The Australian Motor Sport Action Group (AMSAG) is a nonprofit association with 500+ members which conducts and manages motor rallies throughout country New South Wales for its members. AMSAG is an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Act (NSW) 1984 and as such operates in accordance with a set of rules and regulations approved both by the Department of Fair Trading and its members. Importantly, being a member based organisation, the rules and regulations, including the specification requirements for competing cars, is determined via direct input of the members. AMSAG members come from various walks of life, split equally between the country and the city. AMSAG has a duly elected executive committee supported by a competitor based rally steering committee and event directing teams selected for each of its Events.  AMSAG was incorporated in 1994 but has been in existence since 1990.  For many years, AMSAG has conducted the Southern Cross Rally Series for its members to compete in.  A Rookie Rally Series for new drivers and navigators is run in conjunction with the Southern Cross rallies.

AMSAG has 2 primary objectives.

1.       To provide safe and enjoyable rallies for the members of AMSAG in a social but competitive atmosphere.

2.       To provide a variety of opportunities for people to learn life saving advanced driving and defensive driving techniques.

Crews compete throughout the year accumulating points towards Series and Class Awards for both drivers and navigators.  As the year progresses the competition becomes fast and furious as crews vie for trophies in what is now a well know and prestigious Series. AMSAG is the registered owner of the name Southern Cross Rally Series in NSW, and strives to have its rallies match the excitement and competition of those "hey days" of rallying epitomised by the international Southern Cross Rally which was run between the 1960's and 1980's in some of the same forests AMSAG use for competition today. The vehicle eligibility rules allow for nearly every configuration of rally car that a competitor could present.  All vehicles are carefully scrutinised before each event by qualified and approved personnel to ensure the vehicles meet AMSAG’s stringent safety requirements. The rallies provide a challenge for both the driver and navigator and rely upon the skill, concentration and stamina of the driver and navigator and the reliability and capability of the competing vehicle. The rallies are set through a great variety of terrain which varies from fast open shire roads to medium paced hardwood forests and slower, tighter pine forests.  Stages are run in daylight and some at night, so a variety of skills are learned. Rallying is often considered as the most difficult of sports to succeed at as there are just so many factors that affect the opportunity to win.  However, our top drivers, some former State and Australian Rally Champions, set the benchmark for others to aspire to, and are always available to help with advice on technique or vehicle preparation.

Way Experienced rally competitors and organisers that are new to AMSAG will find some differences with the approach and management of AMSAG rallies. Importantly, this does not mean that there is any disregard for the safety of competitors, officials, spectators or the public, or a lax approach to stage security.  On the contrary, and surprisingly for some, there are numerous aspects where AMSAG rallies lead, particularly in the areas of safety and communication. In fact, AMSAG prides itself on its outstanding safety record over the last 19 years. AMSAG specifically caters for the huge market of amateur rally competitors that just want to enjoy their rallying in a safe, sociable and cooperative environment without onerous vehicle regulations and the associated penalties. The absence of Late Time Penalties or the need to book into start controls provide a relaxed environment without compromising safety or the thrill of competition once on the special stage. The lower entry fees mean that AMSAG events provide exceptional value for money for competitors, and the catering provided to all officials mean that AMSAG rallies continue to enjoy large competitive fields that have many enthusiastic officials. The relaxed vehicle regulations provide competitors the opportunity to engineer their cars in challenging and unique ways.  The regulations also produce a huge variety of cars with different engine combinations.  As a result, spectating at AMSAG rallies is always a fast and thrilling experience.