Circuit Racing Categories

The newest class in WA is the Excel Cup which features Hyundai Excel vehicles lightly modified for racing, somewhat similar to Saloon Cars or HQs. Eligible vehicles are Excel X 3 models made between 1/7/94 & 30/6/00 and fitted with the G4Fk or G4Ek motor.

Whilst some freedoms are allowed in the area of suspension, racing Excels must use a standard motor, ECU and bodywork. The regulations make for close and relatively cheap racing, particularly appealing to younger drivers on limited budgets. As a result, the class has grown rapidly, and now have a very full grid of cars for their events.

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Category Association: WA Excel Cup

Regulations – 2021 WA Excel Cup

Good fields of Historic Touring Cars (HTC) are seen in every state, and WA is no exception. In WA, we race Motorsport Australia Groups Na (pre-1958), Nb (1959 – 1965) and Nc (1966 – 1972).

The cars are heavily modified for racing, but crucially the only modifications allowed are those that accurately reflect the car’s “period”. Thus no modern fuel injection and computerised ECU’s are permitted. Period gearboxes styles and engines must be retained, and the cars race on treaded R Spec tyres.

Typical fields feature mostly Nb & Nc cars with V8 powered Camaros, Mustangs, Monaros and Falcon GT’s running at the front, closely pursued by Torana XU1, Lotus Cortina, BMW 2002, Mini Cooper S etc.

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Category Association: WA Historic Touring Cars

Regulations – 2021 Historic Touring Car Championship

HQ Holden Racing is one of the definitive entry-level categories in Australia. It provides competitors with the opportunity to enjoy close racing and develop racecraft at an affordable price.

HQ Holden racing is a one-make series based on the 202, 3 speed, four-door sedan with front disc brakes as produced by GMH between 1971 and 1974.

Such an iconic vehicle, racing in a competition controlled to ensure competitiveness, has created a following, which is steadily increasing. Spectators love watching the HQ’s rubbing door handles in a return to the style of racing where overtaking is possible almost anywhere on the circuit.

Regulations ensure that all cars are presented in the same manner and that all competitors compete on an equal plane. Some items, camshafts, springs, shock absorbers and tyres, are controlled items. Major components, engine, gearbox and diff, are examined and sealed on assembly, ensuring adherence to the rules.

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Category Association: HQ Racing WA

Regulations – 2021 HQ Holden Racing Championship

Improved Production cars are derived from a registered production automobile, with limited modifications to improve performance and reliability in speed events on circuits. To be eligible, the models of vehicles must be or have been mass-produced touring cars.

The allowed modifications are restricted when it comes to chassis and suspension improvements but allow significant freedom in the engine, gearbox and brakes. Refer to the Motorsport Australia Manual of Motor Sport, 3rd Category -Touring Cars Group 3 J Improved Production Cars for the full regulations.

Being a National category, IPC allows the car owner, when they finally want to hang up the helmet or move on to another car, the opportunity to try and sell the vehicle to an Australia wide market.

To the spectator, IP racing offers an extensive range of cars to enjoy, from old school Escorts and Mazda’s to the latest Monaro and Commodore rocket ships and very quick 2 litre Hondas.

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Category Association: Improved Production Racing Association of WA
Regulations – 2021 Improved Production Car State Championships

The category is a traditional battle between Holden and Ford, that offers competitors high-speed thrills at a relatively low cost.

Saloon Cars are surprisingly simple machines. The vehicles are six-cylinder production-based Ford Falcons (EA/EB AU’s and Holden Commodores (VN/VP, VT, VX, VY, VZ), slightly modified for competition, safety and reliability.

Saloon Cars are a controlled class with the entire field carrying the same tyres, suspension, brakes and other components. Additionally, mechanical modifications are strictly limited and regulated in the interests of affordable competition.

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Category Association: Western Australian Saloon Cars Association

Regulations – 2021 WA Saloon Car Championship

Built to Motorsport Australia 2A& 2B specifications, cars range from almost standard road registered entries, to highly modified turbo Porsche’s and purpose-built sports/racing cars.

Sports Car

The Sports Car Category is made up of two-seater sports racing cars and other highly modified cars. Unlike Sports Sedans, these cars are of free construction with no engine size limitations, can use many electronic aids and have no bodywork restrictions – other than having two identical seats and mudguards covering 2/3rds of the wheel.

The class provides exceptionally close and exciting racing.

Sports Sedan

A Sports Sedan must be derived from a mass-produced car where more than 5000 examples of the model have been built in one year. In addition, A Sports Sedan’s engine size is restricted to 6 litres capacity.

These ‘wild and winged’ Sports Sedans are motor racing’s most modified machines. Under the generous rules, constructors can build wild and wonderful works of mechanical art that originated from the family car.

Any log booked car presented that complies with Motorsport Australia’s 3rd category GROUP 3D regulations is eligible.

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Category Association: WA Sports Sedan and Sports Car Association

Regulations – 2021 WA Sports Car Championship

Regulations – 2021 Sports Sedan Championship

While all based on road-going cars, these are far from your average road car in terms of performance and handling – making them some of the fastest tin-tops racing in Western Australia!

Street Cars technical regulations allow quite highly modified vehicles with liberal freedom across most mechanical components. This freedom allows the car owner/builder to enjoy their own ideas of increasing vehicle performance without too many rules. Essentially, Street Cars are Sports Sedans with a limited range of modifications.

The class is divided into under 2060cc and open cars. The grids are always diverse with a mixture of turbo and naturally aspirated cars of Japanese, European and local origins, creating spectacular racing for both drivers and spectators.

Street Cars maintain restrictions on body modifications and aerodynamic aids, allowing the cars to be easily recognised. The cars are restricted to high performance [DOTrated] “road legal” tyres. However, these tyres are providing lap times in the Outright class in the 59-second bracket.

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Category Association: Street Car Racing Association of WA

Regulations – 2021 WA Street Car Championship

The FSR association combines modern wings, slicks and aero cars together in a low cost controlled environment to give all categories the chance to race together and win points within their own classes.

FSR Association was founded in 2020 to bring together cars that were currently racing separately under one umbrella to provide greater opportunities for both drivers who are currently racing and other drivers around WA and Australia.

There are currently three classes running within the association:

Formula 1000

Category 1 Formula Cars, Free Formula for Race Events F1000, as defined by MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA Manual of Motorsport 2021.

A space frame open wheeler category utilizing standard 1000cc 4 cylinder motor cycle engines and integral gearboxes with chain driven differentials.

Radical SR3

Radical SR3 cars as defined by Radical Australia Cup Technical Regulations.

A thrilling, cost effective and high performance prototype style sports racer that encompasses a two seat chassis. The radical SR3’s race with a 1500cc 4 cylinder motorcycle engine.

Group 2A Prototype and 6SR 

Group 2A cars as defined by MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA Manual of Motorsport 2021 and any subsequent bulletins issued by MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA.

Must be prototype and not road vehicle and an engine capacity of 2000cc.

Focuses on designs which use a spaceframe chassis. 4 to 6 cylinder car or motorcycle engine and a fibreglass bodywork.

6SR Centre mounted single seater enclosed body cars as described in 6SR of MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA Manual of Motorsports (or any other cars complying with the 6SR category description).

A restricted design open, centre seated, sports-racing car with a mid-mounted engine driving the rear wheels only and intended for use in speed events and races.

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Category Association: FSR Championship

Regulations – 2021 WA FSR State Championship

This is a combined historic class of sports & racing cars and free formula cars built and raced between 1960 and 1990. Vehicles built outside of this period may compete by invitation.

Free Formula

Free Formula is for single-seater racing cars of free concept and construction, complying with the General Requirements of the 1^st Category: Free Formula Race Events (formerly Formula Libre) and the specific requirements as detailed within.

Historic Racing and Sports Car Series

Cars competing in the Historic Racing and Sports Car Series must be compliant with the applicable technical regulations and technical bulletins issued Motorsport Australia and issued with a log book for Category 5 Cars of Groups M,O,P,Q and F (Suitability of Formula Ford to compete against other Groups to be determined by the Stewards and TRA referred to Motorsport Australia) .

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Category Association: Formula Classic Racing

Regulations – 2021 Contemporary Free Formula Race Car

Regulations – 2021 WA Historic Race – Sports Car Series

As an open-wheeled racing car, Formula Fords comply with stringent rules designed to reduce costs for newcomers to the sport and to allow every driver to compete on their own merits.

Every Formula Ford is constructed from a lightweight tubular space frame designed to maintain the highest levels of driver safety. Aerodynamic modifications, such as wings and spoilers, are prohibited.

Potential competitors should note that WA Competition is for Formula Ford 1600 using the crossflow Ford Kent engine that has been with the category for over 30 years. The National Formula Ford Series also features the later and slightly more powerful Duratec motor. Still, the WA State competition is restricted to Kent engine cars to facilitate the largest competitor base possible.

The key to the category’s long-term success is the uniquely level playing field dictated by the performance parity rules, allowing the differing skills of the drivers to determine the victor. The relative parity between the vehicles also guarantees the category’s reputation for some of the most exciting and close racing to be seen on any Australian or International circuit.

This has helped enhance the experience of owning and driving these magnificent pieces of history.

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Category Association: WA Formula Ford

Regulations – 2021 WA Formula Ford Championship

Formula Vee Racing provides the thrill of fiercely competitive motor racing at a budget cost. Permitted modifications are minimal so that greater emphasis is on driver skill rather than budget.

As a result, the class is the first proving ground in motor racing and has always been a stepping stone to higher levels of motorsport.

The Vee grid is split evenly between the 1600 and 1200 classes, and you will always be racing hard against someone whether you are near the front or the back. There’s every chance of being a front runner in the first season in the 1200 class, but this will be harder in the 1600 class.

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Category Association: Formula Vee Association of WA

Regulations – 2021 WA Formula Vee Championship

Regularity Trials are an ideal way to enjoy motor sport without purchasing a purpose built race car.  Regularity Trials are not races.  The club conducts Regularity Trials each year and we encourage non-racing members and officials to attend and have an enjoyable day.  The requirements are:

    License: The minimum Licence requirement is a CAMS Level 2 Licence.  A Level 2 Licence costs $125 and is valid for 12 months; application forms are available from the Club.

    Vehicle Requirements: Basic vehicle requirements are a fire extinguisher mounted in the vehicle and a blue triangle sticker advising where the battery is located.  Competition number.

    Clothing: Fire resistant overalls are recommended. Minimum dress standard at Regularity Events is clothing that extends from ankles to neck to wrists.  Clothing and footwear of flammable synthetic material, such as nylon, is not acceptable.  Drivers whenever on the circuit must wear a safety helmet.

A Regularity Trial is conducted on a permanent or temporary circuit.  There are two permanent circuits, Wanneroo Raceway (short and long circuits) and the Collie Motorplex in Collie.  Two temporary circuits are used by the Vintage Sports Car Club at Northam and Albany.

In Regularity Trials, competitors are grouped in classes; Historic Cars 1920s to 1950s; Historic Production Sports Cars 1950s to late 1970s; Historic Touring Cars 1950s to mid-1970s, historic and modern open wheeler and open sports cars and finally modern sedan/sports cars.  The maximum number of cars permitted on a track is between 25 and 30 – depending upon the circuit and group of cars.

After the 10-minute practice session each competitor nominates a lap time that they will circulate the track.  The object of a Regularity Trial is to circulate as close as possible to your nominated time.  For each second of each lap you are below (faster) your nominated time you receive 2 penalty points.  For each second of each lap you are above (slower) your nominated time you receive 1 penalty point.  The winner of the event is the driver with the least penalty points.  Hence, you do not need to have the fastest car to win the event.

Unlike most races which are standing starts, that is cars positioned stationary on the start/finish straight waiting for the extinguishing of the red light to signify the start of the race, Regularity Trials are flying starts.  Cars proceed onto the track via the north ramp in single file behind the Safety Car for a warm up lap.  At the last corner the Safety Car withdraws to pit lane and competitors will be shown a green light/waved green flag to signify the start of the event.  Each event is between 4 and 5 laps in duration.

The WA Sporting Car Club conducts a Regularity Trial series in which competitors are able to score points towards end of season awards.

All drivers must complete and sign the Entry form.  Entry forms are available before the events and generally close the week of the event.

With up to 30 cars on the track, electronic timing is used and competitors are required to fit a timing transmitter to their vehicle with cable ties.  If you do not have a timing transmitter a unit will be loaned to you.  If the transmitter is damaged, you are responsible for the repair or replacement of the transmitter.

Any person, in the view of an official, found to be racing might be removed from the circuit.  The day is about achieving the least penalty points by lapping as close as possible to your nominated time not racing another competitor on the track or trying to attain the fastest speed.

Previous experience in motor sport, although helpful, is not essential with most of the skills and knowledge of officiating gained largely from experience, whether it be in a specialised field such as vehicle scrutiny, flag marshalling or administration.

When you start you will be teamed with experienced officials, and learn how to do most things “on the job”.  As you gain more experience, the opportunity will arise to further your skills and development as a qualified Motorsport Australia official.  These qualifications are recognised around Australia and the world through Motorsport Australia affiliation with the FIA, so not only can you help out at your local racing venues, but quite possibly officiate at international events such as a Formula 1 Grand Prix!

As a volunteer you will get to work with a great bunch of folks of a variety of ages and backgrounds, all of whom will share your passion for motorsport.

Volunteering your time as an official can also help those wishing to carve a career in the racing industry as a mechanic, engineer or potential race manager for a top motor sport team.  Becoming an official gives you a great understanding of how the industry works and displays your dedication and determination to succeed.

Become a motor sport official today!  For more information about becoming a motor sport official contact the WA Sporting Car Club’s administration via telephone, fax, e-mail or visit www.motorsport.org.au