It's that time of year once again so here's the run down on RW18 before it goes "public" elsewhere. Now there's a few things that are still being worked on and aren't 100% confirmed so while I'm going to post them below I've highlighted them in italics so you know it's not 100% but is being worked towards.
EVENT OVERVIEW
Dates: Friday 2nd March – Monday 5th March 2018.
Key Changes for RW18
- The event will continue to run in a limited capacity during RFDS interaction periods with 1/8th mile racing while the plane is in the airspace overhead inbound under the Airport Officers direction. Once the RFDS is on the ground the event will resume as per schedule and switch to 1/8th mile racing when the RFDS starts up to depart under the Airport Officers direction and switch back to the original schedule once the RFDS is outbound and clear of the overhead airspace under the Airport Officers direction. The racing stops for safety grounds and that’s it.
- RW is currently working with the council to plan, design and construct a more suitable return road and staging lane system with the view to have all traffic confined to the western side of the airport and a “One Way” traffic system in place to reduce traffic management risks inside the airport. So there's no more cars doing U-Turns in the pits and the route back to the pits is shorter. The standard of the return roads and staging lanes is of critical importance to me personally as I'm sick of it being a dust bowl / trashing cars and damaging shit. (No prizes for guessing who's car got some under body damage at RW17 now he's mad about it...) Don't expect sealed tarmac roads as that's honestly millions of dollars but properly prepared and graded service roads are a key principle of our commitment with the council.
- The addition of a “Premium Cash Days” entrant class will aim to attract more muscle car & dedicated race car entrants to the event with the ability to join the RW field during the ¼ mile sessions while only needing to comply with the Cash Days regulations not the full RW technical regulations.
- There will be a key focus on improving the off track attractions and amenities. With this in mind Racewars is working with the Capitol Group (Metropolis Fremantle / Capitol / Amplifier / The Edison) to create a stand-alone licensed RW18 Party Zone open all weekend and culminating in a Saturday night live music performance. The City of Albany is working to introduce a “Taste Great Southern” food & beverage marquee showcasing the best the region has to offer.
- RW will be actively seeking an increased number of trade stands including a “Kids Zone” with child friendly amusement options. An improved level of basic amenities such as serviced toilets and waste bins will also be a focus.
- An increased focus on utilizing technology and increasing the ability for all attendees to interact with the event should be considered subject to it being financially viable & prudent. Items being considered for discussion at this stage are.
o Each entrant each RW18 entrant to receive their own profile page on the RW site with the expectation being they should supply more information about the vehicle and entrant to provide more context for commentary & general spectators.
o A QR / Scan code on entrant decals to enable people to scan the vehicle on the day & be directed to the entrant’s profile page.
o Video feed to onsite screens from the “hot end” of the track.
o Improved PA & commentary hardware allowing greater access and freedom of movement for the commentary team around the airfield.
o A stronger FM transmitter able to reach the far end of the airfield at a minimum.
o A drivers briefing video / cartoon that can be watched and accepted by the entrant in advance of the event outlining essential safety information.
- Ancillary (jovial) competitions on the sideline of the main event. One thing that has been suggested is a “we help mow the grass for the council” and have a ride on mower race run during the weekend in front of the spectators… The potential for escalation here is profound (some nutters will drop V8’s or big bike motors in ride on mowers for sure). I shit you not this is actually actually a thing...
Event Schedule
Friday
18:30 – 20:30 Kebabs & Cars Albany – (Albany Marina)
Saturday
08:30 - 09:00 Gates Open
09:00 - 09:30 Drivers Briefing & Sign On – 1 x Drivers Briefing scheduled for 09:15 – Supplementary briefing scheduled for 12:00. No show = No racing.
09:30 - 12:00 ¼ Mile Roll on Drag Racing (Trap speeds recorded)
12:00 - 17:00 ½ Mile Roll on Drag Racing (Trap speeds recorded)
12:00 - 24:00 RW Party Zone Open*
17:00 - 18:00 Forged Magazine Cash Days Premium ¼ Mile Test Session.
18:00 - 18:15 Forged Magazine Cash Days Driver Briefing + Buy In & 1st Round Draw
18:15 - 22:30 Forged Magazine Cash Days Knock Out 1/8th Mile Drag Racing + Grudge Racing (Under Lights)
22:30 - 23:00 Forged Magazine Cash Days Event Close
23:30 - 24:00 RW Party Zone Wind Down + Close*
Sunday
07:30 Gates Open
08:00 - 08:30 Drivers Briefing 1 x Drivers Briefing scheduled for 08:15 – Supplementary briefing scheduled for 10:30. No show = No racing.
12:00 - 19:00 RW Party Zone Open
08:30 - 12:30 ½ Mile Roll on Drag Racing (Trap speeds recorded)
09:00 - 15:00 Motul Racewars Albany Airport Show and Shine (After Albany Coffee & Car’s)
12:45 - 15:30 VMAX Challenge 1000m Standing Start Passes
15:30 - 16:30 VMAX Challenge Hour of Power (1000m Standing Start Passes)
16:30 - 18:00 RW Party Zone Wind Down + Close*
16:30 - 19:00 Event Close
20:00 - 23:00 Motul Racewars After Party & Official Awards Ceremony – Garrisons Restaurant / ANZAC Museum Car Park
Monday
09:00 - 13:00 Motul Racewars Albany City Sprint (Time dependent on entrant numbers)
And now the all important pricing.
Platinum Club Competitor Entry (Application Basis) - $800
Standard Competitor Entry - $350
VMAX Challenge Upgrade (Application Basis) - $85.00
Yes it's gone up, yes we know people will be unhappy with that, but after another year where the RW team has wound up torching our own cash we're breaking even or we're not doing it.
Event media coverage as always is a key driver for entrants & sponsors ect ect ect. The live feed videos from RW17 were seen by over 1,000,000 people and I'm sure we can all agree the Motive even wrap up video is the best one we've had in a long time so expect a proper partnership with Motive DVD and it's partners for 2018. Also expect to see Speedhunters once again along with Forged Magazine and who knows who else will turn up.
The tech regulations are basically the same as they've always been, technical inspections will be basically the same process as last yr. Everyone hated tech but it gave us a quality field with hardly any mechanical safety issues over the weekend which was unexpected / amazing.
That's all I can think of at the moment as I'm sitting in my office at some shit tip mine in Botswana but I hope to see you all there in Albany in March 2018.
Originally Posted by JME
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