New Directors Appointed

I hope you will join me (David) in welcoming and congratulating my two new co-directors, Hannah Gardin and Tony Rushforth. Valuable time has been spent considering the structure of Classic Sports Car Club Limited, the company that runs alongside the club. I have listened to key members of the committee and agreed with the benefits of appointing two more directors, bringing the total to three. Whilst a number of options were considered, it was felt that recruiting from within the CSCC was the best choice.

With immediate effect, this is the new structure of the limited company:

David Smitheram has a new title, Managing Director.

Hannah Gardin is newly appointed, as Director.

Tony Rushforth is now our Non-Executive Director.

All three Directors will continue to be provided with invaluable support, guidance, directions and advice from the Chairman, acting on behalf of the committee, and club members, with financial advice and guidance from the club treasurer, Malcolm Johnson. For the benefit of those perhaps new to the CSCC, we are a non-profit making sports organisation, with no shareholders. Our office-based directors are salaried employees.

The change of title for David is not any increase in ‘power’ or responsibility, but a recognition of experience. It was suggested not by him, but by the senior members of the committee.

Hannah is a real asset to the office and club. She has grown in confidence and skill over the last ten years. We have no doubt that she will step up to this new challenge and do so in her own style.

Tony has given 20 continuous years of service to the club and has held most committee roles over those seasons. Experienced in business and now retired, we feel Tony can give that extra level of oversight, guidance, and advice to the directors on operational matters when sought. It should be noted that the role as a non-executive director is unpaid and would not usually involve the day to day running of the club office.

Time for some words from all three:

David Smitheram: Managing Director

I would like to start by thanking Jo and Hannah for the extra effort and hours they have put into tackling the office workload this past month.

John Hammersley, Malcolm Johnson and Tony Rushforth have given a fantastic level of support and advice, I am very grateful to all three and their understanding families.

I consider Tony and Hannah to be friends, but they also have the strength to push back if needed, both are real assets to the club. As a team, all three of us are different ages and have different racing experiences, but all care passionately about the CSCC and club motor racing.

I worked with Tony (and daughter, Charlotte) at the inception of the Driver Liaison role, a CSCC process that compliments the Motorsport UK Clerks judicial system at race meetings and the CSCC's own ethos on driving standards. Tony has done a brilliant job with the Driver Liaison role and has been a constant, with sensible advice since the early days of the CSCC, when he did a stint as Chairman. The Rushforth family have a good deal of racing experience, competing personally, as well as in team management. Tony was a dab hand behind the wheel of a rally car back in the day. A proud Yorkshireman, he will say things as they are, but with a wit that always makes us chuckle.

David and Hannah racing as a team

I consider Hannah to be a friend, as well as a colleague. We have raced together many times (sadly, it has to be with other clubs), so whilst she doesn't shout about her experiences, I can confirm Hannah is a bona fide club racer as well as a former, experienced Marshal. No-one is born a director, but Hannah is clever and determined, I have confidence in her further development.

Finally, a little about me. I've been a director of the CSCC for the past 12 seasons, having previously started as an assistant. I started sprinting and track days in a Fiat Coupe, MX-5 and Clio 172, before racing in my Caterham, moving on to various race cars including an Elise, BMW E30, RX-8, S2000 and more. I have also had the pleasure of competing in three Spa 3 Hours, in CSCC member Marcus Fellows' Healey Sprites. I write the occasional book in my spare time, chronicling the world adventures of my Corvette 'Clive'.

Hannah Gardin: Director Some of you will know me, some of you may not, however, if you are a CSCC member, chances are it was me that processed your membership and therefore, I probably know who you are!

Many of you will have spoken to me over the years, whether that be on the phone, by email, or in person at an event. During a race meeting, I can usually be found in Race Administration, however, you will see more of me out and about in the Paddock going forward.

I joined the CSCC back in 2015 and in my 10+ seasons, not only have I seen the club grow over that time, I have also grown in confidence, having learnt and experienced a huge amount over the years. I am very grateful that I have been allowed the chance to take on more responsibilities, which has given me the experience and confidence to now take on this new challenge.

I’ve been involved in Motorsport for nearly 20 years, (I know, I don’t look old enough!) having started Marshalling back in 2008.

Prior to joining the CSCC, I studied Vehicle Repair and Motorsport Technology at South Devon College and went on to work in the service departments at Peugeot, BMW and Ferrari, before joining the CSCC at the start of 2015.

Since joining the club, in my spare time, I started entering track days and the odd drift day and Nurburgring visit, before passing my ARDS and getting into racing. I have built, maintained and raced a few of my own race cars over the years, including a MINI R53, BMW Z4 and now back to a MINI JCW Coupe.

I have a complete understanding of the hard work, time and financial restraints of preparing your own car. The hours of frustration in the garage, scratching your head trying to figure out just how you could possibly fit something that clearly won’t fit, but the satisfaction and pride when nothing falls off during a race, makes it all worthwhile!

Putting the gearbox back in....

Whilst there is a lot to learn in my new role as a director, I am looking forward to the new challenge ahead and I know that with the support and guidance of the Committee, I can apply my knowledge, experience and skills in the best way possible to see the Club continue to be a success. David, Tony and myself will work together to do the best for the Club members and continue to deliver what we believe, is the best value club racing around.

I look forward to seeing you around the paddock.

Tony Rushforth, Non executive Director

I am honoured to have been asked to be the Non Executive Director for the Club.

Having served in various roles since joining in 2004, I hope that my understanding of our ethos will be of benefit to my fellow Directors David, Hannah and the team.

Tony gave a recent introduction, when he took on the role of Interim Vice Chairman. This is a position that will now be filled by another committee member in the coming weeks.

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