New JDM racing category

[JDMracer]

New JDM racing category

A new circuit racing category for cars produced for the Japanese Domestic market (JDM), is set to have its first run at Queensland Raceway on March 24th and 25th. The category will be run as part of round 1 of the new QR Championships and will include two classes to run simultaneously over both days. The two classes will include an “Elite” class which will be more along the lines of an improved production class and a “Club” class which will be more open to modifications. Although both classes will be run together, there will be two separate championships with points allocated for each class.

It is envisaged that each race meeting will consist of two practice/qualifying sessions and four races over the two days. Currently the QR Championships are to be held over four race meetings throughout 2007 and with the possibility of Lakeside Raceway becoming available later in the year, there is a chance this circuit could be included in the 2008 championship. The organisers have also expressed interest in taking the class to a national level, with the inclusion of some interstate tracks and its own national championship.

Listed below are some of the basic regulations for both classes. Please keep in mind that these are still open to change at this stage as the classes are fine tuned to suit competitors.



ELITE CLASS

This class will be for any mass produced car for the Japanese Domestic Market. The idea being these cars will retain the looks and basic engine and driveline configuration of the base vehicle.

Bodywork – Original, as per manufacturers specs.
Engine – Original block and heads. Increases in capacity are acceptable. Engine internals are free. Bolt on mods are free.
Transmission – Original gearbox casing. Aftermarket gear sets etc are acceptable. Remaining driveline components are free.
Wheels – Free, providing they fit inside the original guards.
Tyres – Road legal "R" spec tyres
Brakes – Free
Suspension – Free
Fuel – Commercially available pump fuel.



CLUB CLASS

This class will be for any chassis/bodyshell from a car produced for the Japanese Domestic Market. It will allow for more modifications in bodywork, engines and transmissions.

Bodywork – Chassis and bodyshell to remain as per manufactures specs. Essentially the rest is free at this stage but other items such as front and rear spoilers, replacement doors and guards etc will be fine tuned at a later date.
Engine – Any engine from a JDM car
Transmission – Any transmission from a JDM car
Wheels – Free
Tyres – Free
Brakes – Free
Suspension – Free
Fuel – Unleaded

There have also been discussions in relation to having more classes, including naturally aspirated etc and these will depend on whether we can get enough competitors to run a separate class. With the category currently in it’s infancy we are happy to take feedback from interested parties to help mould it into shape. If you are interested in any further details please contact Cameron Wilson on 0419768662 or myself via a reply here and we look forward to your support at the track for our first outing.

Regards,
Paul Chapman.

[ACTI0NMAN-1]

does that mean ELITE CLASS is for import only models, and CLUB CLASS for those with an import engine swap?

[JDMracer]

Elite Class will be for any JDM car that is running the original engine block and heads as released in Japan or Australia. If your car is not running the original engine block and heads as released in Japan or Australia but is running another JDM engine or the original engine has been turbocharged or supercharged after being released then it will qualify for the Club Class.

Hope that makes sense.

Paul.

[JDMracer]

While I have a few minutes to spare I thought I'd elaborate a bit on this category and the requirements to run.

Vehicles:

Apart from the basic regs above there are just a few safety items that you'll need to compete. A minimum of a bolt in 4 point cage is required but I highly recommend if you are considering this sort of thing you have a 6 point full cage. You'll need a battery isolator switch which is easily hooked up to switch power off to the car should the need arise. You'll also need a minimum of a 4 point harness but once again I'd recommend a 5 point harness. Apart from that just the usual fire extinguisher, battery triangle, secondary bonnet latch etc and you're set to go.

Licensing:

This category will be run under as an ASSA event which means you'll need a National AASA licence or a CAMS PC or NC licence. If you alrady have an AASA Clubman licence, and have competed in 5 or more sprints, you can just upgrade to the National licence buy paying $145. If you haven't either licence then you can be observed during a practice session and if the officials are satisfied you can pay $200 for the National licence.

Cost:

The entry fee for one of the QR Championships is currently $149 for entries received before the Wednesday prior to the event or $199 after that.

Cheers Paul.

[Drew]

Need something like this in Victoria

[ONE600]

so is this still going ahead? is there much interest in this at the moment? Keep us updated plz

[EG5[KRT]]

wow sounds cool !! :D

[honda_b_blastn]

sounds like a great idea

[Drew]

Sound bad... Need it in Victoria

[JDMracer]

so is this still going ahead? is there much interest in this at the moment? Keep us updated plz

Yep, it's still all happening. First round of the championship is March 24th and 25th at QR. We are still trying to round up more numbers but have had a lot of interest so far. Hope to see a few of you out there.

Paul.

[EfiOz]

Need something like this in Victoria

You've got it. It's called Group 3j Improved Production.

http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/0723_0701.pdf

[Drew]

Interesting will have to read into that ^_^

[JDMracer]

You've got it. It's called Group 3j Improved Production.

http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/0723_0701.pdf

Yep, I looked into as well and the rules for late model cars, especially turbocharged, are not very enticing. Hence the reason we started this sort of class. In fact we have four ex IP competitors with late model turbo cars racing with us this weekend. :)

Paul.

[JDMracer]

Well the first round of the series has been run and won. Unfortunately numbers were a bit down, but given that there wasn't a great deal of time to get cars sorted it was to be expectd. However with the response we've had to date regarding the category, it would appear things will definitely be looking up for round 2.

We had 9 entries on the weekend but two competitors were stuck interstate or overseas and one other didn't get a gearbox finished in time. So we had 6 starters for qualifying including 4 WRXs, a Skyline GTS-T and a Toyota Chaser. Unfortunately we lost two of the WRXs with mechanical issues during qualifying, leaving only four of us to race. The organisers arranged for quite a few MX5s, technically JDM cars, to join us so we had a reasonable field of 13 cars to start.

It was a good weekend with plenty of clean racing and some quick times. Both the Chaser and the GTS-T were running around the 1:17 / 1:18s, which are very respectable times on the National circuit at QR. Both cars had minor gliches during the weekend and I managed to get through for the win, just proving that reliabilty is just as important as big power. We still have a few finer details to iron out with the classes but it's coming along nicely.

Hope to see a few more at the track for round 2 on the 28th & 29th of April.

Paul.

[JDMracer]

Don't forget guys the second round of the Queensland Raceway Championship Series is on the 28th and 29th of April. Entry forms our now available and can be sourced through QR on (07) 5461 9100. I'll post a link to the website when it has been updated.

Paul.

[JDMracer]

Minor changes made to "Elite" regs.

Entry forms for round 2 are available here:

http://www.queenslandraceway.com.au/...ies/QRCSR2.pdf

Paul.

[pornstar]

paul will there be any interstate rounds? we would enter ours in vic

[JDMracer]

paul will there be any interstate rounds? we would enter ours in vic

Nothing has been planned at this stage. This will only be the 2nd time we've run the category in QLD and we are still trying to build a good base of cars.

We have about 20 local cars at the moment but are trying to get approx 30-40 by the end of the year. Towards the end of the year, when we arrange the 2008 calendar, we will consult the competitors and if we have enough interested parties, 12-15, who are keen to travel interstate we will look at running rounds at Wakefield and Winton.

Paul.

[pornstar]

Will there be provisional spots for once off races? If we can, we would probably bring our car for maybe one or two events in QLD.

Andy

[JDMracer]

Will there be provisional spots for once off races? If we can, we would probably bring our car for maybe one or two events in QLD.

Andy

Yes you can enter any of the Top Gear meetings or Queensland Raceway Championship rounds at any time. There is no registration required for either so you just pay the entry fee and turn up.

Cheers, Paul.

[JDMracer]

Round 2 is on this weekend at Queensland Raceway.

Qualifying Saturday Morning
Championship Race 1 Saturday Afternoon
Championship Race 2 Sunday Morning
Championship Race 3 Sunday Afternoon.

Drop in and say hello if you're around, I'll be racing the grey WRX STi No 79.

Paul.

[Drew]

Do you not allow for practice at all?

Just straight into qualifying? Shit thats a bit rough

[JDMracer]

Do you not allow for practice at all?

Just straight into qualifying? Shit thats a bit rough


There are actually 2 "qualifying" sessions allocated on Saturday morning. Some guys use the first session as practice and the second to lay down their qualifying time. Alternatively, Friday is a practice day and you can do as many laps as you like for an additional $80 if you are entered into the event.

Paul.

[JDMracer]

Hi guys,

We have just started a new forum for the JDM category. Check out all the latest news plus reviews, photos and videos here:

http://jdmracing.myfastforum.org/index.php

Paul.