Task 2 Speedway community
From Mod Mania
Task two Consumer Communities Re-Configured S3235487 Robert FitzGerald
A subject lightly touched in the previous text was the history and origins of the sport. The origins of this motor sport stem from heavy weight hot rods that were used in the speedways of Victoria in the 60’s. It is a variation of the speedway racing and stock cars that was taken and made into a different class by Victorians. Super rods is a very unique class due to the size of the vehicles with sedan body types being used which is very small compared to other speedway vehicles. The expense of these cars can vary from 15,000 to 30,00 to buy which is relatively cheap to other forms of motorsports. This is due to the construction of the cars being simplistic and rugged in regulation to engine specifications and parts.
The specifications for a super rod car are max and min meaning that they have to fit within certain guidelines to be eligible for the super rod class as mentioned previously. When going into the detail of these specifications (http://www.superrods.com/page.asp?Page=Specifications) it becomes clear that it is being tuned so that as many people as possible can enter their cars. The modding of these cars is also applicable due to the min/max regulations. Unlike other motorsport classes where you have to be within a certain strict guideline with aerodynamics and bodywork these cars can have a large variety of setups which expands the criteria for more enthusiasts to join the club. As the text refers to visual modifications it is a recurring theme to express the individuality of the car and express oneself through the paintjob. This has also been used by businesses some of which are owned by the drivers to sponsor their own car as ‘advertising’ for tax purposes and by racing organizations to promote racing parts and products. Giving the sport another motive to promote business and create businesses within the racing community.
One theme that was not mentioned in the text was Risk which is a large part of motor racing as these men and women although sounding a bit too serious, do risk their lives for a sport they love, which is a huge decision that the individual has to make with his or her family in mind. It is this risk that makes the safety factor a very serious subject when it comes to super rods and any basic motorsport. This filters down to the cars and the safety requirements that with scrutinizing can pass before each race and acts as a way to regulate unsafe modifications. This seriousness also bonds these people together as all of the drivers and teams have made these decisions and because in these environments deaths do happen safety and life are paramount and never over looked. Every member of these sports promote safety as a key theme for any activity but more important than ever in motor racing. This is evident with the officials, track marshals, safety cars, driver PPE and most importantly adhering to the rules set in place for safe operation of these vehicles on and off the track. This level of risk sets this sport and community apart, as not many social groups are exposed to this level of danger in normal society.
The tracks used for super rod class racing is a dirt oval race track. There are a few tracks located around Victoria with large distances between the two. Some mention was indicated in the text to the fact that these enthusiast travel great distances to go to the meet’s but once the locations of the tracks are shown it is a testament to the dedication and commitment required to travel these distances. There are currently speedway tracks that are suitable for super rods in Geelong, Bacchus marsh, Bairnsdale, Horsham, Laang, Portland, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bungadoor, Swanhill and more listed at (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirt_track_racing_in_Australia). The fact that these tracks exist specifically for a unique motor sport show that there is a future in the community and that there is a future for the sport.
It is no small task to have a car race ready and working as many racers will tell you that no real racing is happening if everybody’s cars are still working at the end of a meet, there is always one car where something goes wrong. This is where a huge theme of the community comes into play with the theme of generosity as mentioned in the previous text the culture of helping each other out. The sharing of knowledge parts, tools and manpower to solve the issue and getting back to the fun of racing, which as mentioned is the one of greatest things about this community the racing, the people and their generosity.
The level of involvement doesn’t extend just to the drivers of the sport. There are many areas that one can be a part of to participate in any form of motorsport. The officials who without them no race can be held they are in charge of track rules and enforcement of them. The administration side organizing, documentation, insurance, licenses and the club administration as well. The teams making the car race ready solving issues and being part of a small or large team. The drivers who drive the cars either being amateur or professional are all an integral part of their team many being both mechanic and drivers. Then the fans that are family and individuals who cannot afford or just like to watch with many wandering the pits happily talking to drivers and team members who happily answer their questions.
But in any community and competition there is always team rivalry. This is a large part of any racing as there are always rivals and there will always be team members that dislike these rivals just a little bit more than being freindly. Although one attribute that stands out the fact that these people still manage to keep all of the hostility on the track where emotions can run high which is a credit to the members of the club and participants in the motorsport, that at the end of the day they can still get along and return to the next meet.
The reason these communities exist is to meet with like minded individuals, have fun and test the car that for years, months, days and hours they have spent trying to improve with any number of modifications. This car is a central point with family, friends and experts all putting time and effort into helping get it ready. It is comparable to the social themes of any sport or community in which the goal is to enjoy yourself with your friends all doing something you love, it is all about the journey to get there to the meetings in which everybody has been through similar experiences with their own car to get to the same point. And to achieve the goal of the team and community and the individual to race safely .
