If you are interested in knowing more on ClubSport
TRIALS: Trialing involves following a set course with a
navigator in your car, following a pre-determined route from instructions,
adhering to time schedules and 'spotting' check boards or signs along the way.
Trialing can be enjoyed by anyone, in any car, as it is not a speed event. We
have even occasionally had crews where the kids old enough to read fluently
have navigated successfully for Mum or Dad! We try to run at least a couple of
these each year.
MOTORKHANAS: An excellent way to start motorsport, a
Motorkhana involves driving around various short courses marked by plastic
cones. The time is recorded and penalties are added for knocking over the cones
or not completing the course correctly. Usually smaller cars do well, but it is
more the skill of the drivers car handling that provides the winner. We run
several of these each year, drivers do not need helmets, overalls, or special
MSNZ licences and Motorkhanas are open to all types of cars.
AUTOCROSSES: These are three laps timed around a short
racetrack marked out with cones. Usually held on either grass or gravel, but
occasionally on seal, the longest straight is less than 200 metres, and the
cars run one at a time. The Driver needs to be a member of a MSNZ affiliated
Car Club and have cotton overalls, a helmet which meets the minimum standards,
and a fire extinguisher. Newcomers can compete twice before joining a Club. The
events are very popular, especially for competitors on a limited budget!
HILL CLIMBS, SPRINTS,
ETC: A Hill climb is a Sprint
up a hill, usually on gravel or tarmac. These are a popular event, especially
with the more novice drivers. Sprints can be straight or bent. A straight
sprint is a drag race, but a bent sprint can be either once over a course, or
several laps of a track. These can be run on closed roads or proper
race circuits. Cars run either one at a time, or two at a time if the
course is suitable (in which case the event is sometimes referred to as a dual
sprint or dual bent sprint). They can be on closed public roads, a race track,
or a farmers paddock! The majority Sprints during the year
are run on a gravel course however some are run on race circuits such as
Pukekohe, and Taupo and Hampton Downs will be a popular venue when the track is
opened for competition. Sprints have the same safety and licence requirements
as an Autocross.
RALLYS AND RALLY SPRINTS: For this level the car must have a roll cage
fitted and there is a list of required safety modifications to be carried out.
All vehicles are carefully checked for safety prior to an event. A very popular
Rally sprint Series is run in conjunction with five other Car Clubs in
the top half of the North Island area.
CIRCUIT RACING: Requires like rallies and rally sprints requires more money
and a heavier investment in specialized gear depending at what level you wish
to race. You will also require a competition license however
the skills you have learned from competing in motorkhanas, sprint meetings and
autocross events will make you a better competitor on the circuit. Regardless
of what form of motorsport you are interested in,
there is bound to be someone in the club that can answer your questions about
it.
For more information on Clubsport contact John Riddell: clubsport@aucklandcarclub.org.nz or 09 833 6792
