Looking to get involved.

[Just1n_Mc]

Guy's i'm seriously considering buying a Excel to get involved with the Victorian championship. Is there any difference in rules between states? The car i'm looking to purchase is in Queensland but i'm not sure if they follow the same regs as we have in Victoria and the more I read the more confused I get.

If anyone could help me with this i'd greatly appreciate it.

Also what sort of costs would I be looking at spending to compete in the series both entry and running costs?

I hope to see you all out there soon.

Justin.

[Crazy Dave]

The car regulations are National. We have a meeting generally once a year when representatives from each state get together and agree on any changes to the rules. The way the series are run in each state can vary though and is normally worked out from within the state. I believe in Vic they have generally followed the state series. In NSW get the calendar at the beginning of the year and the competitors vote on which events they like and then we balance it a bit to provide a reasonable geographical representation.

So any excel series car from any part of Aus will be fine but in the end you are the one that is responsible when you run a car that it meets the regulations. Costs vary from event to event but entries in Vic used to be about the $450- mark. Other costs are pretty good in excels. They don't use much fuel (normally less than a tank), tyres last for many events, they are cheap if you ever need parts or damage them and they are very strong.

I am sure someone from vic will be along soon to help you out with more local specifics.

[John C]

Welcome Justin
Crazy Dave Has pretty well summed it up ,for the past 4 years we have based the series around the State championship rallies the entry fee has varied for each event from $330 to 550 but it generally is $500.
We usually have a meeting in late November ( at the Queensberry Hotel in Carlton)and discus what everyone wants to do for the next 12 months.
The car from Qld should be no problems, the series is based on national rules and those rules are submitted to CAMS only difference that i can think of is that Vic cars all run the catalytic converter. Most guys do get several rallies out of a set of tyres although I have known people who have only done less than 100 kms competitive on the fronts. Parts are available from the Vic series sponsor Hyundai Genuine Parts at discounted rates for competitors and are very reasonably priced, major components (engines gearboxes etc are very easy to obtain second hand and also very reasonable) Registration fee for the Vic series is $25 per year

Some competitors also compete in the VCRS rally series as well, this isn the club series based on navigation , entry fees for these are approx $200 to $250

Any further info feel free to give me a ring or send a email gunnawyn@yahoo.com

[Col Vic]

Hi Justin,

What John C and Dave have said...

The Victorian series is very strong and the competition is close.
We would welcome you to join us.

PM me your email address and I will include you on our email list.

Col Hardinge
Hyundai Excel Series (Victoria)

[Just1n_Mc]

Col I couldn't work out how to PM on this forum so I posted a message in your Visitor messages.

What other series are people running there Excels is? I was initally looking to get into Autocross but thought buy buying a Excel i'd be able to do both although I don't think a race prepped Excel will qualify for class A.

[mrbyrnes]

Hi Justin
I have just joined the excel series and bought a car from Canberra. I am looking for a Nav so that I can run it for the first time in the NOV vicrally event. I have just recently been through the whole process of buying a car interstate, registering it roadworthy etc so it is pretty fresh and I would be happy to help you out the best I can. If you are interested then maybe you could Nav for me in NOV. We would both be novices but I am sure it will be a lot of fun and give you a proper idea of it all. Let me know what you think.

[Just1n_Mc]

Sounds interesting. What exactly do I need to be a co-driver and what kind of costs are involved? I imagine i'd need a race suit, gloves, boots and a helmet but what else for co-driving? I've never written pace notes and to be honest have no idea how to so i'd be a bit hesitant about it and would hate to be responsible for you crashing your newly bought car especially on your first rally!

But otherwise i'd definately be interested, sounds like a great way to get involved with the Excel community!

[mrbyrnes]

That is about it. Suit/gloves/shoes/helmet (GMP has a pack deal at the moment) and a license. PM me if you are keen and I will help you out.

[Mooa42]

If you need a suit I'm sure someone on here can rustle one up, you don't need boots just suitable footware and you don't need gloves as a nav, (drivers do).

Your Excel should be ok for class A in autocross but you will need to reinstall some bits and pieces like roof lining, carpet, rear seat etc. You are allowed to modify the rear seat to fit around the cage. You also have to run on road tyres.

You can also run in Class E, (I think it's E), when you can run in full rally trim and once you get used to the car you should be able to run up the pointy end of the class.

We did put together some Excel triathlon regs for 2010 but I didn't promote it well enough so I will give it another go in 2011. The idea of the series was to get people competing in their Excels before they go rallying. The series is based on Motorkhana, Autocross and Khanacross and you would be eligible in any Excel from standard to full rally for the Excel series.

Cheers
Tony

[Just1n_Mc]

Sounds like a plan. Whats involved in getting my licence??

That GMP deal looks like a go-er:

http://www.gmpracingproducts.com.au/specials/speedway-package-deal.php

When does the rally start and is it over 2 days?? If so what do people do for accomodation?

What sort of helmet is eveyone using? I may as well buy one of those whilst i'm at it.

I'd say the race prepped excels would qualify for group C in Autocross, up to 1.6L modified.

[Mooa42]

Sounds like a plan. Whats involved in getting my licence??

Firstly join a car club, if you haven't already, Kyneton might be the closest to you.
Secondly apply for a licence, you could either get a clubman rally licence, (CR) or Clubman rally Navigators licence (CRN). You will need to do an online lecture and test and may need to do a observed licence test (OLT) depending on your age, experience etc.

Licence app available from CAMS at http://tinyurl.com/28z4bga


What sort of helmet is eveyone using? I may as well buy one of those whilst i'm at it.
...
I use a Stilo but they cost a bit, (bloody good though; so quiet) it depends if you want inbuilt headphones etc

[ernysxl]

Stilo are great I use Peltor also good and with built in head set. Both are extremely good value from the US & UK at the moment landed in Australia for less than 1/2 the price some are quoting in Australia ATM. Rallynuts are also good for a lot of the other gear and again land in Australia for almost 1/2 what you pay here.

I use: http://www.gtfabrications.com/home.php

or http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/

[Crazy Dave]

The rally itself starts on Saturday Nov 13 but there is some activities on the super stage on the friday afternoon prior to the ARC running. Accommodation varies from camping at the service park to cabins and motels in the area. There are more details in the forums on Rally VIC.

The helmet at minimum has to be to AS1698 standards which is just about all motorbike helmets (motorbike shops have a good range). I find the open face more comfortable, would love a stilo or peltor but can't afford it. You can always borrow a helmet from a motorbike riding friend to get through one event and then check out all the options at the rally. It also depends a bit on what sort of intercom you are going to mainly be using but otherwise you just get adaptors between the different brands and fit headsets inside of the normal helmets.

[Just1n_Mc]

Turns out his got another co-driver now with some experience. Which is probably a good thing since I have no idea what i'm doing when it came to pace notes.

Still wouldn't mind getting out there to check it all out though and see how it works.

[Nozzer]

I wouldn't mind coming out for a look either.

[John C]

Guys you are more than welcome to join in the Party :hoot:, this will be the largest gathering of Excels in Victoria. Please feel free to rock up on Friday and Saturday to Lardner Park.

More info is available at www.rallyvictoria.com.au (http://www.rallyvictoria.com.au)

[Wassa]

Turns out his got another co-driver now with some experience. Which is probably a good thing since I have no idea what i'm doing when it came to pace notes.

Still wouldn't mind getting out there to check it all out though and see how it works.

Don't worry about the pace notes for this event :slap:, you CAN use just the road book.
I know there are a number of people who are looking for navigators for this event (and we all will help you if you have any questions :grouphug:).
Give it a go as it will be a great event both on the road and socially :clap:

Sue

[Nozzer]

Sweet, I'll pop in Saturday. Are all the Excels likely to be in one spot?

[John C]

Go to www.rallyvictoria.com.au (http://www.rallyvictoria.com.au) and select competitors page then documentation then at bottom of that page click on Rally guide and on page 12 you will find a map of Lardner park with the Excel service area marked on it. You can also find spectator points in the guide
cheers

[Just1n_Mc]

What are the requirements for race suits? I was looking at the GMP package deal but the suit is SFI3.2a/1 approved but not FIA approved. Do the racesuits need to be FIA approved for the excel series?? Also is fireproof underwear required?