There is just one week to go until the CAMS NSW Off Road Championship gets underway with the Colo Park Challenge hosted by the Sydney Off Road Racing Association (SORRA).
Elaine Nikiforoff from the club’s organising committee said participants can expect to be challenged by the off road course.
“Our track is approximately 6.8kms, the majority of which winds around trees. It is regarded as a driver’s track, with the challenge to keep the power on whilst avoiding trees and winding around. It certainly tests their skills.
“We do have a few straight runs where faster vehicles can use their horsepower to overtake, but this would only be a third of the distance and broken up into three separate areas. It is a challenging track in all weather conditions.”
Entrant Peter Carr is looking forward to taking on the Challenge for the first time hoping to pilot his Can Am X3 to victory.
“I have been competing in off road for two years, plus one year in 2015 in the inaugural SXS championship,” Carr said.
“This will be my first time going to Colo. I live in Sydney so it is my closest round, and it’s the first time I have been able to make it there.
“We have made a lot of changes to the car for this year, the main one was moving the radiator from the front to the rear of the car.
“I believe the car is now fast enough to be a serious challenger for outright wins at certain rounds. My aim is to win outright, starting with Colo.”
Fellow debutant David Chandler will enter the Colo Park Challenge alongside his father, Lloyd, who will navigate.
“Being the only event in the NSW championship I have never competed in, I thought it was time we finally went and give it a go,” Chandler said.
“I have heard some great stories about the track and the facilities, so I am looking forward to it.
“This is my fourth year back in off road racing. I competed in the sport back in the late 90’s as a navigator with my father (Lloyd Chandler), now we have swapped seats and he’s navigating for me – along with some good mates sharing the navigator seat with him at times.
“We would love to be able to compete in all six rounds of the NSW championship this year for the very first time – but that will depend on how the car and budget travels.
“We have had some good results in the Pro Class in NSW Championship – second in 2015, second in 2016 and third in 2017, so let’s hope we can keep this going or even go one or two better.”
The event is held over two days on 14 – 15 April and free camping sites with shower and toilet block facilities are available for both competitors and spectators.
Spectating is welcome, but restricted to the main camp area, which gives a view of the Start / Finish line and the back section of the track.
The Sydney Off Road Racing Association is the oldest Off Road Club in NSW having been originally a Sand Dune Buggy Club.
The club owns the Colo Park track and lends it out to be used by other CAMS affiliated clubs, as well to conduct Rally Sprints and Auto Tests.
SORRA were the recipients of the Interclub Shield in 2017 and many of its members were class winners or runners up at the NSW State Awards.
For more information on the club and the Colo Park Challenge, click here: http://sorra.com.au/
