The 2014 NSW & Vic Interstate Challenge

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:01 pm

The 2014 NSW/Vic Interstate Challenge will hosted by the MX-5 Club of Victoria & Tasmania at Winton Raceway on Sunday 23rd March.
This track day is included in the MX-5 Club of NSW track day championship.

More details will be provided as they become available via the MX-5 Club of NSW website here - http://nsw.mx5.com.au/events/2014-nsw/vic-interstate-challenge.

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:28 pm

I am looking for somewhere for my wife and I to stay near Winton over the interstate challenge weekend.

Considerations are:
- reasonable quality and clean rooms and facilities,
- pricing,
- distance from Winton Raceway, and
- provision for parking with a trailer.

Can anyone make any recommendations please?

Postby **beavis** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:48 pm

in Benalla...
top of the town
northern hotel

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:10 pm

beavis wrote:in Benalla...
top of the town
northern hotel

Thanks Brendan.
The "Top Of The Town" was also recommended by someone else via PM, so I have booked a room and a trailer spot there for Sat & Sun nights.

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:54 pm

Some more details about the 2014 Interstate Challenge are now available.

The good news is that we will get to run on both layouts of the Winton track, and that entry forms and supplementary regulations should be available this week.

The event will be running on the short track in the morning, then switch to the long track in the afternoon.

The track will also be open for private practice for 1 hour on the Saturday from around 3.30pm. This will give those who have not run at Winton before (like me) a chance to learn the track, before getting down to the serious business of beating those Vics on Sunday.

Once entry numbers are known, we will also arrange some form of dinner and catch-up between the NSW & Vic club members for the Saturday night. I am sure the Vics will have plenty of suggestions for us which are just as useful as the "don't brake for turn 2" advice we gave them at the dinner before the Wakefield track day last November.

Once entry forms are available I will post a notification here and on the club website, and it will also be included in the weekly all-club email message. I suggest getting your entry in ASAP, as numbers really are limited, and the event is not far away.

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 7:46 am

Entries are now open for the Interstate Challenge track day between the NSW and Victorian MX-5 clubs, at Winton on 23rd March 2014.

Entry numbers are limited, and the early bird entry fee of $190 is only available until 9th March, so it is important to send in your entry urgently.

More information plus links to the entry form and supplementary regulations are available here.
http://nsw.mx5.com.au/events/2014-nsw/vic-interstate-challenge

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 4:10 pm

Sent my entry forms to Neil this afternoon. Really looking forward to this! :mrgreen:

On recommendation of Rob Downes, I've booked a two bedroom apartment at Hideaway Motel on Saturday ($145) and Sunday ($136) night. It has two rooms (queensize and twinshare) and I've booked for three people expecting that others will be keen to share the accommodation costs. There's a third single in the loungeroom too ($extra $20 a night). Please PM me if you want to bunk in.

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:24 pm

My entry is in the post, I have been wanting to run at Winton for some time. My last race there was in 1980 !!!!

Helen and I are heading off on Monday for a tour of Victoria, including the Phillip Island historic race meeting and then some rail trail riding (Helen) and visiting historic sights, dragging our mini-house behind us.

Must remember to get the correct roll-bar padding.

Patrick Bramston · Postby **Patrick Bramston** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 7:50 pm

I will take Saturday night if someone else just wants Sunday night or else I will kip in my enclosed trailer. Might hit you up for a shower if i get get stinky..Patrick

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 11:54 am

I have been informed by the Vic MX-5 club that on the Saturday (22nd March), once the driver training day has concluded, the circuit will be available for open practice, from about 3:30pm for approximately 1 hour. Cost is expected to be between $50 and $100, depending on the length of the session. Cars will have to pass scrutineering before participating in this practice session

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:54 pm

Helen and I are heading down a couple of days early to do some touristy things.

We are booked into the Executive Hideaway on Fri, Sat and Sun nights. Britney will be on a trailer behind a blue BA Falcon.

I will have my mobile 0408 635 650 with me if there are any plans for dinner, etc.

I have put in an EOI for Saturday practice, so will head out to the track Saturday morning to see if I can get a run.

I am running on my Kumho V70As rain or shine. I have fitted some FIA padding, so hopefully won't have any scrutineerng issues.

looking forward to it.

kalt · Postby **kalt** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:33 am

Are non-competing mx5 owners allowed to spectate? Might come up to watch

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:40 am

I'm out of this event this year. :cry:

Very sorry to miss catching up with all my Vic mates ... but go NSW!

If anyone needs it I had room booked at the Northern Hotel on the Saturday and Sunday nights. $70/night twin from memory. Please pm me before tomorrow (Thurs) night when I call to cancel the booking and I'll see if they'll transfer it.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:42 am

kalt, spectators can come and go as they like on club track days. No entry fees, no restrictions except you can't go on the track.

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:06 pm

A highly enjoyable weekend at Benalla and the Victorians did a great job with the weather and organisation of the day. It is also a good place to sight see, with interesting museum and art gallery.

Running on both the short and long circuit was a great opportunity, and the practice on Saturday was a good learning opportunity, although some mechanical problems arose.

Winton is a technical track and will take some learning to get it right. The lap times are up on Natsoft, and Ralph excelled in the NC.

Britney came home unscathed and I had a great day, although totally outclassed by my competitor in the modified class. I felt by the final run I was getting a feel for the circuit and would have liked to have another run on the short to finish off as times would have improved considerably. I don't konw how the V8s get around there in company.

A good dinner on Saturday night with the Vic's, then a Pizza with the Northerners on Sunday night was very enjoyable. Russ apparently enjoyed the jog down the the Pizza place, but there was one too many hills !!!!!

A highly enjoyable weekend all round, so thanks again to all involved in the organisation.