Hi Peter, are you surprised that I'm replying?
It's a fine idea that you have, nothing stupid at all
First of all CH plates (well actually 'H' plates now - they've moved the 5 digit plates with an H on the end). Only cars over 25 years old qualify for club permit, so 1981 this year, 1982 next year. To get on club plates you do need a roadworthy (even if it's already registered in your name) and then you just fill out the application form, get it signed by the club secretary (that would be me) and pay $100 over the counter at vicroads. They hand you the plates on the spot and you don't need to take the car in there. You don't even have to pay the stamp duty normally associated with rego transfer.
I did this just recently for our '77 Sud and it was mostly painless, once I convinced them that I didn't have to have a letter from the club that my own signature on the form as secretary was sufficient. If they aren't sure ask them to speak to the supervisor who usually knows the score.
To run at the occasional AROCA sprint day you can get away with a minimum of mods to the car. You need:
- 1kg fire extinguisher bolted in with steel bracket (bunnings have these in stock)
- metal tyre valve caps
- an extra return spring on your throttle linkage
- plastic coating or tape over your headlights to prevent the glass falling out in an accident
Other than that you'd need a CAMS 2S license which costs about $80 (something like that). Stick on numbers and battery location stickers are available at the event.
Regular seat belts are fine, although obviously a 4 or 6 point harness is much safer, as is a proper race seat and a comprehensive roll cage, but you've got to start somewhere...
Have a read of the
supplementary regulations for any of our events for more info.
Boxer-specificFor a boxer-engined Alfa, the most important thing that everyone repeats is you
MUST get some baffle plates welded into the steel sump. The sump is not terribly generous and the engine can have oil starvation problems under heavy braking or cornering leading to bearing failure. Baffle plates prevent all the oil from running forward under heavy braking and save your precious propulsion device.
That's not going to break the bank - PM me if you want some ideas on where to get this done...
I say go for it - nothing finer than a day out at one of Victoria's great motor racing circuits with a club full of people who are of varying degrees of seriousness. Lots of people in bog-standard cars who are having as much fun as (and sometimes scaring) people who've spent a second mortgage on developing their racecars. It's a great supportive atmosphere and loads of fun.
Are you coming along to Sandown this Sunday for a look? If so make sure you say hello at Sud #149
