ARCom met face-to-face over the weekend of 11-13 September 2009. Following the meeting, commission members, along with the members of other CAMS commissions and the Board of CAMS participated in a series of workshops organised as part of the CAMS Summit to consider a range of strategic issues relating to motor sport and the future of the organisation.
Further communications about the CAMS Summit are featured in this edition of Speed Read.
Issues considered at the ARCom meeting included:
Changes that will be implemented to streamline the Observed Licence Testing (OLT) process to better target it at the people considered to be in the higher risk categories;
The adoption of a Level 2S licencing requirement for lower risk level rallysprint events;
Calendar issues and events to be included in the 2010 Australian Rally Championship;
Rationalisation of stage signage boards;
Feedback on PRC and Club Rally Car proposals previously agreed by ARCom;
Adoption of a 33mm restrictor size for Group N(P)
An engine substitution proposal for Classic Rally Cars;
Reviewed spectator control guidelines for rally and off road;
Apparel requirements in rally and touring road events.
Observed Licence Testing
A proposal for change to the OLT system has been under active consideration by ARCom for about 12 months. The commission has now been agreed on a proposed approach to targeting OLTs to perceived higher risk groups. The general thrust is that observed licence testing shall in future focus on drivers with limited competition and road driving experience, generally under the age of 25 years.
Subject to any final comments and feedback from the wider rally community, and in due course the Board of CAMS, the new approach shall be implemented from the commencement of 2010. Comments are being sought by close of business 24 October 2009, which should be sent to rally@cams.com.au.
Level 2 Rallysprint Licensing
ARCom has recommended that two levels of Rallysprint competitions be established to enable the introduction of a simpler Level 2S licence at the basic entry levels of the competition.
Australian Rally Championship 2010 Draft Calendar
ARCom noted the report from the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) proposing the following draft Calendar for 2010:
TAS 27/28 Feb
WA 27/28 Mar
NSW 15/16 May
SA 26/27 June
QLD (APRC) 31 Jul/1 Aug
VIC TBA
Details of the event in Victoria are currently subject to an active ‘expressions of interest’ process currently being undertaken by the ARC.
Rationalisation of stage signage
ARCom approved changes to the National Rally Code Standard Rally Boards to bring them into line with NRC Art 3.2 and to show the exclamation marks currently used to identify hazards in road book instructions and on the course. The existing triangular caution marker has been retained as an alternative for a single caution. ARCom also agreed to adopt all of the FIA stage signage in the National Rally Code though some elements are optional and not mandatory (eg: the 3, 2, 1 slow down markers).
Feedback on PRC and Club Rally Car Proposals
ARCom considered feedback regarding proposed changes to eligibility requirements in the Production Rally Car class and agreed to the introduction of a Club Rally Car category for the lower end of competition in the sport. Changes to the draft regulations previously circulated include:
Permitting reproduction bumper bars;
Changing the ‘box’ within which a rear wing may be fitted to match the width of the bootlid of the vehicle;
Implement a review of the pre/post 1986 date for freedoms.
ARCom agreed to implement the proposed Club Rally Car as originally framed with the following changes:
Permitting some modest use of carbon/kevlar fibre;
Allowing cars meeting the CRC specification to compete in any levels of events but only amongst themselves as a category except in State clubman level and below where individual states may decide if the category should be allowed to attract points in these championships;
Implementing a transitional arrangement to address the difficulties of rally and/or special interest vehicle registration schemes being accessible to some otherwise eligible vehicles in some states, which will involve some additional minimum requirements to limit the scope of modification.
Change to Group N Restrictor size
ARCom agreed to amend the restrictor size for Australia’s Group N(P) rally cars to 33mm in line with recent changes to Group N by the FIA.
Engine Substitution Proposal for Toyota Celica Classic Rally Car
ARCom agreed that subject to confirmation by technical experts that the engine falls within the spirit and intent of the Classic Rally Car regulations and taking into account any precedent set by previous decisions made with regard to engine substitutions, the early model 3SGE engine be permitted as a substitute engine in RA40 and RA63 Toyota Celicas (74-82). Advice will be now be sought from technical experts.
Updated Spectator Control Guidelines
ARCom endorsed a revised and updated guideline document on spectator protocol, noting that this is now to be aligned with requirements for the off road discipline. The consultation draft will now be released to state panels for urgent comment, pending immediate adoption.
Apparel
ARCom noted that it is expected that a revised version of the apparel requirements for road events will be adopted that should see minimal change to the existing requirements in rallies. ARCom noted that in addition to existing standards and specifications, some alternatives and recommendations have been included.
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