Red Centre To Gold Coast Trial 2008



Overview ~ Charity Partner ~ Proposed Schedule ~ The Course ~ Entries Number in Crew ~ Event Format ~ Vehicle Eligibility ~ Requirements for all Vehicles Service Crew ~ Accommodation ~ Insurance ~ Maps ~ Newsletters Event Supplementary Regulations ~ The Organising Team Updated 19 May 2008 Vehicle Transportation Sydney/Melbourne - Alice Springs When it was announced that Rally Australia would be run in Queensland in 2008, Bob Watson had the idea to run the Red Centre to Gold Coast Trial as an outback event, finishing at Rally Australia. Rally Australia has since been deferred until at least 2009, but it is the wish of the majority of paid entrants in the Red Centre to Gold Coast Trial that the event go ahead as planned. The dates are 8-20 September 2008. Overview of event: The event will be a ‘Reliability Trial’, in the tradition of the Round Australia trials that originated with the Redex Trial in 1953, and continued with another twelve such events. The most recent Round Australia trials have been the Repco Reliability Trial in 1979, the Mobil 1 Trial in 1995 and the Playstation Trial in 1998. The duration of the Red Centre to Gold Coast Trial will be two weeks –a longer period makes it difficult for many people to find the time. The dates are set at Monday September 8 to Saturday September 20. This time frame means that it will not be possible to run a full Round Australia event in the true sense, but the Trial will provide all of the challenges to be expected in such an event. Top Charity Partner The Red Centre to Gold Coast Trial is proud to have Frontier Services, which is a major provider of aged care, health and community services and pastoral services to people in outback Australia, as its charity partner. The Trial will help to raise funds for the organisation, and also raise the profile of Frontier Services in major capital cities which will aid its fund raising activities. Any fund raising activities by Frontier Services during the event will be directed at the public and will not require contributions from competitors. Top Proposed schedule: Mon September 8 Alice Springs Scrutiny, documentation Tue September 9 Alice Springs Scrutiny, documentation, Welcome function Wed September 10 Start of Trial September 10 - September 19. Trial/Challenge competition. The overnight stop locations for the Trial will be announced early 2008. There will be two occasions when crews will be required to drive through the night. Where a leg stretches into two days, there will be a compulsory six hour rest break approximately half way through the leg at a suitable location where food, repair facilities and secure/quiet parking are available. There will be one overnight stop where accommodation is not available. Meal and sleeping arrangements will be advised in due course. September 20: Presentation function. Top The course: The country to the east of Alice Springs has not been used in Round Australia events to any great extent, so we are all in for an adventure. Competitive sections will generally be over farm tracks or suitable minor roads. We are relying on the permission of property managers to obtain use of roads. Length of sections will vary from 10 to 100 kms. Consideration will be given to the age of the competing cars when selecting roads and setting section times. Top Entries Intending competitors will need to complete an ‘Application for Invitation to Compete’, which the organisers will consider before issuing an invitation to compete. The organisers may refuse an application to compete without stating a reason. Contact Bob Watson on 03 9646 1066 or email bobwatso@bigpond.net.au to obtain an Application form. At the time of writing 80 entry fee deposits have been received. Note that the field may be limited to 120 cars for reasons of accommodation availability and other logistics. Entry fees and payments: Entry fees are as follows: Trial category $5,500.00 incl GST Challenge category $4,250.00 incl GST Entry fee payments will be staged as follows: On receipt by the competitor of an invitation to compete: Payment of $1,000 within 10 days of receipt of Invoice. November 2007: Payment of a further $1,500.00 on receipt of invoice March 2008 Payment of a further $1,500.00 on receipt of invoice July 2008 Payment of balance of entry fee on receipt of invoice The field may be limited to 120 cars. Top Number in crew The crew will be restricted to two persons for the Trial, and three persons for the Challenge (provided the Challenge vehicle has normal seating for three or more persons). Top General information Format Both the Trial category and the Challenge category will be run as Road Rallies. The relevant definitions of a Road Rally and other aspects (CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, Road Events) are: 1.21 Road Rally. An event intended primarily to test the skill of the crew and the reliability of the vehicle, consisting mainly of road sections and transport sections. 1.28 Time allowed. The time specified for completion of a section (other than a special stage). Unless specific permission is obtained from the relevant (CAMS) State Council no section may be set which requires an average speed greater than 90 km/h in derestricted areas and/or 40 km/h in built up areas and quiet zones. 1.29 Transport section. A section with minimal driving and navigational demands designed to take vehicles to the start of the next section in a non competitive manner. 1.4 ii Road section. A route charted competitive section on which the time taken in excess of the time allowed, in increments of not less than one second, is applied as a penalty. Top Vehicles Vehicle eligibility The age of the vehicles is restricted to cars made before the end of 1985. Model run-ons are permitted (that is, a car identical in all respects with an eligible model, but built after the cut off date). The specific vehicle eligibility rules are: Historic Rally Cars Categories 1,2 and 3. Page 11.64 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport Classic Rally Cars. Page 11-66 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport Production Rally Cars (PRC, Group 3C), CAMS Manual of Motor Sport Page 11-40. Build cut off date end of 1985. Model run-ons allowed. A class for cars that have competed in similar long distance events (Marathons etc). If technical modifications of the vehicle exceed those allowed by any of the above three categories the vehicle will not be eligible for awards except in this category. A class for recreational 4WD wagon type vehicles, age limit end of 1985 as per Production Rally cars (3 above) modified to no greater than PRC two wheel drive vehicle regulations. Four wheel drive sedan type cars and turbocharged cars are not permitted. Top Requirements for all vehicles: All vehicles must comply with the requirements for Rally Cars (Schedule R of the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport (See attachment 1) All vehicles will require a CAMS log book. This is simply a matter of obtaining an application form from CAMS (or downloading it from the CAMS web site), filling in the details and supplying photographs. A basic mechanical inspection must be carried out by a CAMS approved scrutineer to confirm that the vehicle complies with the description in the log book. All vehicles must be fitted with roll over protection. This requirement may not be favourably received by Challenge competitors, particularly those with older cars, but the reality is that roll over protection is a very desirable safety feature, and in fact can often minimise vehicle damage in a roll over situation. Roll cages can be made removable from the vehicle without welding of the elements to any part to the vehicle, which means the cage could be removed after the event to preserve originality. The relevant CAMS requirements are shown in attachment 2. A type 3 roll cage built to current CAMS specs will cost from $1000-$1500. If your rally car has a CAMS log book issued with the roll cage that is currently fitted, there is no need to update the cage to current specs. Seats and seat belts (See attachment 1) Safety helmets. Wearing of safety helmets is compulsory in Road Rallies. Helmets must comply with CAMS requirements. Other mandatory rally equipment: Fire extinguishers, first aid kit, safety triangles etc will be required. A full list will be specified in the Supplementary Regulations. Fuel Range and fuel tanks. For competitors who do not intend to have a service/support crew, a fuel range of at least 300 kms is required. The organisers will consider making arrangements to transport jerry cans of fuel for competitors so that they can refuel from their own supplies at various interception points. A fee would be charged to cover the cost of the transport vehicle. This will be finalised later. If you need to fit extra fuel tanks you may like to consider using marine type tanks, available from marine shops such as Whitworths Marine and Leisure (www.whitworths.com.au) or other Marine Supply companies. They are light, compact, easy to fit and range up to 45 litres capacity. Cost for a 45 litre tank is around $140. The organisers have not checked the legality of such fuel tanks. Top Service Crews Service crews are welcome. The route layout means that service cars will not need to travel long stretches on gravel, and there will be adequate interception points. One service crew registration, which includes full instructions and maps, is included in the entry fee. Top Accommodation All of the overnight stop overs will have an adequate (but not plentiful) number of motel rooms. We are considering whether to have a central accommodation booking service or to let competitors make their own arrangements. This will be resolved by early 2008. One of the overnight stops will be a camp out for everyone (yes, even officials). It will be necessary to bring a small tent and sleeping bags with you. Food etc will be available from local catering. Top Insurance The entry fee covers CAMS Combined Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance. Officials are also covered. For full insurance details see the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport P15-2 and onwards. CAMS carries a Public Risk Insurance policy of $100 million which covers damage and injury to third persons. Normal Comprehensive Insurance does not normally apply if the vehicle is participating in a motor sport event. You should check this with your vehicle’s insurer. Special cover for the event may be available from Shannons or similar organizations. Top Maps A map book will be supplied. Special maps will not be required. All competitive sections will be fully route charted. Top Newsletters The organisers will issue regular newsletters to all entrants and officials with event news, new entries, sponsor announcements, route survey progress and other information. Top What is provided for the entry fee Regalia (tee shirts and cap). Entry to Welcome and Presentation functions for crew members. Rally and Service car decals. Route Instructions and map book. Service instructions. If and when sponsors come on board, further benefits will be passed on to competitors. Top Event Supplementary Regulations These will be issued when approved by CAMS. A summary of the technical regulations and other significant items that may affect car preparation and planning is included on the Pre-Regulations page Please note that the Supplementary Regulations will take precedence over any information or statements contained in this information summary or in any newsletter. Top The organising team These are the people who will be organising the event: Bob Watson. Had the idea to run the Red Centre to Gold Coast Trial Australian Rally Champion driver 1970,Victorian champion four times. Competitor in three Round Australia events, nine BP Rallies, twelve Southern Cross Rallies, London to Sydney Marathon, East African Safari Clerk of Course, Australia, 1993 Lombard London to Sydney Marathon Event Director and Clerk of Course, Mobil 1 Trial 1995 Assistant Clerk of Course, Grand Prix Rally 2005 Deputy Clerk of Course Porsche Great Ocean Road Escape 2007 Tom Snooks Tom has vast experience in rally organisation. Originated the Australian Safari, Project Co-ordinator for the Solar Challenge and Clerk of Course for the Dulux Rally. Event Manager for the Southern Cross Rally and Total Economy Runs, Clerk of Course for Targa Tasmania and Classic Adelaide. Event Manager for the Repco Reliability Trial 1979, the Mobil 1 Trial 1995 and the Playstation Round Australia Trial 1998. Clerk of Course Porsche Great Ocean Road Escape 2007 Philip Bernadou Grandson of A.W.Bernadou, who with others formed the Victorian Light Car Club (later Light Car Club of Australia) in 1924. Co-organiser Holden Dealers International Rally 1975. Rally competitor 1970-1978 Porsche Cup competitor and series administrator 1988-1994, Clerk of Course, Challenge section of the Mobil 1 Trial 1995, Assistant Clerk of Course, Grand Prix Rally 2004/2005. Deputy Clerk of Course Porsche Great Ocean Road Escape 2007 Michael Browning Motoring journalist, publicist and event organiser. Introduced Rallycross to Australia 1969. Rallycross and circuit racing competitor in Minis and Porsche. Former President, Porsche Club of Victoria. Organiser Albert Park Historic events 1993/4 Assistant organiser Grand Prix Rally 1990-2000 Publicist Mobil 1 Trial 1995 Organiser Porsche Great Ocean Road Escape 2007 Phil Rainer Co-organiser Holden Dealers International Rally 1975. Rally competitor 1970-1986 Current rally competitor, has competed at all levels in Australia over 30 year period. Co-organiser of 2 Outback Safaris for the RACV Young Motorists, Co-organiser Holden Dealers 500 Rally and Holden Dealers International Rally. Key official Great Ocean Road Escape and NGK Rally of Melbourne official. Past member of The Light Car Club of Australia and Member of the Historic Rally Association.