New Member Information Sheet

The purpose of this sheet is to help new people enter the sport and to provide contacts for them.

Become a member

The first thing you need to do is join your state Formula Vee association. Please contact your state representatives or download the application form.

Buying a car

The following sources of information are available for buying a car:

• The Formula Vee web page on http://www.fvee.org.au.
• Attending a race meeting and talking to drivers.
• Contact your state representatives.

Buying a dorian timer

You must have a dorian timer for all race meetings in Australia. If the car you purchased does not have a dorian timer you can buy one through Craig Wilson at Natsoft on (03) 6334 2353 or contact Dorian direct on (03) 9562 2199.

Obtaining a racing licence

CAMS now issue rolling Licences so Licences are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. The following steps need to be carried out in order to get your racing licence:

1. Become a member of a CAMS affiliated club. You must be a member of the Formula Vee State Association to race Vees.
2. Contact your CAMS state office (contact numbers can be found at www.cams.com.au). Fill in the application form for a general competition licence and pay the appropriate fees.
3. Have a full medical from a CAMS referred doctor.
4. Attend a CAMS lecture. There is no charge for this. You can attend without paying any fees. If you have already paid for your licence you will get it endorsed after the lecture. A record is kept of all those who attend the lectures, so your licence can be endorsed any time after the lecture.
5. There are two ways of completing your licence; either attend a CAMS Driver Evaluation Day in your state, or in some states you can attend an advanced skill drive day at a private drive schools. Contact CAMS or your state secretary for more information. Some states such as Queensland also offer the opportunity to complete your OLT during qualifying at your first race meeting.

At least two weeks before your final evaluation, you should contact your state secretary who will assign a regular Formula Vee mentor/driver to you, who will make sure your car is set up properly and that you are properly organised for the evaluation day. Many people miss their licence on the first try because they are badly prepared.

If you successfully pass the CAMS evaluation your licence will have its second endorsement and you will be ready to race. If you choose to go to an advanced driver skill course, they will send a report to CAMS who will then be able to endorse your licence.

Get your new car checked

It is advisable to contact your state secretary so that they can put you in touch with the best person to make sure the car you have purchased is legal and generally in race-worthy condition. You should be looking for someone who will give you long-term support for your engine building and maintenance.

Your first race meeting

Check the www.fvee.org.au web site or with your state secretary for the meeting you want to attend and contact the meeting secretary if you have not received an entry form. Once you are a full member, you should be receiving entries to all meetings.

For your first few meetings an experienced driver can be assigned as your mentor if you wish. Please contact your state secretary if you wish to have a mentor.

Before the race weekend, you should do some basic things such as the following:

• Nut and bolt check the car.
• Check you have fuel for the race meeting and practice. (there may not be fuel available at the race track, for example, Morgan Park).
• Confirm your accommodation if you are racing away from home.
• Make sure you have received all supplementary regs and get all of your paper work. (club membership, licence, log book, OLT forms, etc)
• CHARGE YOUR DORIAN TIMER!

As a check list, these are the normal order of activities at a meeting:

• On arrival, find your garage and get set up, or if you don’t have one, find a spot to set up.Ttry and park in the pit area near other Vees. This can always be helpful in times of need and also great socially. Vee drivers generally help each other, so don't be shy.
• Paperwork. On Saturday, take your licence, vehicle log book, club membership card, and all associated documentation to race control for your documentation check. This must be completed before scrutineering. If you are doing your OLT in qualifying, now is the time to tell the authorities. You do this when you register your entry.
• Scrutineering of car and race apparel. On Saturday, both your car and race apparel (including helmet) are scrutineered. Scrutineers are checking mostly for safety. A clean well-presented car is expected. On Sundays, usually only the car is checked. Check the paperwork you received at the documentation check for where scrutineering is setup, or just look for the long line of cars. Check that your rainlight works before going to scrutineering, and remember to take your log book.
• Practice/Qualifying and racing. On Saturday, there is usually 1 practice/qualifying and 1 race or 2 practice sessions. On Sunday, there are usually 2 races, sometimes 3. Mostly, races are gridded progressively.
• Being called to the dummy grid. Make sure you are prepared well before you are called to the dummy grid. Sometimes no announcements are made and you need to keep an eye on the order of proceedings. Watch other drivers!
• First Practice/Qualifying Session. On your first practice session it is wise to go out at the rear of the field rather than mixing with the experienced drivers who may be battling for grid positions. Keep an eye in your mirrors for faster drivers and enjoy. Remember qualifying is not a race, you have plenty of time on the track.
• Practice/Race Results. After the practice or race, results are available from race administration. You always need to check your grid position for the next race.
• Drivers Briefing. Check the Supplementary Regulations for details of the drivers briefing. You must attend these and can be fined and/or excluded from the meeting if you do not attend.
• Car and Trailer on Saturday night. Generally you can leave your car and trailer at the track on Saturday night as security is usually provided.
• Saturday Night. At race meetings there will often be a Formula Vee function on Saturday night. Check with the secretary or other drivers if in doubt.