The Australian Racing Drivers Club

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News Archive

A colourful event- 2014 Color Me Rad 5K

The inaugural Color Me RAD 5K was a huge 5km colour fun run event held on Sunday Feb 23rd, under cloudy but dry skies, and with pleasant temperatures greeting the 4500 enthusiastic entrants.
The event’s premise was to enjoy a walk or run around the Sydney Motorsport Park GP circuit and to end up covered in as many colours of paint powder as possible.
As well as the fun and friendship the event engendered, there was a serious side to it: in excess of $12,000 was raised for the Australian Cancer Research Fund. A conspicuous army of volunteers, all smartly dressed and well organized, from the RRT ( Rapid Response Team) helped to marshal the thousands of runners.
Many of the crowd were dressed in predominately white clothing; ensuring that the liberal application of cornflour mixed food colouring powder would turn their pristine garments into a riot of colour. The concept for the “festival of colour” comes from the ancient HOLI festival in India.
To start the days festivities, and to get the crowd warmed up, a rousing 20 minutes of ZUMBA music and movement got everyone in the mood. Stirringly led by Brad “Bear” Mader, the ebullient race controller/ compere held the crowd like putty in his hands.
By now, the crowd were revved up and straining at the start line to get underway, and “Bear” showered the first wave of over a thousand runners with dozens of exploding colour bombs. Near pandemonium erupted when finally the start order was given, and the crowd surged forward.
Two subsequent waves of runners were staged and let go, to make their way around the track. At regular intervals around the track, “colour stations” were set up, ensuring that as runners went past, they were showered with liberal handfuls of colour: Orange, Purple, Blue, Pink and Green. Upon reaching the finish line more colour bombs were thrown into the moshpit of screaming rainbow coloured youth dancing to the twin D.J’s . It was a enormously successful event.
The run is suitable for all ages, and is a very fun way to get out and enjoy some healthy exercise. There were babies in strollers, little kids, teenagers, mums and dads, and many “older folk” – even a walking stick or two could be seen on the track. This event is planned to run in many major cities in Australia during 2014.
– words and pics by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au

 

Formula One legends line up for Sydney Retro Speedfest

THE ROAR of legendary Formula One cars will once again echo around Sydney Motorsport Park, as a dozen examples of the spectacular racers from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s take to the track for the inaugural Sydney Retro Speedfest on May 3 -4. With only around 20 examples in Australia, there will arguably never be a better time to see these amazing machines in action. The F1 cars will be trackside for display, hot laps and will also be racing over the weekend of the Speedfest, which promises close classic competition and fantastic off-track entertainment for fans of all ages.

One of the main attractions will be the Williams FW07, driven by Alan Jones to victory in the 1980 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, and also took out the Constructors’ Championship. The 3.0-litre Cosworth Ford-engined machine will be driven by Victorian owner Paul Faulkner in its NSW debut. Another car driven by Jones in 1985 and now owned by Ian Ross is the turbo-engined Beatrice Lola Hart; one of the last used by the World Champ on the international scene before he embarked on his touring car career. A significant inclusion will be the Repco-Brabham BT24 used by Sir Jack Brabham to secure second place in the 1967 World Drivers’ Championship behind team-mate Denny Hulme. A winner of the French and Canadian Grands Prix, the BT24 played a big part in taking the Brabham-Tauranac team to a second consecutive F1 Constructor’s Title.

Current Race Director of V8 Supercars, Tim Schenken, also had his hand in F1 racing history as a factory driver with the Surtees Formula 1 team in 1972. His car, the Surtees TS9B, will be driven at Sydney Retro Speedfest by John Gale, who has enjoyed success on the track since acquiring the stunning racecar in 2009. Also featured will be the fearsome Benetton B186 driven by Gerhard Berger in six Grands Prix in 1986. Powered by a turbocharged BMW engine which reportedly produced 1500 horsepower on full boost, current owner Les Wright will opt for a more conservative boost delivering a mere 800 horses… Other legendary marques include Arrows, Ferrari, March, Spirit-Honda and Tyrrell. The Retro Speedfest will showcase a feast of racing, with the best of classic touring cars, historic sedans, production sports cars, open-wheel and pedigree sports racers, and formula fords and vees, with 28 races including trophy feature races over the two-day weekend.

Early-bird ticket pricing is now available: call the ARDC office on (02) 9672 1000 to secure your place in Motorsport history!

ARDC Members now get access to some great ANZ Stadium games!

The ARDC has some great news regarding an exciting new ARDC Member benefit for 2014!
In conjunction with our friends at the ANZ Stadium Club, we are delighted to announce that your 2014 ARDC Membership will deliver even more exciting sports action in the year to come.
Imagine being able to go to as many T20 and NRL season games at ANZ Stadium as you could – with General Admission absolutely free! Well now you can.
That’s right! FREE!
The ARDC has now negotiated reciprocal rights for ARDC Members at ANZ Stadium for 2014 which includes GA Seating to events such as:
• T20 Cricket – four (4) Sydney Thunder Matches
• Rugby League – ten (10) Bulldogs, nine (9) Rabbitohs, two (2) Eels, four (4) West Tigers and two (2) St George Illawarra home games
• AFL – three (3) Sydney Swans AFL home games!
That’s 34 top class sporting events – all for you to enjoy as an ARDC Member benefit. You’ll also get special priority for finals matches and other sports too like Rugby Union; State of Origin II, and the NRL Grand Final.
Please note, only one ticket per event per Member can be purchased, and you will need to be signed up to Ticketek to process your complimentary tickets – if you are not already signed up, it’s easy to do, free, and only takes a minute.
We think you’ll agree there has never been a better time than now to be a Member of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club.

For information on how to redeem your tickets, please contact reception@ardc.com.au or 9672 100.

 

Wrap: 2013 CAMS NSW Supersprint Championships

On Nov 29th, many of the competitors and officials involved in the CAMS NSW Supersprint competition gathered together to celebrate the conclusion of another great year of competition.

With a sturdy field of 179 Registrants throughout the year, of which 154 regularly competed in the seven categories , evenly split between Road Registered and Log Book Cars.

To win a championship, you must acquire the most points over an arduous eight rounds of competition. Indicating the popularity of Supersprint, seven of the eight rounds were fully subscribed with waiting lists. The organisers would like to thank all the competitors who supported the Championship.
The Championship rounds were hosted by clubs including the ARDC, NSWRRC, Mini Car Club and MX-5 Club. These clubs host the event rounds, and provide the officials for each event, ably assisted by Kerry Butcher, series Chief Scrutineer and Ian Bigg, series Chief Steward.

On a reflective note, we wish Brett Giles all the very best, as he steps down from his post of Supersprint panel member, and past chairman, after 20 years tireless service to the sport.

The championship, by category were awarded to:
Type 1 – Standard Road Cars – Tony Chan – Toyota Celica and Toyota 86.
Type 2 – Mildly Modified Road Cars – Alex Ball – Lotus Elise 111R
Type 3 – Improved Production Cars – Robert Kolimackovski – Holden Commodore VL.
Type 4 – Sports Sedans – Warwick Fuller – Holden Commodore.
Type 5 – Racing & Sports Racing Cars – Andrie Tan – Radical Supersports V8
Type 6 – Time Attack Cars – Jonathon McKinnon.
Type SV – Clubman, Special Vehicles and Highly Modified Road Cars – Allan Bugh – PRB Clubman.
Club Championship – the Australian Racing Drivers Club ( ARDC)
To further underscore the popularity and quality of the sport in NSW, NSW competitors represented 30% of the competitiors at the recently run Australian Supersprint Championship at Philip Island, Victoria, walking away with First, Second and Third place outright trophies. Andrie Tan, Duncan Forrest and Marek Tomaszewski did us proud. This was the first time the trophy was won by a driver outside the host state. An additional six “first place in category” trophies were awarded to our drivers as well. Congratulations to our NSW drivers.
We look forward to another safe and successful year in 2014.
– words and pics by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au
Thanks to Mike Hicks for his assistance.

 

FoSC Christmas Invitation race meeting

While the V8 Supercars were bouncing off the walls at Homebush, the Festival of Sporting Cars (FoSC) was busy conducting a two-day race meeting, with nearly 40 events, for Historic and Invited Sports, Racing and Touring Cars, plus Sidecars and even a Come and Try field for novices to get used to circuit competition.
The various races and regularity events attracted over 120 entrants over the weekend and provided close competition and plenty of track-time for everyone.
The layout of this circuit enabled FoSC to present novices and experienced drivers with a challenging drive that was rewarding when they got it right. As innovative as ever, FoSC ran fields as diverse as a dedicated Datsun Z Consistency, a Veloce Racing Association Challenge for Alfa Romeos and the final round of the Excel Racing Championship series – the latter being won by Nathan Gotch, with Ian Kegg and Michael Hiscoe as runners-up – plus the more familiar Sports, Racing and Touring car categories.
A regular feature of FoSC meetings, was the presence of the Masters – a group of legendary racers, including John Leffler, Spencer Martin, Bruce Stewart, Ray Gulson and Mal Brewster (with guest instructors Geoff Pike, Rob Jardine, Denis Tobin and Mike Dyer) – who provided driver education for anyone who wanted expert advice.
The combination of this kind of mentoring, the experience of well known Event Director, Charles Jardine, and a down-to-earth approach to motor sport, means that FoSC and the ARDC can deliver enjoyable, affordable competition for a wide range of enthusiasts.
On a lighter note, one pit-crew member who camped overnight was surprised to be awoken by a fox tugging on his trouser leg – can’t imagine that happening at a street circuit!
All in all, for FoSC, its competitors and officials the meeting was a resounding success and a gratifying conclusion to the year’s activities.

– words and pics by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au
Thanks to Dave Nichols ( FoSC) for his assistance with this report.

 

Ferrari Racing Days speed into Sydney

Ferrari Australasia, Destination NSW and the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) are delighted to announce the first ever Ferrari Racing Days event in Australia; an exciting new racing festival at Sydney Motorsport Park on 12-13 April, 2014.

One of the biggest owner-based events ever organised by Ferrari Australasia, Ferrari Racing Days Sydney will see hundreds of Ferrari vehicles, their owners and Prancing Horse fans converge on the Eastern Creek venue to experience the world of Ferrari through track activities, static and rolling displays, and on-site entertainment.

“Not everyone can own a Ferrari and not everyone can be a racing driver, but anyone can come to Sydney Motorsport Park in April 2014 to see, hear, smell and maybe even touch Ferrari Racing cars,” said Andrew Leithhead, President of the ARDC.

“We are beyond thrilled to host the first ever Ferrari Racing Days in Australia being hosted at Sydney Motorsport Park,” added Ferrari Australasia CEO, Herbert Appleroth. “This is a unique event that will see the biggest collection of Ferraris that Australia has ever seen. We are so excited to not only host our valued Ferrari owners at this event, but we also look forward to welcoming thousands of Ferrari fans and lovers of motorsport and share with us the passion, excitement and glamour that only the world of Ferrari can offer.”

In another Australian first, owners and fans will be able to experience the official Ferrari F1 show, with a genuine factory Formula 1 car taking to the SMSP circuit.

The event will also feature the second round of the 2014 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific (APAC). The Ferrari Challenge series is one of the most popular one-make series in the world; over 2,400 drivers from over 40 different countries have participated since its inception in 1993. Now in its fourth year, the APAC Challenge will open in Sepang, Malaysia, followed by the debut of the Sydney round at Sydney Motorsport Park, and feature the beautiful 458 Challenge mid-rear V8 Berlinetta derived from the 458 Italia.

Ferrari owners will also get the opportunity to take to the track in their own splendid cars to see how they measure up – and drive them the way Enzo Ferrari intended. Other event highlights include displays of the latest complete Ferrari line-up, demonstration run by some impressive models of classic Ferraris, and much more to be announced in due course. Whether you own a Ferrari or aspire one day to have one in the garage, this action-packed weekend is the ideal way to experience the world of Ferrari.

Tickets are available through Ticketek.