By Andrew Clarke
Date posted: 23 June 2026
Benalla Auto Club has launched legal action against a group of investors who publicly claimed over the weekend to have purchased the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance, a sale the Club’s committee says never had its knowledge or approval.
The announcement, made on Sunday 22 June 2026 by the Club’s former Group CEO Stephen Whyte, was described by the Club’s lawyers as leaving the committee “completely blindsided” and “deeply disappointed.”
Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers’ Sven Burchartz, acting for the Club, confirmed the committee had no knowledge of any sale transaction.
“The Benalla Auto Club Committee only became aware of the purported share transfers in recent weeks,” a Club spokesperson said.
“Any suggestion that the Benalla Auto Club Committee supports or endorses the sentiments expressed in Mr Whyte’s announcement is incorrect.”
Club rejects sale outright
The Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) was established by the Benalla Auto Club in 2003 and has remained under the Club’s ownership and operation since that time.
The so-called investment group making the purchase claim includes Whyte and former Benalla Auto Club Secretary Michael FitzGerald, a detail the Club’s spokesperson described as raising “serious concerns” about how the alleged transaction occurred.
“To be clear, the Benalla Auto Club Committee does not support the alleged sale,” the spokesperson said.
“It is difficult to understand how the Committee could support the sale when the Committee was entirely unaware of any such transaction,” the spokesperson said.
The Club’s statement confirmed that legal concerns were communicated to the group and their associated entities before Whyte made his announcement.
Fiduciary questions raised
The circumstances of the alleged transaction have raised significant questions about the conduct of a sitting CEO in arranging a deal of this nature.
Under sections 181, 182 and 183 of the Corporations Act 2001, company officers, including chief executive officers, are bound by strict fiduciary duties. Section 181 requires officers to act in good faith and in the best interests of the corporation. Section 182 prohibits the improper use of position to gain an advantage for themselves or others. Section 183 prohibits the improper use of information obtained through their role.
If it is established that the alleged transaction was arranged by or with the knowledge of a sitting CEO without board or committee approval, the implications under those provisions would be serious.
Whether those sections apply in full to a CEO of a club rather than a company limited by shares may depend on the Club’s precise corporate structure, but the underlying fiduciary principles are consistent: an officer cannot act against the interests of the body they serve.
Business as usual, says the Club
Despite what the Club described as a coordinated effort to present the sale as a settled matter, including through social media and a video published to the AASA’s YouTube channel and widely reported in other media outlets, the Club maintained a firm position.
The video and associated commentary contained pointed criticism of the Benalla Auto Club’s position, framing the investor group’s announcement in terms that the Club’s statement did not accept.
The Club confirmed it continues to own Winton Motor Raceway and all associated facilities. Longtime Benalla Auto Club and Winton Motor Raceway identity Jeff Grech has been appointed Group CEO.
“For the Benalla Auto Club and the AASA it is business as usual,” the spokesperson said. “Those dealing with Benalla Auto Club, AASA, or the Winton Motor Raceway, should continue to do so.”
The Club said it was unlikely to make further public statements on the specific details of the dispute while legal proceedings were active.
“The Benalla Auto Club Committee is disappointed for its members, sponsors, and supporter base, but perhaps not surprised that the so-called investment group chose to make such an announcement,” the spokesperson said.
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