Rallysprints at Eastern Creek

Thursday nights will never be the same again. The North Shore Sporting Car Club has organised a series of tarmac rallysprint rounds to be held on the fourth night of the week at Sydney International Dragway.

Each round will be held over a 3.5-km stage within the dragway complex at Eastern Creek, with the event kicking off at 5pm. As the name implies, rallysprints bring the spectacle of rallying to a closed environment offering plenty of viewing. The Twilight Tarmac Series is open to both novices and more seasoned rally drivers with gravel or tarmac experience. As with any rally-based event, the winner is the driver putting in the fastest time over the stage.

The organisers settled on the Thursday night fixture because the event can conclude by 9pm, making it suitable for families, without eroding leisure time at weekends. Being held over the summer months means the Twilight Tarmac Rallysprint series can take advantage of daylight savings. And with Eastern Creek located close to Sydney, travel to and from the venue is relatively efficient and timely.

The first event will be held on October 23, with subsequent events held each month thereafter. Round two is scheduled for Thursday 20 November, with rounds three, four, five and six to be respectively held on 18 December, 22 January, 19 February and 19 March 2015.

"The idea for the Twilight series was pioneered at the Kwinana Motoplex in Perth over the past few years by Ross Tapper and the success of those events led us to pursue the concept in Sydney," said Jon Thomson, president of the North Shore Sporting Car Club.

"It took quite a deal of time to get the appropriate sign offs and approvals but we are now set to run this summer with a cracker Rallysprint series that we are sure will attract a big following in Sydney.

"Tarmac rallyists in NSW have to travel interstate to compete in tarmac road rallies so the arrival of The Twilight Tarmac Series will allow them the chance to compete on the hard stuff and to improve their performance before heading off to tackle Targa events in Tasmania, Victoria, SA and WA," Thomson explained.

The rallysprint series is conducted under the auspices of CAMS' National Rally Code. Each car will be crewed by a driver and co-driver, and both crew members are to be current holders of a basic level 2S competition licence or higher. Vehicles with a hard-top roof are not required to have a roll cage installed.

"While we recommended a roll cage and full harnesses in all competing vehicles, it is not required except in an open vehicle under CAMS rules and so long as the car complies with the necessary safety requirements including being equipped with a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and safety triangles with the crew wearing approved helmets and apparel, we will welcome all comers," Thomson remarked.

"Under the Level 1 rallysprint rules drivers who are 14 years old and over are also able to enter and take part in the Twilight Tarmac events."

Further information is available from the North Shore Sporting Car Club website.