Jean Todt has attended every one of these conferences since his election as President of the FIA and he stressed the importance of the CEZ as one of the most active regions in the world in terms of motor sport, hosting no fewer than 74 events on the 2016 FIA international calendar: apart from World Championship rounds of the F1, WTCC and WRC, the region also saw competition in Formula 3, ERC, ETRC, ETCC and ERC, as well as a whole host of events for historic cars, cross country, hillclimbing, autocross and drag racing. The region is clearly very active, offering a rich and wide variety of motor sport. 

The congress was also an opportunity to look to the future and Todt underlined the importance of some programmes aimed at the ASNs which offer scope for development. “We have the possibility of accessing European funds to develop a programme aimed at women in motor sport and I hope that every ASN will put forward its candidacy before mid-January. Furthermore, as pointed out by the FIA Vice-President for Sport, Graham Stoker, sport is at the heart of our development programmes. In 2016 alone, 4.85 million Euros were assigned to various projects, around 1.5 in Europe. This Congress has looked at the various programmes for grass roots motor sport, a means of measuring the importance of this type of activity and also how the contribution of every ASN is essential if we are to reach our objectives.” 

Todt emphasised the importance of congresses like these, as well as the organization of clubs at regional level. “The regional platforms provide ASNs and Clubs in the same geographical area with a great networking opportunity. I find it fascinating getting to grips with and discussing with you the challenges you face, both at regional and national level and rely on your valuable contribution and feedback. I therefore also want to thank Zrinko Gregurek for his amazing work as coordinator of the CEZ, as well of course as Dusan Koblisek, President of the Slovak Association for Motor Sport, for the magnificent hospitality provided to all of us during this congress.”