profit making association bringing together 226 national motoring and sporting organisations from 132 countries. Its member clubs represent millions of motorists and their families.

The FIA has been dedicated to representing the rights of motoring organisations and motor car users throughout the world via campaigns and activities that defend their interests. On issues such as safety, mobility, the environment and consumer law the FIA actively promotes the interests of motorists at the United Nations, within the European Union and through other international bodies.

The FIA is also the governing body for motor sport worldwide. It administers the rules and regulations for all international four-wheel motor sport including the FIA Formula One World Championship, FIA World Rally Championship and FIA World Touring Car Championship.

During his visit President Todt will be meeting with representatives of the Royal Irish Automobile Club (RIAC)/Motorsport Ireland and the AA Ireland, the FIA sport and mobility member clubs in this country.

Speaking on behalf of the RIAC, President Cecil Sparks said
“We are delighted to welcome the FIA President to Ireland. We look forward to engaging with him on many topics of mutual interest.”

President of Motorsport Ireland, Joe Corcoran stated,
“President Todt’s visit comes at an opportune time, as we will shortly be launching a new initiative in the area of road safety and liaising with the FIA in this regard will be extremely valuable.”

Details of the itinerary associated with the visit will be released at a later date.