THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO 944 CHALLENGE SERIES RACING
So, you’ve dreamt about racing cars for a long time… watching Hamilton, Schumacher and Alonso … Moffat, Brock and Johnson …even Lowndes, Skaife or Van Gisbergen … but you’ve never known where or how to start racing yourself … just like your heroes?
Here is a guide on everything you need to do in order to be able to line up on the grid with the rest of the drivers in the Porsche 944 Challenge Series!
First things first…
There are three key items you need in order to be able to go circuit racing.
REQUIRED:
Mandatory FIA approved Safety Apparel
A Clubman (or higher) level MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA racing licence
An eligible car
SAFETY APPAREL
The following Safety Apparel is mandatory as a minimum to compete in State Level Competition, and the apparel must be at a level to meet the FIA requirements:
Helmet
Frontal Head Restraint
Flame-retardant Overalls
Gloves
Footwear
Flame-retardant socks
Flame-retardant underwear and balaclava are recommended, but not compulsory.
Please refer to this excerpt from the 2017 CAMS manual of Motorsport relating to Safety Apparel for further clarification on the grade of apparel required.
YOUR RACING LICENCE
The process for acquiring your racing licence is relatively straight forward.
There are a few grades of licence and in order to compete in Circuit Level Racing (as opposed to speed trials, drifting etc) you must gain a Clubman Level Licence.
The process for doing this consists of three elements:
Medical Examination. You must be able to pass a medical examination test
Complete and pass a Licence Application form and also an online test on racing rules, flag meanings etc
Complete your ‘OLT’ (Observed Licence test)
An OLT is the final step after completing the first two, and will need to be booked in through MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA.
This involves a number of experienced officials observing you driving on a track, with other drivers doing the same test.
This test can be completed in a suitable car (not necessarily a race car, but it must have a full manual transmission)
You will be observed for your ability to handle your car at speed, keeping control of your car, ability to understand on track signals and directions and be aware of the placement of your car and of others on the racetrack
If you pass these three elements, congratulations – you will receive your Clubman Racing Licence!
THE CAR
There are a number of competitive race series you can look at joining if you wish to go circuit racing.
The Victorian State Race Series is regarded as the best State Based series in Australia, with 3 Victorian tracks to compete on throughout the season: Sandown Raceway, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and Winton Motor Raceway - along with interstate trips.
There are three types of categories you can compete in:
Open-wheel Categories
These are for cars which, as the name suggests, have wheels that are open (not covered by the cars body)
At State Level, these classes are made up of: Formula Ford, Formula Ford 1600 or Formula Vee.
Coupe/Sedan based ‘Open’ Categories
These categories allow for a wide variety of brand, type and model of vehicle.
These cars are often the fastest and most expensive cars (especially at the front of the field) as they are continually able to be refined and more money spent on development of bodywork, engine, transmission, aerodynamics, suspension etc.
Classes include: Sports Cars, Sports Sedans, Historic Touring Cars, MGs and Improved Production.
Coupe/Sedan based ‘One make’ categories
These categories generally have the closest fields and most competitive racing as each category only has one (or two models in the case of Saloon cars) that are eligible to compete.
Combine this with strict engine control measures, such as control tyres, brakes, ECU and suspension and you will find that the skill and experience level of the driver and car and driver preparation (and a bit of luck on occasion) will decide the winners.
These classes include: Saloon Cars, HQ Holdens, Hyundai Excels and of course the Porsche 944 Challenge Series.
WHY THE PORSCHE 944 CHALLENGE SERIES ?
Affordable Porsche Racing!
It sounds like a contradiction but it is possible.
The best challenge of your driving skills is to compete against others in cars as similar as possible, instead of going chequebook racing where the biggest budget buys the best cars and also the race victories.
In 2023 the 944 Challenge Series begins its 24th year of competition and another strong season of racing, with big fields, is promised.
In order to compete, you could build up a car that is eligible for the 944 Challenge series yourself or you could buy an existing logbooked 944 Challenge race car that is for sale.
There are some 944’s that have changed hands for the same sort of money as what you would be required to spend on a front running HQ Holden and/or Hyundai Excel series car.
FASTEST CATEGORY
If you look at the lap records in each category which makes up the Victorian State Race Series, you’ll see that the 944 Challenge is clearly the fastest and most exciting one make category you can compete in.
National circuit Lap Records as of 2023
With the 944 Challenge Series being at least ten plus seconds quicker than for the two other one-make series - and with the chance to race and hone your skills in a rear wheel drive, 5 speed manual sports car - the 944 Challenge is the perfect choice for young drivers coming out of go-karts looking to race cars and for drivers of all ages to experience close, exciting, clean and fast racing - without breaking the bank.
the 944 Challenge Series rounds Honda Corner at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit
When doing the maths for the cost of racing, you will see that the primary costs of ‘going racing’ are identical for all categories.
The three biggest costs of racing (provided you don’t put your car into the fence!) are:
Entry fees
Accommodation (if required) for ‘away’ events
Driver safety apparel
So the only cost difference between the three series is in the cost of building / buying your car.
BUILDING / BUYING A CAR:
If you are buying an existing 944 Challenge race car, you will be able to easily find out if there are any modifications required to the car to ensure it is up to the current specification rules to compete.
If you are looking to build a car from scratch, there are key modifications to be make from a standard road car in order to be able to get the car log booked as a 944 Challenge specification race car:
Ingredients:
Standard N/A 2.5 litre 4 Cylinder 944 Porsche, 5 speed manual transaxle. Left or Right hand drive.
CAMS Approved Roll Cage.
Yokohama A050 Control Semi-Slick Tyres.
944 Challenge control Suspension package.
Hawk Control brake pads.
944 Challenge Specification control ECU – either Motec or Wolf.
FIA Approved Racing Seat and Harness.
Secondary Fuel Cell Isolation from the Cockpit.
Window Net.
Towing Points (Front & Rear)
Various Safety Stickers (Battery Location, Electrical Cut-off, Tow Points)
FIA approved LED Rain Light, Approved Driving Lights (1000 lumen or higher)
944 Challenge Supporting partners sticker placements and Race numbers
Battery Isolation Switch
Dorian Race Timer
Method:
Remove passenger seat, carpets, spare wheel, roof lining and tools
Install a roll cage from a MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA approved builder
Install race seat, harness and window net
Fit tyres, ECU kit, control suspension & brake pads & Dorian Timer
If front lower control arms are alloy, replace them
Fit towing points
Add adhesive film to headlights and driving lights, add FIA specification Rain Light and Driving Lights
Install battery isolation switch operable from inside and outside the cabin
If the car is not road registered, disable the ignition/steering lock device
Add race numbers to sides and front
Add windscreen banner
Add stickers for tow points, battery, battery isolation switch, MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA sticker
When finished, take a photo and apply to MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA for an inspection and a log book.
If you follow these steps, you will have a 944 challenge specification race ready car.
Including the cost of a second hand road registered car, you could put together a 944 Challenge car and get change from $20,000.
This car probably won’t get you up on the podium but if you’ve always wanted to go racing, you’re on the track with a car that can be further upgraded at your own pace and budget.
JOIN THE 944 RACING ASSOCIATION CLUB - ENTER A RACE + GO
It is mandatory to be a paid Member of an officially recognized racing Club in order to compete in any national racing series.
So, your next step is to join the 944 Racing Association as a member.
Membership forms are here under the ‘Series Information’ page.
Ensure you also have downloaded a copy of the Driving Standards document, and have read and understood it, as well as all rules and Sporting Regulations for the 944 Challenge.
Again, all of these documents are available on the ‘Series Information’ section of the 944 Challenge website.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST RACE - WHAT TO EXPECT
It is highly recommended that you have some track time in your car before venturing out for your first session with a full field of 944 drivers.
All three of the Victorian race tracks have the opportunity to attend ‘test and tune’ days that aren’t linked to a race weekend.
The next recommendation is to get familiar with the tracks and your car – Winton Raceway run open test days on most Fridays (with the exception of those immediately before dedicated race weekends)
There are events run at Sandown Raceway a number of times during the year by ‘Tampered Motorsport’ and likewise for events at Phillip Island that you can attempt to attend with your car to get used to it and familiarise yourself with the circuit.
With your 944 Association membership and brand new Motorsport Australia licence, you can then enter for your first race weekend.
Entering for your first race weekend is done via a couple of different ways, depending on which organisation is running the race event. You either fill out and post your entry forms, or you can do them online.
Ensure you have all of the above taken care of and you will be ready to go.
The Friday before every race weekend is available for race competitors to enter and compete in an untimed ‘practice day’ – which is independent of the race weekend itself, but very useful and recommended to enter to get some extra track time before the race weekend begins officially on Saturday morning.
Otherwise the first time you venture on track on Saturday will likely be for the weekends’ qualifying session.
There is a separate entry form you will have to complete for the Friday test day. Depending on the entries for the Friday test day, you will get between three and five on track sessions throughout the day.
A recommendation is to try to get in contact with a current member of the 944 series to get any advice, recommendations etc. to help you when starting off – especially if this is your first foray into competing in motorsport.
There are many drivers, including the members of the committee who are more than happy to help in any way possible to assist with getting new members onto the grid and easing them into their racing career.
One of the most enjoyable parts of motorsport is the friendships built along the way.
You will find the numbers of the committee members on the ‘Contact’ Page on this website.
COSTS
No one ever said going motor racing was ‘cheap’, however the costs of going racing in the 944 Challenge may not be as high as you’d think:
Entry Fees: Entry fees are the same for all classes in the Vic State Circuit Race Championships – $400 will get you entry to race for the weekend (if you enter before the cut-off date!) – some other events the 944 Challenge compete at can be a fraction cheaper. You can also enter the Friday Practice sessions prior to each race weekend, which will cost an additional $150-$200 depending on the circuit.
Garage / Carport Hire: Garages are available to hire at the circuit for those that wish to do so – whereas some drivers choose to work out of the pit paddock, and have annexes, compressors etc. set up to work with. You would generally find just over half the field in the paddock, with the remainder utilising garages. There are roughly enough garages to cover about one third of the cars that typically enter a State Race Series meeting, so its important to get in early if you wish to book a garage. Garages are generally big enough for two cars to run from, so splitting the costs with another driver is common.
Tyres: The 944 Challenge have the Yokohama A050 Tyre as our control tyre for the series. The A050 is an all weather grooved slick tyre, which has shown to have fantastic life and wear rate – some drivers have competed in an entire season on 1 set of tyres! The cost of a set of A050 tyres is around $1,400. Traction Tyres are the official Yokohama distributor and they have tyres and tyre fitting available to purchase and have fitted up at the track every race weekend.
Fuel: Control Fuel is supplied by Racefuels, and is also available at the circuit for all race weekends and practice days. The cars are run with a special 100 octane blend, and costs are only slightly higher than what you would pay for premium pump fuel at your local service station. You would expect to use an average of 40 litres of fuel on a race weekend.
Brake Pads: Pads are supplied by V-Sport and are also a control item racing brake pad. Pad sets are also available at race weekends and are $255 for a set of front pads for 944 Challenge members. (Front or Rear) Pad usage will depend how hard you are braking! Most drivers are getting a full seasons racing from a set of front pads, longer from the cheaper rears.
These are the primary costs you will need to allow for a race weekend.
The 944 Association try to host a BBQ lunch or an evening dinner at most race weekends - a great chance to get all drivers together for a chat and a story or two.
THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR YOUR FIRST RACE WEEKEND
Consumables – Fuel is available at the track most race weekends – it is recommended to place an order with RaceFuels – our control fuel supplier – prior to the race weekend to ensure enough fuel is allocated to cover all competitors. Brake pads are available through V-Sport as part of a special arrangement with the 944 Association. At most race events you will find one or two retailers in attendance who sell all sorts of race supplies including replacements harnesses, helmets, race stickers, oils and other fluids, as well as all number of race oriented equipment, tools etc.
When you first get your licence, you will be on your provisional or ‘P’ plate licence – same as on a road car. You will need to give your licence to the officials at the start of the weekend in order for your driving to be observed. The stewards and clerk of course for the race weekend will take notice of drivers who have their licence in for checking, in order to sign off on your driving for the weekend as being of an acceptable standard. Don’t forget to collect your licence back before you go home for the weekend. Once you have received 5 signatures from 5 race weekends, and have also completed the required event of flag marshalling duties, you will be able to go onto your full racing licence.
At the start of each race weekend, you are required to ‘sign on’ – this involves bringing your racing licence, car club membership and vehicle logbook to be checked that it matches your submitted entry paperwork. This is often one of the first things you are required to do, and can in some instances be done during Fridays’ session. At this point you can register your pit crew members and will receive your wrist bands for the weekend. More often than not, you are also required to bring all of your safety gear including helmet, suit etc. to be checked for compliance, wear/damage, and in date. You may also receive instructions at this time for your race car to have a scrutineering safety check if required – this check needs to be completed at or before every fourth race event that you compete in with your car.
Next requirement is to ensure you attend your correct assigned drivers’ briefing. The time and location of the drivers briefing is listed in the weekends’ schedule of events along with session times for the weekend for qualifying and races. If you miss the drivers’ briefing, you will face a penalty which may include a monetary fine, or a rear of grid starting place for Race 1 – irrespective of your qualifying position.
At the discretion of the officials for the meeting or of the scrutineer for the 944 Association, you may be required to go to the scales immediately after any, or all timed on-track sessions. Failure to follow this instruction may result in exclusion from that sessions’ results.
During the course of the weekend, your car will also be checked by the 944 Challenge Scrutineer to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the series. There are various checks completed every race weekend, including tags on engines, gearboxes etc. and to ensure that they are current and matching with those logged on the database. The scrutineer is required to have unhindered access to check all race vehicles across the race weekend.
If you are involved in an altercation during the course of the race weekend, you will be required to submit an incident report with the 944 Challenge scrutineer stating your version of events. Failure to do so in the event of an incident involving another car other than your own, will result in guilt being borne by the driver not presenting an incident report – and will be subject to any penalties that may apply as a result, depending on the severity of the incident.
Any such penalties as a result of an incident will be decided by the 944 Challenge committee.
Installing a sports camera such as a Go-Pro or Kaiser-Baas inside of your vehicle to record on track activities is highly recommended - and submitting this footage may assist you in the event of an incident report being assessed by the committee. It is important to ensure that the camera is securely mounted and additionally secured with cable ties to ensure it can not dislodge in the event of a crash and a camera mount failing, or else it may be asked to be removed by race officials before you are permitted on track.
Want better performance without the expense?
Lose weight! It costs nothing but a little work. You have a lot of it to lose in order to meet the minimum of 1100kg for the car with driver and all your racing apparel. You will be surprised all the stuff you can do without.
Once you are on the track, it won’t be long before your sleepless nights will be filled with thoughts and plans for making your car go faster and dreaming about perfecting your race lines and braking points!
© Copyright 944 Racing Association.
