Radio Interview with John Naylor
Posted: September 28, 2009 3:07 PM
FIA presidential candidate, Ari Vatanen, named Motorsport
Ireland president, John Naylor, as one of his vice president, should
Vatanen win the election on the 23rd of October.
John Dier caught up with
John Naylor and did an over the phone interview for South East Radio.
The
interview, which was also distributed for use by all the independent
stations in the country, is available in full on the Wexford MC site.
It can be accessed from the main page or the "News Updates" section.
It is 17 minutes long and 6MB in size
John Naylor announced as one of seven candidates for vice-presidents by Ari Vatanen
Posted: September 28, 2009 2:30 PM
Ari Vatanen has announced the seven candidates for vice-presidents for sport who support him in his candidacy for the presidential elections of the FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, due to take place on October 23rd. Should the representatives of the FIA's member clubs choose to elect the former World Rally Champion as the new President, the Finn will be backed by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein from Jordan, Antonis Michaelides from Cyprus, John Naylor from Ireland, Arie Ruitenbeek from Holland, Kari O. Sohlberg from Finland, Mümtaz Tachincioglu from Turkey and Jack Wavamunno from Uganda. "Again, I'm delighted with this selection of people who have grouped behind me", says Ari Vatanen. "Some of them represent countries that are very well-established in international motor sport, but others come from emerging nations. I think it is absolutely essential to have these reformist people, considering it is change we are seeking at the elections. If we want to know, for instance, what needs to be done for motor sport in Africa, there can be no better person to ask than Jack Wavamunno. On the other hand, it is also important to remember that Hermann Tomczyk, my proposed Deputy President for Sport, represents DMSB, one of the biggest clubs of all."
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein has been Chairman of Jordan Motorsport and its predecessor for 20 years. He championed Jordan's bid to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship and is also President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, attaining worldwide recognition for his country through initiatives. Before managing the sport, he was a co-driver in national rallies. Prince Feisal received his Masters of Management from London Business School in 1998 and graduated in 1985 from Brown University with a Bachelor of Science, Electronic Engineering (specializing in communications). He has recently founded Generations For Peace, which runs dedicated peace programmes to empower, train and support leaders of youth from communities in conflict around the world to use the power of sport to unite children and youth from all sides of their divides to contribute towards a sustainable peace. In 2008 Prince Feisal was appointed Chairman of the Royal Water Committee, addressing and looking for viable solutions for one of Jordan's greatest problems - the scarcity of water. He has held various positions in the Royal Jordanian Air Force and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant General and is the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces. Prince Feisal has received numerous Jordanian and international awards and distinctions, the latest being Legion of Honour from France and the Legion of Merit (highest award of the US Air Force) from the USA, for bilateral efforts in the war on terrorism and helping bring stability to the region.
Antonis Michaelides
Antonis Michaelides is the President of Cyprus Automobile Association, the country's ASN. He was an active competitor in rallies in the 1980's and twice finished in the points in his home ERC event. Antonis Michaelides graduated from the Law School of the Athens University in 1972 and continued with postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics (Law) and at the Polytechnic of Central London (Management). He is a major shareholder and member of the Board of Directors of the MPM Group of Companies, one of the largest trading groups in Cyprus. Also Managing Director of MPM Eurocars Ltd, a company member of the MPM Group, exclusive importer and distributor, inter alia of Peugeot cars and scooters, Piaggio scooters and various accessories as well as luxury yachts. He has been member of the Board of the Association of Car Importers.and also a member of the Board and Secretary General of APOEL Football Club. Antonis Michaelides served his country as Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism from 2006 to 2008. During his ministerial term and the subsequent presidency of the CAA, mobility and motorsport in Cyprus gained wide attention and interest among the people.
John Naylor
John Naylor has been President of Motorsport Ireland since 2004. During that time he has acted as Event Director for Rally Ireland which was the opening round of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship.
John Naylor began his motorsport career in 1980 at 18 years of age when he first competed in a Lotus 69 in Formula Ford racing. This has resulted in discovering a passion for motorsport that has taken him around the world in pursuit of the new-found interest.
Today, as well as owning a number of classic competition and road cars, John Naylor competes regularly in a Formula 3000 Lola. He divides his time between the motorsport interests and managing of the family engineering business.
Having started his involvement with motorsport through his local motor club, he has a deep understanding of the needs of the many volunteers that make sports organisations function successfully. John Naylor is acutely aware of the challenges facing the sport, and motoring generally, and is keen to see the FIA's resources directed to those areas that can best serve its members.
Arie Ruitenbeek
Arie Ruitenbeek is the President of Dutch Motorsport Federation (KNAF) since 2001. Having been Dutch national champion in saloon car racing (1979 in group A under 1300 cc and 1986 in group N over 2000 cc) he proceeded to hold the position of Team Manager in the BMW Nederland Dealerteam in 1989-92. Arie Ruitenbeek completed his main studies with HTS in Automotive Engineering, but has since complemented and expanded them by participating in various training programmes including public relations, business management, analyses of balance accounts and measuring sales force effectiveness. He currently works as Sales Director of BMW Group Nederland having previously held the same position with Nissan Motor Nederland. Earlier he also had a spell with publishers Van + Van as PR Consultant/Editor.
Kari O. Sohlberg
Kari O. Sohlberg has been Chairman of Finnish ASN AKK-Motorsport since 1982 and Chairman of the Board of its marketing company AKK Sports Oy since 2005. He was Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Finland's round of the FIA World Rally Championship from 1985 until 2005. In the FIA he has served as member of the WMSC for ten years altogether. He also chaired FIA's WRC Commission 2001-02 and has been a Steward in F1. Personal achievements in competition include Finnish championship titles in 1964 (ice-racing) and 1966 (circuit racing). Kari O. Sohlberg received MSc (Econ) in 1971 and was granted the honorary title of Mining Councillor in 2000. He made a career in industrial family corporation Oy G.W.Sohlberg Ab (est. 1876) proceeding to CEO post, which he held from 1973 until retirement in 2001. He has held numerous positions of trust in other companies and associations, including chairmanship of the Board in insurance company Sampo and vice-chairmanship of its Board of Directors. Also Chairman of the Board of Directors in Perlos Oyj and in the Finnish Fair Corporation, as well as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors in retirement pension insurance company Eläke-Sampo and Arctia Hotels. As member of the Board he has had involvement in the businesses of banking, travel, media, and more. Kari O. Sohlberg holds the military rank of major and he's been decorated with the "Cross of Liberty, 1st Class with star", and with the "Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland".
Mümtaz Tachincioglu
Mümtaz Tachincioglu is President of the Turkish Automobile and Motorspors Federation (TOSFED), President of the Turkish Formula 1 Foundation and has been a member of the FIA World Motorsport Council. He played a significant role in bringing a F1 GP and the FIA World Rally Championship to Turkey. A couple of decades ago he was three times karting champion of Turkey. Mümtaz Tahincioglu received his Degree in Business Management from London University, after which he went to work for the family business whose intrests range a vast area of activities. He started in the Marketing Department which later led to being General Manager. Currently he holds the position of Managing Director and Board Member at Cadbury Schweppes Kent; a member of the Cadbury Schweppes group. Other than being actively involved in CSK and TOSFED, he also sits on the Board of Directors of Tahincioglu Holding. This entreprise is involved in Construction, Tourism, Chemical and the Insurance sector. In 2007 Mümtaz Tachincioglu was elected as a Board Member and General Secretary of the major Turkish football team Galatasaray.
Jack Wavamunno
Jack Wavamunno was the Founder President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda (FMU). He has acted as Event Chairman in the FIA African Rally Championship since 1997 and continues to do so. In 2005-2006 he was Deputy member to the late Shekhar Mehta in the FIA World Motor Sport Council. He used to actively participate in rallies and was national co-driver champion in 1985. Jack Wavamunno graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Makerere University in Uganda and also received a Master of Science degree in Management from the University of Bath, UK. He currently works as an entrepreneur in motor industry and travel management. He is Vice-Chairman of Injury Control Centre of Uganda and member of the General Assembly of Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda (CoRSU). Jack Wavamunno lists environment, safety in motorsport, commercial aspects of motorsport in Africa and motorsports youth programmes in Africa as particular areas of interest.
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