Lille (France) was the venue for the 2023 FIM Commissions Conference which was held from 9 to 12 February. The Conference brought together 400 members of the FIM Family including Board of Directors Members, Commissions Directors, Members and Experts along with two FIM World Championship promoters with the goal of pooling ideas and expertise to advance motorcycle sport.
The meeting started on Friday with a SuperLicence Seminar plenary session, with the purpose of enhancing and reinforcing the level of expertise and knowledge of the participants. FIM President Jorge Viegas officially opened the meeting and handed the floor to CMS Director Mr Antonio Alia Portela, who shared a particular case study that covered MXGP Qualifying Race riders refusing to take the start of a Qualifying Race.
CMI Director Dr David McManus then covered alcohol testing at a specific round of the FIM Sidecar World Championship. MotoGP Permanent Steward Mr Andrés Somolinos addressed a crash involving riders Quartararo and Espargaro in MotoGP™, before CTR Director Mr Thierry Michaud explained the procedure for penalty application. Mr Portela then presented the new CMS SuperLicence seminar format, organised directly on the sporting field, in order for Motocross Clerks of the Course to observe, learn and share from experience in practical conditions.
FIA European Rally Championship Manager Mr Iain Campbell opened the next session with a keynote speech titled ‘Motor-sport competitions' decision-making process - perspectives and implications at national and international level’ and invited Race Directors Mr David Rodgers (CTR), Mr Ingo Partsch (CMS), Mr Jiří Šitina (CMS) and Mr Pedro Mariano (CEN) for a roundtable on this topic.
On Saturday, FIM CEO Ms Françoise Emery addressed the roles and responsibilities of Commission Directors and Members. FIM IT Manager Mr Sorin Ursan delivered a presentation on new Officials’ licences before handing over to FIM Deputy CEO Mr Damiano Zamana to speak about the Mentoring Programme.
Mr Dominique Hebrard, CTI Technical Manager, then gave a keynote speech titled ‘Eco-Fuel, the example of FIM Endurance Championship’. The following guest speakers contributed with their input: Mr Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM); Ms Maria Dolores Cardenas Almena, Product Design Manager at Repsol Technology Lab and Ms Lisa Serve, Fuel Development Manager at TotalEnergies Additives and Fuel Solutions. This same panel comprised the subsequent roundtable and Q&A that covered ‘The future of the motorcycle industry and decarbonisation’ during which FIM President Jorge Viegas presented the energy transition strategy of the institution.
The signing of two new FIM promotion contracts then took place: for the FIM Sidecar World Championship, Jorge Viegas was joined by Mr Normann Broy, Head of Motorsports - Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KG. Then for the FIM EBK World Cup/Championship, Mr Viegas signed the contract together with Mr Andrew Richard Moss and Mr Mark Barfield, Directors of EBKGP LIMITED.
The Honorary Members approved during the 2022 FIM General Assembly were awarded their FIM Distinctions and Recognitions on stage, namely:
Mr Achilles DAMEN (KNMV) – CPM Honorary Director
Mr Jacques BOURGUIGNON (FMB) – LJI Honorary Member
Mr Bill CUMBOW (AMA) – CCR Honorary Member
Mr Eddie HERD (BMF) – CMS Honorary Member
Mr Pieter-Paul VERMEULEN (KNMV) – CMI Honorary Member
Diplomas were awarded to the Directors and Members of the following Commissions/List, in recognition of their outstanding years of service:
35 years of service: Mr Jean-Marc Desnues (FFM) – CCR
25 years of service: Mr Frantisek Schulmann (ACU) – LJI
20 years of service:
Ms Kattia Juárez Dubón (FESAMOTO) – CID,
Mr Yves Pradeau (FFM) – CID,
Mr José Rita (FMP) – CTT,
Mr Andrés Somolinos Juliá (RFME) – CCR,
Dr Karl-Friedrich Ziegahn (DMSB) – CID
15 years of service:
Mr Patrik Rietjens (FMB) – CMS,
Mr Christopher Hodder (ACU) – CPM,
Mr Andreas Kosbahn (DMSB) – CMS,
Mr Ingo Partsch (AMF) – CMS,
Mr Josep Punti Tigel (FMA) – CTR,
Mr Peter Radoczi (SMF) – CTI.
During the event, all sporting and beyond sport Commissions, as well as the List of International Judges (LJI), conducted their own meetings to work on projects and priorities for 2023.
Pleased with the overall success of the 2023 FIM Commissions Conference, FIM President Jorge Viegas said: “This is always the most important moment in the year, when we bring together 400 FIM Family Members from all corners of the world. This is the perfect opportunity to meet and prepare for the season that lays ahead. Thanks to the huge work of the Commissions Directors and Members, plus their expertise and commitment I am confident for another year of high quality FIM sporting events and programmes. We have also had the opportunity to thank and reward the volunteers for their dedication and service to the FIM, and to have the presence of the new FIM World Championships promoters which is greatly appreciated. 2022 was a season we can all be proud of, and already I am looking forward to another positive and exciting season in 2023.”
FIM Communications