I'man Cliffhanger announce 2 x new classes - Prod'n & Bu

[Hobzee]

Two New Classes at the Ironman Cliffhanger

The majority of the vehicle line up is Challenge Class – typically road registered with significant engine modifications or changes such as 6 liter V8, alternative suspension such as coil over, hybrid winches and body chops, etc.

The dynamics of the sport are changing with some of Australia’s best drivers now competing in either Production Class and in Buggies.

Production Class limits the extent of allowable modifications. This is an attempt to keep the sport affordable and competitive to a driver ability basis. In Production Class the chassis and engines can not be changed, the winch is limited to 12V on a single 6HP motor and the suspension is limited to off the shelf variations to standard configurations. These vehicles still need to comply with CCDA safety standards with full Roll Bars and window nets, etc but more resemble well prepared 4WD Club vehicles.

There are new Buggy Classes emerging in the winch challenge scene. Although the interest in rock crawling buggies is reducing there is new interest in buggies or purpose built vehicles to class specifications. These are showing great promise and the spectators are loving them. The further you investigate this new breed you realise there are factions or classes within this category and these too can be accommodated if numbers permit.

So this year the Ironman Cliffhanger will compliment the Challenge Class by trialing the introduction of Production Class and Buggy Class. All classes will compete together doing the same stages and stage results and prizes will be shared as if all vehicles are just in the one class. The Ironman Cliffhanger has the reputation as being Australia’s richest event with $30,000 cash prize money. So regardless of class, the best 10 places of each of the 20 stages all earn $100 each ($20,000). Most teams get a top 10 in at least 1 stage so almost everyone gets a piece of the pie.. Also regardless of class the overall winner takes home an additional $5000 cash, 2nd place $3000 cash and 3rd place $2000.

Class results will be published and trophies awarded to best in class.

As mentioned earlier this is a trial basis. For this to work there needs to be numbers of entries in each class. There is a minimum requirement of 5 starting vehicles required per class in order to establish scoring within each class.

Complimenting the 40 Challenge Class entries already booked and paid a special provision has been made to accommodate some 5 to 10 entries in each of the 2 new classes.

For entry details please refer to www.ironmancliffhanger.com.au

[Alison]

Great to see you have new classes in Cliffhanger this year.

[bru21]

Will this allow 2wd without winches - if there are more than 5 starters.

I think a lot of ex challenge guys are moving to ORR as lets face it (for me and many I know) winching sucks!

I love GPS based events - something ORR lacks and see a lot of guys like Bolton, Nott etc getting involved - keen to use their new toys.

Justin from the AUST safari is also keen to see buggies enter - except there is a width problem as the gates on many propertys are only 2100 wide.

My point here is I would like to run the same car in many events and have a go - rather than chase the ORR series in one year which is expensive in a country so big.

cheers bru

[Black Bull]

Forgive the stupid question Steve, but do CCDA specs cover Buggies ?

Where would we find relevant information ?

Or do we just go with CAMS specs ?

[Hobzee]

Will this allow 2wd without winches - if there are more than 5 starters.

I think a lot of ex challenge guys are moving to ORR as lets face it (for me and many I know) winching sucks!

I love GPS based events - something ORR lacks and see a lot of guys like Bolton, Nott etc getting involved - keen to use their new toys.

Justin from the AUST safari is also keen to see buggies enter - except there is a width problem as the gates on many propertys are only 2100 wide.

My point here is I would like to run the same car in many events and have a go - rather than chase the ORR series in one year which is expensive in a country so big.

cheers bru

Hi Bru,

I would love to see 2wd buggies at an open country event like Cliffhanger but the reality is that without 4WD and a winch there would only be about 4 of the 20 stages that you could do with all the other dudes. Just assume I had the time to build another 16 stages for you guys I can see this lot getting bored being restructed to the one property, despite being huge.

So Bru, for now I have my reservations and doubt I could deliver the goods for a full week of thrilling driving for a 2wd buggy driver.

But having said that, why not get some buggies to swing by Cobar on the way back from Finke and demonstrate to us and join in on those few stages. If I owned a 2wd buggy I would grab the chance to thrash it out against the 4WD's .... Hammer style.

[Hobzee]

Forgive the stupid question Steve, but do CCDA specs cover Buggies ?

Where would we find relevant information ?

Or do we just go with CAMS specs ?

Previously we have had rock crawling buggies in CCDA "open" class and we had a suplementary reg that permitted unregistered.

Our main intent is to encourage the new emerging classes like the Polaris and others like them. Can't say yes to them and not any rock crawling buggies. If numbers permit we may end up with sub-classes so that all the Polaris guys can be scored against each other.

I understand CCDA recognise the Polaris and alike as an emerging class and they also accommodate Tuff Truck, etc. So while I see this year as a test year, I hope that by 2011 there is a defined and organised direction and following withing CCDA for such classes and we will fall into line.

So if you are truly open and build to your own design then follow CCDA open class specs. PM me if you want Rob Barton's contact details - he has done a few in a buggy. If you have something like a Polaris then I have no doubt "your lot" will have your own guidelines.

[Black Bull]

Thanks Hobzee,

Been toying with building a buggy for years but never did due to the lack of places to wheel. but if I can comp it...so much the better.

[bru21]

Good stuff hobzee,

When mine is done I'll look into it for sure.

cheers bru