The Performance, Racing and Tuning Council (PRTC) will be holding an exciting PRTC event in Melbourne in May. This event is set to be our most significant ever with key international guests and a panel discussion with some of the most experienced performance industry specialists in Australia.  As with the past two PRTC events in Melbourne, this event will fill fast and with only limited numbers available, we recommend you get in QUICK!

Please click on the below link for the invitation to this exclusive, not to be missed event:

http://www.aaaa.com.au/data/PRTC_MEL_INVITE2010.pdf

The Performance Racing and Tuning Council will be holding their first NSW Event for 2010. This event will be the NSW launch of the first ever National Motorsport Industry Survey together with a presentation.

The PRTC was formed in mid 2005 to provide advice, understanding and a strategic approach to current and potential market issues from regulators, governments, enthusiasts and community groups. Our goal is to promote professional and responsible activities within the performance racing and tuning sector. With a membership now of over 350 businesses, this council is now making an impact in the Performance sector of the Australian automotive aftermarket industry.

The 2009 Motorsport survey has been commissioned by the PRTC and the AAAA. The survey was designed to provide PRTC members with an up to date picture outlining the size, scope and product/service mix of this rapidly growing sector of the automotive aftermarket. Results of this survey will also give members an overview on where the Motorsport industry is now and where it is heading, enabling companies to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

We also will update members on key regulatory issues including exhaust emission changes, vehicle suspension modifications and a range of other topics. There will also be the opportunity to network with other members of the performance industry.

If you interested in attending this Performance Industry event or have any enquiries please refer to the calendar of events on this web page for all the details.

Please show your support for your industry.

The time has come to show your support for an ANDRA Drag Racing facility in Melbourne! As many drag racing fans will know, the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) and their consultancy team have been actively engaged in negotiations with the Victorian Government with the aim to construct a new ANDRA Championship Drag Racing facility.

To facilitate this process a brand new website - MOTORvate MElbourne has been released.
 
So what is MOTORvate MElbourne?

The website has all the latest information on the project including artist drawings and plans for the proposed venue.

There are also links to the Facebook and Twitter forums where you can get in there and support this great cause.

Victoria has gone too long without a Championship Drag Racing facility.
 
As a part of the push for this facility to, there will be a public rally to show the enormous support that exists for the venue.

You can enter your car for FREE and the public can come for FREE too, all thanks to ANDRA and the Pro Series Sponsors.

We'll even have Nitro Top Fuel Dragsters doing engine strip downs and rebuild competitions between teams. The first one to fire the engines wins. How great will be to hear the sounds of NITRO in Melbourne again?

Join us during this exciting period as we show the Victorian Government how important the ANDRA Melbourne Drag Racing venue is to all of us.

We want to hear your views about things so don't be shy.

The time has come - LETS MOTORVATE MELBOURNE  http://www.motorvatemelbourne.com/

Dyno Dynamics, is back in business with their Melbourne based headquarters now in full swing. The iconic automotive brand has been purchased by well known motoring identity Alan Evans (former President of the Australia Automobile Association, President of the NRMA, Chairman of Rally Australia), former National Sales Manager of Dyno Dynamics Terry McDonald as well as the company’s North American Agent, Steve Nichols.

After a period of turbulence when Dyno Dynamics was part of the Allomak family of businesses, it has now been given a hefty injection of capital by the trio and normal operations have begun.

“Dyno Dynamics made such great dynos that we just had to make sure it was returned to its former glory,” said Alan Evans.

“Fortunately the founder of Dyno Dynamics, Chris Hodge has also agreed to come on board as a consultant to help us build our entire range of dynos to the standard and quality for which the brand has become renowned for.  We have been able to retain the services of key staff to ensure areas like quality control and service support are maintained at the highest level.”

Production has already began with the first Dyno Dynamics dyno built under the new management being delivered on Australia Day and according to Alan Evans, there are more announcements to come – “Already we are busy working on the new designs to keep Dyno Dynamics at the leading edge of dynamometer development and also developing some exciting new upgrades for existing dynos which we expect to release to the market within the next three months.”

Existing Dyno Dynamics owners who need service or parts are encouraged to call Service Technician Gerrard Rattigan on 03 9735 8900.  Customers wishing to purchase new Dyno Dynamics products or to enquire about the range should call Terry McDonald on the same number.

Media Release 2 February 10

Businesses Unite to Oppose Onslaught of Newly Proposed Industry-Threatening Regulations

SEMA News recently talked with Stuart Charity, executive director of the nearly 30-year-old Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), and Ben Bartlett, the AAAA's national membership manager, about the Australian specialty-equipment market amid increasingly positive news that Australia is well on its way to an economic recovery.

The AAAA has stepped up its support of the $950 (AU) million specialty-equipment market in recent years with the launch of the Performance, Racing & Tuning Council (PRTC) in late 2005. The AAAA represents the overall Australian automotive aftermarket, including the repair and replacement industry as well as firms in the specialty-equipment segment. The group decided to undertake an effort to collect data through council-specific surveys to better understand the scope, interests and needs of the various sectors.
Government crackdowns on the specialty-equipment market were seen as the biggest threat by members of the PRTC, with 79% of respondents identifying governmental restrictions on their sectors as the largest hurdle to their industry's health. Firms in the performance, tuning and racing sector reported that local and state government agencies had focused most of their attacks on some of the fastest-growing and healthiest niches-engine and exhaust modifications. These modifications, along with brake and clutch upgrades, topped the highest growth products within this sector.

The Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board Working Party proposed a ban on suspension modifications if the vehicle is fitted with a standard electronic stability control (ESC) or an equivalent system. The AAAA has been able to halt the implementation of this provision, made without consultation with the industry, and has elicited a promise that the industry would be involved in any future deliberations affecting member products. Due to these growing legal threats, the AAAA is reportedly increasing its industry advocacy with state, local and national officials.
"We believe that taking a proactive stance on these issues, supported by evidence-based research and testing and working collaboratively with other stake-holder groups, is and will continue to exert significant pressure on the regulators and their ministers," the group said. Indeed, Charity reported some early successes with ministers in three Australian states overruling their departments and ordering a complete review of ill-conceived and illogical regulation that would have threatened entire sectors of the independent aftermarket in Australia.
Given the rising legal barriers to the sales of customizing products, AAAA-member companies and Australian enthusiasts will no doubt seek continued strong leadership from the AAAA in gaining access to government working panels to provide input and technical advice as well as to educate government officials on the importance of the specialty market in generating Australian tax revenues, job creation and on the overall economy.       

Media Release 22 July 09

In an attempt to hamper modifications made by “car hoons”, on 16 July the NSW Minister for Roads Michael Daley announced changes in regulation that will cause havoc for both the automotive industry and thousands of drivers on NSW roads with minor, currently legal suspension modifications.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is outraged by this poorly conceived new regulation. The AAAA is the national industry association representing over 1250 manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers of automotive parts and accessories, tools and equipment.

The Minister announced the new regulation in a media statement headed “Tough new rules for car hoons” and said the regulation will take effect from 1 August 2009. The regulation will mean that virtually all suspension modifications and wheel and tyre upgrades will require certification by authorised engineers.

AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said this announcement shocked both the industry and driver groups alike. “The industry has worked closely with governments nationally for many years to develop and promote vehicle modification guidelines designed to meet appropriate road safety requirements,” said Stuart Charity. “The industry is alarmed at this unilateral and unreasonable announcement”.

“Neither the industry nor key driver advocacy groups have been consulted regarding this new regulation. No consideration has been taken of the impact that this proposed regulation will have on the wide range of road using industries that must make suspension modifications to their vehicles to improve safety and load carrying capability. Among these roads users are the building, construction, mining and rural industries.

“In addition, there are thousands of private vehicle owners that make suspension modifications to tow their animals, boats and caravans, or simply to improve vehicle handling across a range of driving conditions,” he said.

Unproven assumptions

Stuart Charity said the Minister, or his advisors, made untrue assumptions about the facts of suspension modification and in the language used to announce this proposal.

“Firstly – and unbelievably – they assumed that if you modify the suspension on your vehicle, you are a ‘car hoon’. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that this is fact. Recent AAAA research actually revealed that about 80% of the end users of modified suspension are aged between 26 and 49 years of age. Owners of 4WD vehicles are one of the largest groups making aftermarket suspension modifications and 66% of them are aged between 36 and 49 years. So, the major users of aftermarket suspension modifications are not the 18 to 25 years old high risk group. We also know that ‘hoon drivers’ are only a small portion of the 18 to 25 years old group.

“Secondly, they assumed that if suspension modifications are tougher to access, then there will be less hoon behaviour on NSW roads. The reality is that those who behave illegally on the road are also likely to make illegal suspension alterations.

 “A third issue is many of the modifications outlined in the Minister’s press release that will require engineering approval, are legal in every other state in Australia, making this ‘NSW only’ scenario unworkable.

“Finally, the automotive aftermarket industry is totally dismayed at the arrogance exhibited by this announcement. This industry has an annual turnover of $5 billion, exports of $600 million and employs 30,000 people. In NSW, the AAAA membership is 400 companies employing 8,000 people. The AAAA enjoys close working relationships with NSW Government organisations, including the Road Transport Authority, which appears to have ignored an independent engineers report on the improved safety performance of suspension lift modifications submitted in June 2009.

 “Given that the automotive aftermarket invests significant resources to ensure that road safety is paramount in the design, engineering and performance of aftermarket products, it is impossible to understand how the industry’s long term contribution could be ignored on this occasion.

“The real issue is that in trying to target ‘car hoons’, the NSW Minister has attacked the wrong ‘cause’. Hoon driving is a driver behaviour issue. It is not a vehicle suspension issue, or even a vehicle modification issue.

“We call on the Minister to immediately withdraw this ill-conceived, unworkable regulation and to engage in appropriate stakeholder consultation with a view to developing common sense laws that have the support of key industry and driver groups,” said Stuart Charity.

Further information:

Stuart Charity
AAAA Executive Director
T: +61 3 9561 7044

The PRTC in conjunction with the AAAA are pleased to announce the launch of the 2009 Motorsport Industry Survey.
We believe that this is the first ever survey of its type undertaken in Australia, and the data obtained will be essential for not only members of the Motorsport Industry, but for the future direction of the PRTC.
All data gathered in this survey WILL NOT be distributed to any individual outside of the AAAA market research team.  We treat all information with the highest level of confidentiality, as we do with all surveys undertaken.
To complete the survey, please click on the Motorsport Industry Survey link on the PRTC home page.
The survey will close on Friday the 13th of March 2009, so all survey responses must be completed by this date. The PRTC appreciate your time and we look forward to sharing the results with our members in June 2009.

Your participation in this survey is very valuable and greatly appreciated.

Should you require any more information, please contact Kathryn Abbott in the AAAA National Office on 03 9561 7044.

The AAAA has recently secured funding in the newly launched Federal Government's Global Opportunities (GO) Program to facilitate a significant and sustained export program to the USA. The predominant focus of this cluster will be building Australian manufactured product sales in the US Specialty Equipment sector, mainly high performance and racing applications.  The amount of funding approved is $75,000 per year over the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years ($225,000 over 2 ½ years in total).

The GO program is primarily targeted at Australian firms across both the manufacturing and service sectors who are prepared to work collaboratively to gain access to global supply chains and to major international projects.

The AAAA project will form a cluster of ideally between 15 and 20 interested companies who are seeking to develop or grow exports of automotive parts to North America. The approved funding will be used to offset the cost of all export related activities except airfares and accommodation. This may include a business plan and strategy development, production of capability directories and marketing collateral, inward buyer missions, market research, trade show stands (at events such as SEMA & PRI), and overcoming logistical and regulatory barriers.
The first cluster meeting will be held in March and advance notice of this meeting will be given to companies that lodge a formal expression of interest to be involved in the cluster. 

For more information about joining this cluster, please contact either Stuart Charity or Ben Bartlett in the AAAA National Office on 03 9561 7044.

The PRTC will be holding a National Networking Event at the AAAA 2009 trade show, on Friday the 3rd of April.
At this event, Francisque Savinien – The Director of International Sales & Marketing, Performance Racing Industry (USA) will be speaking on key global trends in the automotive high performance and motorsport industries.  Francisque will also be speaking about opportunities in the US market in particular utilising the PRI Show in Florida in December 2009.

Ben Bartlett – The National Membership Manager & Convenor of the Performance, Racing and Tuning Council will also be speaking at this event and will be launching some of the initial results from the recently completed Motorsport Industry survey.  Ben will also outline opportunities for Australian aftermarket manufacturers who are targeting the US specialty equipment market, through a new export support program partnered by the AAAA & Austrade.

Further details about this event will be provided shortly, however if you need more information please contact Ben Bartlett in the AAAA National Office on 03 9561 7044.

Cost savings and improved cover for AAAA member Insurance program

The AAAA and OAMPS Insurance Brokers are pleased to introduce a new industry public & products liability insurance program that will deliver cost savings and specialised cover for members involved in performance parts and racing activities.

Over many years, Manufacturers, Retailers, Suppliers and all those businesses involved in motor sports activities have found it very difficult to obtain public & products liability insurance, and if they do, at a reasonable price.  Critical Parts Manufacturers, Roll Cage Manufacturers/Installers, Sports Tyre Fitters, Track Owners and Operators, Drive Day Operators and many more motor sport related activities can now easily access public & products liability insurance through this new exclusive scheme.

OAMPS are the preferred brokers of the AAAA.  We value their services and the support they have been providing to our industry and we continue to endorse their products and services to all AAAA members.

In addition to this new liability program, AAAA members throughout the country have been taking advantage of the cost savings that OAMPS can arrange for small retailers right through to large manufacturing and distribution businesses.

Find out how OAMPS can assist your business by contacting Rob Richard on (03) 9412 2431 or robert.richard@oamps.com.au

The AAAA encourages all members to take advantage of these new products and services available through OAMPS so that we can maximise the benefits to your business and to your fellow members.

Returning to Sydney for the first time since the launch of the PRTC, the National Event held on Monday 26th May attracted over 100 attendees, a record for any PRTC event ever held.  With presentations from Graham Scudamore-Smith (PRTC Chairman), Paul Franks (ACP Publications), NSW Department of Environment and Ben Bartlett (AAAA National Membership Manager), everyone left the event well informed, whilst also enjoying the networking opportunities. 

At this event it was it was announced that the PRTC membership has now exceeded over 300, and now represents 25% of total AAAA members, a statistic that was met with strong applause.  Grahame Scudamore-Smith proudly stated, “The strength of the PRTC is testament to the hard work and dedication of the PRTC Committee, and the commitment from members to see this vital industry sector continue to grow”.  Further events are planned for all other capital cities over the coming 12 months.

With the PRTC less than three years old, the incredible momentum of membership growth has now meant that this sub-council of the AAAA is now over 300 members strong.  This growth has been facilitated by the support of most of the major Manufacturers, Importers, Distributers, Retailers and Workshops, and it is expected that membership should continue to grow.

Ben Bartlett, Convenor of the PRTC and National Membership Manager of the AAAA, believes there are several reasons for this incredible membership growth, “With factors such as the recent major successes in changing exhaust noise regulations, the undertaking of the first ever industry survey, the retention of virtually all the existing members, the dynamic industry elected committee, and the networking events that are attracting record numbers, membership should stay strong.”

If you are not currently a members of the PRTC, please contact the AAAA National Office on 03 9561 7044 and speak with Ben Bartlett.

In a recent meeting with Transport SA it was highlighted that there was an issue in South Australia following a Coroner’s Inquest into the Wangary Fires. The Coroner found that an ‘Aftermarket, Non-Standard’ exhaust system started the bush fire that ultimately killed 9 people. 

In the recommendations released following the inquest it stated that Transport SA should conduct a review into whether or not Aftermarket exhaust systems are suitable for sale in rural areas. Following our meeting and written submission, Transport SA has determined that there is no issue to review and that the Coroner’s findings were not able to be substantiated. 

Click on the following link for the information sheet that summarises changes to the way noise from motor vehicles will be regulated under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 (the ‘Regulation’). The new Regulation generally commences on 1 March 2008, except where otherwise specified.

http://www.aaaa.com.au/prtc/summary of NSW noise regulations.pdf

The PRTC has been heavily invovled in the construction of these regulations to lessen the impact on the performance industry.  We believe that through effective communication between the PRTC and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW), we have found a workable solution for all parties.

For more information regarding these changes and the impact on the performance industry, please contact Ben Bartlett on 03 9561 7044.

Club Sub from New Zealand are running the Possum Bourne Memorial Charity Drive on 26 April with proceeds going to the Elim Christian College.
 
Peter "Possum" Bourne suffered fatal injuries on April 18 2003 in a car crash during preparations for the Race to the Sky Hillclimb in Central Otago.

On April 15th 2008 the Elim Christian College suffered a great tragedy themselves when six students and a teacher from the  school died during a flash flood while canyoning the Mangatepopo Stream in the Tongariro National Park.

The Possum Bourne Memorial Charity Drive is a full charity event with all proceeds going to the charity of Peggy Bourne's choosing.

As her family are part of the Elim Christian Center where this tragic event happened, Peggy Bourne has chosen for the proceeds to go to them this year.

MRT Performance is supporting the Possum Bourne Memorial Charity Drive by donating 50% of all sales of the recently released Subaru Performance Handbook made until 3rd May 2008.

Brett Middleton from MRT Perfomance , speaking about the charity event said “Possum Bourne and his team were a supplier to us many years ago when we were expanding MRT Performance, since then a lot of things have changed, but the name still resounds with Subaru owners worldwide. We encourge you to support this very worthwhile cause and we are pleased to contribute as well”.

To support the charity drive and purchase a copy of the Subaru Performance Handbook where 50% of the purchase price will be donated to the Possum Bourne Memorial Charity Drive just visit this link: http://www.SubaruPerformanceHandbook.com/goto/possum

To learn how you can donate directly through Club Sub you can visit
http://clubsub.org.nz/forums/

All the proceeds from the Possum Bourne Memorial Charity Drive will be given to the families of the children from the Elim Christian Center involved in the tragic accident.

Subaru Performance Handbook can be found at http://www.SubaruPerformanceHandbook.com

MRT Performance can be found at
http://www.MRTPerformance.com

Club Sub can be found at
http://clubsub.org.nz/

MRT Performance
1 Averill Street
Rhodes NSW 2138 Australia
Ph: +61 2 9767 4545
Fax: +61 2 9767 4599

MRT Performance is a founding member of the Performance, Racing and Tuning Council, a sub sector of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.

Focused and informed lobbying by the Performance Racing and Tuning Council (PRTC) on behalf of its members has helped to change proposed NSWexhaust regulations, which would have been both costly and disruptive to PRTC members operating businesses that sell and fit exhaust systems.

The PRTC, which is a sub-sector of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, was formed more than two years ago to offer specialist services to businesses operating in the performance, racing and tuning sector of the automotive aftermarket.

As part of a 2007 review of its Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) prepared draft Regulations and invited public comment. "While controlling noise in public places is a necessary part of maintaining community amenity, some of the draft provisions affecting motor vehicles were not well considered," said AAAA National Membership Manager and Convenor of the PRTC, Ben Bartlett.

"Noise control regulations gain very high levels of public support, as was the case with these proposed new regulations. However, these draft regulations were initially prepared with limited technical, scientific or economic input from the industry. The proposed draft regulations were technically confused and would have introduced retrospective changes, which could not be enforced with the current test facilities available.

"These draft regulations also would have wiped hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock value from our members' shelves. Following discussions between the PRTC and other state regulators, it was found that most states were watching this NSW review before drafting their own new regulations. This meant that any new regulations in NSW were likely to be closely considered nationally," he said.

For a full in-depth article on the NSW noise control regulations don't miss the February edition of Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine.

The first ever Performance Industry Survey has now been completed and is available for all PRTC Members free of charge.  This survey has answered many questions regarding the future direction of the performance industry in Australia and we expect that future surveys will benefit from lessons learnt from this report.  We will be running information sessions regarding this survey and report over the next 6 months, with the first held in Brisbane in mid December.

Members involved in manufacture, distribution or sale of aftermarket exhaust components in NSW should be aware that the Department of Environment and Climate Control (DECC) has published a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) concerning changes to Noise Control Regulation.  The Performance, Racing and Tuning Council (PRTC) has a targeted committee dealing with this issue on behalf of AAAA membership and will make submission in the next week.

To Download the Regulatory Impact Statement Click Here

To Download the Summary Document Click Here

However to alert members to the proposed changes, please note the following comments:

a. ADR 83/00 noise limit requirements for vehicles will now be included in NSW Noise Control Regulation.  ADR 83/00 noise levels came into force between 1 Jan 2005 and 1 Jan 2007, depending on the class of vehicle.  Maximum noise level limits for vehicles manufactured to earlier ADRs will not change. [Built before 1 Jan 1983 = 96dB(A), built on or after 1 Jan 1983 = 90dB(A)]  Adopting ADR 83/00 means the noise emission level cannot increase for ADR 83/00 vehicles, beyond a 5dB(A) allowance.

b. Noise Control Regulatory impact will be expanded to include road related areas, (ie public car parks)

c. Changes will mean that only Council and Police Officers will be able to issue statutory warnings to persons responsible for Motor vehicle noise in the area of Residential Buildings.

d. A determination by an authorized officer making a visual inspection of vehicle noise control equipment is required to be “reasonable”.
 
e. New Regulations outlaw temporary modifications to exhaust systems to pass a noise test.  It will be an offence to use temporary noise reduction devices on motor vehicles on roads and road related areas.  This means that internals must be welded or riveted in place.  There will be a phase-in on this section.

f. Current regulation prohibits replacing a muffler system with fewer mufflers. This requirement will be removed.  However Noise control equipment must still be no less effective than the original equipment.

g. Changes to wording concerning vehicle alarms will tighten up allowances for excessive alarm sounding.  The maximum period for which alarms may sound will be 45 secs, however discretion may be given where a genuine loss has occurred.  A phase in period will apply to new alarms

h. There will be changes to penalties associated with Alarm Noise offences.

i. The new Regulation will adopt the motor vehicle testing procedures from the National stationary exhaust noise testing procedures for in-service motor vehicles.

The Performance Racing and Tuning Council invited their members to attend the 2nd National Event for 2007 held in conjunction with the recently completed AAAA Trade Show.  The AAAA Trade Show was the largest event of its type ever held in Australia and gave buyers and sellers alike a fantastic opportunity to grow their business. 

The event was sold out in less than a week and quickly became the most well attended PRTC function ever! At this event some preliminary results of the recently undertaken Performance Industry Survey were presented giving those attending a snapshot of the future direction of this sector.  There was also an informative presentation from one of the Board of Director’s of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association), Wade Kawasaki. Wade gave the group an update the performance market in the USA, as well as offering a range of advice to businesses looking at entering the US market.

The next National Event will be held in Sydney late in 2007. Details will be made available closer to the event.