It feels like only yesterday that I stepped into the role of President of NSSCC, following the impressive tenure of Jon Thompson. I’ve honestly lost track of how many years have passed since then—a testament to how much I’ve enjoyed this journey. As I write this report, I find myself second-guessing my decision to pass the baton to new leadership. Nevertheless, I believe the time is right for fresh ideas and new energy to take our club forward.

I’ve offered to remain on the committee in a less prominent capacity and will continue to foster the commercial sponsorship relationships that I’ve always found rewarding. While stepping into Jon’s shoes initially seemed daunting—especially considering the remarkable recovery he and his team achieved after the club’s near-collapse—I set out to further grow and strengthen NSSCC by focusing on three key objectives:

• Membership Growth and Retention: Ensuring a happy, engaged membership base with an emphasis on attracting younger members and hosting customer-focused events.
• Financial Security: Maintaining sufficient financial reserves to allow the club to invest in opportunities and weather challenging times.
• Volunteer Engagement: Creating a balanced system of incentives to recruit and retain the volunteers essential to running our events.

I am proud to say that the committee has exceeded expectations in all these areas. Despite navigating the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges that followed, I am confident that NSSCC is well-positioned for continued success in the years ahead.

That said, challenges remain. Rallying as a motorsport is contracting, and many events struggle to break even due to rising costs and declining participation. Our club relies heavily on this sector, and we must remain proactive and adaptive—perhaps even reimagining aspects of the sport—to stay relevant.

Looking ahead, I am concerned about the future of gravel rallying. Economic pressures and shifting public attitudes, particularly regarding the use of state forests, suggest that this form of motorsport may face significant decline within the next 5 to 10 years. Conversely, events like the Tarmac Series at Sydney Dragway will become increasingly vital. Ensuring their financial stability and long-term viability will be critical.

One of my enduring goals has been to secure land at Sydney’s Eastern Creek for our club and the broader motorsport community. Although this ambition remains unfulfilled after five years of effort, I am steadfast in my belief that this opportunity holds immense potential for NSSCC, other Sydney-based clubs, and most importantly, for fostering the development of junior drivers.

Our club thrives because of its diverse and interconnected membership—competitors, volunteers, and loyal non-active members who simply love being part of NSSCC. Each group plays a crucial role in our success, and their collective passion and dedication give me every confidence in the future.

As I step down, I am reassured by the strength of the club and the solid foundation we have built together. I wish the incoming committee every success and look forward to supporting NSSCC in this new chapter.

Brett Middleton
Outgoing President
December 2024