First Gear is the easiest and cheapest intro to motorsport, if you’re aged 12–17.
You’ll be provided with a car for the day, and you’ll buddy up with a race driver instructor to coach you.
First Gear will be the first step for you getting a full Motorsport Australia licence. And you’ll have bragging rights with your mates as the first person to drive a car!
Whether you want to get into circuit racing, rally or off road racing, First Gear is the first step.
Want to get ahead? Click here to find a Motorsport Australia Car Club that suits where you live and what you’re interested in, and ask your parents to help you sign up to a car club.
Information for Parents & Guardians
First Gear exercises are designed for small groups to ensure that every participant gets a chance to learn new skills from our expert instructors in a safe environment. After they have mastered the basics of car control, they will be ready to progress to participate in club level motorsport events.
Motorsport Australia’s First Gear partner, Driving Solutions, will supply suitable road vehicles for the event.
There will be further First Gear initiatives to be announced to give young people more opportunities to participate in a club environment.
State Government Kids Voucher programs assist children and young people with the costs of participation in sport and active recreation activities. Please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of this page for more information.
What you'll learn
- Car control
- Braking
- Road & motorsport safety
- Steering
- Vehicle dynamics & physics
- Motorsport pathways
- How to get a Motorsport Australia Licence
Benefits
- Access to industry experts on the day
- Cars are supplied to you
- An affordable motorsport experience
- A friendly, encouraging and safe environment
First Gear Challenge
Take your experience gained in a First Gear event and apply it to the First Gear Challenge.
This is a perfect opportunity for those looking to compete in a friendly atmosphere. Open to 12-17 year olds that hold
an existing Motorsport Australia Licence, and/or have completed a First Gear event before.
Drivers will compete in a motorkhana-style challenge, navigating cones throughout a dedicated course. Testing your reflexes and agility, putting into practice what you have already learned in theory sessions.
Instructors will be available to assist and coach throughout the competition.
Drivers can compete in either the AM or PM session for a chance in the Final Shootout. Drivers will complete a minimum of two practice runs, followed by two timed runs. The top two from each session will proceed to the Final Shootout, where they will
complete a minimum of two more timed runs, with the fastest declared the winner.
Cars are provided for this challenge.
SESSION TIMES
AM: 8:00am - 11:30am
PM: 12:00pm - 3:30pm
FINAL: 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Cost
$99
PRIZES
1st, 2nd, 3rd
CALENDAR
| Date | State | Location | Event |
| Saturday 4 November | NSW | Harris Park, Mount Panorama | Challenge |
| Saturday 11 November | NSW | Harris Park, Mount Panorama | Event |
| Sunday 12 November | NSW | Harris Park, Mount Panorama | Challenge |
| Saturday 21 October | SA | The Bend Motorsport Park
| Event
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Motorsport Australia licence to participate in the activities?
Yes, you will need a junior Motorsport Australia licence to participate. This will be included as part of your entry into the event if you don’t already hold a licence.
A minimum of a Speed Junior Licence is required for First Gear courses.
There will be no charge for the licence for first time participants who have never held a Motorsport Australia licence.
What State Government Kids Voucher programs are available and how can I apply for one?
State Government Kids Voucher programs assist children and young people with the costs of participation in sport and active recreation activities. There is overwhelming evidence of the positive direct effects of sport and regular physical activity on
health and wellbeing.
Motorsport Australia is proud to be affiliated with the following Sport and Recreation stating bodies that will allow you to apply for a voucher and reduce the cost of participating
in First Gear.
Please visit the websites below to better under the program guidelines for each state and eligibility criteria:
Victoria: getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers
Important points to note:
- Specific dates (or claim periods) when you can apply.
- You must have incurred your expense (signed up for First Gear) within the specific dates too.
- You will need to provide proof of payment of your expense when you apply.
NSW: service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/active-kids
Important points to note:
- Two validity periods during the year.
- Apply for a voucher though My Service NSW Account. Please email [email protected] your voucher and the participants date of birth.
- You will then be given a promo code to use on the First Gear application form which will discount the entry cost.
Are parents allowed to participate?
For the interests of safety, only instructors and the participants are allowed on the activity areas. Parents are free to spectate and take photos from the designated viewing points.
CONTACT
For any other questions, please feel free to contact Motorsport Australia on 1300 883 959 or [email protected].
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