From left at FIM HQ: Jos DRIESSEN (Board Member); Jorge Viegas (FIM President); Jacques BOLLE (Vice-President); Martin DE GRAAFF (FIM Europe President) © FIM
Zoom meeting from top left: Jan STOVICEK (Board Member); Marco COMANA (FIM Africa President); Ignacio VERNEDA (Deputy President); Pedro VENTURO Jr (FIM Latin America President); Tony SKILLINGTON (FIM CEO); Stephan CARAPIET (FIM Asia President); Peter DOYLE (FIM Oceania President); Jorgen BITSCH (Board Member); Giovanni COPIOLI (Board Member); Robert DINGMAN (FIM North America President).
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The FIM Board of Directors met face-to-face and via videoconference on 2 and 3 December 2020. While most of European Board Members were able to travel to the FIM Headquarters in Switzerland, overseas Members attended via Zoom as a consequence of the sanitary protection measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board welcomed newly elected FIM Oceania President, Mr Peter Doyle.
On this occasion, the Board addressed many topics, in particular the following:
COVID-19 pandemic: The FIM expressed its thoughts to all FIM Family Members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of the 2020 sporting and non-sporting season was drawn. Despite the difficulties encountered during the lockdown period resulting from the pandemic, the FIM could organise most of the world championships. The Board wished to thank all FMNs, CONUs, Commission Directors and Members, Officials and Volunteers as well as the organisers, riders, promoters and all other FIM stakeholders who made motorcycle sport triumph.
Sport: The FIM will act as promoter of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship for the 2021 season. A tender for the promotion of this championship will be launched for 2022-2026 + 2027-2031 as well as a tender for the promotion of the FIM X-Trial World Championship for the same period. The FIM will also continue to act as a promoter for the FIM TrialGP World Championship in 2021. The Board decided to create a working group, led by FIM Sports Director Mr Jean-Paul Gombeaud together with Board Members Messrs Jan Stovicek, Stephan Carapiet and Pedro Venturo Jr to explore opportunities in relation with e-sport. The future of the Technical Department as regards its mission and objectives for the short, medium and long term was presented to the Board. In addition, the Board agreed to create, subject to approval by the General Assembly, the FIM HardEnduro World Championship and Cup, FIM MiniGP Series, FIM Motocross Vintage World Cup, FIM Trial Vintage World Cup, FIM Veteran Bajas World Cup, FIM Sand Race World Cup, FIM Enduro Vintage World Cup and to make the FIM Enduro Women World Cup a World Championship.
Insurance: The Board extended the international rider’s insurance programme for 2021. Board Member, Mr Peter Doyle, will assist the FIM Sports and Operations Directors to analyse and benchmark the future of this insurance programme. It was decided that the FIM travel insurance programme would cover CONU officials (except for FIM Europe) also when operating in their country of residence as of 2021.
FIM Family Week: Due to the current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the still on-going travelling and organisational restrictions, the Board decided that the FIM Family Week, regrouping the 2020 FIM and CONUs Board meetings and General Assemblies, as well as the 2021 Commissions Conference would be organised remotely via online platforms. The FIM Prize Giving Ceremony and the FIM Family Dinner will be cancelled. The 2020 World Champions, who all received their medals during the season, will be invited to celebrate together with the 2021 World Champions during the 2021 FIM Awards in Monte-Carlo (Monaco).
Finance: The extraordinary situation impacted the 2020 accounts, however thanks to significant efforts and substantial savings, a breakeven result is expected. The Board approved a draft 2021 budget as well as changes in calendars and licences fees which will be presented to the General Assembly for approval. In addition, 2020 amended and 2021 direct payments were approved.
Affiliations: Iraq will be recommended as new FMN at the next General Assembly and several discussions took place related mainly to Mozambique, Canada and Israel.
Commissions: The integration of two new Members was approved by the Board:
- CMI – Member, Dr Saravanan Annamalai (MAM)
- CTL – Member, Mr Vittorio Angela (FMI)
The Board further ratified the withdrawal of Mr Kurt Ljungqvist (SML) from the CMS.
Touring and Leisure Commission (CTL): A CTL promotional plan with branding, promotional kits, brochure and merchandising as well as a loyalty card project was presented to the Board by CTL Director, Mr Nuno Trepa Leite. The concept was approved and Mr Leite was acknowledged for the great work presented.
Seminars and on-line trainings: The Board of Directors decided that licences for Officials will not be extended and stressed the importance of on-line seminars and trainings; all Commissions are therefore requested to organise their seminars online.
Distinctions and trophies: The Board will recommend the General Assembly to award the title of Honorary Members to Mr Graham Brodie (CCP) and Mr John Chatterton-Ross (CAP). In addition, the 2020 FIM Solidarity Trophy will be granted to several FMNs in recognition of services rendered to the community / society during the pandemic and a FIM Special Projects will be allocated for 2020.
Amendments to Codes: Revisions to the Financial Regulations, Code for Touristic Gatherings, Statutes and By-Laws as well as Sporting Code were voted on. The amendments related to the Statutes and By-Laws and Sporting Code will be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
International Foundation for Motorcycling (IFM): The constitutive act of the foundation was signed on 30 November 2020 by FIM President Mr Jorge Viegas and FIM Deputy CEO Mrs Françoise Emery, before the Swiss notary Mrs Françoise Demierre Morand, from the Gampert Demierre Moreno notary public office based in Geneva, Switzerland. The first ever meeting of the IFM Board, composed of FIM and IFM President Mr Jorge Viegas, FIM Europe President Mr Martin De Graaff, FIM CEO Mr Tony Skillington, FIM Family Legend and former FIM CEO Mr Guy Maitre and multiple time FIM Grand Prix World Champion Mr Giacomo Agostini, will take place on 30 January 2021. A first draft of the 2021 IFM budget was presented to the Board.
FIM Communications