The LCCC runs several khanacross events each year, and this will try to cover what challenges you can expect from a khanacross, and what you need to bring with you if you wish to compete.
The event
The definitive regulations are in the Motorsport Australia Manual of Motorsport, which you will want to read for yourself. Khanacross regulations can be found in the auto test category.
Let us start by saying that a khanacross is not a high speed event. Although the results are determined by the use of a stopwatch, khanacross rules require that no section of the course be longer than 100 meters without a significant change of direction. This way the top speed you reach will be limited and thus the danger to yourself and your vehicle will be minimised.
Khanacross events are meant to be an introduction to motorsport, so they can be run on almost any surface (but as the LCCC is rally focused this will usually be dirt). They will not require the driver to engage reverse gear, and can accommodate drivers from as young as 12 years of age.
The car
To compete in a khanacross you will need a car. This car does not need to be road registered but is required to be safe for use. By this we mean that the seats must be securely attached to the bodywork, it must have seatbelts, the brake pedal must feel appropriately firm, the steering must not have excessive play and the tyres should have legal tread and be not significantly damaged. The seatbelts must be of at least three point standard (lap-sash), appropriately attached and in good condition. There are some technical requirements like the throttle cable having two return springs and the positive battery terminal having an insulating cover, both of which are safety requirements for registering a modern car and you will find the vast majority of cars are compliant without modification.
The car must also carry a fire extinguisher. This is required to be of at least 900 grams capacity and will need to be restrained in a manner that can withstand 25G of acceleration (i.e. being involved in a crash) without moving around the car. Plastic mounts are generally unacceptable, so please make sure any fire extinguisher is equipped with a metal mounting bracket prior to purchase. There are also age and testing requirements for extinguishers but it is safe to say that any extinguisher less than two years old will pass and most qualify until they are three. After they have reached their relevant age limit their life can be extended through inspection, but it is generally considered more economical to simply replace them. The exact details are discussed in the Motorsport Australia Technical Appendix, and you can also discuss them with your scrutineer if required.
The driver
We welcome everyone along to our events, experienced competitors and novice drivers alike. We often have young competitors who have barely driven a car at all, and they are able to learn invaluable skills and experience before they start to drive on the road.
Irrespective of the type of car you are competing with, you must wear a helmet. The specific requirements are also discussed in the Motorsport Australia Technical Appendix (formerly known as the CAMS General Requirements). To summarise it briefly, most motorcycle helmets that still have all their original stickers on them (to demonstrate compliance with the relevant Australian standards) should comply. Issues may arise if the helmet lining is ageing poorly, or if the shell has been damaged or been painted/covered with stickers. Any of these can compromise the safety of the helmet. If you present an unmodified helmet that is visibly in good condition and has its standards stickers attached, you should be fine.
If your vehicle is of a type that Motorsport Australia calls “open” (treat this as where the cockpit is not fully enclosed by glass or steel) or is a “buggy”, then you have the following clothing requirements:
Clothes made from any flammable synthetic material (like nylon) are unacceptable and wrist to neck to ankle coverage is mandatory. So a long-sleeved, non-synthetic shirt, a pair of jeans and some sand-shoes would be fine.
If you are competing in a normal, fully-enclosed road car then aside from the helmet and a requirement to wear “sensible” shoes, the clothing requirements are literally “a minimum of short sleeved shirt/t-shirt and short pants”. Compliance with the open vehicle requirements (particularly the lack of highly flammable materials) is still a good idea for all competitors. If you want more detail on apparel requirements these are also listed in the Motorsport Australia Technical Appendix.
There is no need for a navigator in a khanacross. For drivers who want or need an instructor to travel with them (for age or other reasons) the passenger seatbelt and seat must be in good condition, and both vehicle occupants are required to wear a helmet. The membership and licensing requirements for the instructor will be determined by the Clerk of Course.
Each event has a designated scrutineer who will inspect your car before the event and help bring it up to spec if possible.