f you want to go to the next level of motorsport you can step up to Circuit Racing. There is an enormous range of classes and categories that race regularly in NSW and other parts of Australia.

Depending on the budget you have, you can join in one of them, here is just a few examples;

-- Open Wheelers - Formula Ford, Formula Vee, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 4000, etc

-- Touring Cars - V8 Supercars, Sports Sedans, Improved Production Cars, HQ Holdens, Saloon Cars, etc

-- Sports Cars - Open and Closed, Ferrari, Lotus, RX7, MG, Porsche, MR2, Supersports Cars, etc

-- Superkarts - Gearbox and Non-Gearbox, 80cc up to 250cc

One of the popular 1st steps into Circuit Racing is Improved Production. This is because most of our club supersprint cars will fit into the class with little of no further changes. More information about the categories can be found on the CAMS web site [url]www.cams.com.au

Circuit Racing differs from Supersprinting in a few main areas; the level of licence required, the fact that you race with a group of cars from a standing start and in some cases the equipment standards required.

Driver Attire for Circuit Racing

Circuit Racing requires the Drivers to be properly attired when competing. The minimum clothing required is a helmet, race suit, socks, race shoes & race gloves, underwear and balaclava are also required with some categories of racing car. Standards are set so that the attire conforms to FIA and ISO requirements. Any place that sells race attire will be able to help you out with what you require.

Car Regulations for Circuit Racing

CAMS publishes the CAMS Manual of Motorsport each year. This manual contains all the rules the Australian Motorsport operates under. Vehicle regulations take up a large part of the manual and are quite detailed so that the competitor and race car buillder are guided to know what is compliant and what isn't. A vehicle must fit into the rules for the class in which it is registered.

Vehicle Registration for Circuit Racing

Vehicle registration for Circuit racing is facilitated via a Log Book. Each race car must have a log book to enable it to compete. The log book is obtained through CAMS and contains specific information about the car and its owner that includes the class and category it is registered to compete in, i.e. Improved Production. A log book can also act as an activity record for the car.

If there is a serious accident or an incident where the car is damaged, the log book will have this noted in it by the Chief Scrutineer. Any faults discovered at scrutineering will be recorded in the log book and will have to be corrected before the car can race again.

Circuit Racing Entries

Entries for Circuit Racing are handled in a very similar way to supersprints, you obtain the entry documentation in the mail or from a web site, fill it in and send it to the Event Secretary. You will then be notified of the acceptance of your entry and sent any further Supplimentary Regulations.

The costs of entries vary between promoters and circuits and may depend if its a 1 or 2 day race meeting.

Circuit Racing Licence

When you start off in Circuit Racing you'll need to get a Provisional Circuit Racing licence (PC) through CAMS. This licence enables you to compete in all circuit events up to and including State Championships, National Series and National Historic events. You can also complete in lower level comptition with this licence. A P plate must be displayed during practice, qualifying and races when you hold a Provisional Circuit Racing licence (PC).

You can then upgrade the licence to an NC, see below for details.

NP Licence Pre-requisites

There are a few things you've got to do to get the licence;

-- You have to be over 16 years of age,

-- You must attend a licence lecture that covers all aspects of Circuit Racing from the flag to the attitude,

-- You will need to complete a medical from a CAMS nominated doctor,

-- Your driving ability will then need to be assessed at Observed Licence Test (OLT).

Circuit Racing - Record of Activity

Once you have applied for your licenece and been accepted by CAMS Member Services in Melbourne, you will be issued with a Pass Book. Your pass book is a very important document that should be completed every time you are on the track, whether it be for private practice or a race meeting. You will need this as a record of activity when applying for a licence renewal and upgrade.

Circuit Racing Licence Upgrade

You will need to upgrade your licence to a National Circuit Racing licence (NC) once you have competed in the required number of State or National Circuit Races. You also have to be 17 years of age or older.

This is a simple process of filling in the licence form in the appropriate places to request the upgrade.

You will need to meet this criteria before requesting an upgrade; (quoted from the CAMS licence form 2005)

Licence Upgrade Conditions - Compete, to the satisfaction of the Clerk of Course, at five circuit racing meetings during the previous 24 months, with no less than three of those circuit racing meetings being completed during the 12 months prior to the upgrade at no fewer than two different circuits (except where approved by CAMS). Pass book to be signed by Clerk of Course. Within any given period prior to upgrade, participate as a trackside official for one eight-hour or two four-hour sessions at a circuit race. Pass book to be signed by a senior official.

Annual Licence Renewal - PC & NC Licences

To keep your licence valid you will have to renew it each year. A medical examination will be needed every 24 months for those of you who are under 40 years old and every 12 months for those over 40 years old.

You must also show current Circuit Racing experience at the time of renewal by providing a copy of the activity record from your licence. The criteria is that you must have competed in one CAMS Circuit Racing event in the previous 24 months. From there its just a matter of filling in the form and paying the fee to CAMS.