2013 NSW Supersprint Championship

[Guran]

I know we've only just finished the 2012 CAMS NSW Supersprint Championship, but "strike while the iron's hot" I say!

The MX-5 Club of NSW won the club championship in 2012, thanks to the healthy support from 22 club members who paid their $50 to enter the championship and contributed points to the club . The MX-5 Club of NSW has won the club championship EIGHT TIMES in 14 attempts : 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012. That's a truly amazing result for a club based on a single-model of car. In 2013, let's make it our goal to win back-to-back club championships, which we haven't managed to do since 2002/03.

Following the club's first event at SMP-South this weekend, there has been strong interest in doing events on the other SMP tracks. Now here's the perfect opportunity! The 2013 supersprint calendar is currently only in draft form but it is expected that there will be 8 rounds in total: Wakefield Park (2), SMP-South (2), SMP-North (2), SMP-GP (1) and SMP-Extended (1). The first round should kick off at Wakefield Park on 24th March.

I'm forecasting that we'll have a very tough battle in 2013. We usually clean up at Wakefield Park, since it's the track we use the most and it brings out the best in our MX-5s. However, in 2013 there is one less round at Wakefield Park, which will cut our advantage. We should also do well at the two SMP-South rounds, but one of them will be run by NSWRRC and we struggle for entries at their events. We dropped 91 points to ARDC at the two NSWRRC-run rounds in 2012 and it almost cost us the championship! Hence this effort to drum up more support from our trackday participants.

If you're thinking of having a go, please register as a competitor and nominate the MX-5 Club of NSW for the club pointscore. If you're not a member, use this as an excuse to join and support the club. The club championship is virtually a "participation award" so you can finish last in class and still earn valuable points. You only need to be able to do less than 1:25 at Wakefield Park or 2:15 at SMP-Main to be eligible to enter the Championship. And of course, you'll also be competing for individual awards in your Class and Type.

Club members are also welcome to enter any of these supersprint rounds, without needing to sign up for the championship. So if you just want to try out a different track and see what it's all about, please submit your entry form for that round and have a go.

Website: CAMS NSW Supersprint Championship

[david_syd_au]

FWIW, count me in. My plan for next year is to do a number of super sprint rounds, but certainly not all.

Looking at the 2012 regs, I think my car would run in class 3B, and it would of course need a CAMS log book.

Being a newbie driver, in class 3B, on street tyres, I don't expect to be very competitive, but assume I would still gather "participation points", as you call them?

I had thought that drivers were required to wear the good gear, like a 2-layer suit, for super sprints, but someone I spoke to at the last track day (can't remember who) said that wasn't the case?
Looking at all the super sprint regs and docs I can find hasn't helped to resolve this question.
Any pointers?

[Guran]

Great stuff David!

Single layer one-piece neck-wrist-ankle is all you need. Some wear cotton overalls! I seem to recall Rob got away with jeans & long sleeve shirt on Sunday ... so maybe they've relaxed it even further? Just wait for the 2013 rules to arrive before committing.

We had three club members in 3B this year and only 4-5 regulars each round. You'd collect good points.

[Guran]

Clothing requirements are in the supp regs for each round. Here it is from the last one:

(c) Non-flammable Clothing must be worn that extends from ankles to neck to wrist, Clothing of flammable synthetic material such as nylon is not acceptable Overalls of an approved standard detailed in Schedule D Article 3.3 in the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport are recommended. For State Championship Rounds the minimum acceptable is one piece overalls or Driving Suits. The onus will be on the competitor to prove that older overalls/suits still have fire- resistant properties and are not impregnated with oil or fuel.
(d) Flame retardant underwear and socks is not mandatory however FIA standard flame retardant underwear and socks is recommended.
A Flame retardant balaclava is not mandatory, however a motor sport standard flame retardant balaclava is recommended.
(e) Shoes compliant with FIA8856-2000 or shoes which completely cover the feet, made entirely of leather or other flame- resistant material must be worn. Shoes which have a leather upper but which includes elasticised ankle regions are acceptable. Shoes that contain any synthetic materials such as nylon are not acceptable.
(f) Gloves are not mandatory, however the use of FIA- standard flame-retardant gloves are strongly recommended.

[Hjt]

I plan on attending the whole next season and I intend to drag Andrew along (Cooper1896)

[mazmad]

Being a newbie driver, in class 3B, on street tyres, I don't expect to be very competitive............

I had thought that drivers were required to wear the good gear, like a 2-layer suit, for super sprints, but someone I spoke to at the last track day (can't remember who) said that wasn't the case?

The clothing thing seems to vary from meet to meet, right Bryan (in my vast experience of two SSprints.... ) ? depending what side of the bed the scrutineer got out of. How does our club enforce this at the MXer SSprint?
And a mate of mine WAS wearing jeans and l/s cotton tee last Sunday (found the race suit a wee bit snug in the girth.....happens)

David, re being competitive - you might not take out class honours initially but because you go out on the track grouped according to your times, not class, you are guaranteed of some great jousting. No racing though of course right fellas.....

Lotta fun and everybody is very friendly no matter what they drive - as another buddy with a massively turbo'd rx8 can testify, he had a wee oil issue at the previous meet and had offers of tools and help coming from all quarters.

[Luke]

Guys, I'm back from the States finally.
Anyway, in my emails I found this from Bob Welsh.

Luke

Long time coming but the Panel has recommended that the current Supp Regs and Championship Rules be changed so that you will only be required to wear non synthetic clothing from neck to wrist to ankles. No overalls or driving suits will be required for 2013. This is subject to approval by the State Executive but that it expected without problem.

Regards

Bob

I made an issue out of it last year, and it finally looks like they are getting towards a decsion.
So essentially, if it passes you can now wear the same clothing at one of our MX5 NSW track days or a NSW Super Supersprint.

[Sailor]

I ran this year in jeans' a cotton t shirt, cotton long sleeved jumper, cotton socks, driving boots and homes gloves.
I have been careful to ensure that I met at least minimums.
Scrutes checked for cotton labels carefully to ensure 100% .
Last month I was cautioned that my gloves had a small hole developing behind my thumb despite there being no requirement to wear gloves.
Not bitching, just found it interesting.
BTW.. I do have a 'real' suit at home but I'll need a little work for it to be comfortable enough to drive in

[brendanstacey]

Does anyone have an idea on the 2013 calender?

[mazmad]

Good question, seems other series are finalised. Only thing I have found was Bryan's post above re the kick-off: The first round should kick off at Wakefield Park on 24th March.

[david_syd_au]

Does anyone have an idea on the 2013 calender?

The 2013 NSW Supersprint rounds are in the MX5 club calendar
http://www.mx5.com.au/nsw -> Events

[mazmad]

Thanks David hadn't seen that. Question is how do you get 3 of you competing in the same car.....?

[david_syd_au]

Thanks David hadn't seen that. Question is how do you get 3 of you competing in the same car.....?

By not all doing the same events!
It is one of the reasons I am looking at doing some Supersprint rounds in 2013.

The other option is another track car, .... but that would be too much ...... probably

[david_syd_au]

2013 Supersprint application sent.

Now only 'however many days it is to 24/3/13' sleeps to go!

Special thanks to mazmad, for providing me with information, including the entry form :-), and some guidance.

[mazmad]

Official SSprint events calendar now on their website, here:

http://www.supersprints.com.au/events/

No entry forms as yet....but then we have some time before the first round