A new motorsport licensing authority has launched in New Zealand that offers full insurance cover to event organisers.

New Zealand-owned Australasian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) set up its branch in the country to be based in Auckland. The agency said it could permit events, issue competition licences for competitors and officials, and offer event organisers safety processes audited by the US-based Safety Foundation Inc (SFI).

It also offers public liability insurance underwritten through Lloyd’s of London. The public liability cover includes damage to third-party motor vehicles.

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“Effectively, we can do everything any other motorsport licensing authority operating around the world can do,” entrepreneur and AASA director Dr Jacob Simonsen said. “But – in terms of what has been the status quo in New Zealand for as long as anyone seems to be able to remember – we believe we can do it better. Definitely easier and definitely cheaper because you don’t have to join a club or wade through a lot of needless red tape because you can complete most of our processes online.

“AASA is modern – everything can be done online – making it fast, efficient and absolutely transparent,” Simonsen noted.

Across the Tasman, AASA permits all sorts of motorsport events, from karts to off-roading and circuit-based events to tarmac and gravel ones on closed public roads. It can also permit and provide public liability for events like drive or ride days, burn-out comps and parade or show ‘n shine-type events.