FAQ

FAQ
ABOUT AUSTRALIA CLASSIC

Precision rallying (“1/100 regularity” rally) is a form of motor sport conducted on public roads alongside regular traffic. The aim of drivers and navigators is to follow a route described in a Roadbook, while maintaining precise times and average speeds throughout the stages.

For each event, cars of 30 years and older can enter in the “classic class”. An additional “open class” was also established to allow non-classic entries on individual assessment to include replicas, hot-rods and supercars of all ages. All entries must be registered and insured.

The race numbers provided by the organisers must be displayed on the vehicles throughout the race.

In between the legs of the route teams will come across “1/100 challenges” which are coordination tasks measured to the precision of 0.01s. These challenges usually involve a course laid out by cones (and illustrated in the Roadbook) which has to be completed to a set number of seconds.

Cars typically enter and exit through photocells – but sometimes time is measured by some other means such as a pushbutton at the start or driving over hoses. Each 100^th of a second too early or too late at the exit incurs penalty points.

The Roadbook describes the route in great detail showing every intersection, landmark, time control point and 1/100 challenge. The distance between points is listed both in kilometres and miles. Competitors do not need to know where they are other than how far the next junction is.

The most important attribute is to be reliable. All the averages and challenges are set in a way to stay well under the speed limits and within the capabilities of any car. For example, in 2012 an MG from 1934 completed the rally with great scores. It’s also quite important to have proper timekeeping equipment on board – most international racers use mechanical stopwatches.

No. All distances in the Roadbook are listed both in kms and miles.

The 2017 rally planned for Townsville has been cancelled unfortunately. Newsletter subscribers will be kept updated about each future event as well as posting about them here on the site.

When entries are open, you will be able to submit your entry online using the form on this website, then follow the instructions in the confirmation email. Acceptance for the “open category” will be individually decided.

The 2-day, roughly 600 km route will not be announced other than being listed sign by sign in the Roadbook. All surfaces will be sealed (i.e. tarmac).

Participants collect penalty points for being too late or too early through time control points, 1/100 challenges, or missing checkpoints. At the end of the race we’ll apply a multiplier to the overall score (eg. a classic car from 1924 will have a multiplier of 1.24 while a Ferrari from 1996 will have a multiplier of 1.96) to even out the differences.

This way the younger the car is (i.e. technologically more advanced) the more points it will achieve. The team with the lowest overall score wins the rally.

The typical event goes for a weekend. Meals for the drivers and navigators (welcome reception with canapés on Friday night, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, dinner on Sunday), a Roadbook, decals, lanyards and passes, baseball caps and polo-shirts are included. Accommodation is optional.

Breaches of the Road Rules or the race Rules can result in a competitor’s exclusion. Our competitions are designed not to require speeding or otherwise breaking the Road Rules.

The organisers intend to hold a separate practice session before each race, whereby entrants can practice 1/100 challenges for a set fee.