"V8 Supercars chairman sacked" - Courier Mail

[D.R.T.]

woah

[Head Rev]

It's online NOW, WOW.......he's gone

[Da Moo]

Well as you have probably seen by now, TC has been dumped.

I think this had to happen and that press release last week demonstrated that better than anything else.

I do have to say though that while I am an open critic of Tony Cochrane, he should be recognised and congratulated for everything he has done for the sport but it was never going to get to the next level with him at the helm.

John Hewson is an outstanding decision as a replacement because he has the intelligence and respect that the sport needs to progress.

Unlike TC's complete lack of respect shown for ten at the end of their contract, whether you like or hate Tony Cochrane, as a fan, I really appreciate the passion he put in to the sport but HE was the reason for the downfall and no one else.

He thought he was bigger than the sport and he made a bad error and this is the right move for our sport.

So TC if you are reading this, I openly criticised your behaviour and last week was as bad by a sporting administrator that I have ever seen and I think you deserved to be fired BUT I sincerely thank you for where you got the sport to.

[Robert Ryan]

Is a John Hewson what V8Supercar needs now? No they need a "Tony Cochrane". Think of John Hewson's political career, he melted when the going got tough.

[Da Moo]

Tony Cochrane was not the right person. He was colourful and outspoken but he had no credibility with serious business. He took the sport a long way but last week was a perfect demonstration of why he had to go.

Wayne Cattach is a great CEO and I think he should be the front person for the sport.

John Hewson will be able to open some doors and while he tanked as a politician, there is no doubting the man is smart.

I think this is the best thing that has happened for a long time.

I'm sorry but this had to happen for the sport to move forward.

[Robert Ryan]

I'm sorry but this had to happen for the sport to move forward.

I really think you need a "head banger" with maybe a bit more finesse. The late Bill France Jr is an example.

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

I really think you need a "head banger" with maybe a bit more finesse. The late Bill France Jr is an example.

It needs leadership at the moment - not antagonism

Mike

[Robert Ryan]

It needs leadership at the moment - not antagonism

That is what France Jr provided in building up NASCAR, but he was a "dictator" as well, who was pretty spot on as regards what he thought was good for the sport. John Hewson..No

[GTRMagic]

Thank you to Mr Cochrane for his unending support of the category over the last 10 years, the vision you had (that few others did) to grow the category to where it is now is a credit to you, and the people around you.

Dr John "Cakeboy" Hewson shall now provide the leadership (according to MN) to take V8SC to the next level, and loading the guns for the minions to fire. With a visible strategy to boot.

[PVDA]

Let's leave the Cochrane Out comments to the thread already discussing it or the mods will get upset with us

[Just Do It!]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Thank you to Mr Cochrane for his unending support of the category over the last 10 years, the vision you had (that few others did) to grow the category to where it is now is a credit to you, and the people around you.

That is a very fair statement - Tony Cochrane did a highly commendable job, by and large, of building V8 Supercars into what it is today. Everyone placed in a role such as that will have caused the odd ripple, and that is to be expected, otherwise, he or she may not have done their job well enough.

Thanks Tony for doing what many others claimed to be able to do and never really managed. You are a true inspiration with the growth that you have provided for V8 SUpercars, and long may it continue.

[A9X05]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

Is a John Hewson what V8Supercar needs now? No they need a "Tony Cochrane". Think of John Hewson's political career, he melted when the going got tough.

Yeah he melted like the cream on the cake trying to explain the GST debacle, the cake with / without cream was a beauty, When he was oppositin leader in the early 90's! DER!

I think maybe someone creditable with V8 experience would have been a better pick, or is that too clever??

[GTRMagic]

Dr John is a very capable administrator, and there are more than a few team owners that prefer his style of operating.

While Dr John is not a technical expert in V8Supercar (and TC wasnt either when he took charge) there are enough specialists around him, on staff at TEGA and indeed in the general paddock, to render this unimportant.

The bigger plan, to 'merge' the TEGA & VESA operations, or at least have common control of both may prove to be a masterstroke... but what we are not told of is whether S&EL are in the future picture or not...

[Pro Racer]

V8's don't need a Coch to be V8's

well anyway good job doing what you have done in the sport to date although last week wasn't a highlight TC good luck for the future.

i think Dr John will fit in well and keep improving the sport.

[JABWOA]

Interesting news. Now, if only a few other people in the V8 circus could be moved along or retired.

[Alan52]

Unlike the people above I am delighted to see the back of Cochrane.He built up 1 class at the expense of every other stakeholder in the sport.He used intimidation and harrassment as his basic mode of operation to further his own short term financial gain and to line the pockets of the Level 1 Franchise holders.I can guarantee that despite his professed love of the sport he will never attend another race meeting unless there is a $ to be made for him.The big short term question is how V8SA and SEL will continue to work together until there current agreement expires (next year I think).Goodbye and good riddance.

[TSR]

Best thing to happen to the v8 in 10 years.

Goodbye AUSSIE BERNIE/ BLACK WIGGLE.

You might have got the supertaxi to were they are today, but at what damage to motorsport in general in Australia.

Can Dr Cakeboy do the job, time will tell but I doubt it. And were has the Kelvinmonster being of late.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by TSR

And were has the Kelvinmonster being of late.

Still around... now his job is to fire the gun loaded by somebody else, perhaps the decisions will be more transparent, more obvious.. and likely more considered.

It is difficult to take both a strategic and operational role without explicit support from the stakeholders... and other entities being involved in the decisionmaking, or indeed trying to influence the decisionmaking by working the media spin very hard.

(Did I just say something nice about the Kelvinmonster....NOOOO!!!!!)

[TSR]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

(Did I just say something nice about the Kelvinmonster....NOOOO!!!!!)

We will have to put that into the archives.

[Senna05]

DR John Hewson may have lost the "unlosable" election, but if it were not fro the one policy, he probably may have walked right in in 1992.

Also, he does have a background. We crewed for the Walden's once or twice and does have some experience in sports management (or so I am told).

IF he could bring a party that had been locked out of power for 12 years together to nearly win an election, I'm sure he can do the right thing, structurally, by the sport.

Tony Cochrane 1997-2001 was possibly the best thing for V8's, but not neccesarily Motorsport. From 2001 onwards, he always appeared to me to seem like the "Class President without a Teacher to keep him inline". The old addage - "Who watches the Watchers" can be applied. He made alot of brash, silly statements...

[GTRMagic]

And with the right connections in place, perhaps a walk up start to getting a round in Canberra again soon.... presuming the connections still have gigs a bit later this year

[db120176]

John Hewson leading V8 Supercars. God no! Ross Oakley?

[racer69]

V8Supercars are more than just Tony Cochrane, hence why the problems aren't going to stop just because he is gone. It's a start though.....


It's all well and good to say what a great job he did, but it's also worthwhile mentioning that other people could have easily done the same thing, it's just that he was the very first person to be given the chance to do it (TEGA were awarded the category management rights in 1995 from CAMS, and in 1996 they contracted IMG)

[johnny yuma]

Originally Posted by Alan52

Unlike the people above I am delighted to see the back of Cochrane.He built up 1 class at the expense of every other stakeholder in the sport.He used intimidation and harrassment as his basic mode of operation to further his own short term financial gain and to line the pockets of the Level 1 Franchise holders.I can guarantee that despite his professed love of the sport he will never attend another race meeting unless there is a $ to be made for him.The big short term question is how V8SA and SEL will continue to work together until there current agreement expires (next year I think).Goodbye and good riddance.

Well said Alan52 totally agree.Hope Hewson drops the ball again and the category has to fight to survive like all the rest were made to.Wonder if Hewson will enjoy grovelling to a Labor Federal Government for more booty to keep the circus clowns and animals happy?

[Alan52]

Don't tar Hewson with Cockroaches brush.It is already promising that the final tipping point that got the teams to give the Big C the Big A was their desire to return to the Grand Prix next year.