2016 KUMHO TYRES AUSTRALIAN V8 TOURING CAR SERIES AV8TC CATEGORY INFORMATION.

Transcription

1 2016 KUMHO TYRES AUSTRALIAN V8 TOURING CAR SERIES AV8TC CATEGORY INFORMATION 1

2 Introduction The Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car (AV8TC) Series was established in 2008 as part of the Shannons Nationals and held its first round at Mallala in South Australia in May of that year. Initially it was designed to provide a competition home for Falcon AU and Commodore VT/VX models that were no longer eligible for the V8 Supercars Development Series but in recent years it has morphed into something far more. Not only has the category become a happy home for many de-registered V8 Supercars, but it s also attracted a range of historically significant race cars that fans identify with from their various successes in the hands of some of the sport s great drivers and teams. Many teams and drivers have taken things a step further and returned their cars to period liveries, adding another unique element to the V8 Touring Car Series and making it an on-track celebration of a successful 20 year period of Australian touring car racing. The Kumho Series has also become the perfect category for young drivers looking to learn the unique five-litre, rear-wheel-drive, 600 horsepower beasts ahead of possibly advancing their careers into V8 Supercars. 2

3 But the Kumho Series is not only about young drivers - there s a wide cross section of backgrounds from businessmen with a long-held desire to drive one of these cars through to experienced racers keen to compete in a national series. The category has continued to grow as the motorsport industry comes to see the category as the unofficial third-tier of V8 Supercar competition. The category is subject to strict technical requirements, and has been approved as an official CAMS-sanctioned National Series. CAMS appointed stewards; a technical director and full national level medical resources are present at each event. In 2016 the series has taken further steps with the introduction of the VE/VE II Commodore and FG Falcon models as well as a debut appearance at the popular Muscle Car Masters event among a five-round calendar that will also feature rounds held at V8 Supercars Championship and Shannons Nationals events. Four important points underpin the category; In relative terms, minimisation of the cost of running and maintaining the cars. Providing a place to race in a relaxed but safe and well managed environment. Maintaining a close working relationship with V8 Supercars, CAMS and Kumho Tyres. Maintaining a controlled category with pro-active technical compliance. Tri-State Racing Pty Ltd is the Category Manager and provides the following: Organise and promote the Series in conjunction with the different series organisers and circuit operators. Sponsorship and media coverage for the Series. A sound financial base for the Series. Competent administrative services to competitors. Compliance with all CAMS requirements. Ensures that the Technical and Sporting Regulations are strictly adhered to. 3

4 The Cars The category is based on de-registered V8 Supercars. All cars joining the category require a current CAMS V8 Touring Car log book. This may require V8 Supercar de-registration. Eligible models are: Ford Falcon EB to FG Holden Commodore VP to VE Only Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore vehicles that have a registered history with AVESCO/ VESA will be recognised. Documentation must be provided to establish a clear line of history for each vehicle. No new vehicles may be constructed for the Series. The category is subject to strict technical requirements. Frank Lowndes is the appointed Technical Consultant to oversee the compliance of the Technical Regulations, and John Mahncke is the category appointed Scrutineer to ensure that the cars are as they should be. As the cars are former V8 Supercars, the Technical Regulations are based on their respective V8 Supercar requirements. Sporting & Technical Regulations The Australian V8 Touring Car Series Sporting Regulations and Technical Regulations contain the essential information to take part in the 2016 Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series. The current Sporting Regulations and Technical Regulations are available on the CAMS Website (or from TriState Racing Pty Ltd). We have also produced this Category Information document to provide any additional information and to answer frequently asked questions. 4

5 Series Format The Series runs with V8 Supercars, the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals and Muscle Car Masters. Each car is required to be part of the CAMS Targeted Scrutiny program. Drivers require a CAMS National Circuit Licence (NC), or Provisional National Circuit licence (PC). Each round normally consists of (depending on event): Three x 20-minute (optional) Friday practice sessions + Sponsor Ride Session One x 20-minute Saturday practice session. One x 20-minute qualifying session. Two x 15 minute races (Sat/Sun) One x 25 minute race (Sunday) The grid for each race is set as per the following: The grid for Race 1 and Race 2 is as detailed in the CAMS RMSR s Progressive Grid i.e. Qualifying and Race 1. The grid for race 3 is determined by the aggregate Series points scored by each driver in races 1 & 2. Should more than one driver be on the same number of points such drivers will be placed in order of qualifying times. Class Sturcture The AV8TC Series has two classes Pro and Privateer. Cars in the 2016 Kumho Series will be split into Pro and Privateer classes with the Pro cars those entered by professional race teams and car preparers and the Privateers featuring drivers who prepare and operate their own car/s. Entry Fees The following fees are applicable; Entry Fee (per round) of $1,500 + GST* Due to additional expenses, a levy of an additional $250 is applicable for the Sandown and Queensland Raceway rounds. Entry fees include television coverage, live Internet TV coverage and garage/marquee space at each round. Friday practice is optional and is an additional cost payable to the event promoter ($100 - $180 depending on the circuit). * Subject to change 5

6 Entry Procedures As expected, there is paperwork to be completed prior to the start of any Series/event. Initially, we provide a AV8TC Series Registration Form. Sponsorship All cars are required to race with a Kumho Tyres windscreen decal, and other decals as per the Sporting Regulations Schedule The 2016 Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series will be contested over five rounds in three states: Round April Sandown Raceway (Shannons Nationals) Round May Winton Motor Raceway (V8 Supercar) Round July Queensland Raceway (V8 Supercar) Round September Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (Shannons Nationals) Round October Sydney Motorsport Park (Muscle Car Masters) (Note: Dates may include Friday Practice) 6

7 Media Coverage Free to Air Television AV8TC enjoys free to air television time on SBS Speedweek as part of the Shannons Nationals coverage and 7Mate as part of Muscle Car Master coverage. Speedweek is shown on SBS on Sundays 2.00pm. Audience TV coverage on SBS Speedweek attracts a large audiences that compare favourably with similar motorsport properties aired in Australia. Coverage attracted an average of 345,000 people nationally (5 capital cities + regional audiences, supplied by Nielson TV ratings data). In 2015, the total reach of shows on SBS totalled more than 6 million people. This reach is further extended when subscription TV coverage is taken into account. This reach is further extended when subscription TV coverage is taken into account. Pay TV Fox Sports Rounds with V8 Supercars are shown on the Fox Sports V8 Supercar coverage. All AV8TC sessions will be shown live. The 1 hour Shannons Nationals Show is exclusive to Nationals categories, airing approximately one week following first airing on SBS Speedweek. This show is often repeated several times. International Coverage A considerable number of countries are provided with satellite & cable programming via the Motors TV Network reaching an estimated 21 million homes throughout the UK and continental Europe. 7

8 On Demand Coverage SPEEDWEEK and FOX SPORTS shows are available to view online following their airing on TV, which substantially increases the level of awareness via opportunities to share content online. The following outlets are the key on demand outlets for our TV content. AV8TCS Website MotorsportsTV iphone and Android Application MotorsportsTV and Speedweek websites Live Internet Streaming The action from the Sunday racing at each Nationals round AV8TC attends is streamed live via the Internet on The Internet TV is broadcast quality taken directly from the television outside broadcast van. In 2015 the live stream audiences averaged more than 7,500 per event. Print Media The Australian V8 Touring Car Series feature regularly in industry publications in both print and electronic versions. The Series enjoys an excellent relationship with publications including Auto Action, Speedcafe.com and many other motorsport media outlets in Australia and beyond. In addition to industry media, our media manager actively pursues opportunities in mainstream media at each round. Website The Australian V8 Touring Car Series website provides a valuable service to sponsors, competitors and fans. As well as the latest information on the Series. In 2015 website traffic has reach of more than 57,000 individual visitors, with more than 250,000 pages viewed. The site has also become interactive. All television is placed and archived on the Website and can be viewed on demand 24/7. Social Media The Australian V8 Touring Car Series enjoys a strong and interactive fan base on social media. Our Facebook and Twitter account have a strong following and continue to grow rapidly. 8

9 Technical Note: The information below is a summary of some of the Series technical matters. It is highly recommended that you refer to the official Sporting and Technical Regulations, which contain considerably more detail. The regulations are available from category management, v8touringcars.com.au or cams.com.au General The AV8TC Technical Regulations have close similarities to the existing V8 Supercar regulations as they are essentially the same vehicle. They also relate directly to the homologation details of your car model, so it is important to make sure that you have the correct documentation (which should be with the car). AV8TC Category Status/Logbooks CAMS have advised the following; A car will only be recognised as a V8 Touring Car (Supercar Class) if it has a proven history as a V8 Supercar. When an application is received by the CAMS National office (only the national office will deal with this category) to transfer the classification from V8 Supercar to V8 Touring Car, and when the history of the car has been verified, the V8 Supercar log book will be cancelled and replaced with a new V8 Touring Car logbook. The safety cage regulations for V8 Touring Cars will refer directly to the V8 Supercar safety cage. Regulations that were in force when the safety cage was originally certified for the V8 Supercar. The above process allows any ex-v8 Supercar that was homologated with a fitted diagonal windscreen reinforcement bar (as a V8 Supercar) to retain this member. Note: It is the responsibility of each Competitor/car owner to organize a new logbook with CAMS. 9

10 Car Numbers New competitors need to apply to Series management for a competition car number. If a number is are not used in AV8TC competition for one year it may be re-allocated. Tyres A maximum of six (6) new Kumho slick tyres are allowed for a car competing in their first round for Qualifying and Racing (Marked before Q1). For subsequent rounds, a maximum of six (6) tyres are allowed of which four (4) may be new Kumho slick tyres, and two (2) previously marked slick tyres. There are no restrictions on the number of wet tyres. Tyres must be marked before the first qualifying session of a particular round. The AV8TC Scrutineer will be considered a Judge of Fact in respect to any decisions on tyres. Tyre Costs: Kumho 280/680R17 S700 (Slick) - $475 per tyre (inclusive of GST). Kumho 280/680R17 W700 (Wet) - $475 per tyre (inclusive of GST). FSPORT, the authorised Australian representative for Kumho Motorsport will provide the services listed below, free of charge to registered AV8TC competitors; The provision and maintenance of a network of authorised Kumho Motorsport Tyre Distributors, from whom all control tyre purchases will be made during normal business hours, at events or by other direct Distributor-Competitor arrangements. Stripping and fitting of tyres, and the balancing of wheels, at all race meetings within Australia whether it be a National Series or special event. Stripping and fitting of tyres, and the balancing of wheels, at other times by arrangement with the nominated Kumho Motorsport Distributor. The disposal of old tyres on a one for one basis when new tyres are purchased. Technical advice to all competitors regarding chassis set-up data and tyre management. Tyre Supply Contact Details; John Mills - FSport (Kumho) john@fsport.com.au Fuel Competitors must only use fuel that is provided by the official control fuel supplier (RaceFuels Pty Ltd), which is available for purchase at each round. Please note: With the exception of ambient atmospheric air and the specified fuel detailed, no other substance may be added to the intake charge of the engine. 10

11 Engine Sealing Each engine, and the MoTeC engine electronic control unit (ECU), must be sealed prior to the commencement of any qualifying session or race. The only seals recognized for this purpose shall be AV8TC Seals as fitted by approved AV8TC sealers. This shall not prevent the addition of seals by event officials for judicial or scrutiny purposes. ECU (MoTeC) A control MoTeC AV8TC ECU must be fitted. The AV8TC ECU has the following features: Conforms to original wiring system as fitted to V8 Supercars / Development Series V8 Supercars. Has a fixed rev limit set to 7500 RPM ECU mapping cannot be adjusted while the engine is running. ECU software includes a test program to check that the ECU conforms to V8 Touring Car Regulations. Technical Representatives/Scrutineers have software to perform a detailed check on the ECU and record the results. The ECU has data logging with a fixed logging setup and cyclic memory (512 Kb). The logged data can be downloaded by teams and officials but cannot be erased. A MoTeC PCI Cable is required to connect a PC to the ECU for communications and configuration. 11

12 Race Management Radio It is mandatory to have at least one radio tuned to the exclusive AV8TC Race Management channel. The frequency is: mhz 71.9 Hz This is a LISTEN ONLY channel so that AV8TC management can pass messages to team managers/crew chief when required (especially during races). MoTeC Beacon: 996 A AV8TC MoTeC lap counting beacon is placed at the start/finish line. The frequency is 996. The AV8TC beacon is positioned closest to the start/finish line and no other beacons/stands may be placed within 3 metres of this official beacon. Noise At all circuits the series visits the noise limit it a maximum of 95db. Please note that at Sandown Raceway and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit the noise limit is heavily enforced. Cars for Sale/Lease Please advise details of any suitable cars that may be for sale (or if you are looking to buy a car). We are happy to place details on our website and/or pass on any information to potential buyers/sellers. 12

13 Contacts Category Manager Liam Curkpatrick Fax: Tyres John Mills FSport (Kumho Tyres) Technical Consultant Frank Lowndes Media Aaron Noonan AN1 Media / an1media@bigpond.com Facebook: 13