Dutton's Rally

[geea]

I'm contemplating entering this years Victorian Dutton Rally. I'm hoping anyone that has been in it or knows much about it might be able to give me some info.

Here are some questions I have. ( I'll be upgrading brakes and suspension for the event)

1) Will a modded XR6T be able to compete

2) How competitive would my car be.

3) Any advice or tips.

4) How intense is it.

5) Anything else I should know.

Thanks to all those that are able to offer advice.

Geea.

[Guest]

  geea said:

I'm contemplating entering this years Victorian Dutton Rally. I'm hoping anyone that has been in it or knows much about it might be able to give me some info.

Here are some questions I have. ( I'll be upgrading brakes and suspension for the event)

dw.... now were talking

1) Will a modded XR6T be able to compete

dw....yes

2) How competitive would my car be.

dw....not very

3) Any advice or tips.

dw....plenty been there done that b4

4) How intense is it.

dw....very

5) Anything else I should know.

dw.... ya need a cog box not a slush box, better handling, tyres and definatly bigger brakes

youd do better in pretzels au

Thanks to all those that are able to offer advice.

Geea.

←

[Dagabond]

  Quote

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO I ENTER THE DUTTON RALLY?

Jump on the website www.duttonrally.com (chances are you are already on it!) and download and entry form.

WHAT TYPE OF CARS CAN ENTER?

Any cars can enter the event as long as it is road registered. We have had everything from a 1950’s Austin Healey to 2005 Ferrari’s “do the Dutton!”

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY FEES AND WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?

2006 Entry prices are $1975 for a driver entry and $2590 for a Driver/Co-Driver Entry. Entry fee includes all gourmet meals throughout the weekend, merchandise, CAMS insurance, car numbers and signage, and a souvenir 1hr DVD of the event including TV coverage with Channel 9 as well as coverage on Ch. 9’s The Car Show. Coverage also on FOXTEL and the cable networks.

For the 2006, there is also an opportunity to compete in all four events and be part of the National Series. Take $200 off for two events, $300 for three, or $400 for all four. You only need to compete in three events to be eligible to win the National Series. Those who compete in all four can drop their worst round.

WHERE IS ACCOMODATION, AND IS THIS INCLUDED?

Accommodation is always in nominated Hotels and Motels, and we block book rooms at each of these locations. Executive Motor Sport Travel in Melbourne handle all of our accommodation and flights, and before each event an accommodation form will be forwarded to you and available on the website that will nominate where rooms are being held. Fill this out and fax in to us, easy as that.

We don’t include Accommodation in the entry price as some people are happy with budget accomodation, and others want 5-star accomodation, all which is up to you.

WHAT SORT OF EVENTS ARE IN THE DUTTON RALLY?

The event is made up of about 30 Circuit Sprints, Auto-Tests, Dragways and Motorkhana’s on a variety of tarmac-only surfaces. No off-road or gravel competition is involved. We use racetracks, airports, carparks, driver training centres – basically any enclosed surface where we can conduct an event.

WHERE ARE THE EVENTS HELD?

The National Series is made up of four state rounds. WA, NSW, QLD and VIC. In most of the rounds events are held in regional areas and conclude in the major cities- Sydney in NSW, Melbourne in VIC and the Gold Coast in QLD. In the WA round most of the events are held in and around Metropolitan Perth.

IS THERE NAVIGATION INVOLVED?

There is no navigation involved in Dutton Rally events, in fact – it is always the Driver-only whilst competing. You can bring a co-driver and he/she competes in every event – against you and as a team. There is even an outright team award for the fastest driver/co-driver combined.

WILL MY CAR GET DAMAGED?

All of the events are conducted on tarmac surfaces, so there is little chance of your car getting damaged. Obviously at any speed accidents can occur, and it is important to remember that your normal road insurance probably won’t cover you if you crash your car during an event. It’s best to check with your insurance company first.

DO I NEED A SPECIAL LICENCE?

You only need a normal drivers licence, plus a CAMS level 2s licence to compete in the event. You can download a form from this website or visit the CAMS website www.cams.com.au for more information.

All entrants are automatic members of our car club, The Australian Performance Car Club (VIC), which you must join in order to compete.

IS THE EVENT SAFE?

The event is a safe as you want it to be – it is up to you and your level of ability. There is always lots of first time entrants, some get it wrong though as they push too hard, and end up damaging the car. Best thing to do is to take it easy at first then try a bit harder as you get more confident throughout the weekend.

We have a full compliment of Ambulances, FIV’s (First Intervention Vehicles) and Rescue Vehicles that come on the event. They are there for your safety if anything does go wrong.

HOW DO I PRACTICE FOR THE EVENT?

Do as much practice as you can at club events – Supersprints and Motorkhana’s. In 2006 there will also be nominated practice days with Murcotts which will include similar events in Dutton Rally format. If you want to find out what is happening in your state, email us and ask! info@duttonrally.com

WHAT DO I WEAR DURING THE EVENT?

During all stages you are required to wear neck to wrist to ankle clothing, and an approved Australian Standard (AS1698) safety helmet. Race suits, gloves and boots are not mandatory but recommended.

HOW DOES THE CAR NEED TO BE PREPARED?

All the car needs is to be in road worthy condition and with a minimum 2kgs of Fire Extinguisher fitted. This can either be 1 x 2kg extinguisher or 2 x 1kg extinguishers. They have to be in the cabin within easy reach of the driver. Cable ties are fine, as long as it is secure. Your car does not have to have a roll cage or harnesses, it just needs to be road registered.

Your car also needs to have an approved first aid kit, and also an exhaust which does not exceed 90dB(a), due to tightening venue requirements.

TYRES ARE FREE? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN THE REGS?

Tyres for the event are free – this is Motorsport ‘speak’ for you can use any brand of tyres as you like. As long as the tyres are road-registerable – ie: R Type tyres or “semi-slick” tyres are also fine. You must use the same set of tyres all weekend.

NEED FURTHER INFORMATION?

Download a copy of the National Standing Regulations, which will go into detail on classification of cars, etc. If you still need more information, please do not hesitate to email us on info@duttonrally.com

NATIONALSTANDINGREGULATIONS2006.pdf

A quick scan look's like it'll come down to what the CAMS car regulations rules your car as....

Entry Fee.

The entry fee per State Round shall be as follows:

$2590.00 Driver / Co-Driver combination.

$1975.00 Driver only.

[Turbo6man]

It's great fun Craig - you don't have to win it - just have a good time. Your car would be easily adapted to the way the rally is run - more emphasis is placed on driver skill than the cars' outright performance.

I was going to enter the NSW leg this year but the holiday to Tassie came up first and got in the way - ie took all my spare folding stuff.

I have three friends who are entered in the NSW event - two weeks time. All are in T3s. I will be going to watch them at Wakefield and cheer them on.

So yeah, my advice ... go for it mate, you'll have a good time.

[ZAP]

I have been wanting to do Dutton (NSW) for the past 2 years but something always seems to stuff my plans.

If you want to win, you need to have a EVO or STI as most of the courses (in NSW) are tight and require traction and razor sharp handling. I would not enter to win, but have fun.

I say go for it Craig, I have seen auto Mecrs and even a Landcruiser.

[Mercurial]

I think the best description of what the Dutton 'can' be about, is that it is a 'weekend out with the boys' disguised as being a motorsport event.

You can be as serious, or as 'laid back' as you want.

At the end of the day, if you want to win the thing outright, you need an AWD weapon (read: Rex, EVO or GTR) or a serious Porsche.

Having said that, you can come away from the weekend with a set of 'Event Wins', trophy's and even a CLASS win through the use of a decently setup vehicle, and some consistent, skillful driving.

These events are definitely worth having a crack at, and more often than not, I think entrants find themselves hooked on the concept, and keep coming back for more.

I was lucky enough to compete (as a co-driver) in the NSW round a couple of years back in an AU XR8. I won my (co-driver) class, scored a trophy, and had one of the best weekends of my life.

I would recommend it to anyone with the opportunity to have a go. All the guys who go along are pretty much rev-heads who appreciate a beast in any form (Especially something like your weapon Geaa) so it's all good - I reckon.

[Dagabond]

So where does the que start for co-driver??

[Guest]

  Dagabond said:

So where does the que start for co-driver??

←

sorry mate I was 1st to reply!!!!!

[Turbo6man]

The good thing about being the co-driver in the Dutton is that you are the second driver - there is no navigating at all as like in an ordinary rally. So you take turns in each driving event and virtually means you have twice as many competitors for the number of cars entered. This concept make the whole event a lot more affordable and a lot more fun for everyone.

And if you're the co-driver it is not your car being used/abused.

[gogo]

I am sure this would be lots of fun - have been thinking about doing something similar - or another tarmac rally/hill climb...

Perhaps you should auction the co-drivers spot?

And bigger brakes and a suspension upgrade?

cheers,

Ben.