AVESCO V's CAMS: Governing bodies prepare for courtroom battle
28/6/2000 19:33 (Jason Whittaker) - Australian Motorsport’s two powerbrokers, the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) and the Australian V8 Supercar Organisation (AVESCO), are preparing for courtroom battle after CAMS launched legal action against AVESCO yesterday.
In a brief statement released today, CAMS say they have instigated the legal action as a result of, “differing interpretations in regard to the rights and responsibilities of the parties under their contractual arrangements.”
“The legal action is taken in order to protect the intellectual property of CAMS, which includes ownership of the rights in the Group 3A-V8 Supercar category,” the statement said.
“The legal proceedings will clarify numerous issues, including the period of the sub-licence under which AVESCO manages the Group 3A-V8 Supercar category.”
The action has been taken together with the Australian Motorsport Commission (AMSC), and has been filed in the Victorian Supreme Court.
Also in a statement released late today, AVESCO have fiercely disputed the action, claiming it is nothing more than an attempt by CAMS to prevent the growth of the V8 Supercar formula in Australia.
AVESCO, represented by the legal firm Allen Allen & Hemsley, are currently preparing AVESCO’s response to the CAMS proceedings.
This will include various counter-claims against CAMS, AMSC, and many of its past and present directors, for “substantial damages” sustained, under the Trade Practices Act, and recovery of lost earnings and “opportunities.”
AVESCO Chairman, Tony Cochrane, has stood firm against the surprise proceedings by CAMS, vowing nothing will hamper the continual growth and development of the Supercar category.
"We are astounded that the governing body of Motorsport in Australia has commenced proceedings to restrain the ongoing development of the most successful category of Motorsport in Australia,” a defiant Mr Cochrane said.
“The claim by CAMS and AMSC is completely without foundation and is being dealt with by our lawyers at Allens,” he said.
"CAMS and AMSC will be receiving the considered response from Allens in due course which will include substantial cross-claims.”
“In the meantime, it will be business as usual for AVESCO in the creation of the most successful touring car championship in the world," Cochrane concluded.
It is believed that the issues CAMS have chosen to debate before the court have been somewhat of a sticking point between the two parties for sometime.
CAMS, AVESCO and Mr Cochrane have today refused to comment further.
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