The Board of Directors met at the Convention Centre in Lyon (France) on 14 and 15 February, ahead of the FIM Commissions Conference, to be held during the weekend.
On this occasion, the Board addressed many topics, in particular the following:
Sport: All disciplines were discussed with a focus on the contract for the promotion of the FIM Flat Track World Championship as of 2025, the extension of the contracts for the promotion of the FIM Sidecar World Championship as well as the FIM Sidecar Motocross World Championship, including the FIM SidecarCross of Nations and the FIM QuadCross of Nations. The Board addressed the major change to the FIM TrialGP regulations from 2024 onwards. Riders will be allowed to stop and move backwards in sections with a clearly defined time limit. This new ruling will bring TrialGP in line with the FIM X-Trial World Championship and with all the major national championships including the Europeans, which evolves into a more demanding riding level. The Board created a Trial Working Group composed of Board Member Mr Sébastien Poirier (Chair) and Marketing & Digital Director Mr Fabio Muner and to work towards increasing the visibility of Trial, providing more accessible venues for spectators, harmonising the rules and defining permanent Stewards. The Board reminded the principle of foreseeing to allow the use of electric motorcycles in Supercross with the drafting of specific rules by the Sporting Commissions. Several important considerations related notably to safety are to be taken into consideration, particularly for events organised inside a stadium. Further work, tests and analyses still need to be performed by the FIM electric and technical experts related to equivalences between electric and internal combustion engines. A status update on the Intercontinental Games, a biennial sporting competition with continental teams was made. The Games will take place on 29-30 November & 1 December 2024 in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain).
Situation in Ukraine: The Board of Directors reiterated its sympathy and solidarity with all those suffering, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After having carefully considered the situation, the Board once again confirmed the decisions made during its extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2022. The FIM will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, taking into account the specificity of motorcycle sport.
Finance: The 2023 closing and 2024 forecast, both reflecting the sound financial situation of the FIM, were shown to the Board.
Accidentology platform: The first statistics data tracking riders’ injuries resulting from the accidentology platform, designed specifically for motorcycling, were presented.
FIM certification for Vintage Circuit Racing Motorcycles: The contract with L’Amicale Spirit of Speed for the FIM certification for Vintage Circuit Racing Motorcycles was approved and will be signed during the Commissions Conference. The Board agreed on the composition of the FIM Technical Certification Committee, chaired by Mr Julien Charnolé. Members include: Mr Bernard Girardot-Miglierina, Mr Juergen Weiss, Mr Alain Nibard, Mr Claude Scalet; Mr Steve Wheatman, Mr Mike Dhollander, Mr Georges Beale Mr Guy Coulon, Mr Bernard Maingret, Mr Jean-Paul Voisin, Mr Nathan Colombi, Mr Francesco Merzari, Mr Beppe Galante as well as Mr Jacques Bussillet. FIM representatives will completed the composition of this Committee.
Liaison with FMNs/CONUs: An update on the FMNs/CONUs liaison initiatives and activities such as webinars and guidebook for FMNs was shared. The next FMNs & CONUs Secretaries General Meeting will take place in October in Germany and will be hosted by the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund e. V. (DMSB).
Marketing and Digital: A social media overview of 2023, marketing and digital initiatives implemented for the FIM Sand Races World Cup as well as examples of the deployment of the new brand identity were presented to the Board. The composite logo and the institutional movie created for the celebrations of the 120 years of the FIM were revealed. Discussions on the scope of the use of the FIM logo by the National Federations were held.