RACING INFO - How Racing Works

| Overview | Where we race | How racing works | Entry Fees | What to bring | About the Championship |

| PDNR Membership | Driver Information | Safety and OHS |

Note: For detailed information on the PDNR Drag Night Series - Click Here

OVERVIEW TOP

PDNR race every Tuesday night at the Sydney International Regatta Centre - P1 Island car park, Old Castlereagh Rd, Penrith. Racing is open to anyone with a nitro car, buggy or truck - it doesn't matter how much experience you have, or don't have because PDNR have an emphasis on fun and having a go, rather than "sheep station" serious competition. If you are new to the hobby or have problems with your car, please come along and get some advice and help from one of our many experienced racers.

The car park we run on is a good surface for the cars - but space is a little restrictive for the 1/8 cars (That doesn't stop us though!). The track is contained within sand filled fire hoses and timber barricades. The tracks are designed to be challenging but not too hard for those just getting started. The same track layout is kept for the whole year (three championships) so there is ample time to master it. Our purpose built barricades protect spectators, drivers and cars and for a track made in a car park.

There are many divisions available every Tuesday night - Novice, Truck, Buggy, Open Pan, Nitro Kit, Pull Start, Outlaw, and Pro Tourer. Entrants in all divisions (excluding Novice) are eligible to accumulate points in the Championship.

PDNR have started a new trial division called "KIDS" and it is offered on Tuesday nights during school holidays and is designed for young kids (mostly children of regular racers!) and kids just starting out. You can run any 1/10 vehicle, petrol or electric and they get one open practcie seesion at the start of the night - usually while registration is being finished. It's great to see the future of our hobby!

If you would like to have a go, or are having problems with your car, come down and get some tips from experienced drivers. Visitors are always welcome, so bring your family and friends and enjoy a night of Penrith District Nitro Racing!

WHERE WE RACE TOP

Race meetings are held every Tuesday night at the Sydney International Regatta Centre - P1 Island car park, Old Castlereagh Rd, Penrith.

The following is an outline of events (Times may vary slightly):

HOW RACING WORKS TOP

The following information is refering to a typical Tuesday night club meeting. PDNR also organise other major endurance events and drag nights which may vary from the format outlined below.

The first task on a Tuesday night race night is to set up the track and equipment, (The track remains the same for the entire year - 3 championships). This usually starts about 6:00pm and takes about an hour. Any help with setting up the equipment is greatly appreciated!

If you are planning to race your car, you must register at Race Control between 6:15 and 7:00pm. There are a number of registration options which are discussed in the next section - Entry Fees. At registration you will be allocated a position 1 to 10, and this number is used for lap scoring and marshaling positions. You will also register your frequency to ensure no clashes will occur between you and another driver in your race. As the same frequency can be shared by two drivers in different divisions, PDNR use a frequency peg system. All drivers MUST abide by this system which involves only truning on your radio transmitter once you have the corect frequency peg attached to the aerial.

Following registration there will be a short drivers briefing which ALL DRIVERS MUST ATTEND.

At approximately 7:30pm racing begins. Novice always begin first and they have a 10 minute practice session (no timing).

Before the start of championship divisions, drivers will be reminded to collect their frequency pegs and transponders. Drivers must put the frequency peg on the aerial of their transmitter before switching it on, and attach your transponder securely to your car. Transponders can be picked up from Race Control, and Frequency Pegs are on the board hanging on the large trailer.

When the race is finished, drivers need to switch off their car and put it on the scrutineering table, return your frequency peg and transponder and go straight out to marshal for the next race. Penalties will be incurred if you do not marshal for the next race.

Racing is held over two rounds. Each round drivers have one 5 minute race. There is a 3 minute warm up period before the race starts, and approximately 1 minute is assigned between races, during which the track is closed.

The second round of racing usually begins immediatly after the first round concudes, but sometimes there will be a short break to draw rffle tickets and prepare the track for the second round of racing.

The start of races will not be delayed. If you miss the start you can join the race from pit lane.

All races use a formation start. A grid start is used for all classes except for Pro Tourer and Open Pan who use a Le Mans style start. Cars are called to the grid shortly before the start, any cars not on the Grid before the 10 second count-down need to start from pit lane.

Race results are printed and posted on the large trailer shortly after the race has finsihed. Drivers can then see how many laps and what times they have done. Race Results are also posted on this website a day or so after the meeting.

Racing should be finished by 11:30pm and with some help we can be all packed up and ready for home by 12:30am.

ENTRY FEES TOP

Entry fees for racing can be paid in two ways, up front or nightly. Non financial entrants are not permitted to participate, and no IOU's will be accepted. Entry fees cover insurance and prizes and entry plates for the Championship winners.

WHAT TO BRING TOP

As we run in a car park, there are a few items we suggest you bring to help your night go a little smoother.

- A table/work bench of some description is good. It gets you and your car off the ground and in a more comfortable position.
- A torch or portable light is very handy. As we race at night, you sometimes need a bit more light than the car park provides.
- Spare frequency crystals are always a good idea for your race box.
- Spare batteries are also a good idea.
- Your car, radio, fuel and starting gear... and anything else you need to run your car.

We also run regular fundraisers such as meat trays and raffles, so if you have some spare change bring it along and help support the club!

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP TOP

PDNR hold three Championships each year, Summer, Autumn and Spring. All drivers that enter a race are eligible to accumulate points in the Championship. There will be two rounds of races for each division each week with points awarded to all divisions, excluding Novice. Prizes at the end of the championship will be awarded to the top three drivers for each division (excluding Novice).

PDNR currently offer the following divisions for Summer 2008:
Please note: the descriptions for the following divisions are a general overview only. Please refer to the Competition Rules and Racing Guidelines for exact specifications for each division.

- Novice (All novice drivers, touring cars, no motor limit, single or two speed transmission - No points awarded)
- Nitro Kit (1/10 200mm Touring Cars as supplied RTR or Kit engine with no modifications)
- Pull Start (1/10 200mm Two Speed Touring Cars with operative pull start, up to .16 motor)
- Outlaw (1/10 200mm Two Speed Touring Cars, up to .16 open motor)
- Open Pan (Two Speed Pan Cars, 1/8 & 1/10 235mm Pan, open motor)
- Truck (1/10 & 1/8 Off Road trucks, open motor)
- Buggy (1/10 & 1/8 Off Road buggies, open motor)
- Pro Tourer (1/10 Touring Cars run to AARCMCC Rules)

More details on specifications are available in the PDNR Competition Rules and Racing Guidelines. You can download a copy here or ask at Race Control.

Points in the championship will be awarded as follows:

P1 - 20 pts
P2 - 16 pts
P3 - 14 pts
P4 - 12 pts
P5 - 10 pts
P6 - 9 pts
P7 - 8 pts
P8 - 7 pts
P9 - 6 pts
P10 - 5 pts

PDNR MEMBERSHIP TOP

You can become a member of Penrith District Nitro Racing Inc. There are many benefits available to PDNR members so read on to find out the details.

PDNR Membership Fees

$10.00 once off joining fee
$30.00 annual membership subscription.

Membership includes:
- discounts on race entry fees
- discounts with sponsor hobby shops (Check in store for details)
- eligibility to vote on club decisions at meetings
- Club Newsletter

Please note that children under 16 are included in the membership of a full member.

Click here to download a PDNR Membership Application and/or Renewal form

DRIVER INFORMATION TOP

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL DRIVERS

DUE TO INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. ALL DRIVERS MUST WEAR COVERED FOOTWEAR

2. NO ALCOHOL PERMITTED AT RACE MEETINGS

3. BEFORE STARTING YOUR CAR(S) ALL DRIVERS MUST:
- CHECK IN AT THE RACE CONTROL
- PUT A FREQUENCY PEG ON YOUR CONTROLLER

4. DRIVERS MUST RETURN THEIR TRANSPONDER AND FREQUENCY PEG IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR RACE

5. CARS ARE ONLY PERMITTED TO BE DRIVEN ON THE TRACK - No free practice

6. ALL MARSHALS MUST WEAR AN ORANGE/FLOURO VEST

A few reminders, during a race it is essential that all drivers are within the designated driving area and at no point are drivers permitted on the track.


MARSHALLING DUTY

All drivers are required to marshal the race that immediately follows their own. Drivers should marshal at the numbered position that corresponds with their position on the Grid Listing. Drivers failing to perform their Marshalling Duties may incur a penalty. If a driver is unable to perform their marshal duties, they must arrange for someone to marshal on their behalf and let Race Control know who this is, otherwise a penalty may be incurred.

SAFETY AND OHS TOP

PDNR organisers ask all competitors to use common sense if family or friends come down to watch. Please keep all spectators, especially children back from the track and away from race control, pit area and the drivers area during races.

Please note that only marshals are authorised on the track to retrieve cars, and only drivers are permitted in the driver's area.

Please click on the Link Below to Download all our Safety Guidelines, Safework Procedures, Risk Management and MSDS Sheets.

Click here to entrer the Download Zone here

The riding of bikes/scooters/rollerblades/skateboards/etc is not allowed on the track or in the paddock area at any time. This is for the childrens own safety as well as members.

AT NO TIME ARE CARS (real ones that is!) ALLOWED TO BE PARKED ON THE GRASS - SIRC Rule