New Thursday night rallysprints in Sydney

A new concept in rallying will be launched in Sydney this summer with the staging of a six round Twilight Tarmac Rallysprint Series run over a challenging tarmac course at the Sydney International Dragway on Thursday nights from October to March.

The new Twilight Tarmac Rallysprint series will see crews battling it out over a 3.5 km stage across various tarmac roads within the SID complex at Eastern Creek, on Thursday nights from around 5pm to 9pm during daylight saving months.

The Twilight Tarmac series is being organised by North Shore Sporting Car Club and  will be run as Level 1 Single Club Rallysprints offering  both traditional gravel rally exponents, tarmac rallyists and novices new to the sport the chance to have a fun night battling the clock as the sun sets.
 
The Thursday night format has been chosen to allow rally enthusiasts to enjoy their sport across summer without cutting into family and leisure time on weekends and in a time efficient way at a venue located close to the geographic centre of Sydney.
 
Six dates have been scheduled for the first season of Twilight Tarmac Rallysprints, starting with round one on Thursday 23 October, round two on Thursday 20 November, with  the following rounds on 18 December, 22 January, 19 February and the final round on 19 March 2015.

The events will start with documentation and scrutiny from 4pm, a drivers briefing at 5pm, recce from 5.15pm with competitive runs starting at 6pm and wrapping up by 9pm.
 
According to North Shore Sporting Car Club's president, Jon Thomson, the new Twilight  series will particularly give tarmac rally exponents a chance to hone their skills and technique while having a fun evening in a safe and controlled environment.
 
"The idea for the Twilight series was pioneered at the Kwinana Motoplex in Perth over the past few years by Ross Tapper and the success of those events led us to pursue the concept in Sydney," said Jon Thomson.
 
"It took quite a deal of time to get the appropriate sign offs and approvals but we are now set to run this summer with a cracker Rallysprint series that we are sure will attract a big following in Sydney," he said.
 
"Tarmac rallyists in NSW have to travel interstate to compete in tarmac road rallies so the arrival of The Twilight Tarmac Series will allow them the chance to compete on the hard stuff and to improve their performance before heading off to tackle Targa events in Tasmania, Victoria, SA and WA," he added.

As a Class 1 Rallysprint the Twilight Tarmac Series will be run under the CAMS National Rally Code and Rallysprint regulations with both a driver and co-driver in each car, both requiring a level 2S licence or higher and with closed top cars not requiring a roll cage, opening the event up for novices wanting to get a taste of rallying before making a larger commitment.
 
"While we recommended a roll cage and full harnesses in all competing vehicles, it is not required except in an open vehicle under CAMS rules and so long as the car complies with the necessary safety requirements including being equipped with a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and safety triangles with the crew wearing approved helmets and apparel, we will welcome all comers," Jon Thomson added.
 
"Under the Level 1 rallysprint rules drivers who are 14years old  and over are also able to enter and take part in the Twilight Tarmac events," he said.
 
Each car will have the chance to have at least five runs over the course at each event and cars can be entered multiple times with a different driver for each entry.

The entry is $240 per event or $210 for crews who pay the $30 registration fee for the Twilight Tarmac Series. Organisers are also offering a 20 per cent discount for crews who pay the reduced fee of $1000 for all six events if they pay ahead of the first round in October.
 
Further details and entry forms will be available on www.nsscc.com.au in the coming weeks.

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