18/09/09 - One of the two candidates currently running for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Mr Ari Vatanen, has nominated Mrs Beaulah Schoeman, Managing Director of Motorsport South Africa (MSA), as one of his senate members.
The election will be held on 23 October.

Beaulah became Managing Director when Motorsport South Africa was founded as the governing body for motorsport in South Africa in 1995. In the execution of her duties, she has ensured that MSA is now clearly recognised by local and international authorities, the media, sponsors, promoters, clubs and competitors as an efficient and respected leader in the sport for which it is responsible – and functioning in a transparent manner.

In the international arena, she is a member of the Management Council of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) as well as one of the 9 members of the FIM Strategy Implementation Committee. Beaulah is also the President for the FIM Commission for Women in Motorcycling and the President of the African Motorcycle Union (AMU).

In 1992 she was elected President of the FIA Confederation of African Countries in Motorsport and was unanimously re-elected by all African countries until her decision to resign at the end of 1998 due to increased work commitments.

The other nominated candidates for Ari Vatanen’s Senate are Robert Darbelnet of the American Automobile Association, Setsuo Tanka on behalf o the Japan Automobile Federation, Guido van Woerkom of the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB) in The Netherlands and Eduardo Silva Araya of the Automobile Club of Chile, (ACCHI).

On his proposed Senate, Mr Vatenen said: ““Together with Fernando Falcó candicate for President of the Senate and the two candidates for Deputy President, Bernard Tay and Hermann Tomczyk, this is a good mix of people from bigger and smaller clubs with the necessary experience from motoring and motorsport organizations, and a good balance between the various regions.”

I am particularly happy that the African continent, where the mobility plays a crucial role in the eradication of poverty, is being represented by a lady, Beaulah Schoeman from South Africa, who has a lot of experience in many different areas. Africa has been a high school of life for me – it did not leave me indifferent”, Mr Vatenen said.


Motorsport South Africa said it is very proud of the MD's nomination and that the nomination is indicative of her recognition internationally.