MSCASA Introduction:
The Marque Sports Car Association of South Australia Inc (MSCASA) is a Motorsport Australia affiliated “umbrella” car club that allows members of its member clubs to participate in motorsport events without these member clubs having to have their own Motorsport Australia affiliation.
To join the MSCASA as an individual, competitors must first be a financial member of one of the MSCASA clubs. They can then apply for individual MSCASA membership. The annual fee for individual members is $25. Being an MSCASA member entitles the competitor to a $25 discount per event.
The application form for MSCASA membership is available on the MSCASA website – www.mscasa.com.
The MSCASA is managed by a committee, made up of delegates from each of the member clubs.
The MSCASA has a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Competition Secretary Motorsport Australia State Council representative and the club delegates. The committee meets monthly at the General Meeting, to discuss and make decisions on events and other matters and conduct the MSCA’s financial affairs. Any interested party is welcome to attend a general meeting but cannot vote.
The current MSCASA member clubs are:
- Alfa Romeo Owners Club of SA
- Austin 7 Club of South Australia
- Bolwell Car Club of Australia
- Fiat-Lancia Car Club of SA
- Honda Car Club of SA
- Mazda MX-5 Club of SA
- Mercedes Benz Motorsport and Restorers Club
- MG Car Club of SA
- Modified Mini Car Club of SA
- Nissan Datsun Car Club
- Sprite Car Club of SA
- Triumph Sports Owners Association
- Volvo Car Club of SA.
The MSCASA also organises and runs 5 Super Sprint events and 1 Regularity Relay event each calendar year, usually between February and November each year. Usually, one of the Super Sprint events will include a “Come and Try” component, where drivers with little or no track experience can learn from experienced drivers. Entrants in this component don’t require a MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA licence, as the entry fee includes an introductory licence.
Super Sprint Event Information:
A Super Sprint is a speed event held on a racetrack (in our case Mallala Motorsport Park, with the possibility of some events at The Bend (in the future). The event is run over a full day, always on a Sunday. Drivers arrive at the track from around 7:30am, and the last session finishes around 4pm. The track closes at 4:30pm.
Costs are very reasonable – $195 for MSCASA members and $220 for non-members. This is arguably the cheapest full day speed event in the country today. It is not a “race” in the true sense; rather it is best described as a level of motorsport between a track day and a race meeting. It is more like qualifying than racing, you give yourself some space, so traffic doesn’t slow you down.
A brief description is “Cars are sent onto the circuit in single file to set their fastest lap.” There are up to 18 cars on track at the same time.
MSCASA run 5 Super Sprint events each calendar year – dates are published in advance on the MSCASA website, https://www.mscasa.com
The events are run in a safe environment, with various officials in attendance.
These include Stewards, Clerk of Course, Assistant(s) Clerk of Course, Scrutineers, Timekeepers, Grid Marshalls, Flag Marshalls, and Fire and Ambulance personnel. Most of these officials are fully trained and licenced, and all of these officials are volunteers, and give up their time so we can compete. These officials share your passion for motorsport. Both officials and fellow competitors will welcome new drivers and are always willing to provide assistance if required.
If you are unsure of anything, you only have to ask. Anyone wanting to get involved in motorsport, is welcome to become an official.
The event is organised and run in accordance with Motorsport Australia rules and regulations. Each event has a set of Supplementary Regulations (more commonly called Supp Regs), which are additional to the Motorsport Australia standing regulations.
The Supp Regs define what, where, when, who, how etc, and include details of the event officials, classes, times and how to enter the event. These Supp Regs are available on the MSCASA website (www.mscasa.com) and also on the Motorsport Australia online Event Entry system usually 2 – 3 weeks before the event date.
Competitors (particularly first timers) should read the Supp Regs prior to attending the event. Any questions can be addressed to the Secretary of the Meeting, whose phone contact details are listed in the Supp Regs.
Entries:
Event entries are open to competitors who hold a Motorsport Australia Speed licence (membership of a Motorsport Australia affiliated car club is a pre-requisite to obtaining a Motorsport Australia licence, so competitors must also be a financial member of an appropriate club). Entries to events are made by using the Motorsport Australia online Event Entry in your Member Portal.
Payment should be made when entering. If paying by bank transfer (which is the preferred payment method), you need to include your surname, event date and what you are purchasing. E.g. entry fee plus MSCA membership.
Competitors and Cars:
Competitors supply their own car for the events. This can range from a standard road-registered car to a dedicated track or race car. Regardless of your car or your track experience and ability, you will be on the track with other competitors who are doing similar lap times to you.
Cars must meet minimum safety standards. You are asked to sign a legally binding Statement of vehicle Compliance the following is checklist of the sort of things that need to be looked at https://motorsport.org.au/?pdfs=self-scrutiny-checklist-speed . A more thorough guide can be found under the Scrutiny heading on our website, www.mscasa.com . The Supp Regs we recommended reading contain a number of exceptions. If you have trouble following all of that, talk to your club’s Competition Secretary or contact the MSCA, we will be happy to help.
Usually there are 4 – 6 groups of cars, with around 18 cars in each group – group 1 is the fastest 18 cars, group 6 is the slowest. Only one group is on the track at any one time. The list of “groups and grids” is available for download on the MSCASA website 2 – 3 days before the event.
On the day:
The schedule of events for the day, including times, is listed in the Supp Regs for the event. The most important item on the schedule is the compulsory driver’s briefing at 9.00am where the Clerk of Course, the person in charge of the event, will run through what is expected of everyone, and touch on some of more important rules. First time sprinters are asked to stay on for more instruction depending on their level of experience.