AROCA Phillip Island Sprint Day
30 June 2018

On Saturday 30 June, a large contingent of BMWDCM members attended a sprint event at the famous Phillip Island GP circuit. The event was held and managed by AROCA – the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia who had invited us to take part as associates for the day.

An early 7am start saw us arrive, unpack, get our cars running and through scrutineering by 8:30. The AROCA officials were terrific – helping us through the formalities and doing everything they could to ensure we got to run our cars on the day.  Then it was time for a drivers’ briefing with the Clerk of the Course and race officials providing us with the rules governing the event, the etiquette and responses required of us as drivers, and more detailed information for first time drivers at the Phillip Island track.

As the rain bucketed down assisted by a howling wind, and the temperature plummeting, we got into our practice runs. The cars had been divided into 3 groups of approx. 20, with our BMWs grouped together (mostly) with some Mazda MX5s and a lone Alfa Giulia.  Practice on a wet and wild track had a few of us facing the wrong way coming out of some bends, but thankfully no excursions onto the grass.  Driving in these weather conditions in a controlled environment, on a purpose-built tarmac with gaps between competitors created the ideal opportunity for us to test our driver ability and responses and to assess our car set up and condition. Much better than finding these things out on the freeway at 100kph.

The timed runs soon followed with the first couple in similarly wet conditions.  I think we all maintained good control, and no-one was trying for outright pace – just having an enjoyable time on a great track amongst others doing the same.  As the day went on, the track started to dry, and lap times started to tumble, especially for the better developed cars and racers amongst our group.

Over the day, we had 6 timed runs of approx. 15mins each which gave us all plenty of track time.  The event wound up at about 5pm and weary but happy, we hit the road for home.

One of the advantages of being a smaller club is that we can easily combine with larger or more established car clubs for sprint events – in this case it was AROCA.  The AROCA members were great and they had some fantastic cars on the track.  Even though we may be a bit BMW centric, it is good to be able to get up close to other marques and to share the track with them.  Our hosts for the day deserve a real pat on the back, and I for one look forward to sharing future events with AROCA. Great bunch of people.

If I may, I would like to add some opinion about why I think these club level sprint days are such memorable and anticipated days and why I would encourage other BMWDCM members to give it a go (if you haven’t already) –

• Organisation – we have fully trained, and very experienced officials involved in running the day.  Everyone knows their job and they give us confidence that we will be safe on the track.
• Courtesy – all our drivers, regardless of experience level, follow the event rules and take care not to put other drivers or cars at risk of injury or damage.  The care these drivers take with their own cars is obvious and no-one wants to bend their, or anyone else’s, pride and joy.
• Safety – on the track its very comforting to know that in each group there are a mix of experienced drivers (some are full-on door banging saloon car race drivers), those in the process of gaining experience and then the first timers and novices.  We all realise we had a first event once as well, and we understand that newer drivers may feel some apprehension before heading out on the track.  Rest assured, the other drivers will look out for you and look after you.
• Support – all the drivers want the same thing – a trouble free day of driving fast in a controlled, alcohol free environment on a great track.  They won’t let you struggle.  Advice and physical help is freely supplied by the entire group.  Pro drivers and pit crews particularly are available and happy to help if you need it.  They will do some laps with you in your car as a mentor if you wish.
• Community – we rented adjoining garages for the day, which accommodated four or five cars, and everyone attached to those cars.  Other BMWDCM members had a garage next door with another two or three cars.  Between us we shared space, equipment, advice, opinion, laughs, bad jokes and even some breakfast (thanks to Master Chef Phil Kolar).  This is what happens at these events, BMWDCM members are genuinely interested in making sure that everyone is welcomed and very much included in the days’ activities.
• Family – in our garage, we had two father and son teams and next door a father and daughter pairing.  These events are a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your children who have an interest in driving cars and/or racing.  The experience and knowledge these youngsters gain on the track will enhance their road driving abilities no end.  Some of our younger drivers are not yet old enough to hold a full road licence, yet their ability to control a car in adverse conditions like what we had on Saturday was there for all to see.
• Inclusion – all members who want to put their road, modified or race cars on the track are welcomed.  I run a basically standard E30 road car and whilst I can’t match it with the developed cars or race cars, I don’t particularly want to.  My enjoyment comes from driving (reasonably) fast on real race tracks in a car that I largely maintain myself.  I am not ever going to be a full race driver, just an old bloke who likes to drive around some race tracks for a bit of fun.  Everyone, regardless of driver or car level is welcome and will be assisted all the way, as I have been.

Jim Tucker  |  Member #26 
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne