Bash Vehicle Information QLD
Bash car preparations
Year of Construction
Vehicle models must be 30 years old or older for the year of entry. Run on models may be accepted at the discretion of Variety Queensland.
Vehicle Make and Model
Vehicles must be two-wheel drive. All makes and models are accepted (provided they are 30 years old or older at the time of entry). Please note that it is easier to find parts for Ford and Holden’s in the outback and it is sometimes harder to locate parts for foreign or rare vehicle makes and models.
Vehicle registration
All vehicles must have current registration covering the period of the Bash. Current registration papers and a Roadworthy certificate must be shown at both the second and final vehicle scrutineering.
Vehicle insurance
All vehicles must have current Third Party Property Insurance coverage. Insurance certificates need to be provided at the final vehicle scrutineering.
Engine
The engine shall not be of a later model car, or of a larger capacity than that permitted for that model car, at the time of construction.
Vehicle modifications
All Bash vehicles MUST be modified and fitted with the following:
- Sump, gearbox and petrol tank protection – ‘Bash Plates’ MUST be fitted to the car, covering from the front of the engine to the rear of the gearbox (excluding the extension housing). This should be mounted so that it can be easily removed.
- Engine securing devices – is to prevent the engine from being forced back into the passenger compartment, or forward in to the radiator in an accident.
- Headlight stone guards
- Laminated windscreen OR windscreen stone guard
- Rear high-mounted brake lights
- Safety strap fitted under the front of the tail shaft – or Tail Shaft Loop is compulsory as the idea is if the front universal joint breaks, the front of the tail shaft is stopped from hitting the road and acting as a pole vault.
- Front and rear mud flaps
- Rear high mounted dust lights – a rear mounted, rotating amber light, mounted as high as possible on the car, is compulsory for safety when driving in dust. Also, a rear mounted downward facing white light is also required to illuminate the dust. Both lights should only be used when on dirt roads on the event and need to be switched off on bitumen
Cargo Barriers
It is compulsory to have AS/NZS 4034.1: 2008 Approved cargo barriers fitted to all station wagons and vans.
Radios
All vehicles must be fitted with an operating UHF Radio. This is perhaps the most important piece of equipment on the Bash as the Radio is used to:
Warn other drivers of your intention to pass
Warn other drivers behind you of any impending danger or oncoming traffic
Advise Officials and Mobile Workshops in the event of the breakdown
Towing
All Bash vehicles must be fitted with front AND rear 50mm towing balls affixed to the chassis in the centre of the vehicle. It is recommended these are Hayman-Reese type tow hitches with demountable tongues. All Bash vehicles MUST carry one tow rope AND one heavy duty Snatch Strap AND 2 x three tonne rated bow shackles.
Tools
All Bash vehicles MUST carry the following basic tools:
- Adjustable spanner
- Car jack
- Tyre repair kit
- Jumper leads
- Portable Light
- Shovel
Spare Parts
All Bash vehicles must carry the following equipment during the Bash:
- Five litres of oil
- Spare nuts and bolts applicable to your vehicle
- Twenty litres of water
- First Aid Kit
- Spare oil filters
- Spare globes for rear high mounted brake and dust lights
- Container of brake fluid
- Spare fan belt
- Fire Extinguisher
- Fencing wire and pliers
- Assorted cable ties
Odometer
All Bash vehicles must have a working odometer. As most Bash vehicles will not be travelling with standard tyres, odometers should be checked over a measured distance. Route instructions will be given in miles and kilometres.
Fuel tanks
All Bash vehicles will be required to have sufficient fuel for a 450km range on dirt roads. An extra tank may be fitted provided this tank is vented outside of the passenger and luggage compartments and filled from outside the passenger compartment. Additional fuel may be carried in jerry cans that are AS/NZS 2906:2001 Approved. They cannot be stored inside the passenger compartment and MUST be tied down.
Decals
Variety will supply each Bash team with door panels and sponsor decals that need to be fitted to each Bash vehicle. The required location is:
- 2 x Door Panels – displaying the event logo, event name and the Car entry number. These will need to be fitted to the front driver and passenger door. These panels should be free of any other decals.
- 1 x Front Windscreen Sash – displaying the Windscreen Sponsors logo to be placed in the centre of your front windscreen
- 1 x Back Windscreen sash – displaying the national Variety Bash slogan ‘Variety Bash….ya gotta do it!’ to be placed across the back windscreen of your vehicle.
- 2 x Windscreen numbers – displaying your vehicle entry number, to be displayed on the top right hand side (as you are looking from the outside) of both the front and rear windscreens.
- Various sponsors decals – to be displayed in prominent positions on your car, but not restricted to any one place. This is to allow you to ‘sell’ particular panels on your car to sponsors – such as the bonnet or back doors etc.
Transmission
Vehicles may have column or floor gear shifts and have manual or automatic transmission. Stronger gearboxes are recommended.
Brakes
Vehicles can have original type brakes fitted or be converted to disc brakes if recommended by qualified personnel. As safety is paramount, it is imperative your brakes are in good working condition.
Suspension
It is recommended that you check to see if the springs and shock absorbers fitted to your vehicle are satisfactory for Outback conditions. If recommended by qualified personnel, install heavier duty springs and shock absorbers.
Tyres
It is recommended that all vehicles have off road tyres and rims fitted. All vehicles MUST take two spare tyres and rims on the event.
Windscreen water reservoirs
It is recommended that a larger capacity water reservoir be fitted to your Bash vehicle. One tried and true substitute is a 2 litre cordial bottle.
Radiator
Make sure your radiator has been cleaned out and is suitable for long distances.
Seat belts
All vehicles must have seatbelts for ALL passengers. The belts can be either full harness or lap/sash.
Auxiliary workshop vehicle preparations
Year of construction
Vehicle models DO NOT have any age restrictions.
Vehicle make and model
Vehicles MUST be four wheel drive. All makes and models are accepted.
Vehicle registration
All vehicles must have current registration covering the period of the Bash. Current registration papers and a Roadworthy certificate must be shown at both the second and final vehicle scrutineering.
Vehicle insurance
All vehicles must have current Third Party Property Insurance coverage. Insurance certificates need to be provided at the final vehicle scrutineering.
Vehicle modifications
All AW vehicles MUST be modified and fitted with the following:
- Headlight stone guards
- Laminated windscreen OR windscreen stone guard
- Rear high-mounted brake lights
- Front and rear mud flaps
- Rear high mounted dust lights – a rear mounted, rotating amber light, mounted as high as possible on the car, is compulsory for safety when driving in dust. Also, a rear mounted downward facing white light is also required to illuminate the dust. Both lights should only be used when on dirt roads on the event and need to be switched off on bitumen
Cargo barriers
It is compulsory to have AS/NZS 4034.1: 2008 Approved cargo barriers fitted to all station wagons and vans.
Radios
All vehicles must be fitted with an operating UHF Radio. This is perhaps the most important piece of equipment on the Bash as the Radio is used to:
Warn other drivers of your intention to pass
Warn other drivers behind you of any impending danger or oncoming traffic
Advise Officials and Mobile Workshops in the event of the breakdown
Towing
All AW vehicles must be fitted with a rear 50mm towing ball affixed to the chassis of the vehicle. It is recommended these are Hayman-Reese type tow hitches with demountable tongues. All AW vehicles MUST carry one tow rope AND one heavy duty Snatch Strap AND 2 x three tonne rated bow shackles. AW’s must carry a “stiff” bar for towing other vehicles. Variety will give you the specifications for this.
Spare parts
All Auxiliary Workshop vehicles must carry the following equipment during the Bash:
- Five litres of oil
- Spare nuts and bolts applicable to your vehicle
- Twenty litres of water
- First Aid Kit
- Spare globes for rear high mounted brake and dust lights
- Container of brake fluid
- Spare fan belt
- Fire Extinguisher
- Fencing wire and pliers
- Stiff Bar
- Selection of Bottle Jacks
- Jacking Plate
- Comprehensive selection of Tools
Odometer
All AW vehicles must have a working odometer. As most AW vehicles will not be travelling with standard tyres, odometers should be checked over a measured distance. Route instructions will be given in miles and kilometres.
Fuel tanks
All AW vehicles will be required to have sufficient fuel for a 450km range on dirt roads. An extra tank may be fitted provided this tank is vented outside of the passenger and luggage compartments and filled from outside the passenger compartment. Additional fuel may be carried in jerry cans that are AS/NZS 2906:2001 Approved. They cannot be stored inside the passenger compartment and MUST be tied down.
Decals
Variety will supply each AW team with door panels and sponsor decals that need to be fitted to each Bash vehicle. The required location is:
- 2 x Door Panels displaying the event logo, event name and the Car entry number. These will need to be fitted to the front driver and passenger door. These panels should be free of any other decals.
- 1 x Front Windscreen Sash displaying the Windscreen Sponsors logo to be placed in the centre of your front windscreen
- 1 x Back Windscreen sash displaying the national Variety Bash slogan ‘Variety Bash….ya gotta do it!’ to be placed across the back windscreen of your vehicle
- 2 x Windscreen numbers displaying your vehicle entry number, to be displayed on the top right hand side (looking from the outside) of both the front and rear windscreens
- Various sponsors decals to be displayed in prominent positions on your car, but not restricted to any one place. This is to allow you to ‘sell’ particular panels on your car to sponsors, such as the bonnet or back doors etc.
Team requirements
All AW teams should have at least one person who is mechanically minded or have a trade that is appropriate for the job i.e. boiler maker, auto electrician, motor mechanic etc.
As safety is a high priority, AW crew must wear safety shoes and safety vests when assisting vehicles and must be prepared to assist any Bash vehicle requiring help.