Canterbury Motorsport

[thorpy]

Hi Guys
Just to introduce myself , My name is Blair and im usually lurking on http://www.clubsub.org.nz and I drive a 1997 Sti coupe. Im also a member of Canterbury Car Club.
Im posting in the hope of getting some of you into club level motorsport.

We have regular clubsport events , usually once a month. These are held on tarmac at Powerbuilt Tools Ruapuna raceway , And on grass at Rangiora.
The 2 events we have are Gymkhana (12 per year ) and Autocross ( 6 - 8 per year )

Gymkhana is a test of driver skill as opposed to speed , it is a course layed out with cones and involves completeing the course as fast as possible correctly.
These are mostly in 1st gear and some also involve reversing , there are time penalties for hitting cones and getting the course wrong.

They are great fun and teach you alot about controlling your car , the best thing is all you need is a car thats up to wof standard , and having a fast car is no advantage.
The cost for entering these is $20 which gets you 2 runs each at 6 courses with the fastest run at each course adding to the total.

Autocross involves more speed ( up to 150kph sometimes ) usually 2nd and 3rd gear stuff.
These are held on grass at rangiora and on tarmac at Powerbuilt Tools Ruapuna raceway - Using the race track with slaloms on the straights to limit speed.
They are against the clock with generally 4 courses and 2 runs at each ( with the fastest run at each counting.

Cost for an Autocross is $30 on grass and $40 on tarmac.
To do an Autocross you need an approved helmet , 100% cotton overalls and a car that complies with schedule A of the motorsport manual - this sounds daunting but its not . if you car has a wof and rego you should be fine.

Both these events are great fun and teach you heaps about car control , you can do 2 events before you need to become a club member.

If you interested in getting involved check out our club website http://www.canterburycarclub.co.nz/ or check out our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canterbury-Car-Club-Motorkhana-Autocross/187203601312211

If you have any questions or want some more info feel fre to flick me a text on 0274 589 027 or email me blairthorpe@paradise.net.nz

A couple of videos of me doing our latest tarmac gymkhana and autocross
Gymkhana - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jdaabalfy8
Autocross - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEBKRqFBCr4&feature=related

[mytmk3]

looks like a blast be keen on some tarmac autocross learning to pilot my whale funds wise probly wouldnt sign up till next year but you said you can do a couple events as a non member would love to come check it out provided I can actualy keep my engine in the car for longer than a month at a time lol always brakes the week before any track day ive tried to attend

[thorpy]

Yeah you can do 2 events as a non member , although we wont be having another tarmac autocross untill early 2012.
Could always give it a go on grass , the paddocks are reasonably smooth.

Another thing you guys may be interested in is curcuit sprints , although these require you to be a club member and hold a motorsport licence.
Also a few more requirements with the car.

Dual car pursuit sprints are fields of up to 12 cars , you go out and do a warmup lap , you then line up on the start grid and are flagged away in pairs 5 - 10 seconds apart , you complete 3 timed race laps and then a cooldown lap before coming into the pits.

Multicar sprints are basically the same except grids of 6 cars and all start at the same time.
On multicar sprint days a dual car sprint is run in the morning to get lap times and cars are then placed fastest to slowest in the multicar grids to minimise overtaking.

There is a roadcar class for both these events and later in the year the club is trialing a Time Attack style event as part of a pursuit sprint.

[mytmk3]

My car is not practical enough for grass or stop start kind of things (low, kit, tripple plate clutch + large/laggy turbo) will look in to track/membership requirements in more detail

[Elmo]

Ive been meaning to join a club for YEARRRRSSSSS but I havent built my club car yet, started many times tho but then had to get rid of the car for various reasons, I still have 90% of the mechanicals tho, Im STILL lacking the space to do anything. And Im not intending on racing my coupe, so one day soon, maybe.

[flying_wedge]

There is a roadcar class for both these events and later in the year the club is trialing a Time Attack style event as part of a pursuit sprint.

I'm looking into this one at the mo, just joined the cant car club and will have to get motorsport license before next sprint end of October.
Road car class really sounds like the best way to get into grass-roots racing, and is just the next step up from open track days.

I'm looking foward

[crispy'86]

Really cheap way to get into motorsport here guys, i raced my little fx in the pursuit sprints and was great fun. Wanted to do some autocross and stuff in it too but that'll wait till i get my notch sorted