The WRX Impreza Club of Victoria will hold its second round of the year this weekend with up to 50 drivers expected to take on the supersprint-style event at the iconic Sandown Raceway.

 

While the round will not have the same numbers as it did for January’s season opener at Phillip Island, the major players and title contenders will still be in attendance as they look to add more points to their title aspirations.

 

Headlining the field will be round one winner Michael Garland with the Impreza driver to lead the WRX charge against a number of other drivers including runner-up Kam Aghtan in the Porsche 911 and Andrew Richmond in the Lotus Exige 350S.

 

On top of the supersprint, the club will also be holding a come and try day for around 10 rookies hoping to get their first taste of motorsport this weekend.

 

Despite the club having less numbers as it had in the opening round due to a number of invited guests not attending, the club’s Motorsport Director Kurt Miglas was pleased they could still put on the event and lauded the competitors’ motivation to get behind the wheel.

 

“Most of our competitors are pretty excited we haven’t cancelled our event as of yet, so we are very much looking forward to getting out onto the track as it’s been a bit of a strange year,” Miglas said.

 

“We will be running a slightly revised format with additional precautions, which include minimising any large groupings of people, but at the end of the day motorsport is relatively solo in its essence as you’re in the car by yourself.

 

“The race meetings usually get around 80 drivers but with the general situation around the world, some people have chosen to stay away, and we have also encouraged people to withdraw if they’re feeling ill. Overall, we have strong numbers though and we’re really looking forward to it.

 

“We’ve had members emailing throughout the last few days about the event’s status and the general feedback we have received is really positive as people are pleased. I think this is a good avenue for people to distract themselves from the issues going on around the world.”

 

As with most events taking place this weekend, the club have taken an extra set of precautions in order to keep people safe despite the drop in numbers.

 

The event’s racing format will stay the same as its usual rounds with drivers to run laps around the course, however it will be the activities off track which Miglas admits will have the biggest change.

 

“The primary thing will be the driving briefing to be done over PA system rather than everyone in a large group together,” Miglas explained.

 

“We are encouraging people to stay in their own garage with an electronic driver sign on link available, which will be on for five minutes to ensure they were present.

 

“We are doing basic hygiene type exercises including hand sanitiser stations around the track, as well as encouraging people to stay in their own garages rather than do large gatherings.

 

“Our events are mostly popular due to the social aspect, however in the current circumstances we have had to remove the food vendor and the certain areas where people usually mingle. We have also discouraged all spectators to attend.”