We run many different Lemons events per year throughout NZ - so once you've spent cash on your precious Lemon, you can use it multiple times. You can even race in any other event you want to, since you will already meet most motorsport standards. The 'spirit' of Lemons is to build and drive a crappy but FUN car on a professional track for hours on end - sometimes for the whole weekend, and see if it (and your team) can last the distance - basically it's Motorsport WITHOUT the politics - there are no major prizes for being the fastest, loudest, most laps or expensive entries - in fact the biggest accolades go to the teams that have the most fun and dress up (themes are unlimited) - just make sure the additional fairy wings, flares, cardboard add-ons and gaffer-taped sex-dolls don't fall off on the track!
Lemons FAQ
Just when you thought racing in a Motorsport team on an International Race track was reserved for rich Playboys, along comes NaZCAR Lemons! Here's a few facts and figures to avoid any Confucius:
Each endurance event is usually held during a weekend, and typically starts with Scrutineering/track test, then racing commences. Actual track time varies depending on the format; from 3 hour mini-endurance to the full 24 hours. Each race usually starts with a rolling grid, so everyone gets a fair chance to familiarize themselves with the conditions/track/other mad bastards. We also run continuous 24 hour day/night races - keep an eye on our website + Facebook page for more information.
Each team must consist of a car (duh!) and drivers, plus any pit/support crew. This is so the team can share in track time, cost of building/running/replacing bits on the car and ensure that no team fatigues too much (safety first, you morons!). Drivers must be aged 12+ years (special conditions apply for 12-16 year olds), hold a current New Zealand or Internationally recognized Driver's License. Each race will also require a "Race Licence", which can be arranged before/during each event - we'll keep you updated.
The simple answer is ... NOW!!! Check our website and Facebook page for the calendar of upcoming events.
Like any activity, it's going to cost money to race - BUT driving in Lemons is some of the least expensive fun you can have in Motorsport in the world! A summary of the main costs (incl. GST, subject to change) are:
- Your Lemon (car): around $999 (plus cage, seat, harness, safety equipment). "Limes" usually cost a bit more!
- Entry fee for car: around $599 for 12 and 24 hour events
- Entry fee (per driver): from $550 for 12 hour, $599 for 24 hour
- Entry fee for Pit crew/spanner monkeys (each): from $75 for 12 hour, $99.00 for 24 hour
- Additional Safety equipment (required) for your car: No limit to how much you can spend - normally around $2,000 buys everything: cage, seat, harness, fire extinguisher, kill switch - and you only need to buy this ONCE!
- Safety gear for each DRIVER (helmet, HANS device (FHR), gloves, suit, etc) REQUIRED: No limit to how much you can spend!
- Each track charges different amounts for the Pit Garages, so we'll update you with these fees. We allocate you a garage, and you pay us - then we pay the track.
- Some teams have their own transponder (fancy little timing box connected to the track's timing loop) but if you don't have one, we will provide each team with one - that way, you will get every lap time recorded, and you can gloat (or be embarrassed) by how you stacked up against your team-mates. Overall track times and laps completed are updated live during the event. About $45 per day hire for transponders.
OK... So you've spent $999 on your heap of junk (oops, we mean "pride and joy") - now it's time to get it souped up... There is NO LIMIT to the amount of "Safety" equipment you can add (check the Rules & Regs for the minimum Safety requirements):
- Roll cage (mandatory).
- Brake pads, rotors, tyres (must be Dot-rated, ROAD LEGAL, no semis/slicks) and fluids.
- Seat (must have one-piece molded racing seat) & Harness (minimum 5-point driver's harness) mandatory.
- FHR (Forward head and neck restraint) - also known as a HANS device (mandatory).
- Fire extinguisher & kill-switch (mandatory) - this isolates the battery/alternator from the car.
- Anything "mechanical" to ensure your Lemon is safe to drive (wheel bearings, ball-joints, etc)
- As for things you "shouldn't" spend money on:
- Performance enhancements (for the CAR, not yourself)!
- Expensive "go-fast" modifications (super-chargers, turbos, etc).
Your safety is paramount, so we make every effort to protect you and your car.
- We provide an in-car RaceCeiver (a small yellow RF Radio unit) for each team so each driver can receive instructions from track officials, general abuse and the occasional crackly pirate radio station.
- We provide hireage of the track facilities, Clerk of Course, Officials, Marshalls, Track lights/Flags, Timing system, entertainment, hideous trophies, ambulance, recovery crews, and a team of straggly volunteers to ensure you and your questionable team-mates have an epic weekend!
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is our Charity Partner, and we've established our own Lemons Foundation - 100% of donations and a portion of proceeds go to these treasured causes.
- Lemons cars should basically be 'stock' as far as suspension, brakes, exhaust and performance (it's about ENDURANCE not speed).
- The crazier the theme, the more fun we'll all have.
- If you DO spend more than $999 on your car (and it's obvious) our scrutineers may classify your car/team as a Lime. Limes are 'upmarket' Lemons - so if you've spent too much on trying to go fast, if it's obviously not a crapper, or you take things too seriously, be prepared to get hassled by competitors in cheaper cars, and the judges/scrutineers will probably mess with you all weekend, giving out crazy penalties and punishments which can cost you track time.
- If you take racing seriously.... Maybe you should grow a moustache and enter F1... or check out our new NaZCAR PRO series - a Sanctioned National Endurance Championship designed specifically for YOU!
- Lemons racing is STRICTLY non-contact - any dirt-bags that want to play rough will get their ears pulled and forced to watch re-runs of Trump speeches with their eyelids taped open!
- Fundraising is encouraged - lots of teams put together BBQ's or Fundraisers to assist team costs (contact us for suggestions or assistance).
- There will be spectators on race days too - bring as many of your own hecklers as you like - FREE entry for cheerleaders and mascots!
- There will be food/drink stalls at the track - but you're welcome to bring your own picnic, BBQ or Vegan alternative.
- Bribes (and butt-kissing) will go a long way to adding valuable 'laps' and track time to your team (all cash bribes go to Charity).
- Lemons will constantly update all teams with details via Mail-chimp (email) and our Website & Facebook Page - HAPPY BUILDING!