German Branded Car Racing

When you think of Germany visions of steins, wurst, lederhosen and big cathedrals spring to mind. Others think BMW, Porsche Mercedes, Audi and the great Nurburgring race circuit, Mecca for Deutsch petrophiles. Too seek the German motor sport experience has literally meant a journey to the northern hemisphere, until now that is. Pure German race cars are joining on mass this motor racing season, bringing locals a taste of Germany down-under. Serious (and not so serious) drivers have come together in a new South Island based race grouping called Rennsport (rennsport is German for “race sport”).

Cars as varied as classic early Porsches through to the modern GT3's, from E30 BMW's, M6's, Group A spec BMW's and the very appealing E46 British Touring Car which have graced our circuit already this year are lining up. The Porsche passion burns bright with drivers such as Jon Warring, Guy Stewart , Scott O'Donnell and no less so in the BMW camp with the likes of Stephen Grellet, Mark Scott and Jonathan Phillips, to name a few. The prospect of these drivers and many others waiting for lights out on the starting grid with such a variety of Porsche and BMW is mouth watering to say the very least.

For kicks or for a championship, Rennsport caters to two types of driver. One can choose to race in the Group just for the fun of it, or one can enter a series championship by racing in a class within the Rennsport group. This means in any Rennsport race there will be those going for trophies and those who are doing it because they simply love the game.

Rennsport is not all about big cheque books as the ethos behind it is focused on fun and affordability. There are no group rules, (save a few basic safety requirements) meaning if you have a German saloon or GT type car you can come and race. This means, that if you have an old VW Golf, then there is a fair chance it can be sorted to fit the requirements and get affordably on to the track. Safety requirements will include the fitting of a roll cage, safety harnesses, competition seats etc. Laps times are not officially recognized, nor are there prizes or trophies to be had if you are a “Group only” driver. It is also strictly non-contact type racing where the penalties for a breach of this regulation are severe to say the least.

Alternatively, Class racing is also promoted within Rennsport group races. BMW E30 class racing (restricted to 1.8 and 2 ltr production saloons) and BMW Open class racing are where points can be accumulated over the season in a recognized SI championship series. BMW class racing (also strictly non-contact) has been extremely successful in New Zealand, particularly in the North Island where it has become the largest single brand racing class in the history of NZ motor sport.

Dates and venues for this season are :

1. Club Day 1 on 3 Oct (Rennsport 1 hour enduro)
2. Club Day 3 on 12 Dec
3. Club Day 4 on 6 March 2011
4. Super Truck Meeting at Levels Raceway Timaru on 25-27 March
5. Club Day 5 on 3 April

NB: These are subject to possible change.

Joining the Rennsport Register is by invitation only with expressions of interest being registered with the Canterbury Car Club (administrators and owners of the Rennsport brands).

www.porsche.org.nz

www.bmwraceseries.co.nz

The "Hawkswood Sprint is coming Nov 22nd check out the link for more details and entry form www.sportsground.co.nz/files/site/637/4/pdf/091016101350FJFCXZFO.pdf

Rennsport Regulations

1) The Rennsport Register members must be financial members of the Canterbury Car Club

2) Prizes, trophies, points and any other rewards are the administration and responsibility of the various clubs representing their marque. Within the Register, race classes may be run for the purpose of points accumulation and/or recognition of places. It is not a requirement that cars and drivers need to be in a race series to participate in German Rennsport races.

3)German marques must be a Saloon or GT type car, and listed as follows without exception:

Audi, BMW, BMW Mini, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Zakspeed Ford Escort

Ford Cologne Capri, Alpina, Volkswagen, NSU, Auto Union, DKW, Horsch, Trabant, Wartburg, Maybach, Daimler (pre war), Gogomobile, Smart, Veritas, Opel, Ruf, Messerschmitt, Heinkle, Borgward

4) The Rennsport Register is broken into two groups. These groups are represented by two different time brackets within which they race. The Groups are called German Rennsport and Super Rennsport. Both German Rennsport and Super Rennsport will race under the same flag fall, but may be separated as required on the say so of the Rennsport Committee.

German Rennsport cars must fall within the rage of a minimum lap time of 100 seconds ( 1:40 ) and a maximum of 118 seconds ( 1:58 ) for one flying lap of Ruapuna GP circuit.

Super Rennsport cars must fall within the range of a minimum lap time of 85 seconds

( 1:25 ) and a maximum of 99.99 seconds (1:39.99) for one flying lap of the Ruapuna GP circuit.

Any times that exceed these ranges will result instant dismissal of the driver/car combination from further participation from racing in their Group for the remainder of that day. This regulation has developed with the interests of driver safety in mind. How car are governed, if required is free.

5) Slicks are permitted.

6) Race etiquette is to observed at all times. By definition, the Code of Driving Conduct Schedule Z Section 12 (click here), as outlined in the Motorsport Manual must be adhered to. There is no room for “professional fouls” in Rennsport races. Driving infringements under schedule Z of the manual will be dealt with by the Race Management appointed on the day. The onus of responsibility is on the passing driver in the first instance though should a fellow competitor forcefully take a race line from another competitor, then Rennsport etiquette states that the driver who has been offended against should take evasive action to avoid the contact. The offended driver may have the right of way, but that driver may not force contact upon the offender. Rennsport will appoint a non-competing member to act as Driver Liaison for each meeting who will, among other things observe driver behaviour and encourage dialogue between drivers where contact has occurred. In these circumstances an Incident Report Form should be completed in an endeavour to establish an understanding of the incident and in conjunction with the Driver Liaison a ruling based on this report may be made. Genuine mistakes accepted, any avoidable contact, however small, between cars is strictly forbidden. Breaching these guidelines may result in your placement and possible points within a class being null and void for that race. In addition, the driver and car combination is to be stepped down from racing Rennsport for the rest of the remaining day, and will not be allowed to enter the next Rennsport meeting. Continued offending will result in total expulsion from the Rennsport Register.

Driver Liaison

By agreement of the Rennsport committee a Driver Liaison will be appointed for all Race Meetings competed at by Rennsport. The Driver Liaison shall represent Rennsport interests to Race Management of the day and should liaise with respect to any issues which may arise with any Rennsport competitor. The Driver Liaison representee is encouraged to view each race from the control tower so they are aware of incidents as they happen and can gain the best possible viewing of the race. Any point of contact should be directly with the CRO in the first instance and could also be with timing and results to instruct or assist them to determine Rennsport handicaps in good time prior to any race. Race incidents within the schedule will be dealt with by Race Management however where incidents occur outside the schedule and is deemed to be contrary to Rennsport etiquette then the Driver liaison should seek each drivers point of view, encourage them to discuss the situation together and where possible agree on a course of action. Where no agreement is reached the Driver Liaison may choose to make a ruling based on his/her observation of the incident. 

7) All cars must be kept clean and smart in their presentation, and must display the Rennsport Register's official logo as well as any required sponsors graphics.

8) All Rennsport cars must have a minimum of 4 point Roll Cage for the German Rennsport group, and 6 point Roll cage for the Super Rennsport group, installed to homologation standards as cited in the Motorsport New Zealand Regulations.

Summary

The Rennsport Register is about upholding the values of good sportsmanship with clean racing on the track, and associated camaraderie.