Motorsport for Newbies

[NICBTN]

Ok so i had my second day at the track yesterday and the adrenalin is still pumping - a billion thanks to all of those that helped (and there was many lol)

I am sitting at work writing this up and i am sure there are items i will miss. I will also add to it if i think of any more.
When i first went to Haunted Hills last year i asked "what do i need" Now although i got many responses and a tonne of help there was a few items people had forgotten to tell me about which led to me running around like crazy on the day looking for help. My aim with this post is to help those that have absolutely no idea where to begin and really need a simple(ish) checklist.

Checklist of what to bring:
1. Cams License tor AASA License
2. Current Club membership card
3. A car that’s in good condition, ie working indicators, brake lights etc.
4. Contact or tape for taping up glass headlights/foglights etc. no need to tape up polycarbonate lenses
5. Cable ties – BIG ONES for assisting in attaching timing dorian. You can also use those re-useable shopping bags – someone will show you how on the day or just have a squiz at someone else and copy them – basically hang it out the door.
6. Tape – also for the timing dorian but also to secure the number to the window of your car.
7. Wool or cotton clothing – Needs to be non flammable so don’t wear synthetic
8. Fire Extinguisher and bracket
9. Helmet
10. Check that everything is tight – battery, fire extinguisher etc.
11. Remove your spare tyre, tow bar if you have one and any loose objects once you get to the track before you go to scrutineering, Remove floormats and all loose objects from boot (mat, spare wheel cover, tools) and cabin (Melways, contents of glovebox, iPod etc. etc.) The car must be completly empty of loose objects.
12. On that note SIGN IN before you get to scrutineering and don’t leave you car waiting in the queue – I found out by accident at HH that makes everyone unhappy!
13. Tools – Ok twice I have turned up and forgotten to bring some tools – then had to run around and find people to help me tighten up a few things – its actually amazing now I think about it how many people don’t bring any.
14. A blanket to lay on so you can lay on the ground to fit the timing device – (who wants to lay in the dirt)
15. A chair to sit in
16. Sunscreen ( yep its JUNE and I got SUNBURNT!
17. Change to buy food or bring some lunch – you don want to have to leave the track to go off and find food and drinks.
18. Drinks (or money to buy) for the same reason as above
19. A good attitude – if someone come sup and offers advice TAKE IT – ASK them a billion questions and take full advantage of their willingness to help. If you have a good attitude people will help you. You are their to have fun – not win the Grand Prix.
20. Last but not least a friend to take photos for you on the day is always handy as well!

http://www.wrx.com.au/motorsportbeginners.html

So some of these are listed on the forums and the motorsport section of the site – but I will put them on the list anyway – others are not and may not be obvious why you need them but just take them anyway as you will work it out on the day. I have taken some sections from the beginners guide to motorsport from the main part of the WRX website and in these cases I will put the main text in bold/italics and my additional notes will be normal.

1. You need to be a current member of a car club (and I think they need to be CAMS affiliated but someone correct me if I am wrong) – so if you drive a Turbo Subaru the WRX club is a great start – if not then have a look at the Cams website and I am pretty sure you can get details of other car clubs!

2. You then need your CAMS or AASA license. CAMS was recommended to me and it needs to be the L2S speed or higher. The reason CAMS is the recommended way to go is you can compete in both CAMS and AASA events but with an AASA you cant do a CAMS event.

3. Safety helmet (to AS1698 standard) in good condition (ie. free of dents and scratches). The current CAMS manual lists acceptable alternatives – refer to Schedule D of General Requirements of Automobiles. I paid $99 on special for my helmet and I am very pleased with it so as logn as it’s to the correct standard you don’t have to spend a fortune.

4. Leather or suede footwear must completely cover the foot and be firmly fitted. No sandals or thongs allowed. Common sense as far as I am concerned – driving in thongs is a pain In t he butt.

5. Driver apparel must cover the body from ankle to neck including up to the wrists. Long sleeved and flame-resistant clothing is mandatory. Wool is best but cotton overalls or trousers and shirts are also suitable. Race-type overalls are not necessary. If you didn’t know – most Jeans are made of 100% cotton. Polar Fleece is a BIG No No. Clothing MUST be non flammable.

6. Fire extinguisher (AS1841, AS1846 or AS1848 - except that neither AS1841.2 nor Halon -1201 or 1311 are permitted) to be securely fixed in an accessible position in the cockpit, with the driver seated and belted (tightly). The club suggests in front of the front passenger seat. The extinguisher should weigh 900 grams and be less than six years old or have a metal tag stating that it has been checked. Buy one via the merchandise section on the website or contact Peter on merchandise@wrx.com.au EASY to fit they utilise the bolts for your seat and so no need to drill holes.

The rest of the information can be found at this link
http://www.wrx.com.au/motorsportbeginners.html


I hope this list helps at least one person – I plan to add photos as I take them of for example what the tow hook looks like, where t goes on an 04 WRX – I discovered at Haunted Hills I was one of many people who didn’t know how to fit them and once you know its very simple!

If I have any information incorrect please let me know ASAP so I can correct it – if there is something missing let me know and I will add it.

I wanted to do this so the next newbie like me doesn’t have to ask as many questions!

Cheers,

Nic

[Mr Corduroy]

Add to item 11: Remove floormats and all loose objects from boot (mat, spare wheel cover, tools) and cabin (Melways, contents of glovebox, iPod etc. etc.)

[XT1337]

Great List ..... putting it as check list in Motor sport part of web site is great idea
What no Ipod .. you need to listen to the right theme music then you get in the mood
I always find the Theme music from "24 heures au LeMans" perfect "Bullit" is also good

Reinforce the non flammable clothing ..
All that nice technical outdoor clothing (polar fleece) is a big NONO

It melts even if it does not actually burn ... ask RaceSolutions people about why you dont want that.

In fact they are very experenced people in such things talk to them anyway about race track safety if you get chance

[Snowy]

Great work Nic, well done for putting it together

Very very useful info for the 1st timer at a club motorsport event - I'll be using/referring to it alot as I'm looking to enter my 1st club event at Haunted Hills in August

3 x Questions:

1. Re the Helmet, I assume an open-faced helmet for us beginners is a better bet, due to the increased visibility ??
Can you share with us what type & where you purchased your $99 helmet (did you go a motorbike shop or some kind of motorsport outlet) ??

2. Re Item 13 Tools - what basic tools do you suggest we can get away with bringing on race day ??

3. Sorry if this is a dumb/obvious question - I have 2 x kiddy seats permanently in my Rex, do they need to come out ??

Rgds,
Dave

[NICBTN]

1. Re the Helmet, I assume an open-faced helmet for us beginners is a better bet, due to the increased visibility ??
Can you share with us what type & where you purchased your $99 helmet (did you go a motorbike shop or some kind of motorsport outlet) ??

I bought a helmet form a motorbike shop - they had some for $99 but only what sizes colour they had in stock. Mine is a closed face, but i leave the visor off though, but it fits very snugly.

2. Re Item 13 Tools - what basic tools do you suggest we can get away with bringing on race day ??

My issues have been the need to tighten up nuts or remove the towbar - so i guess a shifter and some spanners. I would imagive a screwdriver or 2 might come in handy as well.

3. Sorry if this is a dumb/obvious question - I have 2 x kiddy seats permanently in my Rex, do they need to come out ??

Yep they will have to come out - Go back to the Haunted Hills pics from october last year - you will see Justin's XT with a baby seat sitting on the ground behind it lol!

[XTBoy]

The child seats are probably safe enough to leave in if they are properly fitted however they add to the complications of scrutineering and basically CAMS wont allow them to be there for track work.

One nit picky thing Nicole would be the CAMS "permit" wording in point 1.. I get the permit for the event and all competitors must have an approved "license" not permit. May be confusing is all I am thinking.

Good post very easy to add to and improve if and when things change.

Cheers

[sjh]

AMX has a sale on at the moment if anyone wants a helmet


dorset road bayswater

[NICBTN]

The child seats are probably safe enough to leave in if they are properly fitted however they add to the complications of scrutineering and basically CAMS wont allow them to be there for track work.

One nit picky thing Nicole would be the CAMS "permit" wording in point 1.. I get the permit for the event and all competitors must have an approved "license" not permit. May be confusing is all I am thinking.

Good post very easy to add to and improve if and when things change.

Cheers

Thanks Justin - went to change it but you musty have already

Good point!

[Hasti]

fantastic list especially for people like me wanting to do track days etc, Im still waiting on my CAMS licence.

[Snowy]

Thanks for your replies to my 3 x questions above Nic, and thanks Justin for your input on the child seats too.

Thanks also to STI358 for the heads up on the helmet sale at AMX in Bayswater

[mikes]

Thanks for your replies to my 3 x questions above Nic, and thanks Justin for your input on the child seats too.

Thanks also to STI358 for the heads up on the helmet sale at AMX in Bayswater

does this mean your going to start racing too?
Now we just need to convince my wife on saturday

[XTBoy]

Leave that to me.

I'll convince her that you were at greater risk driving the ocean road than on any of the tracks we compete at!!!

Cheers

[mikes]

[Snowy]

Thanks for your replies to my 3 x questions above Nic, and thanks Justin for your input on the child seats too.

Thanks also to STI358 for the heads up on the helmet sale at AMX in Bayswater

does this mean your going to start racing too?
Now we just need to convince my wife on saturday

Yeah what Justin says above mate, leave that to us on Saturday
I'm just aiming to have a go at Haunted Hills at this stage, given that wide opinion is that it's a good/suitable event to make your 1st, and I hear it's not quite as harsh on your car as tracking it
But hey, let's see if I can keep the "club race bug" at bay after Haunted Hills......

[tomo]

hey mike and snowy, you two should be considering winton. A good track with plenty of run off areas and you would be allocated a driver trainer, plus you are both invited to stay at our place 1/2 hour from the track.

Good thread Nic, can i add that it is better to prep your car the day/night before, re contact over glass, removing stuff from the cabin and boot, sway bar settings etc.

When you arrive, there is always a rush to get entered then scruitineered and any pre prep you can do the better.

My tip, save the backing paper from the contact to use as a template for next time.

[XT1337]

Actually one thing on the helmet.

Buy best you can ..if you are going to keep tracking .

I mean what price do you put on your brain?

[blackrex]

^^^

I would also, having seen damage to faces with open face helmets, get a proper (ie. not a motocross) full face helmet.

[blotto]

It was suggested to me for a bit of extra safety to get a full face helmet if you dont have a harness.

[XT1337]

^^^

I would also, having seen damage to faces with open face helmets, get a proper (ie. not a motocross) full face helmet.

Therefore for some of the faces I have seen in the club I would recommend an open face helmet

[mikes]

hey mike and snowy, you two should be considering winton. A good track with plenty of run off areas and you would be allocated a driver trainer, plus you are both invited to stay at our place 1/2 hour from the track.

Good thread Nic, can i add that it is better to prep your car the day/night before, re contact over glass, removing stuff from the cabin and boot, sway bar settings etc.

When you arrive, there is always a rush to get entered then scruitineered and any pre prep you can do the better.

My tip, save the backing paper from the contact to use as a template for next time.

thanks for the offer, have got my cams application just need to get down and pay it