Race Event

[data_mine]

I've had a few members come to me asking if we do any racing events, in the past there has been traditionally only the one event, the annual Ford Forums Nationals at Heathcote Park Raceway on the June Queens Birthday long weekend for some 1/4 mile drag racing.

So in order to organise something, noting, it will most likely have to be a weekday, as weekends are usually taken up by race series events all year long. So be prepared to take a day off work.

So a Survey first, what would we like to do first up. Some options we can easily arrange as a club, with no minimum numbers needed. If we can get enough numbers things like private days become possible.

Q1: What style event?

1A: Drag racing @ Sydney Dragway
Will be a Wednesday night (gates open 4pm, racing from 6pm to 10pm), means leaving Canberra Wednesday afternoon (1pm, want to arrive for gates open to ensure we get spots, as entries are limited to 200 a night), and returning at midnight or 1 am. only a half day off work.

Cost: $60 per driver (plus your fuel expenses etc.),
License: no license requirement, unless your running 10's or better, and you probably already know about all you need if that's the case.
Safety: AUS/NZ standard helmet (motorcycle helmet is fine) or better (FIA or SA approved race helmet), long non-flammable clothes write to ankle. jeans and a cotton jumper are fine. Car to be in good condition tyres, brakes, steering all work 100%) if it's leaking stuff you'll likely been thrown out, no one wants fluids on the race surface.

If we can get 20 people, we can (potentially) get a private lane, so cna line each other up, otherwise we'll just be in the regular lanes with everyone else.



1B: Circuit racing @ Wakefield Park

Will be a weekday, the weekend sessions are rare, more expensive, and busier so you pay more for less time. Typically they start from 8am, and go through to 4pm. Circuit racing is harder on the car and tyres/fuel than drag, but IMHO much more fun

License: Yes you'll need either a CAMS (apply on the CAMS website quoting the club), or ASAA license (available from the track for $95). Another $110 or so for CAMS year license. CAMS accepted everywhere, ASAA only at Wakefield Park and Winton.

Q2: Do you want driver training? (from experienced track racers).
I highly recommend you get some training if you haven't before, I still go on a training day every year or so, helps sharpen your skills, even if you do it frequently.

2A: Yes, will cost more say $200 a day (to be confirmed depending who we get to do the training), but you get access to the track, access to experienced drivers for help. Added benefit here is they'll be closed training days so less people on track.


2B: No,
Cost: $150 for weekday pre-entered, $185 weekday pay-on-the-day. $185 weeked pre-entered, $220 weekend pay-on-the-day.

License: as above.

Safety: As per drags, you want your car in tip-top condition, no leaks, brakes, tyres, steering mechanically sound. wrist to ankle non-flammable clothing, AUS/NZ standard helmet, or race certified helmet.




Comments
Drag racing is typically easier on your car than circuit racing, you may have a hard launch but the whole thing is over in seconds. On the circuit, you can be out there for 15-20 minutes, heat starts affecting things.

After a day at the circuit, I budget for an oil and filter change, a set of brake pads every 3 days (you don't want them under half thickness or they'll over heat too quickly on track, but be fine for road use), rotors inspected/measured replaced as needed. It all depends how hard you want to go, you certainly don't want to go 10 tenths on your first time out, you'll end up breaking something or crashing. no one wants that.



So who's interested, in what. We'll figure out when later.

thanks.