THE Australian Racing Group has announced John McMellan is no longer involved with the organisation.
McMellan, who has for years been a powerful figure in business and motorsport alike, had owned a 20 percent stake in ARG which runs categories including TCR Australia, S5000, National Trans Am, Touring Car Masters and the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series.
While ARG’s communications make mention of Garry Rogers expanding his investment in the business, it’s believed McMellan has not necessarily sold his shareholding.
The statement does say “this revised structure will see John McMellan no longer involved in ARG management or operational duties moving forward.”
In any case, prior to this latest change, it was understood that Motorsport Events Pty Ltd (Garry and Barry Rogers) owned 75 percent of the business, McMellan 20 percent, and James Warburton five percent.
Warburton is a former Supercars CEO who now is managing director and CEO of Seven West Media (ironically a rival broadcast network to what ARG is aligned with, being Nine/Stan Sport).
“We are committed and continue to invest in motorsport and the Australian Racing Group, its categories and the sport in general,” said Garry Rogers.
“Moving forward, I plan to be more hands-on and hopefully my 60-plus years in this sport and enthusiasm will attract some likeminded people who can work with Liam Curkpatrick to re-energise the business.”
Curkpatrick is ARG’s chief operating officer. He effectively replaced Matt Braid at the helm when the latter stepped down as CEO on October 1, 2022.
Another point to note is the presence of McMellan’s son Ben as ARG head of category operations.
There has been no indication as to whether his position will be affected by John’s departure.
