CAMS chief executive Eugene Arocca is adamant that his administration’s dramatic reshaping of the domestic open-wheel landscape will eventually benefit “all members” of Australian motorsport.
The governing body announced on Thursday that it will introduce a local Formula 4 Championship in 2015, fitting into line with the Gerhard Berger-led FIA Single Seater Commission’s vision for domestic open-wheel racing.
The move follows an August decision to axe the long-running Australian Formula Ford Championship, which caused considerable angst amongst sections of the open-wheel community and saw the Formula Ford Association immediately elect to rejuvenate the class as a national series.
A lack of reference to Australian Formula 3 in yesterday’s Formula 4 announcement also raised eyebrows, with the prospect of two viable domestic wings-and-slicks categories appearing remote.
Arocca told Speedcafe.com, however, that CAMS sees Australian F3 as an important part of its new ladder system designed to help karters progress through to Formula 1.
“At the moment we need to support Formula 3 (in Australia),” he said.
“People should not see this (introducing F4) as anything other than a move to provide a good, strong stepping stone for karters into Formula 3, either here or overseas.”
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s complete interview with Arocca following the F4 announcement
Formula 3 Management declined to comment on their position when contacted by Speedcafe.com following the F4 announcement.
The suppliers of the control carbon chassis and 1.6 litre engine for Australian F4 have yet to be locked in, while CAMS is also on the lookout for a category manager.
It is understood that CAMS is keen to see the class adopt a centrally controlled format, rather than the more traditional approach of allowing cars to be prepared by individual teams.
While those key moves are yet to be made, Arocca is making no apologies for upsetting groups that do not agree with recent decisions.
“We’ve been bold enough and strong enough to make some tough calls, some of which have been unpopular,” he said.
“We have received emails from people bemoaning the demise of the Formula Ford Championship, but being in a leadership role as a regulator we have to make some tough decisions.
“To those people that are either negative about what we’re doing or suggesting that there are better pathways, we’ve done our best to engage with as many stakeholders as we can.
“We will not sit on our hands and allow others to dictate what’s best for motorsport when we’ve been running it for 60 years,” he added.
“We are very confident that the decision we’ve made, even if there is some short term pain, will ultimately reap major benefits for Australian motorsport, across all members.”
