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Australian motor racing category From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aussie Racing Cars (ARC), currently known as the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars under sponsorship,[1] is an Australian motor racing category. ARC is a motorcycle powered silhouette racing car class created by former touring car racing driver Phil Ward and influenced by the American Legends category. Aussie Racing Cars was developed as a Major National Category supporting the V8 Supercars under an exclusive Category Management Agreement (CMA) with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS).
| Category | Silhouette racing car |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Inaugural season | 2001 |
| Engine suppliers | Yamaha FJR1300 |
| Tyre suppliers | Kumho Tires |
| Drivers' champion | Joshua Anderson |
| Official website | Official website of Aussie Racing Cars |
 Current season | |
Initially, the cars were based on caricatures of 1940 Ford Coupe and FJ Holden body styles. In 2007, a new era of Aussie Race Car emerged with the design and launch of the Toyota Aurion bodied Aussie Race Car. This new car extended the wheelbase and track on the first generation cars improving performance significantly. Respected design engineer Russell Mapplebeck led the engineering project alongside James Ward and Blake Hammond. The process to design and build the first "New Age" Aussie Race Car paved the way for future body models, also designed by Mapplebeck, based on the Mercedes-Benz, Holden Cruze, and later the Camaro and Mustang.[citation needed]
The category contests an annual Aussie Racing Car Series which is approved by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport as a National Series.[2] Over its 20-year history the category has supported the biggest motorsports events in Australia including the Adelaide 500, Gold Coast Indy 300, F1 Australian Grand Prix and Bathurst 1000.[citation needed]
The Hampton Downs round of the 2016 season hosted the inaugural Trans-Tasman Women's Challenge. Charlotte Poynting was chosen to represent Team Australian, and was up against Alyssa Clapperton of Team New Zealand. In Race 3 Poynting, who started 9th on the grid, raced through the field to win by 2.5 seconds, becoming the first ever woman to win a race in the Aussie Racing Cars category.[citation needed]
Two time Series winner, James Duckworth, is the only driver since Mike Russell to win consecutive Drivers' championships.[citation needed]
The Aussie Racing Car combines current racing technology and performance in a one-design class where all cars are mechanically identical with strict rules in place to maintain that position. Various body styles are permitted. Originally only 1940 Ford Coupé and Holden FJ body styles were available, with Ford AU Falcon and Holden VY Commodore styles, which replicate V8 Supercars, later made available. A Toyota Aurion body shape was launched in 2008,[3] followed by a Holden Cruze in 2012[4] and a Mercedes-Benz inspired "Euro GT" in 2013.[5] Nissan Altima,[6] Ford Mustang,[7] and Chevrolet Camaro were added in 2014.[7] Hyundai Elantra debuted during the 2015 series.[8]
Cars are constructed on a purpose-built steel tubular space frame chassis with integral roll cage construction designed and approved to stringent engineering specifications. The lightweight composite body is a designed caricature of its full-size counterpart featuring opening doors, boot and lift off front section. Powered by a 1.3L 125 bhp (93 kW) twin cam 16 valve engine sourced second-hand from used Yamaha FJR1300 motorcycles that revs to 11500 rpm. The 515 kg all up weight provides a high power-to-weight ratio that allows the car to reach speeds in excess of 200 km/h. Lap times achieved at Oran Park Raceway are within six seconds of a V8 Supercar. They feature fully adjustable suspension geometry, performance brakes and controlled competition tyres that produce high grip levels. All cars are hand built in the ARC facility and supplied ready to race.[9]
The cockpit layout is purpose built and fitted with a five-point racing harness. The steering requires only one turn lock-to-lock and minimal steering movement during racing. The sequential gear lever is close to the steering wheel and the carbon fibre dash displays the necessary instrumentation. The chassis design incorporates simplicity in suspension adjustment to cater for all drivers' preferences including castor/camber, sway bar, roll centre and ride height etc. Brakes have front to rear bias adjustment.[9]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2023) |
| Year | Champion | Body style |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Paul Kemal | 1940 Ford Coupé |
| 2002 | Mike Russell | Holden FJ |
| 2003 | Mike Russell | Holden FJ |
| 2004 | James Ward | Ford AU Falcon |
| 2005 | Tim Monte | Ford AU Falcon |
| 2006 | Paul Kemal | Ford AU Falcon |
| 2007 | Brad Ward | Holden VY Commodore |
| 2008 | Paul Kemal | Ford AU Falcon |
| 2009 | Adam Gowans | Toyota Aurion |
| 2010 | Kyle Clews | Holden VY Commodore |
| 2011 | Adrian Cottrell | Toyota Aurion |
| 2012 | Kyle Clews | Holden VY Commodore |
| 2013 | Maurice Masini[10] | Ford AU Falcon |
| 2014 | Darren Chamberlin | Toyota Aurion |
| 2015 | Brendon Pingel | Holden Cruze |
| 2016 | James Duckworth | Nissan Altima |
| 2017 | James Duckworth | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2018 | Joel Heinrich | Nissan Altima Holden Cruze Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2019 | Justin Ruggier | Ford Mustang |
| 2020 [11] | Josh Anderson[12] | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2021 | Kody Garland[13] | Ford Mustang |
| 2022 | Joshua Anderson | Ford Mustang |
| 2023 | Joel Heinrich[14] | Ford Mustang |
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