How To Get Started

[Farmsci]

So you’ve come to the point where you are ready to give it a go? Where to from here? Well below is a basic checklist of what you need to have in order to get started.

1)Club Membership - In order to compete in any CAMS motorsport event you will need first of all to be a member of a CAMS affiliated car club. There are several in Canberra, most notably SDMA who run the hillclimb events. SDMA Website - Join

2)CAMS License - In order to acquire a CAMS racing license you must first be a club member, the license required is referred to a Level 2 Speed (L2S). Contrary to popular belief you do not need to pass any tests to obtain this license, simply fill in the form and pay the fee! More detail at CAMS License Information or talk to your local club about assisting you in getting your CAMS license

3)Clothing Requirements - You must wear clothing that covers from your neck to wrists and toes with enclosed shoes. No flammable materials either, easiest solution is a long sleeve cotton shirt and jeans with closed shoes.

4)Helmet - An Australian standard approved helmet is required, any approved motorcycle helmet is acceptable, make sure it’s a nice snug fit.

5)Fire Extinguisher - Check the event supplementary regulations prior to the event to ensure your chosen fire extinguisher will comply with the event guidelines. Generally speaking a 1kg automotive extinguiser is acceptable, look for a CAMS Approved logo and make sure it’s solidly mounted within reach of the driver and you’re set.

6)Battery Triangle - You must also have a blue triangle pointing to the location of the battery in your car, for a cheap and easily removable solution a roll of blue electrical tape will usually suffice at entry level events but check with event organisers first.

7)Secondary Bonnet Restraint - This last one is not usually needed, most recent model vehicles have a 2 stage latch fitted as standard (i.e. first restraint released with in cabin lever and second restraint via a latch at the front of the bonnet). If however your vehicle only has a single restraint point a secondary method of securing the bonnet is required, typically race cars will use bonnet pins and road cars will use a short chain with a caribena clip attached inside the bonnet

With this short checklist completed you are ready to get hillclimbing!

As you can see here any car can be hillclimb ready for less than $200, and this is what makes hillclimbs so appealing. Cheap, safe and a whole lot of fun!

See you at the track!