Left to right: Stephan Carapiet (FIM Asia President), Rob Dingman (FIM North America President & CONUs representative), Jorgen Bitsch (FIM Board Member), Giovanni Copioli (FIM Board Member), Martin De Graaff (FIM Europe President), Jacques Bolle (FIM Vice-President), Tony Skillington (FIM Chief Executive Officer), Jorge Viegas (FIM President), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Deputy President), Pedro Venturo Jr (FIM Latin America President), Jos Driessen (FIM Board Member),Marco Comana (FIM Africa President), Jan Stovicek (FIM Board Member), Glen Williams ( FIM Oceania President). © FIM
During its meeting, the Board addressed many topics, in particular:
Sport: All sporting disciplines were discussed with a specific focus on Enduro, E-bike, Sand races. Ensuring the highest level of safety for competitors worldwide remains a priority for the FIM. A Technical Laboratory (FIM Tech Lab) is currently under construction at the FIM Headquarters aiming mainly to perform technical checks of electronics and mechanical parts and homologations.
Circuit Homologation: The Board approved the creation of a Committee for circuit homologation.
KTM/WESS: Following a positive meeting held last December between the FIM and the WESS promoter concerning the “Extreme Enduro Series”, there is good expectation that a final agreement will be reached within a short period in order to create the first FIM Hard Enduro World Cup.
Safety in Rallies: The FIM is extremely concerned with the level of security in Cross Country Rallies events and therefore has called for a meeting to be held on 2 March in Lisbon between expert engineers, official team directors as well as the Dakar organiser, ASO. Important measures to increase the safety of riders are expected in order to minimise the risk of fatal accidents in light of recent events.
Ethical Chamber: For the first time ever, the FIM Ethical Chamber, composed of members of the International Commission of Judges (CJI) and other external legal experts and judges also representing the geographical diversity of the FIM will meet during a full day to share best practices. Mr Frantisek Schulmann, CJI member, was newly appointed by the Board to the Ethical Chamber.
IFM (International Foundation for Motorcycling): The Board appointed the first Foundation Board members for an initial mandate of 3 years. Mr Jorge Viegas – FIM sitting President is de facto the Foundation President. Mr Martin De Graaff – FIM Europe President, Mr Tony Skillington – FIM CEO, Mr Guy Maitre – FIM Family legend and former FIM CEO as well as Mr Giacomo Agostini – multi-time FIM world champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer were appointed IFM Board members.
We, the riders campaign (WTR): FIM considers WTR a strategic hub to promote and make publicly know important topics for motorcyclists and the 2-wheels industry. An encouraging overview of the impact of the campaign on the WTR digital platforms was presented by the Marketing and Communication department. The next step is to encourage FMNs and CONUs to participate in FIM’s web seminars/video tutorials with dedicated practical examples tailored on local needs or events. The FMNs and CONUs liason department will contribute to the development of these activities.
FIM Yearbook: The 2020 edition will be DIGITAL ONLY accessible on FIM-Live.com and FIM-Family.com in the members section (password required). The FIM adheres to high standards of data protection as well as to the transparency of the collection of personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Amendments to Codes: Revisions to the Statutes and By-Laws were voted on (submitted to approval by the GA in November) as well as amendments to the Medical Code and Environmental Code presented by the respective Commissions’ Directors. A newly sustainability policy aligned with the latest commitments to protect the environment was endorsed by the Board.
Commissions: Mr Jean-François Wulveryck was appointed CRT Director. Several other changes were made to the composition of the FIM Commissions. The new lists of members will be announced shortly. Commission Directors had the opportunity to address their main projects and concerns to the Board. All Commissions will meet over the weekend in the framework of the Conference of Commissions. A plenary session bringing together the Board of Directors, the Commissions, the Promoters and journalists will take place on Saturday, followed by a celebration party for FIM Family members at the FIM Headquarters.