FULL REGULATIONS
1. Introduction
The Budget Enduro is intended to provide a fun, affordable and family-friendly motorsport activity in a safer environment than public roads.
The event is designed around inexpensive vehicles, teamwork, reliability and participation. Competitors are encouraged to involve family members, friends, work colleagues and fellow enthusiasts.
The Budget Enduro is open to participants from fourteen (14) years of age and is intended to provide an enjoyable introduction to recreational motorsport.
2. Nature of the Event
The Budget Enduro is a recreational endurance challenge conducted under regularity-style conditions.
The event is not a race and is not intended to determine the fastest vehicle or driver.
The objective is for teams to safely complete as many laps as possible whilst remaining within the event regulations, minimum lap time requirements and the spirit of the event.
The Budget Enduro is an endurance challenge, not a race.
Participants are encouraged to focus on reliability, consistency, teamwork and enjoyment rather than outright speed.
Whilst event results may be published, the Budget Enduro does not recognise an official race winner.
Awards and recognition may be presented for participation, team spirit, reliability, perseverance, ingenuity, sportsmanship and other achievements considered worthy by the organisers.
3. Team Requirements
Each vehicle must be entered by a team consisting of a minimum of three (3) drivers and a maximum of six (6) drivers.
Teams that do not have at least three nominated drivers may be refused participation.
Additional drivers may not be added after the commencement of the event without approval from Race Control.
Reliability beats speed. Fun beats trophies.
4. Driver Eligibility
Drivers must hold the licence required by the event organiser and sanctioning body.
The minimum age to compete is fourteen (14) years of age on the day of the event.
All drivers must attend any compulsory driver briefing conducted by the organisers.
Drivers are expected to behave in a safe and respectful manner at all times.
Dangerous driving, aggressive behaviour, deliberate contact, intimidation, bullying or conduct deemed unsafe by Race Control may result in penalties, exclusion from the event or suspension from future events.
The decision of Race Control shall be final.
5. Driver Apparel Requirements
Clothing
Drivers must wear clothing that covers the body from the neck to the wrists and from the waist to the ankles whilst on track.
Clothing must be manufactured from natural fibres or recognised fire-retardant materials.
Examples of acceptable apparel include:
- Motorsport race suits
- Fire-retardant overalls
- Cotton drill overalls
- Cotton workwear
- Cotton long sleeve shirts and long pants
The following are not permitted:
- Shorts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Singlets
- Clothing that leaves skin exposed
- Nylon clothing
- Polyester clothing
- Acrylic clothing
- Other synthetic materials that may melt when exposed to heat or flame
If in doubt, wear cotton.
Footwear
Drivers must wear fully enclosed footwear.
Examples of acceptable footwear include:
- Leather work boots
- Leather safety boots
- Motorsport footwear
- Leather enclosed shoes
The following are not permitted:
- Thongs
- Sandals
- Open footwear
- Nylon or synthetic mesh running shoes
- Any footwear deemed unsuitable by the organisers
Helmets
All drivers must wear a helmet whilst on track.
Helmets must comply with, or exceed:
- AS/NZS 1698
- Snell standards
- FIA approved standards
- Other standards approved by the organisers
Both open-face and full-face helmets are permitted.
Open-face helmets must provide full coverage of the ears and sides of the head.
Drivers of open-top vehicles must wear a full-face helmet.
The following are not permitted:
- Half helmets
- Skull cap helmets
- Novelty helmets
- Bicycle helmets
- Construction helmets
- Any helmet that does not adequately cover the ears and sides of the head
Any helmet considered damaged, modified or unsafe may be rejected.
Recommended Equipment
The following items are strongly recommended:
- Fire-retardant overalls
- Gloves
- Balaclava
- Motorsport footwear
- HANS/FHR devices where harnesses are fitted
6. Vehicle Eligibility
Vehicles must be based on mass-produced, four-wheeled production vehicles originally manufactured for road use.
Road registration is not required.
Open-top vehicles are permitted provided suitable rollover protection is fitted and accepted by the organisers.
The organisers reserve the right to accept or reject any vehicle entry.
7. Vehicle Value & Spirit of the Event
The Budget Enduro is designed around inexpensive vehicles and budget-conscious motorsport.
As a guide, competitors should aim to keep the value of their vehicle to approximately $4,000 or less.
Vehicle value will be assessed based on the overall vehicle and not the inclusion of safety equipment, maintenance, repairs, reliability improvements, tyres or fuel.
The ideal Budget Enduro vehicle is a safe, reliable clunker rescued from Marketplace, Gumtree, auctions, paddocks, sheds or the back corner of a workshop.
The intent of the event is to encourage the use of inexpensive everyday vehicles rather than high-value, specialist, prestige, exotic or purpose-built competition vehicles.
Competitors with logbooked race cars are encouraged to compete in categories and events more suited to those vehicles.
The Budget Enduro is intended as an entry-level, budget-conscious and fun motorsport activity.
An Eligibility Committee appointed by the organisers will assess any vehicle that may fall outside the spirit of the event.
Competitors considering the purchase or entry of a borderline vehicle are strongly encouraged to contact the organisers before spending money.
The Eligibility Committee’s decision shall be final.
8. Frankenstein Vehicles
One of the great traditions of grassroots motorsport is building something unusual from whatever parts are available.
Engine swaps, gearbox swaps, suspension upgrades, body modifications, custom fabrication and other creative engineering solutions are permitted and encouraged.
There are very few prohibited modifications.
If it is safe, affordable and within the spirit of the event, it will generally be considered.
If you have built something weird, wonderful or difficult to categorise, we would love to see it.
Vehicles that are excessively expensive, highly developed or otherwise inconsistent with the spirit of the event may be referred to the Eligibility Committee.
9. Vehicle Condition
Vehicles must be presented in a safe and trackworthy condition.
The Budget Enduro is intentionally designed so that competitors can purchase an inexpensive vehicle and participate with minimal preparation.
However, it remains the responsibility of the entrant to ensure the vehicle is suitable for operation on a race circuit.
Participation confirms the entrant believes the vehicle is fit for track use and accepts responsibility for its condition.
Unsafe vehicles may be refused entry or removed from the event at any time.
10. Minimum Vehicle Safety Requirements
All vehicles must have:
Brakes & Steering
- Effective brakes
- Firm brake pedal
- Functional steering system
Fuel System
- Secure fuel system
- No fuel leaks
Fluid Leaks
- No significant fuel, oil, coolant or brake fluid leaks
Battery
- Securely mounted battery
- Protected terminals where appropriate
Seats & Seatbelts
- Secure driver’s seat
- Serviceable seatbelts
Wheels & Tyres
- Secure wheels
- All wheel nuts fitted
- Tyres in safe condition
Mirrors
- At least one functional rear vision mirror
Body & Interior
- No loose items
- Secure bonnet and boot
- No dangerous protrusions
Lights
- Operational brake lights
Exhaust
- Secure exhaust system
- Compliance with venue noise requirements
Fire Extinguishers
- Strongly recommended
- Must be securely mounted if fitted
Roll Cages
- Not required
- Must be safe and secure if fitted
11. Tyres
Tyres must be road legal and intended primarily for road use.
Semi-slick, R-spec, competition, track-focused and specialist motorsport tyres are not permitted.
Examples generally not permitted include:
- Toyo R888R
- Yokohama A050
- Yokohama A052
- Nankang AR-1
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
This list is not exhaustive.
All tyres must:
- Have at least 1.5mm tread depth across the tread surface.
- Be free from exposed cords.
- Be free from significant cuts or sidewall damage.
- Comply with applicable roadworthiness requirements.
Only one set of tyres may be used per event without penalty unless approved by Race Control.
12. Driver Communications
All vehicles must have a functioning race radio capable of receiving communications from Race Control.
The approved frequency for each event will be advised by the organisers.
Failure to maintain race radio communications may result in a vehicle being removed from the circuit.
13. Event Format
The event will generally consist of multiple driving sessions separated by scheduled breaks.
Session lengths, break durations and event schedules will be advised by the organisers for each event.
The organisers reserve the right to alter the event format if required for safety, operational or venue requirements.
14. Driver Participation
Driver participation requirements will be advised by the organisers.
Teams are responsible for ensuring compliance with all driver participation requirements.
15. Refuelling
Refuelling may only occur during designated session breaks unless otherwise approved by Race Control.
No maintenance may be carried out whilst refuelling is taking place.
Teams must provide a fire marshal during refuelling operations.
The fire marshal must be equipped with a minimum 4.5kg dry powder fire extinguisher.
The vehicle must remain stationary throughout the refuelling process.
Failure to comply with refuelling requirements may result in penalties or exclusion.
16. Mechanical Repairs
Mechanical repairs may be carried out during session breaks.
Any person working underneath a vehicle must ensure the vehicle is adequately supported by approved safety stands.
Unsafe repair practices may be prohibited by the organisers.
Pit crew members must wear enclosed footwear and suitable clothing whilst working on vehicles.
17. Pit Lane & Paddock Speed
The maximum speed in pit lane is 60 km/h unless otherwise advised by the organisers or venue management.
The maximum speed in paddock, garage and competitor areas is walking pace.
Unsafe driving in any non-track area may result in penalties or exclusion.
18. Minimum Lap Times
The Budget Enduro operates under minimum lap time requirements.
Minimum lap times will be advised by the organisers for each venue.
Competitors who record laps faster than the prescribed minimum lap time may have laps deleted, receive penalties, be directed to modify their driving behaviour or be excluded from the event.
The purpose of minimum lap times is to reinforce the endurance challenge nature of the event and discourage outright racing.
| Track | Minimum Lap time |
| Sandown Raceway | 95 Seconds |
| Carnell Raceway | 38 Seconds |
| Broadford Motorsport Complex | 73 Seconds |
| Calder Park | 74 Seconds |
19. Awards
The Budget Enduro does not recognise an official race winner.
There shall be no winner’s trophy.
Awards may be presented for:
- Reliability
- Perseverance
- Team spirit
- Ingenuity
- Sportsmanship
- Vehicle presentation
- Other achievements recognised by the organisers
Awards are presented at the discretion of the organisers.
20. Penalties
Penalties may be applied at the discretion of Race Control and event officials.
Penalties may include:
- Warnings
- Lap deletions
- Time penalties
- Sin bin penalties
- Exclusion from sessions
- Exclusion from the event
The more significant the breach, the greater the penalty may become.
21. Organiser Discretion
The organisers reserve the right to inspect any vehicle, apparel or safety equipment at any time.
Any vehicle or competitor deemed unsafe or inconsistent with the spirit of the event may be refused entry, black flagged, removed from the circuit or excluded from the event.
The decision of the organisers, scrutineers, Race Control and the Eligibility Committee shall be final.
Event Format & Typical Timetable
The Budget Enduro is generally conducted as six (6) driving sessions separated by scheduled breaks.
The timetable below is provided as an example of a typical Budget Enduro event and demonstrates how the day is usually structured.
Event schedules may vary between venues due to circuit operating requirements, noise restrictions, daylight hours, weather conditions, venue regulations or operational requirements.
Competitors should always refer to the final event schedule issued by the organisers for the specific event being attended.
Typical Event Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 | Gates open and pit setup may commence |
| 09:00 | Session 1 commences |
| 10:00 | Session 1 concludes |
| 10:20 | Session 2 commences |
| 11:20 | Session 2 concludes |
| 11:40 | Session 3 commences |
| 12:40 | Session 3 concludes |
| 13:00 | Session 4 commences |
| 14:00 | Session 4 concludes |
| 14:20 | Session 5 commences |
| 15:20 | Session 5 concludes |
| 15:40 | Session 6 commences |
| 16:40 | Session 6 concludes |
Session breaks are generally used for:
- Driver changes
- Refuelling
- Mechanical repairs and maintenance
- Team refreshments and recovery
The organisers reserve the right to amend the timetable, session lengths or event format at any time for safety, operational or venue requirements.