Hi Everyone, complete newcomer to rallying

[brookewhatnall]

Hi Everyone,
After a small present from my parents, which was to head out to the Tailem Bend rally cross curcuit today for a 12 lap deal with sideways action rally school, I became hooked on rallying. I have always wanted to get into the sport somehow, but after getting a taste of driving a done up rally car and chatting to some of the guys who have been out there and done it, that passion has just exploded.

A video from today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfjX1TOt19g

I am currently in year 12, so don't have the biggest budget for rallying, so am looking for something cheap and fun to start with, though would love to get a bit more serious.

I am just wondering if anyone is racing the excel class in SA, and if anyone has any pointers for getting into the sport.
Cherioo
Brooke

[Dirkvhp]

Welcome brookewhatnall,

I'm not quite sure how the Rally scene works down in South Australia, but up here in Qld you need to join a CAMS affiliated car club (make sure they are one that supports/organises rallies) and start from there...get involved in helping out at events and getting to know people. The more people you help the more they will help you out, especially when it comes time to building or running your own car. I just had a quick browse and found the Rally Sport Club of SA (http://www.rallysport.asn.au/) they sound like the people to have a chat to...Their latest newsletter also has a good article on an Excel...

I don't see any posts (other than yours) in the South Australia section so it appears that SA might not have an active Excel Series just yet, BUT DON'T LET THIS STOP YOU!

I suggest you check the South Australian Regulations page, I had a look through the regulations and there are a couple of contacts listed who you should call to find out a little more about your scene...

Now whilst it doesn't appear that SA currently has an Excel series, you could always run a Hyundai Excel in local events anyway, there are a number of competitors who also run the Excels in P2 class with great results. When you are ready you could purchase/build you car to suit the Excel Series Regulations (you will learn more about regulations as you go on!) and if you get the numbers up in SA your car will fit right in (it is also easier to on-sell interstate to other excel rally series). If you are looking at getting right into driving (and personally I think this is a great way to go...you won't get bogged down in politics!) find yourself an already prepared car (they come up for sale quite regularly...keep checking these forums) for a reasonable price and go from there...

The Excel is a great starters car and they are cheap and plentiful, and they have the added advantage of having a lot of people (most of whom are active on this website) gaining experience on the right (and wrong ways) of doing things. I haven't found a rally series where so much information about one make of car is freely distributed to other participants.:grouphug:

So give the contacts in the SA regulations a call and go from there. If you need specific assistance or dodgy advice you are welcome to give me a PM.

Regards
Dirkvhp
QLD Excel Series Secretary 2009

[Crazy Dave]

David mariner was the lead runner last year and from what I have heard there was another car this year, so you may make three. Once the series gets a few competitors and a bit of promotion they normally start building up quickly. David proposed some interesting changes for the SA excel series this year and part of this was including autocross and smaller events such as khanacross do give those a chance that are building cars and haven't got all the gear yet to start competing. I am sure David will be along at some stage to fill you in but the SA rally panel is behind the series, so should only continue to grow as they try to grow rallying there.

So best bets to get into the sport are get an excel (or if you are lucky enough to find a rally one already built that you can afford). Find a local car club (doesn't have to be CAMS affiliated but 98% of them are) that runs dirt events (the club that runs the most events will be best that is in your area), motorkhanas and khanacross are the best ways to learnt the sport and continue to practice once you are in. They are also a lot of fun and cheap. You don't need a cage, race seats, harnesses or anything special. Just have to go out and have a lot of fun learning to throw the car around. You can then gradually modify the car for rally's while you compete.

[brookewhatnall]

Thanks for the pointers guys, this is looking like an awsome forum. I am going to be joining the Southern Districts car club, which is a pure rally club, and runs kharnacross and motorkhara events, both onroad and offroad. They also run a Junior development program (http://www.sdcc.asn.au/JDP_Flyer.pdf), which i am just young enough to join, which lets me into 4 driver training days throughout the year, and includes a CAMS lisence and SDCC membership, they also supply a car for the clubs events at a small charge, which would suit perfectly until I can afford my own car.

Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long run to simply buy an already specced up and done up Excel than buy a stock standard one and do up the suspension, clutch, gearbox, brakes, rollcage and harness?

That was my thought anyway.
Cheers

[rally_toy_excel]

dont u just hate these young ppl with there fancy utube videos with music and titles :P......... i had to get my IT guy to do my email stationary ha ha

[Brian]

Hi, I'm getting back into rallies after some time. Have bought Ross Allan's excel and will be joining SDCC soon. I think there will be few excels in SA thanks to David Mariner's enthusiasm. Looking forward to having a run again.

[brookewhatnall]

Awesome, yes, youtube, it baffles me rather. Is anyone by any chance heading to the SDCC meet this Wensday (tomorrow night)

[David Marriner]

Hi Brooke,

have sent you an email so feel free to give me a call. If you are really keen but not yet in a position to buy your own car let me know, we might be able to work something out.

cheers,

David

[wagonist]

I was just over there.
Speaking to a mate of mine who's been into rallying for years & he mentioned his wife wants to have a go at the Excel series.
Then I mentioned this forum & he was surprised to hear about it.
So spread the word & you may get more people interested.:grouphug: