GETTING STARTED - COMPETITORS
What Discipline - Selecting a Vehicle - Obtaining a CAMS Licence - Safety Gear - Short Circuit Vehicle Specifications
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) has offices in several states throughout Australia. Its representatives and affiliated clubs will assist you along the path to reach your goal in the field of motor sport.
There are many different disciplines and levels of the sport, which include motor racing, rallying, sprints, hillclimbs, off road racing and motorkhanas. These events cater for everyone and allow interested persons to enter the sport and its many levels from the beginner to the more experienced. It is your choice as to how much you wish to spend to see how fast you want to go. On the other hand there are events in which you can compete in your everyday runabout, whatever it may be. You can become a top line competitor or just run at club level events, it is all great fun.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Selecting a vehicle
After deciding which discipline you intend
to compete in, the step is to decide whether to purchase a vehicle to compete in
or build your own. Before taking this step it is wise to consult with a CAMS
accredited scrutineer. Your club will be able to put you in touch with a
reliable scrutineer, or someone who can give you information on the various
safety features which are to be built into the vehicle, or what is required in a
vehicle you intend to purchase. Does the vehicle have a CAMS log book, or does
the vehicle require a log book. If the vehicle you are purchasing has a log
book ensure that the log book stays with the vehicle and is transferred into
your name. If the vehicle has to be log booked your club secretary or CAMS will
be able to supply you with the necessary paper work to have the vehicle log
booked.
Obtaining a CAMS Licence
After deciding on which discipline you
intend to compete in and have obtained a suitable vehicle, and joined a motor
sport club. The next step is to obtain a CAMS competition licence. There are
several types of licences and they vary with the type of event you a competing
in, for instance circuit racing, superkart, rally, off road, Historic and Level
2. Without knowing which discipline you are going to compete in, I am unable to
advise on these licences but your club secretary or CAMS office will be able to
advise on this matter. All licence categories costs etc can be found in
Appendix R of the 2004 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport.
Safety Gear
We will start at the top and work down. As protection for your head is very
important, the standard helmet, which is approved by the FIA for international
events, is also accepted by CAMS. All competitors who compete in all types of
races, speed events and other events require that helmets of a standard design
be worn. All helmets must carry the standard markings as approved by CAMS
e.g. AS1698. There are quite a few other standards which are approved by CAMS,
and can be found on page 6-9 of the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport (Schedule D). If
the helmet does not carry the required standards marked on it, it may be knocked
back at scrutineering. There are many good helmets on the market, and before
obtaining a
helmet, I suggest you discuss the matter with a reputable seller of motor gear,
as he will be able to advise you.
If you are competing in an open car goggles or a visor must be worn. Any type of
goggles or visor with glass lenses of any kind are not permitted. Lenses of
plastic
material must have high resistance satisfactory optical qualities complying with
Australian Standard Specifications AS1609 1981.
Clothing all drivers in circuit races or practice are required to wear overalls
homologated to the FIA 1986 standard, or FIA 8856-2000 standard, also socks,
shoes and gloves which respect the design parameters set out in that
standard. Copies of the standard can be obtained from CAMS State Office.
Wearing of balaclava and underwear is highly
recommended. Again, there are many very good types of overalls, etc, available
on the market and can be obtained from any store who stocks motor sport gear for
speed events e.g. sprints etc.
In all events no driver shall participate in any event
wearing unsuitable and inappropriate footwear for
example no thongs, roman sandals or high-heeled shoes are allowed while
competing in your vehicles. Clothing and footwear of flammable synthetic
material, such as
nylon, is not acceptable.
More information can
be found in 2006 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, or from your club secretary who
should have a manual.
SHORT
CIRCUIT VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Copyright © 2002 [Short Circuit
Motor Sport Assn]. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 24, 2007
.