"Skaife Gone From V8Supercar Commission" - Speedcafe

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

The article doesnt confirm that its V8SC no however the next line where it says that Cole Hitchcock originally denied the story is probably a guide.

Additionally, V8SC previous form of penalizing journalists who dont print articles to their approval probably gives weight to the theory as well.

name those journos if you could please!

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

The article doesnt confirm that its V8SC no however the next line where it says that Cole Hitchcock originally denied the story is probably a guide.

Additionally, V8SC previous form of penalizing journalists who dont print articles to their approval probably gives weight to the theory as well.

Jeez DRT - that is not what the article says - it says that Cole Hitchcock denied any knowledge of the incident but checked and came back with information - it most definitely does not say that he denied the story. Might sound like I'm jumping on semantics but there's a big difference between the two. Of course, he probably was aware of the incident and wanted to get comment first but the article doesn't claim that he denied the incident even happened, which is what you suggest in this post.

On the question of "penalising" a journalist - there was a long running disagreement between TC and Peter McKay that I think most on here have encountered (fault on both sides there - interesting that Mr McKay seems to report V8 stories with some accuracy and pretty calmly now that TC has gone rather than the caustic, venom riddled pieces that were regular features when TC was there). Not aware of any others and you do say "journalists" in the plural so I'm interested in who else that might include.

[Razor]

So if Skaife does leave the Commission, who fills in the role. Could we see a Mr. Glenn Seton for the role?

[racer69]

Originally Posted by Razor

So if Skaife does leave the Commission, who fills in the role. Could we see a Mr. Glenn Seton for the role?

I'd find Seton unlikely, he has always (publically anyway) seemed more interested in the driving/team side rather than overseeing a series sort of role.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Jeez DRT - that is not what the article says - it says that Cole Hitchcock denied any knowledge of the incident but checked and came back with information - it most definitely does not say that he denied the story.

You mean it was an open secret in the V8SC paddock with 10/10s members being aware of it and discussing it but Cole Hitchcock didnt have and denied any knowledge of the incident?

Originally Posted by Tourer

On the question of "penalising" a journalist - there was a long running disagreement between TC and Peter McKay that I think most on here have encountered (fault on both sides there - interesting that Mr McKay seems to report V8 stories with some accuracy and pretty calmly now that TC has gone rather than the caustic, venom riddled pieces that were regular features when TC was there). Not aware of any others and you do say "journalists" in the plural so I'm interested in who else that might include.

No doubt there was no love lost on either side but isnt that the prime example of penalising and trying to control what is written by exclusion? Will Hagon is another who cant get a look in these days with accreditation due to not following the party line.

Look at how Mark Fogarty's reporting has morphed and changed over the years - in particular recently in his more senior role at AA.

Other examples of V8SC media manipulation include Ray Kerchsler, James Phelps. The highlight though was one Chico Harlan - who rocked up at Eastern Creek in 2007 without ever attending a race meeting before, found himself in ride cars on Saturday evening and then produced the below piece of journalism - arguably pre written from another organisation

(http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sp...8#.Uf8xINIwdjQ)

Stephen Ottley used to write for AA or Motorsport News so I am assuming he would have a pretty good idea of how the V8SC reporting system works.

So with all that in mind - I agree Tourer I cant imagine in any circumstance that V8SC discouraged anyone from writing about the bar incident. In particular when so many in the V8SC paddock have been on the high horse over the many AFL and NRL off field incidents over the years

[GTRMagic]

In terms of seriousness, liken the alleged incident with someone with the position of Andrew Demetriou (AFL) or Dave Smith (NRL) or David Gallop (FFA) or similar, allegedly getting alcoholically challenged to the extent to which they claim to have been, causing an injury to one of the management teams of a Collingwood, a South Sydney Rabbitohs, a Sydney FC.

It wouldnt be on.

It would be on the front page in what Mike Carlton loves to refer to a standard 'nightclub incident'

But it isnt, instead burried deep within the funnypapers..

Weird..

[rik]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

But it isnt, instead burried deep within the funnypapers..

Perhaps it's just another indication of how insignificant the V8s are to the main stream media? Not even a high profile scandal can get them fired up!!!

Maybe if this was unfolding on Bathurst weekend it would have been picked up...

[Tourer]

Anything's possible but yeah, Cole had most likely heard all the goss but no doubt needed to get a response and came back with one - he didn't deny it happened at all which is what you originally suggested. Guess he was just being a professional PR operator.

The press access thing is an interesting one - I can recall chat around the paddock that some of the push to not have Mr. McKay there had come from other journos who allegedly were sick of his negative attitude to everything. Don't know how true that really is but heard it from a few different PR people.

Didn't know about Mr. Hagon not getting accreditation - there are different types though - there is national accred and a small number of spaces in the V8SC rig. There is also press accred for each round in the circuit's media centre. Maybe there just isn't enough space for him in the rig (which focusses on print and limited photograph media who travel to all rounds whilst Will is largely radio media these days & probably not looking to go to all rounds). As you know I'm not a big fan of Mr. Hagon's but it might be that simple rather than him not "toeing the line".

As for someone like Mr. Fogarty, I find it hard to believe that a man who happily criticised Mr. Eccelstone from within the F1 paddock would be intimidated etc by any PR people in the V8 paddock - I'd suggest that he's probably writing what he feels is relevant.

Fox Sports dude article is fine - he clearly represents an organisation that televises V8s so got the direct interview etc. It's one point of view, not balance by responses from SOPA for example but then again, that's not unusual for these guys (media) is it? Mr. McKay (and others) have written plenty of one sided articles over the years.

For the record, none of us know who was "actively discouraging" media reporting of the McDornan/Skaife title bout but given that other incidents in Austin involving team members did get reported, the difference here is that a Holden contractor and 7 commentator were involved - maybe the push came more from those two organisations rather than V8SC who clearly didn't "actively discourage" stories on the other Austin incidents.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

In terms of seriousness, liken the alleged incident with someone with the position of Andrew Demetriou (AFL) or Dave Smith (NRL) or David Gallop (FFA) or similar, allegedly getting alcoholically challenged to the extent to which they claim to have been, causing an injury to one of the management teams of a Collingwood, a South Sydney Rabbitohs, a Sydney FC.

It wouldnt be on.

It would be on the front page in what Mike Carlton loves to refer to a standard 'nightclub incident'

But it isnt, instead burried deep within the funnypapers..

Weird..

Agree - although no doubt if Mr. Warburton (the actual equivalent within V8SC of Messrs Smith, Gallop etc) went the biff, that might make a very big difference to the reporting.

Mr. Skaife in this instance heads the section of the organisation advising the board on racing rules etc. He's much lower down the pecking order and in fact I seem to recall a bit of chest beating/pushing at NRL level between commentators/rule makers before now - got reported but not in a big way. Honestly can't remember names but definitely rings a bell from a couple of years ago.

Shouldn't have happened though and no doubt both Mr. Skaife and Mr. McDornan aren't proud of themselves over the incident.

[eduardo1]

Originally Posted by Tourer

The press access thing is an interesting one - I can recall chat around the paddock that some of the push to not have Mr. McKay there had come from other journos who allegedly were sick of his negative attitude to everything. Don't know how true that really is but heard it from a few different PR people.

Absolutely not true. McKay has always been a respected member of the press. McKay was originally banished because he reported the disparity in crowd figures between Oran Park's count and what was published by V8 Supercars. The antipathy was originally between Wayne Cattach and McKay going back a long way - and this was an excuse to get rid of him. At Bathurst that year McKay turned up with around 20 lanyards around his neck, supplied by other teams as a show of support. What is true is that PR people didn't like him - because they found it difficult to get positive stories in the Fairfax press and it was in their interests for him to not be there.
And it's not unlike team PRs to spread 'unverified' rumours to suit their own interests. Not so many years ago the PR crew from one manufacturer started leaking rumours of another manufacturer's driver's infidelities the round after that driver took the lead of the championship...


Didn't know about Mr. Hagon not getting accreditation - there are different types though - there is national accred and a small number of spaces in the V8SC rig. There is also press accred for each round in the circuit's media centre. Maybe there just isn't enough space for him in the rig (which focusses on print and limited photograph media who travel to all rounds whilst Will is largely radio media these days & probably not looking to go to all rounds). As you know I'm not a big fan of Mr. Hagon's but it might be that simple rather than him not "toeing the line".

If Will Hagon has been denied accreditation it can only have been in 2013. He was accredited in 2012. I'm not sure if he does rounds outside NSW anyway.

As for someone like Mr. Fogarty, I find it hard to believe that a man who happily criticised Mr. Eccelstone from within the F1 paddock would be intimidated etc by any PR people in the V8 paddock - I'd suggest that he's probably writing what he feels is relevant.

Foges has never been intimidated by anyone or anything. Whatever annoyances he causes, he's a straight shooter.


Fox Sports dude article is fine - he clearly represents an organisation that televises V8s so got the direct interview etc. It's one point of view, not balance by responses from SOPA for example but then again, that's not unusual for these guys (media) is it? Mr. McKay (and others) have written plenty of one sided articles over the years.

For the record, none of us know who was "actively discouraging" media reporting of the McDornan/Skaife title bout but given that other incidents in Austin involving team members did get reported, the difference here is that a Holden contractor and 7 commentator were involved - maybe the push came more from those two organisations rather than V8SC who clearly didn't "actively discourage" stories on the other Austin incidents.

On the final point - I have no idea if anyone was 'actively discouraging' the media from reporting. But unlike the football codes, where scandal drives the news as much as the sport, motorsport has always been more discreet in reporting off-track indiscretions. This may have been dealt with along those lines - rightly or wrongly.

There is also a more collaborative approach between V8s and specialist media. They kind of rely on each other a bit and, perhaps they didn't want to embarrass the sport by reporting that the Chairman of the Commission instigated a bar brawl, especially given the struggle the sport has had lately with loss of sponsors and negligible TV deal. They're aware of how bad teams are struggling right now and maybe didn't want to add to that. Again, rightly or wrongly.

The third option - this embarrasses one of the most powerful men in the paddock and one of the most popular teams with two of the most high-profile drivers. Maybe there was a degree of expected intimidation. Teams have banished journos before and V8s can make your life very hard if they want to. It's fair to say AA & Speedcafe need V8s more than V8s need them - blackbanning the entire publications would be catastrophic to their business. For what it's worth - I don't think this is the case though.

I think it's a combination of 1 & 2 - off track, not really anybody's business and no real harm done.

Stephen Ottley is ex Auto Action, now a motoring journo - not motorsport, so he's no longer beholden to V8s, or Skaife, so he can do actual journalism.

[TWRv12]

Will everyone get a free trip to Texas next time
http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/05/30/...witcher=mobile

[eduardo1]

Originally Posted by TWRv12

Will everyone get a free trip to Texas next time
http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/05/30/...witcher=mobile

The story's about the double standards applied by News Ltd in condemning the 'First Bloke' when its own journos fly free. Although it didnt' say whether Matheson had been flown by V8s or not. Only that there was a mix-up with the status of his pass.

Back in the 90s Shell used to fly a journo each from News Ltd and Fairfax to every round to ensure they got daily paper coverage.

V8s have done the same because they knew there's no way the dailies would stump up to fly journos across. As the story says - the AFL does it as well. Not really a big deal.

[GTRMagic]

In some of his most recent articles, Mr Phelps has plonked a disclaimer at the end stating that he was at the V8Supercar series round as a guest of the category.

[TWRv12]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

disclaimer at the end stating that he was at the V8Supercar series round as a guest of the category.

Thats one area that where they apply a bit of pressure, when you get univited and have to pay your way, which some publications can't afford

[eduardo1]

Originally Posted by TWRv12

Thats one area that where they apply a bit of pressure, when you get univited and have to pay your way, which some publications can't afford

The specialist motorsport media pay their own way. It's only the daily newspapers that get flown across in order to gain coverage.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by eduardo1

The specialist motorsport media pay their own way. It's only the daily newspapers that get flown across in order to gain coverage.

Specialist motorsport media seem to use locals on the ground more than they once did..

[eduardo1]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Specialist motorsport media seem to use locals on the ground more than they once did..

There were certainly very few of the regulars at Townsville. Speedcafe had its usual contingent. Only saw Gary O'Brien from Auto Action (although others may have been in the V8 media truck). Which was strange as he's NSW based.

Tony Whitlock from Racefax, Edward Krause from Motorsport News and that was more or less it that I saw.

Hardly any freelancers. It's too expensive. Hotel prices were doubled (some more than) when compared to the following weekend, which is just insane. I doubt I'll go back, as much as I enjoyed it.