Being such a huge country, cars have always been a necessity Down Under and like any other nation, we have a massive car racing community, with serious competition in every state. Those supercharged V8s are always under development and local sponsorship makes racing possible for many enthusiasts who build their own cars.
Small racing teams
It might be 3-4 guys who got together at club meetings and hatched a plan to get one car race ready and if they can nail local sponsors, they can fund a dozen meetings in a year. The best speedway parts & spares are available from a leading supplier; putting 1 car through a series is a higher end five-figure budget and that doesn’t include accommodation, food or travelling costs, which the team have to pay.
Humble beginnings
Some of the national teams began with an old car that a team donated and the rest is history; it’s all about getting the car up to scratch and keeping it running for the duration. As you would expect, parts need replacing quickly so a team needs to set up an account with a major race car parts distributor and they get 90 days credit and fast delivery. If you are looking to buy a new car, there are a few finance options.
Race meets
Search online to find details of major meets in Sydney and Melbourne, while Perth, Darwin and Brisbane have active competition that runs for the season. The meets are generally at weekends and there are lots of stalls and vendors, as well as a pits area where the teams work frantically on their car; you can mix with the mechanics and even chat with drivers and team managers. Many major meetings have adjoining campsites and racing fans get together for parties in the evenings, making it a family affair.
Social media
Perhaps the main reason the race meets are always busy is the fact the people see it on the Facebook feed and decide to see what it’s all about. Of course, you have to stay within specific zones at race time; most are held in stadiums and sports arenas, while there are many outdoor tracks. You probably see a few posts from car meets and Google can tell you where all the venues are.
Safety
As you would expect at any motor sports venue, safety is a priority; follow the guidelines and you’ll have a great time! If you’re taking young children, keep them with you at all times and the noise might be a bit much! The drivers are very well protected and medical staff and an ambulance are always on standby when racing starts.
Check the web to find out where your nearest tracks are and take your partner for an amazing experience that they will never forget. Smell the oil and hear those growing engines that put out insane horsepower and cheer your team to victory.
