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.

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. Since that time it has been running, each year, a five rally series know as the SOUTHERN CROSS RALLY SERIES, in New South Wales, taking it, and its members to as far west as Condobolin, as far South as Harden and as far North as Wingham.

Crews compete throughout the year accumulating both driver and navigator points for both Series and Class Awards. As the year progresses the competition becomes fast and furious as crew 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, AUSTRALIA and strives to have its rallies match the excitement and competition of those "hey days" of rallying epitomised by the Southern Cross Rally which was run between the 1960's and 1980's in some of the same forests AMSAG use for competition.

Consistent with the Southern Cross theme is that AMSAG rules restrict entry of vehicles to those models of vehicles first manufactured and sold in Australia prior to 31 December 1990. It also ensures that it is skill and preparation, not finances, that determine the winners of each Event. This does not mean that these vehicles have seen their day! AMSAG members prepare their vehicles with the closest attention to detail. And they have to, as these vehicles are carefully scrutinised before each Event by qualified motor sport engineers to ensure they meet its stringent safety requirements and eligibility.

AMSAG prides itself on its safety record over the last 17 years - with its emphasis not just on speed, but ensuring that it gives equal attention to navigator ability and vehicle reliability. The courses are set through tight terrain selected to test a driver and navigators mental ability, concentration and stamina. That's not to say that the pace is slow. Our top drivers - some former State and ARC Champions know how to steer their rally machines through the forest, no doubt putting some of our current State Rally Champions to shame. You will be surprised how fast these drivers manoeuvre through these courses. There is plenty of dust and sideways action to keep every spectator on the edge of their seat. Action is not to be missed!

The rallies are run traditionally over one day and  two day formats with a compulsory Saturday night diner bringing competitors, service crews, officials and locals together to discuss what might have been "if only". On Sunday the crews are back out for more action, making up for those lost seconds from the day previously, to move up that leader board prior to final results being published at the Sunday Presentation Lunch.

AMSAG sees the need to keep the social, as well as the competitive spirit alive and its formulae ensures that by having local businesses and community groups cater the meals that gives something back to those communities who have provided their hospitality (and forests) for a weekend of rally action.

The Cars
The unique thing about AMSAG would have to be the cars. In true Southern Cross spirit, all cars have to be a model which was first manufactured prior to 31st December, 1990. No forced induction is allowed ie turbo or supercharger (unless in class T4) Fuel Injection is now allowed, and engine management systems are free.  4WD is permitted,  in Class T4 (modern), but more on that further down the page. Two Wheel Drive is the order here, most of the cars in AMSAG currently are Rear Wheel Drive. However it would be interesting to see how a FWD Honda Civic would go when you consider the next engine rule section! The rally cars are required to have the following:

• Roll Cage - Full to the approved standard
• Full Harness seat belts for each crew member
• Helmets which meet the AMSAG regulations
• 2KG of Fire Extinguisher (not BFC type)
• First Aid Kit (as per 1999 regulations)
• Blue Triangle showing position of battery
• Safety Triangles
• UHF Radio

See the regulations section for full details.

Engine Configuration
Engine Configuration must be that of original manufacture ie number of cylinders must remain the same. For Example a four cylinder car cannot be fitted with a six, eight cylinder or rotary engine. But this doesn't stop you jamming a FJ-20 or FJ-24 into a Datsun 1600 or Stanza! This limits the cost of building such a rally car considerably for the newbies, although it is now apparent that large sums of money are being spent by the front runners to obtain unheard of horse power out of a normally aspirated engine. One regular running Commodore is rumored to have over 450 neddies, up against a swag of 230 horsepowered Datsuns, Mazdas and Mitsubishis. Its Weber Heaven and Rooster Tail City!

AMSAG Classes
Classes are also designed so to remain competitive regardless of what engine you are running. The Classes are as follows:

• Class A -      0 - 1500cc
• Class B - 1501 - 1800cc
• Class C - 1801 - 2100cc
• Class D - 2101 - 3000cc
• Class E - 3001 and over + rotary engines
• Class U - Unclassified or Invitational (not eligible for outright awards)

As you can see Class B is limited to 1800cc to give the L18 engined Datsun 1600's and 1700 4G32 Lancers and Galants a fair go, while Class U is there for any cars that are not within the rules to still compare their times up against the best AMSAG crews.

A low cost alternative?
Another Pleasant thing about the club is the atmosphere. To start with, its cheap! You don't have to be megga rich, or have a sponsor to run AMSAG. Event entry fees start at $120 rally sprints,one days $270 and two days are $550.00 (inc. GST) (First time competitors is only $350.00 inc GST + membership)for two day events for approx. 220KM competitive over 2 days! This makes for a lot of happy campers! Included in the entry fee is registration of service crew, public risk insurance and Full catering for driver and navigator.

Compulsory Catering
This gets you complete meals over the whole weekend, so you don't have to worry about food. Also included is the traditional Saturday 3 course night dinner, where you wash off the dust and socialize with the AMSAG fraternity over dinner. Of course after dinner the first days placings are read out, much to the delight of the crews! It is always warm and welcome, everyone is approachable as there are no egos. Entry fees cover driver and navigator and any additional catering fees are $66.00 (inc. GST) per person.

Entering a rally
To enter a rally, or request more information, please go to the contact page. You can then fill this form out to submit your enquiry, and one of our volunteers can send you further information. You can receive Supplementary Regulations in the mail, Or go to the rally documentation section on this site. Entry forms can be printed off from there and sent in via mail or fax. Cheques must be posted before the date stated in the supp regs. You can also now pay with direct bank deposits. Its as simple as that.

What then?
Closer to the rally start (approx. 2 weeks) you will receive the final regulations including scruiteneering instructions, fuel requirements for the rally, accommodation guides, area maps and any other information. You then present your car on the nominated day at scruiteneering where it is thoroughly checked. If you are knocked back, you can rectify the problem then re-present the car on the morning of the rally.

The Rally
Although AMSAG rallies are exteremly well organized, they are at the same time quite relaxed compared to other rallies. The rallies are well promoted, and spectator instructions are available at starts so there is usually a bit more of a crowd than the traditional service crew spectators. Marshalls are supplied by AMSAG at every spectator point. And the roads, well they almost go with out saying. Some stages can get a fast,twisty and tight at times, but generally roads picked for stages are of top quality. The roads don't really get as chopped up as a rally with 100 cars, meaning that 2 runs through same stages is quite achievable.

Timing and Position Cards
AMSAG does not use A to A timing on rallies ie you don't have to book into a control at a pre-allocated time. If you have a problem or an "off" and need to take extra time in service to repair it, no worries. You can just rejoin the rally later on down the field, not loosing any time, only position on road. However if you do not start a stage, you are given the fastest time +30 minutes, if you do not complete a stage its fastest time +20 minutes. See rally regulations section for more details. Click here to see an example of the position card.

Navigation
The road books supplied by the event directors are of first class. AMSAG uses a tulip system, with transport in a different colour proceeding a competitive usually on white paper. These are bound in a bound book, complete with ok/+ printed on the back. Click here to see an example of the road book. This is an example from the latest Bathurst rally.