Permit change at Pheasant Wood track days
22 March 2023 / David Lawler
For a few years our club track days at Pheasant Wood have been run under a permit from AASA, whereas our SMSP South Circuit track days are run under a Motorsport Australia (MA) permit. Our club track days at Wakefield Park were also run using a AASA permit.
Until now, under a AASA permit we have been able to accept both AASA and MA track licences from entrants, but AASA have now advised they will no longer allow us to accept MA licences, only AASA licences. If we continue using AASA permits at our Pheasant Wood track days, that would require most track day regulars to incur the additional ongoing cost of holding both MA and AASA licences.
So as a result of the decision by AASA we have decided to switch to using MA permits for Pheasant Wood track days. This has a couple of consequences.
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Any driver who currently holds a AASA licence but does not hold a MA Speed licence (or higher), will not be able to enter our future club track days. There are potentially a handful of club members this may affect, and I have already contacted them individually.
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The vehicle scrutineering requirements for Pheasant Wood track days will now be the same as those at our SMSP track days. The main additions will be the need for a fire extinguisher in all cars, and for protective film on front facing glass lenses which should only affect NA MX-5s.
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The club will have to hire a 2nd paramedic at our Pheasant Wood track days, which is an additional cost and hence will mean a small increase in the track day entry fee.
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Last, but certainly not least important is that we will need to provide some additional officials for running our club track days at Pheasant Wood, such as a MA qualified Steward, so we will need the help of club members stepping up to fill those roles.
This has not been a trivial decision, but I believe it is the best action to deal with the AASA licence requirements change.
David Lawler
Motorsport Secretary
