The 2009 iRace Launch Day is all systems go, and a full set of directions are now available.

Please click here to download the directions in PDF format.

Video footage from the 2008 Oran Park round of the Independent Race Series is now available.

The footage is still in a partially raw format - the voiceover has not yet been completed. View the individual videos below in the online player, or download the files in high resolution format (MP4) by clicking the links at the bottom of this article.

Here at iRace HQ we're continually trying to think of new ways to make racing more accessible, and achievable for more people.

With that goal in mind, we're launching the brand new iRace Meeting Point. It's a section of the website dedicated to helping our competitors help each other. The Meeting Point will be a central location for competitors and anyone else associated with the series to offer services, help, assistance or recommendations that might be useful to their fellow competitors. It will also be the place for competitors who are seeking assistance getting their car to the next round, or trying to find a reputable service provider in their area.

Submissions can be made via the website, and once completed they appear instantly on the Meeting Point page.

This sort of thing is not new to the Independent Race Series - a series well known for the generosity of its competitors, and with a strong community atmosphere. Now it's just a lot more organised, and the information will reach a lot more people a lot faster.

Things we hope to see on the Meeting Point page in the future include:

Competitors with space in their trailer or transporter
Competitors car-pooling to an event
Competitors sharing accommodation at an event
Competitors recommending a service provider who has helped them
Drives (or drivers) available either for Lease or Barter/Trade
Positions on teams for volunteer pitcrew
And many more - we hope you can manage to surprise us!

The iRace Meeting Point will be within the Classifieds section of the site (click on Classifieds, then click on Meeting Point), or access it via this direct link. It will also be available as a RSS feed you can subscribe to (instructions here).

To submit a post to the Meeting Point, click the Meeting Point Submission link on the Meeting Point page, or use this direct link.

The first round of the Independent Race Series for 2009 will take place at Morgan Park 20-22 March, with a Launch Day scheduled at the Marulan Driver Training Centre 18 January.

The 2009 Independent Race Series Launch is go for liftoff, and there are some exciting additions to help make it an even bigger event.

In addition to the on-track sessions, with some driver tuition available, and the BBQ lunch, the following additional activities will be taking place:

Licence and Logbook Processing

Competitors eager to get a head start on their 2009 administration can get all their paperwork out of the way at the event. iRace HQ staff will be in attendance, and ready to help you with your forms. (Relevant forms are also available for download here.)

Marketplace

Buy, sell, swap your racing gear. If you have a racecar or equipment you are selling, the 2009 iRace Launch Day is the perfect venue to display it to prospective buyers. If you have a larger item, or a car you wish to bring, please get in contact with Garry Willmington on 02 4841 1422 or Fax 02 4841 1017 or click here to email.

Anyone who has an item to sell or lease can list the item on our free Classifieds. Please visit the Classified Submission form here to submit your ad.

Get a head start on the 2009 Independent Race Series, get yourself to the Launch Day - 18 January 2009 at the Marulan Driver Training Centre.

The video above is a short highlights reel from the coverage of the first ever iRace round from Oran Park. The full package should be available early in the new year.

The 2009 Independent Race Series is set to take off, with an exciting launch day to be held at the brand new Marulan Driver Training Centre 18 January 2009.

The Independent Race Series is racing for racers. Costs are kept as low as possible, and in the prevailing economic climate, it's expected that this will prove even more important heading into 2009. The Independent Race Series is set for at least five rounds in 2009, Morgan Park 20-22 March, Oran Park (South) 15-16 May, Morgan Park 19-21 June, Oran Park (GP) 14-15 August and Oran Park (South) 13-15 November. More details on the 2009 series will be announced at the Launch Day.

In keeping with the affordable theme for iRace, the Launch Day will be an affordable event, with no racing, but plenty of opportunity for drivers to hone their skills ahead of an exciting season. The day will be an opportunity for competitors, prospective competitors, supporters and suppliers to get together, socialise and network without the pressure of a normal race weekend. Those keen to blow away the holiday cobwebs will have the chance to do some laps too, with the driver training facility open to road or production cars (at a fee of $50 per head for driver or passenger). Driver education will also be available to those who are keen to improve their skills. The day will also be a great opportunity to take some hard-working crewmembers or loyal supporters out for a few laps. There will be kids ride sessions, and iRace licence evaluations for new competitors.

Entry to the Launch Day is free. For those taking part in laps of the facility, the cost is $50 per head, and includes a free BBQ lunch (with soft drink). BBQ lunch is available to everyone else for $5. Soft drinks, tea and coffee will also be available. A 90db noise limit applies to all vehicles at the event.

The Marulan Driver Training Centre is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, located less than an hour from Sydney. It features a 1km training loop, a short dirt oval, and a skidpan, as well as excellent classrooms and administration buildings. The facility was constructed by Garry and Natalie Willmington, and opened in late 2008.

So, for your chance to be a part of the Launch Day, and get behind the 2009 Independent Race Series, make sure you keep January 18th free, and head to the Marulan Driver Training Centre for a fantastic day. To secure your place now, contact Garry Willmington on 02 4841 1422 or Fax 02 4841 1017 or click here to email.

UPDATE to the Launch Day available here.

Directions to Marulan Driver Training Centre available here.

Thanks to iRacer Anthony Soole for letting us know about this video!

It is with regret that the Independent Race Series announces the postponement of the Morgan Park round of the series scheduled for this weekend. The round has been postponed due to circumstances beyond our control.

It will now take place in early 2009, as the first part of a five event schedule which is as follows:

R1 - Morgan Park - 20-22 March
R2 - Oran Park (South) - 15-16 May
R3 - Morgan Park - 19-21 June
R4 - Oran Park (GP) - 14-15 August
R5 - Oran Park (South) - 13-15 November

The debut round of the Independent Race Series was held at Oran Park 11 October, and was a big hit with all the competitors. 2009 is expected to be even better.

The Independent Race Series - racing for racers.

The second round of the brand-new Independent Race Series is rapidly approaching, and it looks set to be another ground breaking round for the series.

With less than two weeks until the action happens, entries are due to close shortly, and competitors are reminded to get their entries in as soon as possible.

For anyone from the southern states considering going, but baulking at the distance, you may be interested to know that to reach Warwick from Sydney is actually just under 2 hours quicker than the trip to Queensland Raceway!

The secret to a quick trip to Morgan Park is to avoid the Pacific Highway, and head inland via the New England Highway. For a quick look at some Google Maps directions (from Sydney to Warwick), click here.

Once you reach Warwick, you're in for a treat. In the words of queenslandholidays.com.au Warwick is: "An idyllic country destination, Warwick's cityscape is characterised by lovingly maintained sandstone buildings, countless pubs, restaurants, cafes, B&Bs, and a real sense of country hospitality." Click here for the full rundown on the town and surrounds.

The Morgan Park circuit shares many of the same values that are the hallmark of the Independent Race Series - fun, value-for-money racing, with esprit-de-corps high among those who've made it all happen. The layout is challenging and features racing in a clockwise direction over 2.1km of what is reportedly some of the smoothest bitumen around. Laptimes are around the 1min mark, and speeds are similar to Wakefield Park. For all the details on the circuit, visit the official website here.

There is accommodation in the area to suit a range of budgets, with the Shire of Warwick Tourism offering a full rundown (click here). Remember the circuit is on the southern side of town, about 5km from the Post Office.

So: a great town, full of excellent places to eat, plenty of accommodation, and a terrific race track, and to top it all off the fantastic iRace atmosphere. Where else would you rather be?

For more information on the second round of the Independent Race Series, please contact us via this page.

We've been having a little trouble with our fax machine at iRace HQ, so if you've faxed your entry and you're not sure it got through, please contact Rod: 0412 785 486 (or click here) and double check.

See you all at Morgan Park: 15-16 November 2008.

The photo gallery from Round One of the Independent Race Series has now been uploaded, with additional photos to be added shortly.

There are some great shots in the gallery, and photos have been divided into the separate categories that ran at the event. Click here, or the image on the right to view the gallery, or use the individual category links below. The pages are also accessible from the "Multimedia" section of the site, accessible by clicking the appropriate button on the menu to the left.

Formula Tasman & Le Mans Sports

Touring Car Challenge

Production Racing Cars

Muscle Division & Invited Sports

The next round of the Independent Race Series will be held at Queensland's Morgan Park 15-16 November 2008.