Many of you spend countless weekends indulging in your favourite pastime. No, I don't mean mowing the lawn or cleaning out the garage. It's watching motor sport! Perhaps it's the lure of the lumpy V8 Supercar burble that drives you to the sofa. Or is it the non-stop action of Formula Fords that attracts you? You may even be so passionate about your motor sport that you stay up till 2 in the morning just to soak in the atmosphere and octane-fuelled sensation of the pinnacle of motor sport, Formula One.
Watching is great, but - like me - you may have reached a point where you've decided that you want to be part of the action. Whether it's behind the wheel of the car that just side-swiped Larry Perkins; performing the ultimate late brake pass on Schuey; or simply driving the fastest race machinery to its limit - it need not (all!) be fantasy.
But what can an enthusiast who already has a full time career - and a standard or mildly modified road car - do to get into motor sport? In Australia the first step is to obtain a CAMS racing license and then start racing. But what's a CAMS license? And how do you go about getting one?
Read on and all shall be revealed!
What is CAMS?
The Federation International de Automobile (FIA) governs most motorsport events and activities around the world. The FIA delegates control of motor sport in each country to one national sporting authority. And as you may have now guessed, in Australia it just so happens to be CAMS - the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport. Incidentally, the organisation is made up of more than 300 affiliated motor sport clubs and has an impressive national membership that exceeds 37,000!
The main role of CAMS is to ensure that the rules and regulations governing the safety of all motor sport participants and spectators are observed and enforced. This includes checking the fitness levels of the drivers - hence, licences that cover competitive racing require a medical examination.
CAMS is also responsible for inspecting the construction and eligibility of vehicles - setting up the necessary rules and regulations that govern the physical make-up of the given race vehicle, such as aero packages, safety equipment, tyres and so on.
Further to this, CAMS govern the standard of each racing circuit or track that their events are held on. The condition of the race surface and layout are just some of the considerations. Not forgetting, they are also responsible for the administration of events and organising the officials. And if that's not enough, they also work towards ensuring the continual growth and development of motor sport throughout Australia.
What is the first step?
OK, so you now know the organization that regulates all motor sport activities in Australia. What's the next step? This depends on several factors - primarily, what level do you want to get involved in, and how much money and time do you have?
CAMS have five levels of licences which comprehensively cover any motor sport activity you can think of. Level 1 is for one-off car club training days, while the Level 5 licence is the one that Michael Schumacher has.
Hillclimbs and motorkhanas are popular for beginners and are extremely low cost. Then there is the more serious stuff like circuit racing and rally events. And this can go all the way from state to international championships.
Level 1 Licence
The Level 1 licence is the easiest one to get. All you have to do is become a member of a CAMS-affiliated car club. There is a range of clubs available that do as little or as much as your motor sport dreams desire. They are the perfect answer for thousands of racing fans who want to manage a successful balance of family, career and their love of the sport. The clubs range from groups who gather to do things generally related to cars, through to enthusiasts who are competition minded and have their sights set on the big leagues. (Contact CAMS for a list of all the affiliated clubs in your state or territory, or try their web site: www.cams.com.au )
Although, no matter what licence you are aiming for, CAMS require you to be a member of an affiliated car club, so you might as well join.
A Level 1 license can also be obtained by purchasing it on the day at any club's "Come and Try" event. It is usually $14 and is purely non-competitive. This means that the cars will be separated by a 20-30 seconds gap when out on the circuit and there is no rubbing of doors.
There is a rather basic form to be filled out, requiring your personal details and the all-important signing of the "motor sport is dangerous" disclaimer. This form is usually obtained from your club representative.
The Level 1 licence is limited in what it entitles you to enter. You will have to contact your chosen car club and find out what entry level events they hold, but it is usually confined to some type of speed event - probably a Come and Try circuit event or hillclimb. I participated in one such event as a member of the WRX Club of WA. It was an introductory hillclimb that was non-competitive and held specifically in order to educate the beginner driver. I might add that it was excellent fun for a novice.
Obviously, you will use your own street registered car for these events but it is required that it pass some simple safety checks. Tyres, brakes and oil leaks are some of the main points considered, but more on this topic later.
Level 2 Licences
The Level 2 license is the most suitable one for the average motor sport fan who intends to use their own street car. This is because Level 2 licence meetings have the right mix of cost, competition and variety available.
The process of obtaining a Level 2 licence is a tiny bit more involving, requiring a medical statement (not a medical check up) on top of the usual personal details. The medical statement is a simple yes or no questionnaire covering things like your eyesight, hearing and major illnesses.
The form also requires that you to fill in your car club particulars, select the type of events you will be taking part in as well as the payment details. The cost of this licence is $66 ($26 for juniors) per year. However if you intend on using a Level 2 only once a year, you can choose to purchase a Level 2SE (Single Event) licence for the princely sum of $37 or $19 for juniors. A representative within your car club will usually collect the payments and forms. You then receive a 30-day temporary licence until your real one is issued by CAMS Member Services Centre.
The Level 2 licences can only be used in club level activities, similar to Level 1. However, it differs from a Level 1 in that it is used in events that are more competitive in nature. This means that the results can be published, awards given and the runs will most likely be timed. However, the 20-30 second gap between cars on the track still applies.
Level 3, 4 & 5 Licences
The three remaining licences are covered together because this is when things jump up to the next level. Also, you apply for them on the same form, which can be obtained from your local CAMS office or downloaded from their website.
These licences are much more comprehensive and their cost is consequently greater. They cover events such as Circuit Racing, Off Road, Rally, Superkart and Historic racing at three levels of competition - namely provisional, national and international. In case you are wondering, this is the point where you would no longer use your standard road car to compete.
The Level 3 licence is mainly for provisional level entrants. This means that you are on probation and compete with your "P" plates. The Level 3 includes the C3 - provisional circuit and historic racing, K3 and K3J - provisional and junior provisional superkart racing, R3 and R3N - national rally and navigator, O3, O3N and O3S - national off road, navigator and stadium racing.
Next up is the Level 4 licence. It basically covers the same events as the Level 3 but mostly for national level competition or better. This includes C4 - national circuit and historic racing, H4 - international historic, K4 and K4J - national superkart and junior superkart racing. A C4 licence is the minimum requirement for V8 Supercar racing.
Top level international motor sport requires a Level 5 licence. This is where someone of Mark Webber's calibre is. The options are C5 - international circuit racing, K5 - international superkart, R5 - international rally, O5 - international off road.
As with the previous licence categories, the completion of an application form is required. But where previously you only needed your own medical statement, here you will also be required to undergo a medical examination by a CAMS-authorised doctor. Other fine points that need to be included on the form are personal details, car club details and a passport quality photo of yourself.
Now we get to the cost. A circuit racing licence is the most expensive and can vary from $339 for the C3 all the way up to $1111 for the top-of-the-range C5 A. Superkart is substantially cheaper with the prices ranging from $289 to $498. Rally and off-road licences are also relatively inexpensive with fees ranging from $233 to $382 and $121 to $179 respectively. Although, there is a minimum number of events you must participate in to maintain your licence and hence the actual costs will skyrocket.
But that's not all. In order to gain a Circuit Racing (including Historic) licence, you must attend a "driver lecture" held at CAMS. This will take about 90 minutes and cover flags, track rules and safety issues. An examination follows at the end of the lecture where the attendees mark each other's answers under the supervision of the lecturer. After that, you must pass an Observed Licence Test which costs $200 and is undertaken at Calder Park Raceway (if you are in Victoria). Only then will you be issued with a C3 licence, which means you must compete on your P's. Upgrades to higher level licences are subject to satisfactorily completing a number of events.
Now that you are full bottle on the ins and outs of CAMS licences, next week we'll find out what events you are entitled to enter.
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