Motorsport Ireland Court Of Inquiry, Established By President, Finds Vice President In Breach Of A General Competition Rule

John Naylor, Vice President Of Motorsport Ireland, was found to have breached a General Competition Rule in regards to a complaint made of verbal abuse, but did not breach any other rules after he left the 2025 Rally Of The Lakes early.









By Evan Dalton, for Bwoah Motorsport


A document released by Motorsport Ireland states that, a Court Of Inquiry established by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper, that investigated his Vice President John Naylor, has concluded with Naylor being found to have breached a General Competition Rule [GCR]. 


The GCR breached by Naylor is GCR 139.7, which states “Misbehaviour or Unfair Practice actual or threatened physical or verbal assault, abusive or intemperate language,” shall “be deemed a breach” of the rules. Mr. Naylor was investigated for an alleged confrontation at the 2024 Rally Of The Lakes, with appointed Club Steward Ciara Griffin. 


As given as evidence by Ms.Griffin, Mr.Naylor stated “f–k off, rules are rules,” when asked by Ms. Griffin to provide applicable rules in relation to Parc Ferme issues. Mr.Naylor stated that he had no recollection of using the censored word, however took no pleasure in the thought of upsetting Ms.Griffin. He admitted to using the word in conversations before, but rather as an adjective than it being directed at any individual. The Court decided “unanimously that the Respondent [Mr.Naylor] apologise in writing to Ciara Griffin.”


The other investigation that took place at the eight hour hearing, was into the circumstances that resulted in Mr.Naylor leaving the 2025 Rally Of The Lakes early. 


Mr.Naylor, who is Chair Of Stewards alongside Vice President, “packed up and went home” after a disagreement in the 1st stewards meeting of the event. In what was acknowledged as a meeting of contentious nature, Mr.Naylor requested that all but the stewards and Clerk Of The Course, Cormac Casey, leave the room. 


The disagreement was in regards to Parc Ferme issues, and the implementation of chicances on certain stages of the rally. After various disagreements, with multiple individuals questioning the appointment of others, evidence given by Club Steward Damien Crawford stated that, as he began reciting the FIA International Sporting Code for a second time, that Mr.Naylor proceeded to pack his belongings, and Mr.Crawford was later informed he had left. 


Mr.Naylor stated that he found himself in an impossible position, and as a volunteer of the sport, made the decision to leave the negative situation due to the difficult position he was put in by the organising team. He argued that as there was a remaining Steward at the event, that Steward could carry out the duties of the Steward and co-opt another person to become a Steward if required. 


Motorsport Ireland did not find Mr.Naylor guilty of a breach of any regulations in regards to leaving the event early. The decision enclosed in the report states that “his actions are not prejudicial to Motorsport Ireland, the RIAC or the Event, as he is also a volunteer of this sport and acted to protect himself.” 


All in attendance, and arguing on either side, are senior figures of motorsport in Ireland, and concern has been raised about the collateral damage caused to the leadership of the sport. 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A CHAOTIC START TO VIRTUAL FORMULA VEE! - RTA Round 1 Review

Image
  By Evan Dalton for RTA Virtual Motorsport and Bwoah Motorsport  Foreword - This review was wrote solely from the perspective of Peter McCann's onboard  As the stretch in the evenings slowly disappears, and the dark wintery nights loom large, one thing is bound to keep sim racers cosy in the October and November evenings and that is the return of RTA Virtual Motorsport. In a collaborative effort with Formula Vee Ireland, the RTA Formula Vee Ireland Series was born and sim racers across the country flocked to the entry forms in an attempt to impress in the virtual version of Ireland’s budget single seater class.  The virtual paddock arrived at Silverstone for three races at the famous circuit’s National variation. An iconic track in global single seater racing and RTA. Qualifying started in interesting fashion, with a sudden rush out of the pit lane resulting in contact between front runners left right and centre. With a lot of previous champions struggling to get la...
Read more

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS SHINE AT KIRKISTOWN - IRISH FORMULA VEE ROUND 8 REVIEW

Image
By Evan Dalton Gavin Buckley through the John Crossle Chicane | Courtesy of Jimmy Graham Bright mornings can be rare at Kirkistown, but the paddock was blessed with sunny conditions, even if a bit chilly at times. It was perfect conditions for the Irish Formula Vee circus to land upon Newtownards.  Gavin Buckley arrived on Friday afternoon as the Selco.ie National Championship leader, but had not had the smoothest run at the earlier Kirkistown round in April. An engine cut out while running in the podium places, demoted him to fifth. The expected forecast certainly suited the reigning champion, who took his first ever Formula Vee win here back in 2020.  First up on Saturday morning was qualifying. An early start meant cooler conditions and a nice breeze pushing the cars through Debtors Dip’ all the way down to ‘Colonial One.’ Buckley was the pace setter from the offset, cementing himself at the top of the order early on, and there he would remain.  2024 TyreDoctor.ie B ...
Read more

THE NORTHERN IRISH RACE OF THE AGES - WORLD CHAMPIONS DESCEND UPON COUNTY ANTRIM

Image
By Evan Dalton Photo Courtesy Of       THE KLEMANTASKI COLLECTION Motorsport, in both the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, has always been niche. Gaelic Football, Hurling and Association Football are the dominant games on the island. For young motorsport fans here, it is easy to think motorsport has no place in sporting history north and south of the border, but that couldn’t be further from the case. Both Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen have won races in Ireland, but the origin of world champions racing in Ireland starts in 1954. Dundrod is still extremely rural, with a population of 196. Back in the 1950’s, the buildings could be counted on two hands. It is located in County Antrim, 10 miles from Belfast. The Dundrod Circuit is now known as the famous venue of the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle race, having moved from its old home, the Clady Circuit, in 1953. Its first events were four wheel races, starting in 1950 with the RAC Tourist Trophy.  The Royal Au...
Read more