When people talk about club racing, they are usually referring to the most common club based event in Australia, the Supersprint. Run on a full circuit these events are conducted with a number of cars on track at the same time, although the results determined by lap-time rather than position. For the competitors, this combines the thrill of racing on a real track while reducing the chance of an accident or collision, as the cars are not actually racing for position.
Complementing this is the ease of licensing and car preparation. To help reduce costs, a CAMS Level 2S (speed) licence is all that is required for these events. The driver does not require any specialist clothing beyond long sleeves and pants, a helmet and appropriate footwear. In most instances, competing cars only require minor safety upgrades. This usually consists of a fire extinguisher, secondary bonnet restraint, taped lights, and a blue battery triangle, which makes it extremely easy to convert an every-day driven street car into a race car in mere minutes.
When you combine the thrill of the event, the ease of entry and the performance of the modern street cars, it's not hard to see why so many of our club members regularly compete at these events. As the year progresses we'll be updating the news section with their results so if you want to keep abreast of all the news this is the place to be.
Supersprints cater for vehicles in many different classes and you will see all types of vehicles competing. This includes mums shopping car which dad has borrowed for the day, though to both old and not so old V8 Supercars. While there are multiple cars on the track at the same time, the cars are usually grouped by lap times, so in most instances you will be out there with other competitors who are doing similar times.
As the cars approach the staging area, they form two lines. When the track is clear, each pair of cars is sent out with a safe gap between each pair. Depending upon the actual circuit, there can be anywhere from 6 to 12 cars circulating at any time. While passing is allowed anywhere with safety most competitors will only pass each other on the straights, although this can and does change as your times fall and you start to mix it with the quick boys.
While it is suggested that people have some previous experience at basic circuit work before entering Supersprints, you don’t need to be an old hand or super quick to compete and have fun. For members who have never been on a race-rack before, the club has experienced members who are always on hand to help those just starting.
What vehicle preparation should I do before attending ?
Most members find they need to do no preparation other than show-up
However, we suggest the following be checked before any speed event
1.) Check that the oil level is at the Max mark on the dip-stick
2.) Coolant - ensure the overflow/reservoir is full
3.) Brake Fluid - ensure the fluid is at the Max marking in the reservoir
4.) Clutch Fluid - ensure the fluid is at the Max marking in the reservoir
5.) Check that all pipe-work is secure and no hoses are becoming loose
6.) Check that your battery is secure and does not move
7.) Before closing the bonnet, make sure that all caps are on and secure
8.) Ensure you have suitable material left on your brake pads
9.) Ensure tyres are in good condition
What do I need for a Supersprint?
You will need to be a member of a CAMS Affiliated Car Club such as Southern Sporting
You will need a CAMS L2S license.
You will need your Club Membership Card
You will need a Helmet
You will need a Fire Extinguisher mounted in the car
You will need suitable clothing
... Neck to ankle, to wrist clothing
- Long sleeve cotton shirt
- Cotton or other non-flamable trousers ( Denim Jeans are fine )
- Enclosed footware ( Synthetic Sneakers are not acceptable )
How much does it cost to compete at a Supersprint?
Entry fees vary depending upon the circuit. Typical fees are:
Wakefield Park ... $120-
Oran Park ... South Circuit $125-
Oran Park ... Grand Prix Circuit $140-
Eastern Creek ... $150-
What are the tracks like?
Supersprints are held at Nationally known circuits around the country. NSW members often compete at Oran Park, Wakefield Park and Eastern Creek. Some have also been known to make the jouney to other circuits such as Winton in Victoria.
Is there any run-off?
This depends on the circuit. Generally, not much.
Is there additional information available to Southern Members?
Yes, there is. Southern Sporting maintains an active Internet Forum that contains reference articles for all disciplines of Motorsport. These articles are regularly maintained within the Member Only section of the Forums. They contain all the details required from obtaining your CAMS license, to tips on buying a helmet. Most if not all of the Courses and Events we attend also have a special FAQ series specifically dedicated to that event. Where possible, additional information such as, course photos, maps and drive arounds are also provided. |
What is a Motorkhana?
Basically it's like all motorsport, in that it involves cars and fun. First you have to choose a vehicle for the day, which is easy if you only own one, anything will do. Your daily driver will do fine, or a van or ute, you can even tow it out if its not registered.
  
Then you grab your mates and drive to the paddock or car park where the Motorkhana is being held.
Upon arrival you fill in the paperwork, pay your entry fee (which is usually only twenty dollars) and they will hand you a map. This map will show you what order you are supposed to go around the flags on the field, which is hopefully the way you will end up going.
Either on dirt or tarmac, the objective is the same, navigate yourself as quickly as possible from the start of the course to the end, trying to keep your car in control as you swerve and slalom in, out and around the flags.
   
You can expect to end up sideways alot, and facing the wrong direction, and completely lost as to which flag you should be going around next, but fortunately there's nothing to hit except the flags and you can mess it up over and over and still drive the car home in the same condition you arrived in, possibly alot dirtier though.
 
The competition is based around getting the quickest time over all the different courses, but it's up to you how seious you take it. The benefits are obvious, by the end of the day you will have learned more about car control than you ever have on the road, and you will probably also have spent most of the day laughing and grinning like a monkey. The only cure for this is our patented laugh harness, pictured below.
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A khanacross is basically a short-course rally without trip notes. The basic concept is that you drive through the bush for about 3 minutes, while attempting to spot little red arrows which tell you that you have just missed the last turn. To make this a little more exciting, the tracks carved out of the bush are usually wicked and can even be a little frightening in some places.
The Southern club magazine often describes the course by saying: “drivers will find the hills, hollows, trees, rocks, dirt, trees, cliffs, trees, gullies, rocks, mud, narrow tracks, trees, jumps, ruts and trees a real challenge.” This description is pretty well on-the-money, although it still doesn’t really give you a true appreciation for how many hills, hollows, trees, rocks, dirt, trees, cliffs, trees, gullies, rocks, mud, narrow tracks, trees, jumps, ruts and trees, there actually is. Nor does it tell you that the hills, hollows, trees, rocks, dirt, trees, cliffs, trees, gullies, rocks, mud, narrow tracks, trees, jumps, ruts and trees, are always in the wrong place and about half a centimetre from you.
If you are not a seasoned rally driver before entering a khanacross, you are one at the end of the day. These are obviously not events for the feint of heart, nor are they an event you can use the family car for. Many club members have "khana specials" which they have purchased for next to nothing and maintain on a shoestring budget for events such as this. |
Describing a Hill-Climb can be difficult. Some might say that it is a timed race from one point to another, which is generally uphill. But that really doesn't do it justice.
Some might say that it is class-based racing, so no matter what you are running you will be competing against vehicles doing similar times, in a great social environment. However, that doesn’t quite work either.
Don't get me wrong, it’s definitely those things, however the descriptions don’t capture it.
So, what is Hill-Climbing? In a way, you could describe it as aural Motorsport....
The sound of tyres screaming as they are heated during a burnout, prior to staging. This is short lived as the sound drops to a rhythmic thud, while the competitor sits idling, staged and waiting for a green light. The sound builds again as the revs rise slightly to launch, signalling that the action is about to begin...
Suddenly, the tyres scream and the engine roars. The sounds builds to a crescendo as the revs rise even higher, then the chirp of a flat change into second, as the sound of the car gets louder and louder. Then it appears around the gentle left-hander. You can tell that the throttle is flat in second for only a moment before it is quickly snapped into third. The engine revs keep rising, and rising. The car that is now visible, hugs the left hand side of the road in preparation for the right-handed kink at a fork in the road. Was there a slight flutter indicating that the driver has lifted ever so slightly, or has he stayed on full noise through the corner? The outside wheels are fully loaded up and it looks as though one might even be off the ground. Suddenly the exhaust note changes as the car flies past the spectator area, and is now receding away. This guy’s not backing off as he scoots up the hill and into the esses. The brakes squeal as they are used for the first time, and you can definitely hear that the throttle a got a slight blip. Did he shift down or has the engine got enough torque to pull the car out of the steep esses? You can almost hear the tyres scrabbling for grip as they desperately try to propel the car into the turns, and out of our line of sight. The roaring echo as the engine is back on full noise going through the last corner, is briefly shattered by the brief crackle of a rev limiter cutting in as the throttle is held flat to cross the finish line. Then silence. Until the next scream of tyres from the bottom of the hill 15 seconds later...
What will it be this time?
… A Porsche GT3?
… A thumping big V8?
… A small Corolla or Camry?
… A twin-engine Hill-Climb special?
… Perhaps it’s a Sports Car?
We’ll find out soon enough.
What are the tracks like?
They are often held public roads which have been closed for the event
Is there any run-off?
It depends. On some courses, there can be quite a bit.
On others ... No. Not really
Have you got any tips on how to drive them?
Just one ... With caution until you know the track or road
What do I need to do to have a go?
You will need to be a member of a CAMS Affiliated Car Club such as Southern Sporting
You will need a CAMS L2S license.
You will need your Club Membership Card
You will need a Helmet
You will need a Fire Extinguisher mounted in the car
What vehicle preparation should I do before attending ?
Most members find they need to do no preparation other than show-up
However, we suggest the following be checked before any speed event
1.) Check that the oil level is at the Max mark on the dip-stick
2.) Coolant - ensure the overflow/reservoir is full
3.) Brake Fluid - ensure the fluid is at the Max marking in the reservoir
4.) Clutch Fluid - ensure the fluid is at the Max marking in the reservoir
5.) Check that all pipe-work is secure and no hoses are becoming loose
6.) Check that your battery is secure and does not move
7.) Before closing the bonnet, make sure that all caps are on and secure
8.) Ensure you have suitable material left on your brake pads
9.) Ensure tyres are in good condition
Is there additional information available to Southern Members?
Yes, there is. Southern Sporting maintains an active Internet Forum that contains reference articles for all disciplines of Motorsport. These articles are regularly maintained within the Member Only section of the Forums. They contain all the details required from obtaining your CAMS license, to tips on buying a helmet. Most if not all of the Courses and Events we attend also have a special FAQ series specifically dedicated to that event. Where possible, additional information such as, course photos, maps and drive arounds are also provided. |
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