An all new motorsport category has been given the go ahead as part of the 2012 Bosch Australian Rally Championship with a four event Side x Side Rally Challenge to be run as a part of the National Rally series.

The regulations for the all new Australian Side x Side Rally Challenge, have now been published with potential competitors being urged to become a part of this exciting new low cost rally competition.

The Australian Side x Side Rally Challenge is a new motor sport competition that will be fought out by crews competing in specified Can Am Commander or Polaris’ RZR side by side vehicles.

The Australian Side by Side Challenge has been devised as a relatively low cost way of becoming involved in rallying but is still a full specification national series for Side x Side vehicles to be run in parallel with the traditional Bosch ARC competition.

Key protagonists CanAm and Polaris are billing the Australian Side by Side Rally Challenge as like  “a Holden versus Ford, Carlton versus Collingwood, Wallabies versus All Blacks” battle.

The Side x Side Challenge will be run on closed road stages as part of four of the six rounds in the 2012 Bosch ARC with rounds at Rally Calder in Melbourne in early March, the Quit Forest Rally in WA at the end of March, The International Rally of Queensland in May and the Coffs Coast Forest Rally in October.

Polaris is likely to enter its long time ambassador and three times Australian rally champ Cody Crocker in the Challenge while CanAm will be entering its ambassador and former World Championship rally driver Michael Guest in the four event Challenge.

The sport of Side x Side racing has exploded in North America in recent times with tens of thousands of side x side vehicles now sold each year.

In Australia many Side x Side owners have been welcomed at events all over the country such as the Finke Desert Race and The Cliffhanger to state and club khanacross events with a growing number attracted to the simplicity compact size and cost effective aspects of the Polaris and CanAm machines.

According to Polaris national marketing manager, Neil Anderson, one of the key factors that has led to the introduction of the Australian Side x Side Rally Challenge ARC is  the development of a set of national guidelines  by CAMS including a nationally recognised safety cage specification.

“From 2012 owners will now be able to enter a host of different CAMS sanctioned events not just the Australian Side x Side Rally Challenge with the one specification of  vehicle” said Neil Anderson.

“This will effectively be a stock class, basically everything is standard apart from the necessary safety changes such as the approved safety cages and harnesses,” he added.

“We are very keen that this not become cheque book racing and as a result, there will be no engine or transmission modi?cations allowed and even the alloy wheels have to be stock,” he added.

Kym Pardey, marketing manager for BRP/CanAm says that with Side x Side vehicle’s offering outstanding consumer value, the company has every confidence that there will continue to be rapid growth in this market.

“Working with the Bosch ARC and CAMS is a great chance to build the recreational and sporting side of the SSV category, offering power sport enthusiasts a new entry point into the exciting world of off-road racing, “ said Kym Pardey.

According to CEO of the Bosch Australian Rally Championship Scott Pedder, the Australian Side x Side Rally Challenge is an exciting development and addition to the Bosch Australian Rally Championship that will expand the reach and participation of our sport.

“I can see the Side x Side Rally Challenge becoming the breading ground for future rally champions allowing young drivers and co-drivers to learn car control and the intricacies of the sport in a controlled competition at a fraction of the cost of top level rallying,” said Scott Pedder.

“As well as young drivers it will also be a great way for crews of all ages to become involved in rallying without the large commitment required to campaign a traditional rally car,” he said.

“The Side x Side Challenge will not only be an exciting rally category in its own right but will also be a platform for particularly younger crews to showcase their skills and raise awareness amongst sponsors and manufacturers,” Scott added.

Polaris has commissioned Brown Davis to build the cage to be used by Polaris Racing’s number one driver Cody Crocker however competitors are free to choose their own manufacturer or build it themselves, so long as it complies with CAMS Schedule J.

Sporting and technical regulations are published at http://www.rally.com.au along with supplementary regulations and entry information for the opening round at Rally Calder.

Tough Dog Toperi Challenge Photo Gallery

After a week of solid rain prior to the event it was clear skies and sunshine for spectators and competitors at the 2011 Tough Dog Toperi Challenge.  Whilst the tracks stayed slippery all teams had a great weekend! Here is some track action from the event

Interested in competing next year? Great! Contact the Canobolas 4WD Club to find out more by clicking here!

Article by Krystal Harden

Introducing the RotopaX Storage Systems!

Now available off the shelf in Australia are the durable, rotation molded, portable liquid and storage containers designed by RotopaX. Use them to organise and securely store your fuel, oil, water, first aid and general items when travelling.

Features include, thicker wall construction, bright colorfast plastic available in a range of colors and leak proof, locking seals. RotopaX are the most versatile secure storage system on the market.

Not just for vehicles the modular design and innovative range of mounts allows you to secure RotopaX containers to motorbikes, walls, boats and trailers as well!

Recommended by touring, farming, mining and trail riding industries worldwide, check out the product information videos presented by Krystal below!

Find out more about how the RotopaX range can simplify your liquid transport, prices and mounting options by clicking here!

Article by Krystal Harden.

“Wholly Santa! It’s Christmas Time!!”

Looking for Christmas Gifts?

The Snake has gotten into the Egg Nog early this year and he’s full of Christmas Cheer!! So, take advantage of the silly season price slashing and fill your stocking with Snake Racing gear!! Krystal from Snake Racing has some great Christmas gift ideas to help you decide.

Now check out the Christmas 2011 savings by clicking here! We’ve got savings to suit all budgets so every one can be Ho-Ho-Happy this festive season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Snake Racing Team!!

Article by Krystal Harden

The cars that you see listed on the first part of the page will be the cheapest cars from various car rental companies.  If you like to go for the cheapest one, simply settle for the first choice. However, if you compare cheap car rental a little bit more, you’ll surely find something that can give more value to your money.  Maybe the cheapest car is worth less than $50 when you rent it for a day.  The car next to it is worth more than $50 but less than $60.  If you take a look at the kilometers offered on both cars, you might find that the cheapest one has limited kilometers while the other one doesn’t.

The bottom line is, you don’t only get to save by looking at the car rental price but you can also save when you know the details of the rental.  On most instances, there might be a promotion that you can avail of to lower the price of your rental car even more.  For example, if you’re in need of a car for seven days, you can actually rent the car out for five days and you get two days for free from some rental companies.  Go ahead and compare cheap car rental so that you can find a good deal from the best companies.

Calling all Captains! It’s Khanacross Finals at Hampton!

It’s finals time as the CAMS 2011 NSW State Khanacross series wraps up in Hampton!

Details

Round 8 of the NSW State Khanacross will be hosted by the Hills District Car Club at their home grounds in Hampton.

The Hampton property is on the Jenolan Caves Road, 27km north of Jenolan Caves. This gives the members the opportunity to compete in events like rallysprints and khanacross over the 12km of dirt road. It is a good venue for novice drivers and navigators.

Canteen facilities are available on race day.

More details TBA. We will update you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, for more information visit http://www.hdcc.com.au/

Snake Racing is proud to sponsor the Tough Dog Toperi Challenge is a Full-On 4WD event for the extreme 4WD enthusiast and Extreme 4WD Machine! Attracting competitors from 4WD Clubs across the South East, you won’t be disappointed in the on track action.

Details

Location: Toperi Park. Curtins Road. Borenore via Orange NSW.

Price of a spectator ‘day pass’ is not yet finalised. 15 years and under free.

Food available on site. Showers and toilets provided

Day One

- Saturday, 26 November 2011: Arrive at 8.30am for a 10.00am competition start. Day finishes around 5.30 to 6.00pm

- NO Saturday Night drive or competition

Day Two

- Sunday 27 November 2011: 8.30am start. Finishes around 4.30 to 5.00pm

- Camp sites available. Pre paid and weekend camping fees are yet to be determined.

Contact: Tony Richards. Competition Coordinator and Clerk of the course. 0412 198 366 OR (02) 6365 2345

There are a lot of ways in finding the best car rental company for your transport needs. You can find several rental companies near the airports and around the cities and you can as well come across various companies when you go online. Majority of them are accessible since they have their own website and this can be quite convenient since all you have to do is simply reserve for a car without even visiting their office. To make your booking process and shopping for a car more convenient, find affiliate sites where it gives you the chance to access rates and promotions from competing rental car companies in the city you’re planning to visit. The information you need to come up with your buying decision are laid out in just a single page.

To speed up your selection process, you should initially decide what type of vehicle you need. You should also note down when you will pick up as well as drop off the car. Another thing you should remember is to ask if there are any other charges aside for the rental rate that’s written on the website. This way, you’ll be able to account the additional expenses into your budget.

Once you pick up the car, it’s up to you where do you want to go and even the time you want to travel around. With a ride from the car rental service, you are certain that you can have a stopover anytime and anywhere you like.

G Class grows as UTV owners hit the track!

UTV owners from across NSW took up the invite to rally in the Westlakes Twilight Khanacross on September 3rd. Check out some of the days photos below!

All production 4WD UTV brands are invited and will compete in G Class. Club and State Khanacross events sanctioned by CAMS are regularly held across NSW. If your keen to see how your UTV will go and have some old fashioned family fun, find out more by contacting us at  utv@snakeracing.com.au

So you like our light bars hey?? Find out more about the Rigid Industries E Series and SR Series LED light bars that were used in the night events by clicking here!

Article by Krystal Harden