Burdette Martin to retire as ACCUS President

September 3, 2004 - Burdette H. Martin Jr., president of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States (ACCUS) which governs U.S. racing as part of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), will be retiring from his position at the end of 2004.

Martin made the announcement today.

"My position at the ACCUS has afforded me the opportunity to have intimate involvement with each of the major motor racing organizations and disciplines while working with the pioneers, leaders and stars of American and international motor sports, as well as most of the people who are so sincerely devoted to making the automotive sport work," Martin said.

Dan Cotter, ACCUS board chairman, expressed the appreciation of all racers to Martin who has served ACCUS since 1971, first as a board member and since 1983 as president.

"When we think of ACCUS we think of Anne and Berdie Martin, their expertise, dedication and service to the racing community, "Cotter said. "They are a team and they will be difficult to replace."

Cotter noted that Martin's ACCUS career has corresponded with the phenomenal growth of motor sports in the United States. "He is a racer at heart and has been a participant in all types of motor sports during his long career. Anne has worked at his side since 1983, and their work deserves the gratitude of everyone in the motor sports industry."

Martin will continue to work through most of 2005, completing his term as FIA vice president and U.S. delegate as well as assisting his successor in the transition. A successor is expected to be in place January 1, 2005.

Martin's first motor sports memory was visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Indy 500 practice with his father in 1938. Over the years he raced in SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) events, finishing third in the first race at Road America and driving in the preliminary event at the first Formula One Grand Prix at Sebring in 1959.

"Anne and I will miss ACCUS and all of the friends we have made, but we expect to go out and continue to create new motor racing memories," Martin said.

ACCUS is the FIA's national sporting representative in the U.S., responsible for licensing and listing series and racing events on the FIA international calendar.

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