Pakenham auto club

Are you thinking of getting involved in grassroots motorsport, but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help!

The Pakenham Auto Club fosters an incredibly engaging and family-friendly atmosphere, where we are there to help new competitors to the sport.

Firstly, it is worthwhile to drop by and check out an event to get a feel for how they run and the cadence of the competition.

Secondly, we always welcome newcomers to our club meetings, where you are free to ask questions regarding anything and everything.

There are a couple of prerequisites to enter an event: have a valid Motorsport Australia Speed Licence and also be a member of a Motorsport Australia-affiliated car club, such as the Pakenham Auto Club.

In some instances, day licences can be arranged – but you are best to touch base with the contact for any given event ahead of time to ensure everything is signed off in a timely manner.

Events have various forms of entry – some online, some by the return of entry forms, or typically here at the PAC, we utilise the Motorsport Australia Portal, which streamlines the process of entering events.

Once you have mastered this for the first time, moving forward, it is a breeze.

If additional paperwork is required, please ensure that this is forwarded to the correct contact.

Before your event, there are a few things you should familiarise yourself with:

• The event-specific supplementary regulations, typically listed with the entry details
• The Motorsport Australia standing regulations – they  are constantly updated, and available from this website
• Also, it is worth checking Schedule D of the Technical Appendix, to ensure that your personal kit is up to scratch – for motorkhanas, minimal safety gear is required, but for khanacrosses and above, in-spec helmets are a necessity

Pre-event, once you have an understanding of the rules, it’s worth having a check of your car to ensure that it is up to standard – the fire extinguisher is in-date and correctly mounted, there are no leaks, and all of the general safety items of the car are looking good, as they will be checked in scrutineering.

It’s also worthwhile having a checklist of things to pack, like tools, any applicable spares, water, sunscreen and a comfy chair.

On event morning, once you are unpacked in the pit area, make your way over to the clubhouse to check in with the admin team.

Depending on the regulations of the day, you may be required to have your car scruitineered in a specified area.

Next up is the driver’s briefing, which for khanacrosses will typically be followed by a reconnaissance lap of the circuit.

Then it’s time to have some fun!

For junior competitors as young as 12, the Pakenham Auto Club regularly host Junior Development days, where our team of instructors work with newcomers to the sport to improve their skills and confidence behind the wheel.

At events, juniors may be eligible to hire PAC-owned cars for use in competition, when available, while instructors are always on hand to lend a guiding hand.

When available, anyone wishing to be a passenger in a competition car must sign a passenger waiver form and receive the applicable wristband at sign-in.

Importantly – ask questions – there are no stupid questions, and if you need a hand with anything, simply ask!