Although they are small in size they are big on performance with a top speed that has been clocked at over 230kph down Mount Panorama’s Conrod Straight at Bathurst, and lap times at Wakefield Park: 1.min.05 sec and Eastern Creek: 1 min 41.
Although they are small versions of touring cars they respond and feel more like an open wheeler formula racing car. The centre of gravity is very low with all but the drivers shoulders and head being above the top of the wheels which is much like an open wheeler. The grip level is much higher than a V8 Supercar for example. Most drivers take some time to come to terms with the incredible braking efficiency as the cars stop so well. Due to the very stiff open wheeler style suspension set up which results in amazingly high cornering speeds the cars appear nervous to the onlooker but every driver without exception discounts this once they have had a stint behind the wheel.
As drivers become more comfortable and accustomed to the speed of the cars they all remark how predictable they actually feel particularly when pushed to the limit. To achieve maximum tyre grip the cars rely on maximum weight transfer so the harder they are driven the more grip they actually get. You may have seen Aussie Racing Car action on TV where cars are being pounded over ripple strips at full noise with sometimes 3 wheels off the ground. At this point most other touring cars are headed for a crash!.. but not Aussie Racing Cars, they land and power off with full grip to the next corner, that’s what seat of the pants thrills are all about.
A unique part of the Aussie Racing Car category is the establishment of a unique division within the series which caters for those who still have a strong competitive urge but see enjoyment in the sport as their major objective. This section of the series has a separate points score and caters for a strong group of dedicated racers just taking advantage of the thrilling racing action which they approach with a more laid back and casual attitude than do the young heros. The criteria for inclusion into the Masters Cup is that the driver must be over 35 years of age and or be driving a Classic Ford or Classic Holden bodied car. Each Masters Cup car has a special identification logo above the competition number and a winners trophy is awarded at each round. Masters Cup drivers are also included in the outright points score.
The series is known as the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series which is sanctioned nationally by the Confederation of Australian Motorsport(CAMS) The winner of the series is crowned by the organisers as the Aussie Racing Car Champion and they are permitted to carry the #1 racing number. There is a group of young chargers who are at the forefront of most fields and generally battle it out for outright honours and the ongoing kudos that is attached to claiming the title. This elite group of young drivers with plenty of talent regularly use the category as a stepping stone in their careers to a drive in V8 Supercars and beyond.
Aussie Racing Cars Pty Ltd (ARC) owns all rights to the organisation and sanctioning of motor racing involving this type of vehicle including the organisation and sanctioning of the Category, the Series or Series’. The Championship is sanctioned by the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) however CAMS does not own any rights in respect of the series or series’ or any competition involving these type of vehicles.
The Aussie Racing Cars Name and logo are Aussie Racing Cars Pty Ltd trademarks all rights reserved.
The series is contested across Australia at tracks in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, NT and TAS. The usual racing format at each round is one practise session, one qualifying session and four heat races that make up the round. Some rounds may include additional qualifying sessions. The 4th and final heat carries double points with all races counting towards the round. Generally there are two sessions on each of the three days of the event, with the exception of events like Clipsal and Gold Coast when there may be more sessions on a particular day.
When a driver finishes a race on the podium (First, Second, or Third), they are awarded a "Success Restrictor." This restrictor reduces engine power slightly for the following race.
It makes it harder for the driver to land on the podium in the next race and brings the field closer together. Success Restrictors remain in place until a driver finishes a race in 6th position or lower. With each 6th+ finish, a Success Restrictor is removed, ensuring that the competition remains fierce and unpredictable. The result is tight pack racing and more passing. It makes it hard for a driver to dominate a race meeting and the category often sees multiple race winners over a race weekend.
Rev limited to 11500 RPM. Unlike many other performance racing categories where the rev limiter is used as the gear change point, in Aussie Racing Cars running the engine to the rev limit is not necessary as the torque band starts to flatten out at around 10,000RPM. This built in safety buffer ensures long engine life which goes to the cost effectiveness of owning and racing an Aussie Racing Car.
Yamaha 1.3 Litre four cylinder 16 valve, twin-cam producing 135bhp with integral close ratio straight cut gear sequential dog engagement gearbox.The engine is sourced from a motorcycle and has a wide torque band which is perfect for propelling a car very quickly. The engines have proven to be incredibly reliable lasting up to one and half seasons between rebuilds. A full rebuild using normal service parts(gaskets,rings,spark plugs,filter etc) costs in the order $5,000 - $7,000 and a brand new engine from Yamaha is $17,000
The 1.3 Litre 16 valve, twin overhead camshaft engine produces 135BHP and is factory fitted by Yamaha with all the go fast goodies including forged slipper pistons, light weight conrods and double valve springs etc. The engine propels the car with exhilarating performance and requires no further development. The smooth and wide power band of the engine allows the car to accelerate well from low revs which is great for novice competitors right through to seasoned experts. The engine is sealed on delivery and the category rules are rigidly enforced.
Minimum race weight (MRW) for the category is 595 kg.
The cars are fitted with a reverse gear system fitted on the rear axle assembly which is engaged electrically by the simple press of a button.
The clutch is only used to start and stop. When driving gear changes are made simply by lifting off the throttle and clicking to the next gear. Gears are selected in milliseconds (like Indy Cars and F1).
The sequential gearbox is connected to a V8 Supercar style quick shift lever mounted up close to the steering wheel. Click back to change up gears, click forward to change down. The Gear change lever is mechanically connected to the gearbox by means of small adjustable rose jointed linkages which allow for its location to be positioned comfortably for any driver. Gears are changed lightening fast,in fact as quick as you can lift and re depress the throttle. The exceptionally fast change response is a delight to use and allows the driver to even shift gears while cornering.
As the driver becomes more proficient in driving the car a rhythm will develop and the performance of the car in each gear becomes obvious and a part of that rhythm. Knowing what gear you are in becomes a natural progression of the drivers ability to feel a part of the car.
The live rear axle fitted with a spool which is connected by a tail shaft that runs down the right hand side of the car. The tailshaft mates onto a special coupling that is fitted on the engine/gearbox output shaft (where the bike chain sprocket is normally fitted). The latest evolution billet tailshaft coupling has proven to maintain a vibration free operation with season long tailshaft life quite common.
Large oil coolers and engine bay aerodynamic air ducting as well as the recent addition of water cooled cylinders to the standard Yamaha unit.
The emphasis of providing competitors with a product that will last many many seasons is of major importance so the use of chrome molly was totally rejected. Chrome molly has a short life expectancy when used in race car chassis applications as it needs to be continually expert checked after every use and fully stripped and Engineer approved at least each season. The highly possible need for yearly replacement or major repair makes it unviable.
As the formula is designed to produce low cost racing, a frame manufactured from these race spec materials has a very long life expectancy to ensure minimal expense for competitors. The first Aussie Racing Car chassis was manufactured in 1995, and is still racing competitively with no signs of stress or cracking.
Mild steel CDW and ERW mig welded and Engineer approved to CAMS/FIA certification standards.
These cars are a very fast racing car and although the driver is surrounded by a steel cage and strapped into an FIA approved racing seat with full harness seat belt injury may occur in the event of an accident. Although the cars attain a high racing speed, the level of grip and the short wheelbase has demonstrated that when over driven to the point of grip loss they generally spin out and come to a stop reasonably quickly. Weight is an important factor in an accident scenario as the inertia of the entire unit is proportionate to its light weight.
The fibreglass body has an outwardly fibreglass finish that can easily be prepared for painting in a normal automotive finish.
The design of the complete chassis unit combines longitudinal and transverse rigidity characteristics that are coupled with the integral roll cage configuration to provide a unit with exceptional resistance to flex. It is 100% stiff under competition conditions which enables fine suspension tuning and excellent driver feed back Every chassis is engineer certified and CAMS/FIA homologated.
It is superbly finished in your choice of colour in brilliant powder coating that stands the test of hard competition for many many seasons. [It is not safe to paint or powder coat a chrome molly chassis as stress cracks that occur at welds cannot be continually inspected, yet another reason for rejecting it’s use].
Cars are delivered in complete ready to race form with only the owners sponsor signage or livery requirements to be added. Cars are supplied with a chassis set up that is capable of allowing the driver (with the appropriate skill level of course) to win races. Cars costs from AUD $89,000 +GST. Cars are ready on the showroom floor to delivery within a week of initial order.
As the frame is made from competition grade steel including CDW a section can easily be cut off and a new section welded on. [Chrome Molly frames cannot be easily repaired and are generally discarded after being distorted] New chassis cost, fully powder coated and ready for assembly is currently $14,990 +GST.
As you would expect in such a tightly contested class there has been some accidents, John Macey driving the Meghaven Hire Motorsport Classic Holden was the first to up end his car.. While leading a reverse grid race at Queensland Raceway he dropped a wheel off the track edge on the 150 kph turn, the car spun around several times before spectacularly rolling over 3 times. Macey emerged without even a seat belt bruise and the roll cage structure came through with only superficial powdercoat bruising predominately where it had skidded upside down along the road. No mechanical parts of the car separated and it could have been driven back to the pits after the crash. This accident demonstrates the amazing structural integrity of the marque.
Every other racing class available at the moment forces competitors to go it alone both in car preparation and driving improvement. The Aussie Racing Car category is formulated so that all competitors are continually provided with information relating to Preparation, car setup racing protocol and driver guidance. Phil Ward and the Works Team Crew is on hand at every track outing to share their wealth of experience gained over many years of race team ownership, preparation and driving. The category has now been in operation for over a decade and in that time virtually every mechanical scenario has been experienced in one way or another. New competitors reap the benefit of this experience and are fast tracked in to focusing on driving rather than repairs and set up.
Owners are encouraged to maintain their cars to an exceptionally high standard of preparation at a level comparative to when it was first delivered. The basic rule is that owners can change anything you can undo and do up with a spanner There is total freedom in the area of suspension and chassis set up using the provisions of the components as fitted. For clarification in simplistic terms a componant cannot be taken off and replaced by a non genuine non approved component
Only cars manufactured in accordance with the FIA/CAMS certification which are eligible to compete under the nationally recognised regulations. Each car is specifically identified in various ways including the inclusion of data dot technologly.
There are several ways that you can race.
1) You can purchase a car and maintain it yourself, the majority of the cars competing at the moment are driver owned.
2) You can purchase a car so you own it but have it maintained and have it transported by the works team for a reasonable cost and even have it housed in the race workshop between events if you wish.
3) You can enter into an arrive and drive arrangement .whereby a car will be provided ready to race at the track for the various rounds of the series. This option gives you the flexibility to just turn up, jump in and race at a cost that is much more reasonable than any other true racing class. All preparation work,race set up and repairs is carried out at the track by the Works Team.
Most competitors do not understand the technical aspects of optimum chassis set up and the close association with the works team mechanics will assist you to understand how to get the most out of your car and thereby give you that competitive edge. Your own sponsor signage can be displayed on the car.
The category is an officially recognised support category of the V8 Supercar championship. The series has rounds across the Australia and is endorsed at a National level and in New Zealand at various tracks in the both the North and South Islands.The series is run at the biggest motorsport events in the country, including the Clipsal 500, the streets of Olympic Park at the Sydney Telstra 500, Mount Panorama Bathurst, Gold Coast Street Circuit and all other major race tracks in Australia and New Zealand. the category has also raced several times as an official support category to the Formula 1 World Championship in Melbourne.
The category concept, rules and regulations have been created and developed by Aussie Racing Cars which is by agreement administered by CAMS. The rules are strictly enforced by CAMS so that all racing is close and exciting with driver skill being the hallmark. All performance orientated components are standardised and cannot be modified. Full freedom is allowed in relation to suspension adjustment and set up, basically anything you can undo and do up with a spanner is free. The Works team crew are closely involved at the track to assist all competitors with optimum set up and maintenance and in addition work closely with CAMS to ensure that the maximum enjoyment of motorsport is achieved.
A CAMS Provisional Circuit (PC) licence is the minimum requirement that you need to compete in the series. After 5 events this can be upgraded to a National Circuit(NC)
1. The first thing to do is download the PC application form from www.cams.com.au.
2. Fill out the form and obtain a medical from a doctor listed in the application form.
3. Do the online CAMS test
4. Send in your completed form with payment to CAMS. You will now receive a pre licence.
5. We can arrange your driver observation.
6. Go racing.