NSW/Vic INTERSTATE CHALLENGE 2012 - Phillip Island, 30 June

[manga_blue]

Neil has been mailing this photo out today. It's Turn 1 this afternoon.

[lightyear]

That must be deep, those tyres are a few high. Really will test the front splitter out.

[TonyMax]

Our entry has been confirmed so that will be two NSW entries in stock 1.6 NA.

A couple of questions regarding vehicle requirements before I pose them to the AROCA folks. In the supp. regs. it states:

3.2 All vehicles will be required to comply with General Requirements for Cars and Drivers, Schedules A & B, of the 2012 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport and be capable of road-registration. These requirements include:
* Headlights, fog lights etc. to be covered by a transparent adhesive film.
*A safety belt or harness complying with Schedule I of the current CAMS manual. Must NOT be more than 5 years older than date stamp
*Bonnet Catches: All vehicles fitted with a front-opening panel (eg. Bonnet), must utilise two separate fastening systems. Original factory fitted

My questions for people who may have been there before to an AROCA event are:

NA with popup lights are exempt from film on headlights if we leave them down?

I have a four point 2" harness compliant to AS2596. These 2" 4 point harnesses with seat belt buckles have no expiry dates like 3" harnesses. Should this be OK for this event? Date stamp doesn't apply to these but they comply with Schedule I.

There seems to be some text missing at the end of the bonnet catches sentence. For standard road going primary catch + secondary safety lever systems is this deemed two fastening systems (it has been at other CAMS events I've been to)?

3.5 Drivers who have not dríven at this circuit before are required to participate in the Practice Session with an Instructor who, with your permission, may drive your car.

There's two of us double entered in one car, which is a two seater, how will we go about completing the practice session?

[rascal]

3.5 Drivers who have not dríven at this circuit before are required to participate in the Practice Session with an Instructor who, with your permission, may drive your car.

There's two of us double entered in one car, which is a two seater, how will we go about completing the practice session?

If same car double entered then each driver will be in a seperate group (ie First driver in group 2 and second driver in group 5 for example)
All groups get a practice session, so driver 1 gets his practice in group 2's session and driver 2 gets his practice in group 5's session.

[Guran]

Good luck Tony! Great to see standard NA6 will be represented.

You will need to put some clear Contact film on your pop-up headlights. Just cut out a circle of the right size and stick it on.

You can run in standard classes with a stock seatbelt, so I don't expect you'll have any problem with your 2" harness.

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with the standard bonnet catch which is two-stage. Worst case scenario is to take a length of strapping that you can use to make up a dodgy bonnet strap.

One other thing you haven't mentioned is tow hooks. The stock ones are acceptable. However, it's advisable to get yourself a large D-shackle (50mm internal diameter) that can be attached them. This makes it easier to attach the tow rope if you need it.

[TonyMax]

So I know not all club members are forum members, but how many other NSW members are heading down for this? We're heading down Thursday to do some touristy things on the Friday including a few laps of the scale model go kart track if time and weather permit.

[Zcootz]

If you can, head via Stoney Creek, the karts there are a bit quicker. They feel lighter and are much more fun to drive. They will let you run in the wet as well which is a bundle if laughs. I took the kids for a blast recently when it was raining, we came back drenched but you spent most of the time sideways

[rascal]

If you can, head via Stoney Creek, the karts there are a bit quicker. They feel lighter and are much more fun to drive. They will let you run in the wet as well which is a bundle if laughs. I took the kids for a blast recently when it was raining, we came back drenched but you spent most of the time sideways

We also used to do the same with the outdoor track near us.
When it rained we'd duck down there, and get an empty track to ourselves.
A slick shod go kart in the rain is a great way to hone your car control skills..

[manga_blue]

Tony, I've got some work in Melbourne in the week leading up to the event. So I'll be towing the 5 down around the coast on Sunday/Monday and staying near the CBD during the week. I'll head down to the Island on Friday arvo, staying until Sunday morning before driving back up around the coast. manga_scarlet and I have booked into the Koala Park Resort near Cowes, http://www.koalaparkresort.com.au. This is the closest accom to the track. It's cheap and cheerful 60s/70s budget style motel accommodation in a pretty bush setting. We've stayed there often. Nice proprietors and race car friendly.

The Vic club usually arrange a time for a drink and dinner on one night of the weekend. Is anything organised yet?

[Guran]

So I know not all club members are forum members, but how many other NSW members are heading down for this? We're heading down Thursday to do some touristy things on the Friday including a few laps of the scale model go kart track if time and weather permit.

I believe there are only five NSW members heading down this time.

[TonyMax]

Wow. Smallest ever interstate challenge? Bad time of year? No interest?

[manga_blue]

But it's a class field.

[TonyMax]

But it's a class field.

Absolutely .

[Guran]

Wow. Smallest ever interstate challenge? Bad time of year? No interest?

No, not the smallest. Pretty sure that for the 2008 event at Phillip Island, we had ONE attendee from NSW. And he came all the way from Newcastle!

I think the interest is still there, but there was a clash of calendars. The original plan was to hold it at Phillip Island in December, but the track will be closed then for resurfacing. The Victorians originally nominated Winton on 2nd December for the Interstate Challenge, but we already had a Wakefield Park booking for that date. 5th August was another option for Winton, but that clashed with the 6 Hour Regularity Relay at Phillip Island, and we have three teams of four drivers entered in that event - so that was out too. Sandown is not an MX-5 friendy circuit, and potentially disastrous is you have an "off", so 19th August was out. That left 30th June at Phillip Island as the only viable option for us in 2012 ... but two trips to PI for those doing the 6hr regularity is stretching the finances and commitment. Also, it's the first weekend of NSW school holidays and many with kids have other plans (myself included).

In hindsight, 4th February 2012 at Phillip Island would have been an ideal choice. That would have required a lot more forward planning towards the end of 2011, and unfortunately it didn't work out (we were expecting Dec 2012 would be available at Phillip Island).

[manga_blue]

Mind you, SA very nearly beat Vic at Winton a few years ago with just 5 drivers in the Vic/SA Challenge. It took a desperate late run by Teruo to hold them off by a couple of hundredths in standard NA.

All we need is for me to beat rascal and Tony or Denni to beat Downesy . Are Steve and Ralph in Restricted Open? That's lightyear teriitory now, isn't it?