Junior Driver Development

NASR supports Junior Speedway in the form of Junior Sedans and Junior Quarter Midgets. Visit the Australian Institute of Family Service web site for information regarding legal requirements when working with children for your State or Territory.

Download the NASR Junior Development Program Manual

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NASR Driver Development Program Report Card

The inaugural NASR Driver Development Program was held at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in December 2007.

The program was attended by:

Todd Waddell aged 19 from Western Australia racing Speedcars.
Dale Smith aged 20 from Victoria racing Crash n Bash.
David Clark aged 17 from Queensland racing V8 Dirt Modifieds.
Jason McIver aged 19 from the Northern Territory racing Sprintcars.
Andrew Hibbert aged 18 from Victoria racing NOS Sprints.
Brad Keller aged 20 from South Australia racing V6 Sprints.
Max Clarke aged 16 from New South Wales racing Modified Production Sedans.
Brad Warren aged 17 from Victoria racing NOS Sprints.
Jacob Krushka aged 16 from Tasmania racing Mini Sprints.

NASR Competition Manager Paul Trengove is a former beneficiary of a similar CAMS program when he raced Formula 3 and Formula 4000 and attended the school to provide mentorship for the drivers. “The NASR Driver Development Institute is an exciting opportunity for young speedway drivers to learn about fitness, strengthening, nutrition and psychology, from some of the country’s best Olympic coaches at the AIS in Canberra.

“The drivers had their fitness put to the test on the first day, running the infamous 'beep test'. Results were quite varied and whilst there were some good results, it shows that there is definitely room for some improvement, especially to match CAMS circuit and Rally drivers.

“Many of the drivers get very nervous before an event and struggle to eat on race day. Others had a theory that drinking 6 red bulls in a night makes them perform better so the nutrition session was of great benefit where all these questions were answered. They were all very surprised to hear some of the advice provided.

“I think overall the drivers enjoyed the 3 day training camp and they learnt a great deal about looking after their bodies and understanding how this relates to their performance on the race track. Early on the first day, many drivers could not see the benefit in learning about fitness and nutrition, but it was soon clear how improving these areas definitely helps drivers perform at their best,” said Trengove.

Another aspect of the camp was a psychologist session to help prepare the up and coming drivers to become mentally stronger for their racing. Current Australian Sprintcar Champion Brooke Tatnell has agreed to talk to the AIS psychologist so they can understand how speedway champions prepare themselves mentally to win.

There was also a session on how to successfully liaise with the media with tips on being interviewed.

Smith agreed that the nutrition and fitness aspect of the course was a benefit. “I did not know what to expect going in but the nutrition was really good, not only from a racing point of view but for every day life. The other thing was fitness, especially recovery wise after a race meeting. It will help me feel heaps better and hopefully the program will go more into more depth during the next section,” he said.

Meanwhile Keller thought it was all the little things that all added up. “There was not one main thing that jumped out at me but everything added together. Like the fitness and becoming mentally stronger so you do not fade out half way through a race meeting and you can stay strong until the end of the night. It will be interesting to see if our fitness has improved the next time we go there. I have a Sprintcar Chassis and if we can sell our V6 Sprint hopefully we can buy an engine,” said Keller.

The attendees were nominated by the NASR State Branches with the cost of the program shared between these Branches and the NASR National Office providing a real member benefit to the next generation of speedway stars. All drivers will attend a follow up camp in April 2008.

NASR Driver Development Program

NASR is pleased to announce the NASR Driver Development Program, which has been designed to assist elite young drivers reach their full potential.

The development of young drivers is fundamental for the future of speedway and currently there are only very limited opportunities available for young speedway drivers.

The program has been established for up to eight drivers to attend two AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) camps. This opportunity has been realised through NASR’s closer working relationship with CAMS that is a result of the NASR delegation of authority from the FIA for speedway racing in Australia.

NASR Project Manager Tony Parkinson who has been negotiating with CAMS on this project commented "this is an exciting time for speedway, and in particular young speedway drivers, where through generous cooperation with CAMS we have been able to arrange a driver development program for selected drivers at the Australian Institute of Sport.”

“This is another example where NASR has been able to provide additional benefits to Australian speedway and it is planned for these programs to be ongoing for future years. It will be very interesting to observe how our drivers benefit from these programs,” said Parkinson.

NASR Competition Manager Paul Trengove has participated in three camps whilst competing in CAMS National Championships for Formula 3 and Formula 4000. “The camps were extremely beneficial to my racing career, allowing me to gain a greater understanding of physical conditioning and techniques for recovery after training and race events.

“It also provided me with an avenue to develop media and public speaking skills, which are important when representing the sport to the public,” said Trengove.

The program will be conducted over three weekdays (not weekends) in December 2007 and February 2008 and will cover subjects such as physiology, recovery, media training, nutrition, self massage, a gym session and a social evening so the sports future stars can meet and discuss their future aspirations. Trengove will be attending both camps to provide assistance and guidance to the young drivers.

Nominations from each State and the Northern Territory will be sort by the States who will then conduct a selection process to ensure nominations from the most suitable young drivers are forwarded to the NASR National Office by the 12th of October for the final selection process.

The selection criteria is:
1. Only NASR Licensed drivers are eligible to apply
2. The driver must be no older than 20 years and no younger than 16 years as at 1st July 2007
3. Applicants must be competing regularly in NASR-sanctioned competitions
4. Applicants must have demonstrated excellent results over the last three (3) seasons of motor sport (eg Karts) competition
5. Applicants must be presentable as a representative of speedway
6. Applicants must have the potential and the ability to progress to a national level of racing
7. Applicants must be available to attend camps at the AIS, Canberra in Dec 2007 and Feb 2008

The cost of the camps will be shared between the NASR National Office and the State Branches representing an excellent opportunity for an Australian or State Junior Quarter Midget, Junior Sedan or Kart champion or up and coming open division driver to further their knowledge and skills.

Four teenage drivers qualified for the eighteen-car Australian Sprintcar Championship field in Latrobe last season outlining the amount of rising talent we have in Australian Speedway.

If you meet the criteria and would like to nominate for a place in the NASR Driver Development Program then please contact your State representative:

NASR News South Wales
Contact: Marion Baxter
Address: PO Box129 SINGELTON NSW 2330
Phone: (02) 6571 3649 (between 7-9pm)
Fax: N/A
Mobile: N/A
Email: nasrnsw@nasr.com.au

NASR Queensland
Contact: Les & Laura Hinks
Address: PO Box 488 REDBANK QLD 4301
Phone: (07) 3814 1625
Fax: (07) 3814 1707
Mobile: 0403380038 (Ken Small)
Email: nasrqld@nasr.com.au

NASR South Australia
Contact: Mrs Lorraine Price
Address: PO Box 214 PARA HILLS SA 5096
Phone: (08) 8395 7719
Fax: (08) 8395 7720
Mobile: N/A
Email: nasrsa@nasr.com.au

Tasmania Speedway Control Council
Contact: Peter Krushka
Phone: H (03) 6391 8696
Mobile: 0418 133 070
Email: pjkrushka@bigpond.com

NASR Victoria
Contact: Mrs Di Bell
Address: 3 Olga Avenue HORSHAM VIC 3400
Phone: (03) 5382 7777
Fax: (03) 5381 2660
Mobile: N/A
Email: nasrvic@nasr.com.au

NASR Western Australia
Contact: Marlene Criddle
Address: PO Box 153 THORNLIE WA 6988
Phone: W (08) 9361 9666
Phone/Fax: H (08) 9452 1616
Mobile: 0411 106 249
Email: nasrwa@nasr.com.au

Northern Territory Representative
Contact: Gary Pendlebury
Mobile: 0418 828 133
Email: pendles@avcit8.net.au

The implementation of the NASR Driver Development Program is an excellent example of the NASR organisations working together to bring new benefits to our sport.

Introduction to TeenSafe

Teen Safe Points of Importance
Teen Safe will help save young lives (being better prepared to operate a motor vehicle) 3 key points: change behavior, hazard perception, and create risk evaluation Teen Safe teaches 14 to 17 year olds basic & practical driving experience skills to help new young drivers be safer and more aware of driving situations This is NOT a course for advanced driving but one that teaches general car operating skills & maintenance This course helps build good driving habits for kids, prior to getting there license and falling into bad habits The ultimate aim is to encourage 6 to 10 teens per class a “safety first” attitude to motor vehicle driving Teen Safe is non-profit organization with local & state community volunteers help running the program NASR would like to ask you all to consider being involved with this wonderful program in the future This program could utilize your facility year around

Several Benefits to TeenSafe Program for your Speedway
This program will not cost your facility ANY additional money to hold a course at your facility. This program is fully self funding, all Teen Safe needs is the agreement from track promoters /operators to use grounds to hold classes (Speedways can be used for other events) Teen Safe Program can help improve and enhance our image within our community by being seen to contributing back to your local youth (ages 14 to 17) in your community by promoting safety and common sense Expose your Speedway facilities to new groups of potential partners, schools, and civil groups (we are trying to attract new fans and groups to speedway) NASR is the only organization licensed & accredited to put 14 to 16 year olds behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in Australia

This program is designed to save Teenagers lives!
Barry Johnston of Surfair Speedway has been doing this program for over 3 years now and has a complete instructors manual to assist any NASR tracks Barry has also been able to work with local councils, RTA, police, tourism center, Rotary & Apex Clubs, and the Dole work program to help contribute to Teen Safe as well as support Speedway In the past, work for the Dole workers have helped maintained his speedway with free labour with: painting walls & buildings, mowing lawns, landscaping, planting new gardens and general management of speedway vehicles. Cost of this was materials only to tracks! Possible local & state fund raising opportunities from other clubs to help support this teen program Get possible local car dealership to donate cars for program (NASR & Barry can try to assist with this)

Positive Marketing and PR opportunities from TeenSafe
With Speedway contributing back into the local communities, Speedway can help change its image and attract a newer positive image Create major promotional opportunities from local schools by gaining free press from newspapers, radio, and television. By speedway being associated with Teen Safe, it will also help with awareness of our sport and your track to the community. This to will hopefully create a positive effect of more spectators at your facilities in the future.Possible new junior Speedway competitors and volunteers could come from participating with Teen Safe

Mainstream competitors could volunteer time as possible guest speakers at schools to discuss program and to display their racecars which would raise the profile of the sport & hopefully interest the teenagers in Speedway Teen Safe does not teach any road rules, just safety and basics to operating a vehicle Excellent program for potential supporters to build brand loyalty to a new consumer base

Other Important Facts and Information on TeenSafe
Clubs & promoters do not need to be involved if you choose not to because of time, but we would still like to conduct this program at your facilities and perhaps work with the local driving schools to run these courses with the help from CenterLink volunteers over 50’s to be instructors. All Teen Safe would need is dates that are available to use facilities.

Teen Safe is an ongoing course that is conducted over four sessions of two hours during the week and/or on weekends. 6 to 10 participants pay $100 each for the Teen Safe course Teen Safe is looking to expand this program in SA to help make the roads safer for all No additional insurance costs to tracks, this program is covered under the FAS policy. $5 per teen goes to insurance.Other focuses that teenagers will encounter are: Praise, enjoyment, no smoking, no coarse language, and safety and respect of operating a motor vehicle This program is very popular during school holidays

NASR is driven to provide 1st place safety for Teenagers & Families

Please Contact Barry Johnston at Surfair Motorsport Club at
02 4474 3641 for further details on this program