PART C, NOTES FOR ORGANISERS
GENERAL
Motorkhanas are conducted at many different levels ranging from the Australian
Championship event (AMC) through to single-club events and come-and-try days.
This publication is intended to provide a basis for the selection of tests, but is by no means
exhaustive. Please refer to the Introduction for further guidance on selection of tests.
Event organisers should be thoroughly conversant with the regulations in the National
Motorkhana Code, as published in the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport. These Regulations are
subject to change each year, so it is essential that organisers are familiar with the current
version of them.
Selection of Tests
Particular attention should be paid to the selection of tests which will allow the event to be
conducted with an adequate margin of safety, especially if members of the public are likely
to be attending as spectators. The minimum requirements as specified in Section 12 of the
National Motorkhana Code must be strictly adhered to, and must be taken into account early
in the event planning, and even in the selection of a suitable site.
Markers
The Code also contains recommendations for markers (flags). Note that for the AMC event,
the dimensions shown in this booklet must be adhered to, subject to a tolerance of +/- 0.2m.
For other events, these dimensions may be varied, subject to any further specific or local
requirements (e.g. State Motorkhana Appendixes etc).
PRE-EVENT
- Site
Once a suitable site has been located, permission to hold the event must be obtained from
the land owners and any other relevant bodies such as Local Council, Police, Fire or
Environment Protection Authorities. This should be done approximately six months before
the event, to allow ample time to complete all necessary approvals, particularly if the site
has not previously been used for motor sport.
- CAMS Approval
Draft regulations must be submitted to CAMS at least four weeks before the event date. In
the case of Championship events, allow an additional two to four weeks for them to be
circulated to the relevant State or National Panel for checking. Note that several States
require a ‘standard’ format of Supplementary Regulations to be used.
- Promotion
For championship events, entry details should be posted to interested competitors and clubs
well in advance of the entry closing date. Most State Motorkhana Panels maintain mailing
lists for that purpose. The national motorsport papers, and now some motorsport internet
sites, are usually willing to publicise details of forthcoming events or list the event in their
calendars. Motorkhana web links may be found via the CAMS web page at
http://www.cams.com.au.
Page 85 Part C, Notes for Organisers
- Officials
The number of officials required to run the event will vary according to its status, whether
spectators are likely to be present, and the number and type of tests planned for the day. In
addition to the timekeepers and observers required for each test, an additional official is
required as an observer wherever a test contains a field garage.
Sufficient officials to run the event efficiently and safely must be contacted pre-event and
given clear details on when and where they are required. For championship events, a preevent
officials’ briefing night will save time on the day; for other events this may be done
before the start of competition.
AT THE EVENT
- Equipment
A check list of equipment needed should be made well in advance, and the items required
for the event should be marked off as they become ready. Markers and/or flags (including
sufficient to cover breakages), Timing equipment (electronic or hand-held stop watches with
reliable batteries) and safety bunting or barriers must all be organised and checked to make
sure they will do the job required.
Documentation needed includes Supplementary Regulations, a plentiful supply of Entry
Forms, Test Diagram Sheets (or programs), CAMS Licence and Club membership
application forms and the CAMS Permit to be displayed at the event.
Weather protection should be considered for the Entry/check-in and Scrutineering areas,
and these areas must be clearly identified for competitors. Tables, chairs, weather
protection and stationery material must be on hand at each test area and some form of
communication between officials should be considered for the larger events. There are
several computer scoring systems now available which make the task of compiling results
much easier (contact your State Motorkhana Panel for further details), but these often
require some prior experience, so must be tested pre-event. Depending on the method of
scoring, ability to post progress results should also be considered, particularly for higher
level events. Provision for marking numbers on cars is required, with white sports shoe
cleaner still commonly used for that task.
- Officials
The safe positioning of officials, competitors and spectators must be given priority in
deciding the layout of tests. Officials should be on the start garage side, with any seated
officials toward the rear. Any standing officials at the front of a test should have a clear path
of retreat. Officials should be briefed on the tests to be conducted, and must be familiar with
the requirements of the National Motorkhana Code, especially in relation to timing
procedures and penalties (refer sections 13,15,16,17 and 18).
- Scrutiny and Practice
Scrutiny must be carried out prior to the event and/or practice to ensure the safety and
eligibility of vehicles to a standard in keeping with the regulations for the event. Safety
equipment, including a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher/s should be in a clearly designated
position. Practice, which may be provided at the organisers discretion, must take place in a
designated and supervised area.
- Drivers’ Briefing
The general running procedure for the event should be explained at the drivers’ briefing,
including the numbering and running order for competitors, and the preferred method of
travelling between tests.
Page 86 Part C, Notes for Organisers
Page 87 Part C, Notes for Organisers
The number of tests to be conducted should be explained, as well as arrangements for a
lunch break (if applicable). Competitors should be reminded of their obligations towards their
safety (clothing, seat belts, eye protection, helmets, etc.) and that of fellow competitors,
officials and spectators.
- Test Layout
Before the event begins, a final check should be made to ensure each test layout complies
with the diagrams as published, and that the timing gear is correctly positioned and
operating correctly. Test officials must be in a safe position (not between the start/finish
garages or close to the finish garage) and ready to start their duties. Sufficient replacement
markers should be at each test area, along with any equipment needed to replace them
(hammers, sand, bases, etc).
- Conclusion
At the completion of the event, make sure the venue is left in a tidy condition. Contact the
ground owners to thank them for the use, which will help ensure the venue may be available
for future events
POST EVENT
- Results
After the event, the main task is to make sure results are compiled and distributed to
competitors as soon as possible. Refer to section 22 of the National Motorkhana Code for
the format of results, but much of that will be handled automatically if using one of the
computer motorkhana scoring programs.
If entries have been taken prior to the day of the event, pre-addressing envelopes for results
will save valuable time after the event. Results (even in summary form) should also be sent
to the same sources as were used to publicise the event. For some events which are part of
a Championship Series, results are also required to be sent to a nominated scorer for that
Series.
- CAMS Documentation
Once the event is finished, organisers are required to provide CAMS with certain items of
documentation. These may include the event results, a Clerk of Course Report and
Stewards Report. The documentation required will vary according to the level of the event,
and is usually issued to organisers with the Organising Permit.
- Awards
All that remains to be organised is the purchase of trophies and their presentation to award
winners, and finally a financial summary of the event for the Club Treasurer, which will
hopefully indicate how successful the event has been.
- Updates
Like other forms of motor sport, the regulations for motorkhanas are subject to change.
Contact CAMS for any recent revisions, or check on the web for specific motorkhana
information via links from the CAMS web page at
http://www.cams.com.au.
- Authority
Should a conflict occur between this Booklet and the National Motorkhana Code (NMC) and/
or the CAMS National Competition Rules (NCR), the NCR and NMC shall take precedence.
Similarly, the text description for a test shall take precedence over any method that may be
indicated or implied by the test diagram.