There are several good examples of clubs working with their motor club neighbours to good effect - whether it is the sharing of a motor sport venue, jointly promoting a large event or simply coming together to improve attendances by having a joint Annual Awards prizegiving.

   Nationally, these benefits of working together are most evident in the MSA Regional Associations:
 

A Regional Association is an association of MSA registered motor clubs.  The Association is recognised by, and has the full support of, the MSA, and exists to represent the interests and views of the member Clubs according to need, within their area of defined responsibility, and in those areas where their member Clubs are active.

Each individual Regional Association is empowered by the MSA to manage agreed aspects of motor sport, and acts as an advisory and liaison body between all member motor clubs, their individual members, and the MSA.

Through the forum of the MSA Regional Committee, each Association is responsible to the Motor Sports Council.

   Membership of Regional Associations enables Clubs to have direct contact with MSA Officials and Committee Members in their locality and to access a wealth of accumulated experience and guidance across a broad spectrum of motor sport.  Membership widens the number of events and Championships in which Club members can compete.  Regional Associations provide a forum for general interaction between Clubs, including discussion on proposed rule changes. development of safety measures, the arbitration of disputes, and the promotion of training.

   Regional Associations will also have specific responsibility for other matters which would typically include:

• Promotion of regional championships and arrangements for annual awards presentations.
• Reporting on topics highlighted by MSA Specialist Committees.
• Liaison with MSA licenced officials, event organisers, and competitors.
• Co-ordination, control and publicity of local fixture lists.
• Liaison with statutory and other agencies (to include Sports Councils, Local Authorities, Police and Government Departments).
• Liaison with other sports and community based organisations.
• Acting as a first point of contact with the media on matters of regional significance.
• Local appointment of championship coordinators to regulate and  control championships.

   There are currently 15 Regional Associations across the whole of the UK, and in some parts of the mainland this may mean that there is some overlap of areas of interest.  From the 1^st January 2000, it became mandatory for all newly recognised MSA Registered Motor Clubs to be affiliated to at least one Regional Association, and it is highly desirable that all clubs are members of one - so how do you choose the best one for you?  Normally, this would be the one most local to you in terms of your Club's centre of activity against the venue where a particular Association may meet, but this is not always the case - such as for national one make Clubs - and so we have compiled the following check list to assist in your choice:

Is the image of the Association positive, and is this image supported by an efficient administration?

   Does it have a current Regional Development Plan, endorsed by the National Governing Body, as a valuable tool for promoting motor sport to statutory bodies and identifying its regional strategies for development and facility requirements?  Does it assist or promote the sharing of facilities with other sports and leisure groups?

   Is it pro-active in regional forums within Motorsport; is it pro-active in other sporting forums regionally?  Does it promote itself, such as through seminars or roadshows?  Does it seek to identify customers' needs and re-appraise services accordingly?  Is the Association able to offer assistance to member clubs in seeking out prospective venues and in joint discussions with landowners?  Are Association finances matched to the current services offered or required?

   Is it able to offer a mediation service to its member clubs, such as with the MSA, statutory authorities and potential funding organisations?

   Overall, is the Association seen to be effective and demonstrate credibility?

Does it have a strong Championship series?

What about the style of management of the Association?

    Are MSA Specialist Committee members, MSA Licensed Officials and local Route and Forestry Liaison Officers in regular attendance at Association meetings, and provided with an opportunity to impart information and receive feedback?

   Does it have a publicity / PR officer appointed, and is there evidence of the Association being a first point of contact with media in the region (on matters of regional motoring / motorsport interest).  Does it have a 'website' which is accurate and regularly updated?

   Where appropriate, are local date applications controlled rigidly, with fair and equitable arbitration of any clashes'?

   What training initiatives does the Association promote, or is a partner in.  Does it have its own Training Officer?

   Is it involved in initiatives to promote the involvement of young people in motorsport?  Does it have links with schools/colleges or with youth-based community schemes (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh's Award)?  What other links does it have directly with the community it serves or with community based organisations?

    Has it forged links with motorsport manufacturers within its area?  Is there evidence of it being commercially aware of the promotion and sponsorship opportunities that such links can bring?  Are there discount offers negotiated for member clubs for local products or services?

    What part does the Regional Association play in encouraging inter-club social or competitive activities?  Do Association representatives offer a facility to attend Club evenings or 'road shows'?

   Finally, does the Association appear to speak authoritatively with one voice from its region on behalf of all motor sport disciplines, including yours?  Remember - Regional Associations are in the ownership of the Member Clubs within their membership.  Your active membership and participation will strengthen Regional Associations even further.

   In a nutshell (and apart from the points previously mentioned) consider the following key advantages of being in membership of a Regional Association:

   It qualifies your Club for grant aid funding from the MSA Club Development Fund (subject to certain criteria).

   It gives your Club credibility with the Sports Council - all grant aid applications (including to the National Lottery Sports Fund) require you to be in membership of a Regional body affiliated to the National Governing Body of the Sport (i.e. the MSA).

   It provides a direct channel of communication, through the MSA Regional Committee, for points of interest or concern to your Club and its members to be brought to the attention of the Motor Sports Council.

   It widens the opportunity for two way dissemination of information on a host of issues that affect motor sport in the UK.

   And the Cost? - Average Regional Association membership is around £20-£25 a year.

   A listing of Regional Associations, with contact details, is included in the Yearbook and MSA Fixture List.  Details are also available upon request from the MSA.