Ive spoken to John and as the letter is pretty much public domain now anyway he has no objections to it being posted here.

I should point out that this letter came to me, as it did to dusteater, as it did to many others Im sure, 3rd hand (or 4th hand, or 5th hand!). It wasnt addressed to me, dusteater or many others who have read and commented on it.

Dust, sorry for editing your post, but I thought it best at the time.


JP:jp 20 November 2008.



Gentlemen of the Board (and a few others),



This communication will have to serve, amongst other things, as my valediction address

My removal is going smoothly and this really is the last report. There have been no tantrums and I have already counselled many of the cranky ones against any retaliatory action. But there should be some perspective provided to validate your decision dont you think? And even more so now that the website announcement about the 2009 commissions makes me look like some sort of hero, - but we've sacked him incidentally - and dont bother to ask why

Given that you guys aren't known to be easily accessed and are extremely non sharing in the information sense, I guess it is now up to me to manufacture some sort of rational perspective for myself (with the odd personal aside) and you can challenge this as you see fit. It will also be a bit protracted, as it is not easy to condense nearly three decades of enjoyment into just a few paragraphs. On the other hand, it neednt be that difficult for you as this doesn't require any actual eye contact with me. On the other hand, if youd like me to front up on the carpet - Ill be there in a heart beat...


The foremost aspect of this craziness is that when you prematurely shoot off; - and you dont use enough choke, the damage hits more than the target. This has also hurt Sue as she has given up so much over a very long time. And then when it simply ends with a nervous phone call from a minion fraught with saving his own skin, it quickly becomes hard to ignore the sacrifices she has made; - for such a pitiful conclusion. And this escalates things.



The method of my removal smacked of pathetic and back shooter tactics from the beginning and just how some can grovel to such low depths by ignoring fair play to pursue personal vendettas is really nothing to be proud of. Then to make a determination without any consultation (thats no consultation) beyond the Pipers tune, and with no chance of any sort of response from the accused - (thats me) or indeed anyone beyond a few croweaters - and we are left with a demonstration of no impartiality and even less leadership. Due process has been ignored here and it was intentional.



Put another way; - it was personal. And you finally got your chance, consecrated on a trumped up premise by a few South Australians espousing that I am too autocratic! Then, - amazingly; - I am replaced by a South Australian whilst another South Australian did the bidding for the South Australian panel - and the blood lust is now oozing from the likes of Glindemann and his cronies. Was this some sort of strategy to win back favour with the State Council?

Now; - and for the record, this is not about how I feel; - as Im actually starting to feel pretty cleansed. Its about how you, as our leaders operate and the incredible hypocrisy that surrounds you and many of your decisions.



I have supported CAMS, and the CAMS way, (championed it actually) from the outset and there have been many challenges during the evolution of off road in making it compliant, safe, inviting; - and a fair place to participate. This doesn't happen by being a shrinking violet but if my being too autocratic has even been a minor factor in your flawed and secret deliberations then I am pretty bloody angry.



The FIA is autocratic, Glindemannism is autocracy at its finest, your handling of my termination was autocratic, and the irony is that I have managed the commission in such a democratic way over the years that it has driven me and some others to distraction. Gentlemen; - AORCom has been managed by committee since its inception but I do now remember rumblings about why it was me who was always in the limelight so often. Well someone else can now handle that.



And then I have struggled for years to get commissioners who are energetic enough, and committed enough, to help drag the states and the discipline forward. Ironically, one of the movers of this SA recommendation was one I didn't invite back for a new term on the then National Off Road Committee; - for being a lazy bastard - and one who spent too much time slagging off at CAMS. Id now laugh if it wasnt so pathetic.


I have tirelessly encouraged competitors, organisers and commissioners to engage in the consultation process for more years than I care to remember and now with the establishment of a fledgling ORRInc (which has got up the nose of some commissioners and maybe another factor in my being shoved) I now find myself being banished for being too autocratic and this is just a bit rich.

Maybe if the smell of blood had not been so strong and anyone had taken the time to ask just a few simple questions

Ben Erceg was always going to succeed me as Chairman. He will also likely make a good chairman but the stab in the back will hurt for a while mate. And Im also saddened to be now denied the chance of reaching that proverbial hill top as it has been something I have certainly strived for.



I would now urge you to consider these further comments which I offer as a last attempt to have each of you stop and conduct an honest self-audit about where you are taking the organisation. Its not about who turned on me, or about who supported me. Its about the big picture, of what you are allowing to happen to the great organisation of which I have been a stakeholder.



Ive had plenty of conversations with most of you - listening to ramblings about how one or more of your fellow directors are idiots, lazy, snakes in the grass or just plain useless. Fellas, this is the harmony of jackasses!



The confederation is a not-for-profit organisation, but that does not mean that its OK to make massive losses. Currently all the signs point in the wrong direction and as CAMS relies on loyalty income (if you get my drift) there is certainly trouble ahead. But with the economic climate biting as it is, this might provide some sort of respite for you - maybe; whilst those who are on this side of the moat are very anxious.



There will inevitably be a fire sale to sell off valuable assets some time soon and I believe you cant afford a national awards dinner beyond this year? There has been a waste of more than a quarter of a million dollars (and it could be twice that) through being conned and bulldozed into yet another ill-conceived reorganisation plan which required State Councils to cut their own throats, whilst the rest of us were left like mushrooms until the fiasco was unveiled!. Fallback 3 is being launched when?



The revolving door is also just about stuffed as well. The comings and goings of Presidents and CEOs and Directors is unstoppable, with more to come, as the new vogue executive of CAMS repeatedly finds blame with someone else to cover for their own shortcomings. And if someone dares to question, by challenging what you think is your ultimate authority, then the wrath of the gods descends doesnt it?



But let there be no doubt; - the Board is disdained and disrespected by the owners as never before. The members are alienated, disengaged and sick at heart because you have lost the way.



And for some reason you also hate emails! Mine especially! Is this because you dont like anything on the record? Well Ive sent plenty, Im proud of this, I stand by them and they certainly have been passionate and forthright...and truthful. Its a pity though, that you cant reciprocate by sticking to the facts rather than fabricating excuses to justify your vengeance.



Specifically; and please! Surely you could have found a better advocate than the Piper. He just cant cut the mustard can he? When undermining me, Piper declared that I had to go because I didnt identify a successor. Lies! I was also undermined because I sent too many emails. Fact! I was castigated for being too autocratic. Maybe; - but no more than some of you. I had a visible passion for the sport, and for looking after my fraternity. I also remember saying to someone that I insulated off road from the Board - and its quirks - and for good reason.



I can take some comfort however, that I leave off road in much better shape than where you are with the business. You have lost customers in droves; AASA has been given more opportunities than an Aussie Racing Car negotiation, your ASN status is being challenged by yet another unhappy client, 98% of CAMS doesnt even know what most of you look like, some of you wouldnt know the difference between a passage control and the back passage and believe me - I could go on and on...



But thats right; - it is I who deserves to be punished isnt it!



Given that most of you have no idea what is happening out there, my last dispatch is also to recommend and encourage you to take a close up look at the growth area of off road. Too many of you are yet to experience the rising phenomenon of off road racing and when the AORC makes it onto free to air television (I hope soon) and the champagne is flowing you too can share in the credit; - as this is something we all know you get very little practice at.

In the mean time I am extremely proud that I have never compromised my integrity by stacking the deck as you have.



So the bottom line is; - regardless of who was the better person to take off road forwards in 2009, your handling of this matter can only be described as dishonourable, disloyal, and gutless; and lacking in the structure and substance you guys demand from your subjects. So we better throw in hypocrisy again and there can be no more damning appraisal.



I have also witnessed how you have humiliated others and how some of these have tried to hang on like crippled animals. These are the ones who have been praised on the outside as amazing, but underneath it is a different story isnt it? Shame on you.



But not this little black! You sacked me in the cover of darkness I have no redress and Im off into the sunrise...

For about the last 27 years now however, my association with off road has been especially rewarding. The last 17, (I think) especially so. I have put plenty in but I have also received plenty by witnessing the evolution of what I thought you guys wanted - and what I knew had to happen. But all good things come to an end and we both end up winners. I leave with a cheeky smile, there will be no long term bitterness, (as it has always been difficult to take you guys seriously anyway), I have a crystal clear conscience and you think youve won. Congratulations to all of us!



To anyone else who sees this, (and there are no secrets out there are there?) please dont be too concerned. The creature that is CAMS is fundamentally very sound and occasionally you come across a bit of a dust up like this one. But with me out of the road and them not far behind (if justice prevails) that should leave you as the winners.



To the off roaders especially; - good luck! Keep the fun aspect of what you do at the forefront, dont compromise safety - ever, and never forget its motor sport.



And oh yes. Dont rock the boat if the leadership is fragile!



Pato