I looked on beetleracing.com but didnt find much. What is involved in getting into either hillclimb or any form of racing involving beetles?

I'm not lookiing at drag racing but driving type events.

I have no experience in this, is it mostly porsche clubs that include a few vw's or is there some form of organised beetle racing happening.

There don;t seem to be many events that are all beetles. Where are you from? it also depends on which type of sport you wish to get involved in.

Motokhana
khanacross
night runs (navigation runs)
autocross
hillclimb
sprints
events like east coast targa etc.

Alot of teh car clubs now will let in any make, even if they may eb the holden drivers club etc. Best bet would be to contact cams, get a list of the local clubs affilited with cams, and then go and talk to ppl and see what racing is what. As different clubs "specialize" somewhat in different events, eg in brissy the MG club is a hill climb/sprint club, the IWMAC is a autocross club, the HSCCQ is a motokhana/khanacross based club. You will also find many ppl have multiple memberships and compete in many events. and also most events are multi club and therefore don't need to be in a particular club to run in the event (still need to be from a cams affilited club)

[Edited on 15-11-2004 by BiX]

Where r u located might help ???

beetleracing.com is a good start. Richard's two sons have racing bugs. Give him a calll on 02 9743 1247.

Im in Sydknee.

I guess Im interested in anything that lets me drive up, (or trailer up eventually) in my beetle and compete without having to spend mega bucks to be competitive.

I do understand that any sort of motoracing is never cheap, (you should see how much radio control racing can drain the funds)

Was going to contact cams but I'm just not sure what type of racing is available in NSW that suits. Would love to check it out in person but info seems slim.

Thanks for any and all advice, I guess how I go will also determine how I build my beetle as well. Baja anybody?

Tell me more about the night runs?
What is popular and easy to get into?

What is available if the car is not required to be street legal and would be trailered to events?

I know anything invoving the street requires rego but any and all ideas welcome.

thanks
marty

[Edited on 15-11-2004 by sax]

Its also a bit of a down time at the moment, as most series have/are coming to an end. I would contact cams and also try the shannons insurance website for local clubs. Go and have a looks, as cars for motokhana are different to a hillclimb car.

find clubs and then see what you want to do.

Hi Sax,Sounds like you no the cost factor of Motorsport which is agood starting point.First a Racing LIC contact Cams Ph:02 96351366Parramatta office if wanting to do track work Porsche Car Club NSW is a great club 92835599 this will get you started.Remember having fun is what it is all about.JVLRacing

http://www.cams.com.au  has a list of car clubs, find one close to you and contact them to confirm they do the events you are interested in, then join up!

Bix,

You seem to compete in some pretty cool events. Which CAMS club are you a member with?

Iam a member of the VWDCQ which has cams affiliation through the marque club. I am also a member of a few other clubs, but the VWDCQ gets invitest o many different clubs.

teh VWDCQ has its next meeting next tues (22nd) at the german club near the gabba.

pic form 2 days ago

and graeme

very cool pic.

what sort of event was that? AutoCross??

http://www.nvcc.com.au 

thats a vary open khanacross, it was a very open course (almost like an autocross!!) but there is a an autocross on this weekend at willowbank if you want to come out and say hello. Iam running, may have a second car, but not sure.

just jumping on ya site for a sec
does any one know of any of these events down in vic?
it looks a lot better than just building them all the time

mmm just scored another baja ,,need to play...

Sax

check out SORRA sydney off road racing association. they race buggies, bajas, 4wds, rallies etc. go get a cams license, go and compete. all you need is you license, your car and your helmet. good luck.

oh yeah, i usually work the recovery team for them

cool, does the car need to be full street regoed or can i trailer a purpose built race beast to the events?

try this website (qld based, but gives you a good idea of whats out there etc)

qld motosport website

at sorra most cars are trailered, there are different categories for each race. i think they have about 12 different categories. cars ive seen range from buggies and bajas, to rally cars and massive f 100s

I'm a bit slow jumping onto this thread.
What club you belong to isnt as important as it used to be. In days past your club had be invited to events for you to enter, and only 8 clubs were allowed to be invited. Now its open slather.

To run in speed events (hillclimbs and sprints) in a road registered car, you need very little. Just a fire extinguisher and a battery triangle. Most people in reg cars just use blue electrical tape on the day for this. For clothing you just need to be fully covered in non flammable clothing. Jeans and a long sleeved shirt, as well as a helmet. Leather shoes. Licence from memory is $83. To run in a motorkhana you need even less. An engine that is running is about all. Dont even need a helmet. Licence is about $40 I think.

Now, to give my club a plug, Wollongong Sporting Car Club... membership is cheap, $40. We get invited to all NSWRRC events at Oran Park. we run 6 hillclimbs ourselves in Wollongong. We do the Bathurst speed weekend each december. The odd private practice day at Wakefield park. Now that Volvo club is getting back up and running (5 yr absence) with motorkhanas we will be invited to them. One of our members does a lot of khana and rally stuff down south somewhere. I could find out who with. Any event you want to go to, I suck up and almost always can get you in.

We run 2 of our own little club championships. One is just at Huntley Hillclimbs over 6 rounds. Its not the fastest outright car that wins, but depends on how many people in you class, what you class position is. And the other one is a drivers champion and you get points for each event you run in.

We're quite a laid back club. A lot like clubvw in many ways. Theres no moving motions and seconding type stuff at meetings. Usually everyone just shit stirring everyone else hoping it doesnt get back to their turn.

http://wscc.org.au  Not quite as professional and polished nor complete as I would like it to be, but gives us a web presence.

Next event is April 17 at Huntley Hillclimb.

Other clubs I suggest are New South Wales Road Racing Club, North Shore Sporting Car Club, Southern Sporting Car Club, Hills District Car Club. There are other active clubs but they are generally one make clubs, even if they do let anyone play. Nissan Sports Car Club is VERY active and full of young guys and let other cars such as subarus play with them so a VW might be allowed too.

Any specific questions, just ask.

Thanks for that, Ill definately check out Huntley on the 17th.
Im building a 65 beetle and hopefully will be trailering it around and not worrying about rego.

Question about car specs: What is the go as far as glass windows vs perspex, and how much roadgoing stuff can I leave off it? Lights, wipers, blinkers, etc.
It's stripped down for painting now and I need some guidance.
Trying to keep it simple and keep it light as well.
Happy to include all safety options besides roll cage which I understand is a whole new can of worms and expense.

The engine will be a new but standard 1600SP and whatever gearbox I can find.

Looking at building a car that will be suitable for anything
without being too specialised or high tech.

Is it worth hunting down fibreglass panels to save weight
and protect original steel fron potential destruction?

How much needs to be in the doors? They weigh a ton with all the glass etc in them.

Grateful for any advice, I have no idea what Im doing but I'll have a go and have some fun.

Im building a 65 beetle and hopefully will be trailering it around and not worrying about rego.
Good idea cos things sometimes go wrong. Sucks paying rego on trailers but thing I hated was storing the bloody thing.

What is the go as far as glass windows vs perspex, and how much roadgoing stuff can I leave off it? Lights, wipers, blinkers, etc.
If you're going to go that way then it puts you in sports sedan 0-1600cc category. Which is fine if you are only interested in having fun and going as fast as you possibly can, but possibly not good if you are a trophy hunter. The stock 1600 might not have the power to pull that off. All windows can be plastic except windscreen. Quoting from CAMS manual "The original external shape and location of all lighting and signalling equipment must be retained. If original headlamps and turn signals are not used, their replacements may be blended into the surrounding coachwork. Front lighting and signalling equipment need not be functional.... Tail lamps and brake lamps must remain operable." From memory, I think the rest of the electricals are free, meaning do what you like.

Trying to keep it simple and keep it light as well.
Happy to include all safety options besides roll cage which I understand is a whole new can of worms and expense.
Hmm unfortunately, no can do. Minimum weight for a 1600 is 730kg, although at huntley hillclimb, nobody will ever complain or check. Once your car is unregistered you need to comply with the harness, roll cage. I know you get away with this at some places too but it isnt allowed and someone will get sore backside if someone gets hurt.

Is it worth hunting down fibreglass panels to save weight and protect original steel fron potential destruction?
Definitely to save weight, who cares about original metal? Just so long as your head is protected.

How much needs to be in the doors? They weigh a ton with all the glass etc in them.
Your getting really tricky. Plagiarising the CAMS manual... doors must be functional and retain original external shape and appearance. Window winding mechanisms can be removed. Original catches must be used but hinges are free. Internal locks must be removed so you cant lock yourself in. I take it that means you can have cardboard doors with gate hinges if you want, just so long as it has original catch. Who makes these rules? You would want a roll cage with some side intrusion protection though if you did that.

Grateful for any advice, I have no idea what Im doing but I'll have a go and have some fun.
I got no idea either. Those that can, do. Those that cant, tell everyone else how to.

So I might as well build a road registerable car and be done with it?
Seems like compliance is gonna be easier that way and I get to drive it
to the shops as well.

yeah, tis easier. Just be aware that it has to be road registered, not registerable. The reason you get the dispensations is that the necessary mods are hard to get registered.

Personally I dont understand why its OK to potentially kill yourself in a car with a number plate on the front. I mean if there are rules then rules should apply to everyone or noone.

Come down to have a look on April 17, come watch the NSW championship round in May, then come and play yourself in July.