View source for Aussie Racing Cars

{{Short description|Australian auto racing category}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox motorsport championship
| logo            =
| pixels          = 220px
| caption         = 
| category        = [[Silhouette racing car]]
| inaugural       = 2001
| drivers         = 
| teams           = 
| constructors    = 
| tyres           = [[Kumho Tires]]
| engines         = Yamaha FJR1300
| country/region  = [[Australia]]
| folded          = 
| champion driver = Joel Heinrich
| champion team   = 
| manufacturer    = 
| current_season  = {{CURRENTYEAR}} Aussie Racing Car Series
| website         = [https://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/ Official website of Aussie Racing Cars]
}}

[[File:Aussie Racing Cars Sydney 2015.jpg|thumb|The first lap of an Aussie Racing Cars race at Sydney Motorsport Park in 2015]]

'''Aussie Racing Cars''' (ARC), currently known as the '''Battery World Aussie Racing Cars''' under sponsorship,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://autoaction.com.au/2021/01/27/new-aussie-racing-cars-title-sponsor-announced|title=New Aussie Racing Cars Title Sponsor|website=[[Auto Action]]|publisher=Action Media Partners|last=McCarthy|first=Dan|date=27 January 2021|access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref> is an Australian [[auto 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 car racing|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).

==History==
Initially, the cars were based on caricatures of 1940 Ford Coupe and [[Holden FJ|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 [[Chevrolet Camaro|Camaro]] and [[Ford Mustang|Mustang]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} 

The category contests an annual Aussie Racing Car Series which is approved by the [[Confederation of Australian Motor Sport]] as a National Series.<ref>CAMS Bulletin B10/039 "2020 Aussie Racing Car Series" Sporting & Technical Regulations.</ref> Over its 20-year history the category has supported the biggest motorsports events in Australia including the [[Adelaide 500]], [[Gold Coast Indy 300]], [[Australian Grand Prix|F1 Australian Grand Prix]] and [[Bathurst 1000]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The [[Hampton Downs Motorsport Park|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|date=July 2024}}

==Cars==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Holden VY Commodore Aussie Racing Car of James Ward.jpg
| caption1 = A [[Holden VY Commodore]]-bodied Aussie Racing Car.
| width1 = 220
| image2 = Toyota Aurion Aussie Racing Car of Brad Ward.jpg
| caption2 = A [[Toyota Aurion]]-bodied Aussie Racing Car.
| width2 = 220
| image3 = Euro GT Aussie Racing Car of Sean Ross.JPG
| caption3 = A "Euro GT"-bodied Aussie Racing Car.
| width3 = 220
| image4 = Holden Cruze ARC of Brendon Pingel 2013.JPG
| caption4 = A [[Holden Cruze]]-bodied Aussie Racing Car.
| width4 = 220
| image5 = Chevrolet Camaro bodied Aussie Racing Car.jpg
| caption5 = A [[Chevrolet Camaro]]-bodied Aussie Racing Car.
| width5 = 220
}}

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 [[1937 Ford|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,<ref>[http://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/about/toyota-aurion.html Toyota joins Aussie Racing Cars Super Series, 3 May 2008, www.aussieracingcars.com.au] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022140410/http://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/about/toyota-aurion.html |date=22 October 2013 }} Retrieved on 14 November 2013</ref> followed by a [[Holden Cruze]] in 2012<ref>{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/holden-enters-aussie-racing-cars-with-cruze/|title=Holden enters Aussie Racing Cars with Cruze|website=[[Speedcafe]]|date=12 September 2012|access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref> and a Mercedes-Benz inspired "Euro GT" in 2013.<ref>[http://aussieracingcars.com.au/news/603-euro-gt-launch.html ARC 'Euro GT' Launched, 31 May 2013, www.aussieracingcars.com.au] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303122020/http://aussieracingcars.com.au/news/603-euro-gt-launch.html |date=3 March 2014 }} Retrieved on 14 November 2013</ref> [[Nissan Altima]],<ref>[http://www.nissan.com.au/Discover/News/2014/June/06/NISSAN-ALTIMA-ON-TRACK-IN-AUSSIE-RACING-CARS ''Nissan Altima on track in Aussie Racing Cars'', www.nissan.com.au] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326221700/http://www.nissan.com.au/Discover/News/2014/June/06/NISSAN-ALTIMA-ON-TRACK-IN-AUSSIE-RACING-CARS |date=26 March 2016 }} Retrieved 20 June 2015</ref> [[Ford Mustang (fifth generation)|Ford Mustang]],<ref name=Bartholomaeus>[http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/10/08/mustang-camaro-join-aussie-racing-cars/ Stefan Bartholomaeus, ''Mustang and Camaro join Aussie Racing Cars'', Wednesday 8 October 2014, www.speedcafe.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221231413/http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/10/08/mustang-camaro-join-aussie-racing-cars/ |date=21 February 2016 }} Retrieved 20 June 2015</ref> and [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]] were added in 2014.<ref name=Bartholomaeus/> [[Hyundai Elantra]] debuted during the 2015 series.<ref>[http://www.speedcafe.com/2015/06/05/james-hunts-son-to-race-in-aussie-racing-cars/ ''James Hunt’s son to debut new Aussie Racing Car'', www.speedcafe.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222041650/http://www.speedcafe.com/2015/06/05/james-hunts-son-to-race-in-aussie-racing-cars/ |date=22 February 2016 }} Retrieved 20 June 2015</ref>
 
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 {{convert|125|bhp|abbr=on}} [[twin cam]] 16 valve engine sourced second-hand from used Yamaha FJR1300 motorcycles that revs to 11500 rpm. The 515&nbsp;kg all up weight provides a high [[power-to-weight ratio]] that allows the car to reach speeds in excess of 200&nbsp;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.<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Aussie Racing Cars - About The Cars |url=https://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/about/about-the-cars |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=www.aussieracingcars.com.au}}</ref>

== Series winners ==
{{Additional citations|section|date=August 2023}}
{| class="wikitable" <hiddentext>generated with [[:de:Wikipedia:Helferlein/VBA-Macro for EXCEL tableconversion]] V1.4<\hiddentext>
|- style="font-weight:bold"
! 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<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aussieracingcars.com.au/racing/point-scores/2013-aussie-racing-cars-series.html |title=2013 Aussie Racing Cars Super Series Point Score, aussieracingcars.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org |access-date=14 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114000608/http://aussieracingcars.com.au/racing/point-scores/2013-aussie-racing-cars-series.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Ford AU Falcon
|-
! 2014
| Darren Chamberlin
| Toyota Aurion
|-
! 2015
| Brendon Pingel
| Holden Cruze
|-
! 2016
| James Duckworth
| Nissan Altima 
|-
! [[2017 Aussie Racing Car Series|2017]]
| James Duckworth
| Chevrolet Camaro
|-
! [[2018 Aussie Racing Car Series|2018]]
| Joel Heinrich
| Nissan Altima <br> Holden Cruze <br> Chevrolet Camaro
|-
! [[2019 Aussie Racing Car Series|2019]]
| Justin Ruggier
| Ford Mustang
|-
! 2020 <ref>{{cite web |title=Round 1 Bathurst 12Hr Race Reports |url=https://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/news/round-1-bathurst-12hr-race-reports |website=Aussie Racing Cars |access-date=2024-10-22 |ref=B12H20}}</ref>
| ''Josh Anderson''<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Results Tables |url=https://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/standings/2020 |website=Aussie Racing Cars |access-date=2024-10-22 |ref=ARC2020}}</ref>
| ''Chevrolet Camaro''
|-
! [[2021 Aussie Racing Car Series|2021]]
| ''Kody Garland''<ref>{{cite web| title=2021 Results Tables | url=https://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/standings/2021 |website=Aussie Racing Cars |access-date=2024-10-22 |ref=ARC2021}}</ref>
| ''Ford Mustang''
|-
! [[2022 Aussie Racing Car Series|2022]]
| Joshua Anderson
| Ford Mustang
|-
! 2023
| Joel Heinrich<ref>{{cite web|url=https://motorsport.org.au/media/news/detail/2023/11/06/heinrich-secures-aussie-racing-cars-title|title=Heinrich Secures Aussue Racing Cars Title|website=[[Motorsport Australia]]|date=6 November 2023|access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref>
| Ford Mustang
|-
! 2024
| Joel Heinrich<ref>{{Cite web |last=OBrien |first=Garry |date=2024-10-27 |title=Heinrich wins the 2024 Aussie Racing Cars championship in Surfers |url=https://speedcafe.com/heinrich-win-the-2024-aussie-racing-cars-championship-in-surfers/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Speedcafe.com |language=en-AU}}</ref>
| Ford Mustang
|-
|-
! [[2025 Aussie Racing Car Series|2025]]
| TBD
| TBD
|}
*''Italics'':  2020 and 2021 are unofficial, as no official championship was awarded because of an insufficient number of rounds held because of pandemic restrictions.  Only the [[2020 Bathurst 12 Hour|Bathurst 12 Hour]] round of three races was held in 2020, and only three of a planned six rounds (nine races conducted) were held in 2021. Drivers listed led points at curtailment of seasons.

==Circuits==

* {{flagicon|South Australia}} '''[[Adelaide Street Circuit]]''' (2004–2007, 2009–2014, 2016–2017, 2019, 2025)
* {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Albert Park Circuit]] (2007–2009)
* {{flagicon|Tasmania}} [[Baskerville Raceway]] (2006, 2018)
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Hampton Downs Motorsport Park]] (2016)
* {{flagicon|Northern Territory}} [[Hidden Valley Raceway]] (2006, 2010, 2015–2016, 2019, 2023)
* {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Highlands Motorsport Park]] (2015, 2023)
* {{flagicon|NSW}} [[Homebush Street Circuit]] (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
* {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Morgan Park Raceway]] (2010)
* {{flagicon|NSW}} [[Mount Panorama Circuit]] (2006–2007, 2011–2012, 2014–2015, 2020–2022, 2024)
* {{flagicon|NSW}} [[Newcastle Street Circuit]] (2017, 2019, 2023)
* {{flagicon|NSW}} '''[[One Raceway]]''' (2003, 2005, 2008, 2022, 2025)
* {{flagicon|NSW}} [[Oran Park Raceway]] (2001–2009)
* {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit]] (2010–2012, 2014–2016, 2018, 2024)
* {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Queensland Raceway]] (2002–2005, 2010–2011, 2013–2014, 2016, 2018–2019, 2023–2024)
* {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Reid Park Street Circuit]] (2012, 2017, 2023–2024)
* {{flagicon|VIC}} '''[[Sandown Raceway]]''' (2003–2007, 2022, 2025)
* {{flagicon|QLD}} [[Surfers Paradise Street Circuit]] (2005–2009, 2012–2014, 2017–2019, 2024)
* {{flagicon|NSW}} '''[[Sydney Motorsport Park]]''' (2003–2005, 2007–2010, 2012, 2015–2018, 2021–2022, 2025)
* {{flagicon|Tasmania}} '''[[Symmons Plains Raceway]]''' (2005, 2008, 2011, 2013–2015, 2017, 2019, 2021–present)
* {{flagicon|South Australia}} '''[[The Bend Motorsport Park]]''' (2018–2019, 2022, 2025)
* {{flagicon|Western Australia}} '''[[Wanneroo Raceway]]''' (2014, 2017, 2024–present)
* {{flagicon|VIC}} [[Winton Motor Raceway]] (2001–2004, 2008–2009, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2022)

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[https://www.aussieracingcars.com.au/ Official Site]

{{Aussie Racing Cars}}
{{V8 Supercar support categories}}

[[Category:Motorsport categories in Australia]]
[[Category:Aussie Racing Cars]]