MotorSport NZ boss resigns

Simon Baker has resigned as chief executive officer of MotorSport New Zealand (MSNZ). A statement issued by the organisation on May 15 states the CEO and the organisation’s president, Wayne Christie, “have agreed there are irreconcilable differences and will go their separate ways. Baker has resigned effective today.”

While the rest of the world was grappling with the rapid advance of Covid-19 virus, motorsport in this country has had a separate crisis of faith and confidence to deal with, with Baker’s departure the latest twist.

MSNZ has operated from its own premises in Wellington for decades but decided to sell the property and relocate into smaller premises on the Kapiti Coast. Baker, pictured, has been expanding head-office staff in recent months.

When Motorsport House was first offered for sale, its rateable value (RV) was about $1.5 million in a robust commercial property market. Most such properties were selling well above RV. 

By the time the sale was confirmed during the coronavirus lockdown, MSNZ’s board had agreed a price of $1.3m – a good $500,000 short of the expectation of members with experience in commercial sales. The news brought a chorus of complaint from members, setting in place a chain of events that could threaten the organisation itself.

On March 3, Tony Roberts, co-founder of the Hampton Downs circuit and chairman of the MSNZ’s historic commission, expressed concerns to the board about the performance Baker as new CEO. 

Roberts resigned on May 2, saying felt he could no longer be involved with the commission given the board’s failure to act on his concerns regarding the CEO. He also considered the board’s sale of Motorsport House had been secretive and unconstitutional.

Baker then emailed the clubs expressing no confidence in the board chairman Wayne Christie, saying he had not been supported appropriately. By May 15, it was over with Baker gone.