Ahoy, hoy

[Jagre]

Been browsing the forums for a while now, figured it was about time i became an actual member... So hi everyone. Myself and another new member 'Patteh' are looking at getting into the rallying side of the money drain that is motor sport. Been looking for a decent beginners car we can take out and get a feel for before we look into upgrading.

This would be our first experience, so any helpful hints or ideas would be greatly appreciated. As far as cars go we don’t really want to spend more than $15,000-20,000. Seems the general consensus is either pick up someone’s pre-loved junker and learn from scratch or get an older model AWD Evo/WRX (geared out) and go from there.

Also i was wondering if anyone knew which courses are CAM's compliant in terms of replacing the need for an OLT when applying for your National Rally Drivers Licence? Both myself and Patteh have completed defensive driving courses with Murcott's and had heard they effectively negate the need for an OLT.

Thanks in advance for any help and if you have anything to add please do. Always good to get help when starting out from people who have been there.

- Jack [Melbourne]

[patteh]

Hey, I'm the other guy. Essentially, due to the cost of the sport, we are looking at splitting the bills 50/50 and thus sharing the driving and navigation positions as well. Running costs will be of particular issue to us with our limited income, so if anyone has any suggestions regarding particular cars we should look at that would be great.

Cheers,

- Patrick [Melbourne]

[MarkH]

Hi there.

Being as it appears that you are totally new to the sport, the options (in Victoria) are limited for you. For your first five events, you are are unable to compete in a forced induction car. You may want to read the Victorian Rally Bulletin available from here before committing to buy a car.

While doing a defensive driving course is great, they do not negate the need to do an OLT (yet).

If I can cue the Excel tragics, think about starting out in the Excel series, lots of information can be found on this site. They really are a great way to start out in this sport and are very cost effective.

Welcome to the best form of motorsport there is and have fun.

[patteh]

Thanks for the links; I'll read through them over the next couple days. One of the thoughts I have been playing with is to start with a lower model Subaru Impreza (non turbo etc) and bring it up to STI spec as we grow into the car and sport... Is this a feasible option (and without having read through the CAMS bulletin in full would seem to allow for an easy addition of turbos after our first 5 events)?

We have been to some track days and had a chat with some of the guys there, and a recurring statement was we would have much more fun 'driving the **** out of a crap car than to be driving a car over our capabilities - so go get an old Datson and upgrade when you can competently drive it'. Buying multiple cars seems like a pretty expensive route to me, and others have agreed. There just seems to be so many opinions on where we should start (even to the extent of looking into Super Karts as a cheap alternative).

I will check out the Excel option regardless of my disgust of the car : P

Thanks for the help

- Patrick

[MarkH]

The Subaru option is a good one.
There is one such N/A car competing and is it a lot lot quicker than most think.
It is entered in the Cerberus VCAS Autocross this weekend at Bagshot if you want a look.

Don't go Super Karts , they are held on the evil and nasty bitumen stuff

[patteh]

Ahh cool. Unfortunately we will be down on the coast this weekend. Might move out of this Introductions forum for further points of conversation.