Importing a stage rally car

[LC4]

Hello!
Read through the topics on importing a vehicle which were very helpful. Had wondered about bringing over a Q7 but I don't own one and I'm not waiting a year so that's out the window!

But! Does anyone know where I would stand if I tried to import a rally car? (M-Sport Fiesta ST) From what I have read it looks like when it reached inspection the guy would just freak out!
It is road registered and MOT'd over here but it sounds like Australia have a very different view on cars than the UK.

Or do I just strip the engine/box, cage and suspension and build a new one in Aus?

[james280779]

you can import it under the race/ rally scheme, not sure if there is a time limit on this but its a way of getting it in.

[james280779]

james280779 said:

you can import it under the race/ rally scheme, not sure if there is a time limit on this but its a way of getting it in.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/import_options/rrvs.aspx

[smack]

james280779 said:

james280779 said:

you can import it under the race/ rally scheme, not sure if there is a time limit on this but its a way of getting it in.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/import_options/rrvs.aspx

When I lived in Oz a few mates imported cars under that scheme, and I had a Nissan GTiR for a little while that someone had managed to get into the country as a rally car (with out a cage).

Basically, you have to be in member of a Cams affiliated club and have a competition license. The car needed an approved roll cage (has to meet a certain standard), which has to be signed off by an engineer. This is needed so you can get it registered, which was (is still?) called Rally Reg in Victoria. It allowed you do drive it on the road to/during/from events, and to workshops. Years ago, you had a regular numberplate on the car, so many people would driving the cars around day to day, but cops would go ballistic if they caught you. I think now they have different plates, like the Club Historic ones, so you stand out.

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/P...

Get in contact with CAMS, and they will what you have to do.

[LC4]

Cheers I'll have a wee look!

[custardtart]

Anyone know if it's possible to convert a race car to a road car once it gets here?

[smack]

custardtart said:

Anyone know if it's possible to convert a race car to a road car once it gets here?

You will be pushing brown stuff up hill.

Back when I lived there, a car needs a compliance plate to be road registered (post '89 cars this all refers to). To get one, the car needs to be built in Oz to ADR regs, or imported as an volume import that meets ADR regs (so all the usual car makers), or as low volume import (probably needs re engineering to meet ADR regs)buy a business that has been approved by whatever govt dept it is these days, or a private import.

There really isn't (wasn't?) a way to get a compliance plate unless it is a car that someone who had approval for low volume import for your car, they can do the work needed (which isn't going to be cheap, even if it is just seatbelts and child seat mounts), and stick a plate on the car.

A few guys had F40's years ago, and they could get short term permits to drive them (if you have a F40, then you have other cars to drive day in day out), or drive them on trade plates.

Australian car import rules are set up to protect GM and Ford, so most loopholes have been closed up over the years, like what you are talking about. Years ago one simple trick was buying a wreak from the auctions for the VIN and compliance plates, and stick it them on your imported car (you first have to get the car in past customs, which was not so simple..), but crims rebirthing stolen cars put that one to bed.

You could find a donor chassis and rebuilt it with your racecar running gear? Sorry, but unless it is old, there probably isn't going to be an easy/cheap or even possible way.

[smack]

Further to what I said - I guess it is your Westfield?

It looks like this is what you have to deal with these days:
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/sevs/...


Someone has been approved for Westfields
http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/sevs/339-00.htm

Or you could see if someone can sneak it through as a Caterham
http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/sevs/183-00.htm

Best thing is to talk to guys in the cub racing scene, as they will know who to talk to, and and what has been done/passed.
The small club I was a member of had guys who worked from CAMS as members (one was the guy who gave approval for every motorsport event, so our club events passed no questions asked!) who managed to help out greatly when it came passing the red tape for our moody imported 'race' cars.

[custardtart]

Thanks for taking the time to put that answer together smack. Yep it's my westy. Ive had chats with ozclubbies people but tbh I think you're right it will cost just too much to comply the car. For a start I think the MSA approved roll cage doesn't meet the oz regs even though its probably better so that would have to be removed and then a new one fitted and right there is probably enough reason not to do it.

[200bhp]

It may be worth speaking to Westfield Australia to see what they suggest.

They have an office/showroom here in Perth somewhere but unfortunately I cant remember where abouts - I saw it on Streetview when looking for a job back in the UK!! A quick google should did it up though.