Media

ADVICE FOR MEDIA

We don't have a press kit other than what you see on these pages.

If you require further information please contact the info@dlra.org.au.

RULES

DEW PERMIT

Commercial media organizations must make an application for a permit to the Department of Environment and Water who are the custodians of the Lake Gairdner National Park. If you are unsure as to whether you need a permit, it is highly recommended that you download the form and contact the DEW.

Commercial Filming Application Lake Gairdner NP 2020 [PDF].

Background

The DLRA is responsible for ensuring the safety and integrity of land speed racing and the well-being of its volunteers, entrants, teams and officials while performing their roles at land speed racing venues.

Entrants are often performing their roles in restricted areas of the event which cannot be accessed by members of the public unless authorised. DLRA Media Accreditation, if issued, would give the DLRA Media Accreditation holder privileged access to Restricted Areas as well as broad access to other areas of the event for the proper performance of the permitted activities.

The DLRA regards all venues as the workplace of the entrants and wants to ensure that a Media Accreditation holder will fully respect the rights of persons who have been authorised to enter the restricted areas and will not by their presence or actions cause disharmony or give rise to potential conflicts or risk the integrity of land speed racing or the wellbeing of others. Unlawful or anti-social conduct which constitutes harassment, hateful, abusive, bullying or threatening behaviour or in the media (including digital and social media) may result in the revocation or suspension of DLRA Media Accreditation.

If Accreditation is issued, DLRA reserves the right to revoke the Accreditation or suspend a holder’s use in the event that DLRA considers that the holder breaches or fails to meet to the criteria set out in the DLRA Media Accreditation Policy.

All members of the media are to identify themselves with their credentials to officials at the Registration Caravan when they first arrive on the salt. At this time you will enjoy a short induction and familiarization presentation. As a member of the media it's doesn't matter if you are there for a day or a week you still have to register. We do not cater for permanent registrations. You must register for each event.

Our target is to process and deliver accreditation to successful applicants prior to the beginning of Speed Week.

If not received by the pre-entry cut-off date, media applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis as they are received, but there is no obligation upon the DLRA to expidite these applications nor will the DLRA guarantee their acceptance.

Everyone has to have a ticket for Speed Week. However there is no cost for Reporters, Journalists and Film Crews. You can reserve your ticket via our Online Booking . Or you can do it on the day.

Note: You DO HAVE TO PAY for entry to the lake, this will be payable at the entry to the lake or on-line (don't forget to print your ticket).

SAFTEY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Safety in land speed racing is paramount.

All organisations and indeed all persons involved in land speed racing in any capacity, be they drivers, co-drivers, team members, officials, media, organisers, promoters and contractors owe obligations and have responsibilities under the relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation in each state and territory of Australia.

It is an obligation under law for all individuals and organisations to satisfy the requirement of the various OH&S legislation. Organisations must demonstrate that they have safe systems of work in place which provide evidence that the workplace is as far as practicable, without risks to the health and safety of all persons attending the event.

This obligation applies not only to all media persons nominated, but also to the DLRA itself.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

A person having media accreditation is not expected to help entrants or spectators and if they do so it is at their own peril. If they were to injure themselves or damage their own property or that of an entrant or spectator the DLRA in no way can be held responsible for this.

Media can be affiliated with and entrant or team and can hold dual registration. Being both a member of a pit crew or team and member of the media.

Media must behave with respect to entrants, officials, spectators and observers.

Failure of media to register, especially where they are of a commercial nature and should have notified the DEW, can lead to immediate expulsion from the event.

The DLRA reserves it's right to refuse an application for media accreditation.

IDENTIFICATION

All media whilst on the lake will be required to wear a high visibility vest with appropriate wording, identifying who they are.

You will also be supplied with a press badge and a wrist band make sure you wear them.

Accreditation will allow them to access areas not available to spectators.

PARKING

Media must only park in designated Spectator Parking areas, no exceptions. They are found at the south east corner of the pits and adjacent to the start line. Media DO NOT park in the pits. See the Track Layout Map.
NOTE: All vehicles must be parked on a protective tarpaulin to protect the salt from fluids dropping from vehicles. This is a fundamental requirement of our agreements with the Lake Gairdner Co-Management Board and the Department of Environment and Water (DEW). Failure to do so will result in the vehicle being expelled from the salt. If a driver/rider can't be found for a vehicle it may be removed for you.
Please obey all signs

ROAD RULES AND SPEED LIMITS ON THE SALT

The salt is a National Park, all South Australian Road Rules apply. Seat belts must be worn in cars and helmets worn on bikes. All vehicles, other then competing vehicles, must be registered or have an appropriate permit. No riding on tailgates or in the back of utes. On all roads keep to the left.

The last 35 kilometres in to the lake (from the DLRA sign) is a Private Road on a pastoral lease, and as such your vehicle insurance may not cover you or your vehicle in the event of an incident, please check your policy. Same goes for hire cars.

On the mats from the edge of the lake. 10kph maximum.

Access roads from the edge of the lake to the start line or to the pits 60kph maximum

In the pits, walking pace only.

Track 1 dedicated support vehicle track from the Start Line to the return road, 100kph maximum (60kph past the pits)

Track 1 return road, restricted to entrants vehicles and support vehicles 100kph maximum.

See Track Layout Map.

Failure to comply may result in expulsion from the event.

DRIVING ON THE LAKE & PARKING

Media are permitted to drive their vehicles onto the lake. However they must dust their vehicles off prior to entering the lake and must desalt upon leaving the lake. Whilst on the lake you will be under the direction of officials at all time. Please stick to defined access roads and observe the 60kph speed limit.

Officials will be monitoring the access road constantly and may re-align the road as required. If the salt under the access road begins to deteriorate media vehicles may be banned from entering the lake. There is ample parking in front of the canteen and a shuttle service may be provided to the pits.
Media must only park in designated Spectator Parking areas as defined in the track layout and program. There are found at the south east corner of the pits and adjacent to the start-line. Spectators definitely DO NOT park in the pits.
NOTE: All vehicles must be parked on a tarpaulin to protect the salt from fluids dropping from vehicle. This is a fundamental requirement of our agreements with the Lake Gairdner Co-Management Board and the Department of Environment Water. Failure to do so will result in the vehicle being expelled from the salt. If the owner can't be found for a vehicle it may be removed for you.
Please obey all signs.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Media are free to set up in the designated spectator areas and once you have set up you are at liberty to leave what ever you want there. So long as you have tarps under any vehicles and fuel etc. contained in bunds. However we strongly advise do not leave small items out in the open at any time day or night, better to keep them under lock and key. Same goes for your vehicles, especially if they are unattended for any length of time. Over the years, there has been the occasional opportunistic theft, but thankfully these are rare. Better to be safe than sorry.
If you are away from your vehicle during the day, make arrangements with your neighbour to keep an eye on things. The pits are open to the public during the day and the lake is open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm each day. There is a DLRA security team on the salt each night that patrols the pits and the lake.
Any shade structures that you have must have the covers lowered or removed each night as it gets very windy and they will quite easily blow away or be destroyed or potentially damage your vehicle or worse some body else's vehicle.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is permitted on the lake in cans only, do not bring glass onto the lake in any shape or form. It's best to enjoy your favorite beverage within the designated Spectator Areas, if you can refrain from bringing alcohol into the pits, that would be appreciated. Alcohol is strictly banned from the Technical Inspection area and the Start Line.
The lake is a public place, South Australian Road Rules apply, if the police catch you driving with a blood alcohol content over 0.05 is a $600 fine, over 0.08 and it's straight to court.

RESPECT SENSITIVE AREAS

Lake Gairdner is a National Park and it is also the traditional home of the Kokatha people. There are many sites of environmental and cultural significance. Stay on main tracks or roads, do not cross fences or barriers. Do not disturb or remove rocks or other natural features.

DESIGNATED AREAS

As members of the media on the salt you would have access the access road to and from the pits, to the pits including the technical inspection area and on the road to the start line.

If you are following a particular vehicle once it entered the start line staging area, you would be at the direction of the Start Line official's. Ideally we will want to alert the Start line officials to this prior to the event but you will also need to notify the Start Line officials prior to entering the start line area to identify yourself and alert them to your presence. Preference would be for you to remain in the spectator area, but I'm sure they would let you get some footage closer up, just so long as you were not in the way or seen to be causing any safety issue. If you were asked to leave you have no option but to return to and remain within the defined spectator area.

There is a safety zone of some 300 metres that runs parallel to the track, strictly no one is permitted in this safety zone other than emergency vehicles and entrant support vehicles.

If there is an incident on the track, under no circumstances are media permitted to enter the track.

There are two emergency vehicles positioned on the track at around the 4 mile and 6 mile, permission can be sought from the Race Director for media personnel to go out to these vehicles. But this is a coordinated activity between the Race Director and the Emergency vehicle in question. You go out when you are told, the duration is predetermined and you are to leave when you are told. Whilst at these vehicles, media personnel at at the direction of the emergency crews.

Permission can also be sought for media to go the the far end of the track where vehicles stop after a run. There are several other exit points along the course and they are marked with large Bali flags. At no time may media leave the return road. Refer to the track layout map. This can be a great spot to capture celebrations, especially if there is a record set in the process. Once again this activity will be supervised.

Each competitor is permitted one support / recovery vehicle which can follow some distance behind the competition vehicle on the defined support vehicle track, I would suggest if you want to get footage at the start line or finish that you attach yourself to a support vehicle.

We appreciate your being there and the job you are trying to do, but under no circumstances will a media team disrupt the running of Speed Week or put an official, competitor or spectator at risk.
Failure to comply with any official directive can have your access to the lake or the event limited or revoked.

CAMERAS

Extract from the DLRA Rulebook

7.B.30 Externally mounted equipment e.g. cameras:

All externally mounted equipment e.g. cameras, data-loggers, GPS units etc. must be securely mounted and have a separate lanyard fitted which attaches the unit to the race vehicle. All vehicles fitted with such equipment must be presented at technical inspection with that equipment fitted to the vehicle.

DRONES and RPA's

Speed Week is held in Lake Gairdner National Park and as such is under the National Parks & Wildlife (National
Parks) Regulations 2016 Regulation 12(3), permission is required from the Department of Environment, Water (DEW) to operate a drone or other remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) over national parks.

DEW will not be issuing permits for the use of drones or other RPAs during Speed Week event. The use of a drone or RPA at the event or over any part of the Lake Gairdner National Park will be in breach of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations.
Drones or other RPAs launched from outside the Lake Gairdner National Park boundaries are also not permitted to be flown over the Speed Week area or over the lake.

For more information refer to the DEW policy on the use of Drones and RPA's over National Parks.

See more info at the CASA website.

OPERATIONAL PLAN

The Operational Plan describes the requirements to conduct the annual Speed Week held at Lake Gairdner in South Australia by the Dry Lake Racers Australia.
All motoring events have an element of public risk and potential for environmental impact. The Operational Plan has been compiled with due consideration to reduce these risks and to prescribe the tasks required to conduct a safe and enjoyable event for participants and spectators.

A program will be handed out to media, with track layout, race times, rules on Lake and Station property.

OTHER INFORMATION

COMMUNICATIONS and the INTERNET

Due to the remote location there is no fixed land line, mobile coverage or internet.

If this is something you require your only option is a satellite phone, modem or hot spot.

The DLRA will not be making these forms of communication available to you, this is something you will need to organize and pay for yourself. We do have a satellite phone which is used for emergency communication only. We can recommend devices and networks that you could buy or hire equipment from.

There is one fixed line phone at the DLRA camp, the next closest phone is at Mt. Ive Station.

Mobile phone reception finishes very shortly after you turn on to the dirt at Iron Knob.

EQUIPMENT

It is highly recommended to carry a UHF radio (tuned to Channel 10) so that you are informed of events and contactable at all times. We will also be broadcasting on 92.0FM with details of who is running and speeds achieved.

To ensure your safety and the safety of others your vehicle should have;

tarp,
1kg fire extinguisher,
first aid kit,
2 tow hooks (1 at the front, 1 at the rear),
5m towing strap,
2 spare wheels,
5 litres of water per person per day

RESCUE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION

The DLRA has doctors and an ambulance on duty for the full duration of Speed Week. We also have a sizable number of fire and rescue crew and vehicles. If you require their services contact your nearest DLRA official and they will call them for you or direct you where to go. There is a medical services located in the pits. In the event of a emergency medical evacuation it is highly recommended that you have medical insurance, even though Flying Doctor Services are free.

CATERING AND PROVISIONS

Your last chance to stock up on provisions is at Port Augusta. Prices are reasonable so there is really no need to drag it all the way from home when you can load up on the way.

Coming from the West your last chance to stock up will be Wudinna or Kimba depending upon which road you take in.

There is a canteen on the edge of the lake operating for most of the time we are there, you can buy cold drinks, beer, and all your meals there if you wish. They sell cooked breakfast, lunch and dinners, sandwiches etc.. Prices are very reasonable and the dinners very generous. To see the menu go to the catering page.

If you are not buying from the canteen you will need to provide all your own food and drink. Bring more than what you will think you need in case you get stuck out there for whatever reason.

For those that are staying at the DLRA camp there is a free to use large cool-room for you to store perishables. At the Mt. Ive camp, you're on your own.

DEW FIRE BANS

You cannot light a wood fire in parks during the Fire Danger Season (November to March). Some parks have year-round bans on wood fires.
All open fires, liquid fuel and gas stoves are banned in all parks on Total Fire Ban days as declared by the Country Fire Service (CFS) and broadcast on the radio. Parks may be closed to visitors on Total Fire Ban days. Contact the CFS Bushfire Information Hot-line on 1300 362 361

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

DEW imposes fire restrictions to ensure the safety of visitors using the reserves, and to protect the reserves and neighboring properties. This includes the Mt. Ive camp and the DLRA camp.
For information on fire restrictions in National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Wilderness Protection Areas contact DEW.

WATER

The water in the tanks at the Salt Bush camp and the DLRA camp is not suitable for drinking.
You are strongly advised to bring your own drinking water

We have a contractor who sells ice by the bag or the block, and considering where you are it is quite reasonably priced. He has a route around the pits and the camps morning and night. He will be there from the Saturday before Speed Week until the Friday we pack up.

RUBBISH

The rule is very simple, EVERYTHING YOU BRING IN, YOU TAKE OUT. There are bins for recyclable containers ONLY (cans, PET bottles) at the canteen or you can bag them up at your camp site and someone come around and collect them.

There are NO bins for you to dump rubbish in at the salt. Bring some nice thick garbage bags and take it back to Port Augusta.

FUEL

Your last stop for fuel is Port Augusta, so take the opportunity to fill up then. There is no service stations on the Eyre Highway between Port Augusta and Iron Knob where you turn off on to the dirt. So you will need enough fuel on board to make the 432km return trip out to the salt and back plus what ever traveling you do while your out there. You can buy petrol and diesel (no gas) at the Mt. Ive Homestead which you will pass on your way in and out.

Coming from the West your last fuel will be Wudinna (340km return) or Kimba (256km return) depending upon the route you have taken.

MONEY

Life at the lake is a cash society. Bring plenty. But you will only need it if you want to buy something.

There are no EFTPOS facilities at Lake Gairdner, nor at the canteen or registration. But there is EFTPOS at Mt. Ive homestead but no cash back.

There area number of banks in Port Augusta, Wudinna and Kimba.

BEAT THE HEAT

It will be hot, very hot and you will be walking around during the hottest part of the day. Bring appropriate clothing and a wide brimmed hat, sun glasses and plenty sunscreen. The salt is a very reflective surface, think about it and apply sunscreen to all those place that normally don't get burnt. You can bring your own shade structure to the salt, however all structures must be disassembled at the end of each day as there is usually very strong winds throughout the night.

Please read this information about avoiding Dehydration and recognising Heat Exaustion or Heat Stroke.

Accommodation AT LAKE GAIRDNER DURING SPEED WEEK

You have 3 options;

Mt. Ive homestead has a number of limited rooms, and most of this is booked from one year to the next. There are some shearers rooms available with dormitory style sleeping, but be quick and book ASAP. There is also a camping area at the homestead, tents and caravans are welcome, but you are in the outback so be prepared. Power, water (drinking), food and fuel, you have to be self sufficient, there is some power and showers. The homestead is some 18 km's from the lake. For bookings, contact Mt. Ive homestead direct. No dogs or pets are allowed.
The DLRA camp is where competitors and their teams and regular visitors have purchased beds in semi-permanent structures. For Spectators there are plenty of un-powered sites, with toilets and showers available . The camp is about 6 km's from the lake. No booking required and fees are payable to the DLRA at the lake entry check point or the registration van in the pits. No dogs or pets are allowed.
The Mt. Ive camp; located behind the canteen and very close to the lake. All persons intending to use the bush camp at Lake Gairdner are required to take Porta Potties for personal use - human waste is not to be left in the bush. No camp fires are permitted to be lit near the bush or trees surrounding the bush camp. To stay here you really need to be self sufficient. Run by Mt. Ive Homestead, no bookings required, pay at the canteen. No dogs or pets are allowed.

NOTE: There is strictly no camping upon the Lake itself. No dogs or pets are allowed.

There is a a canteen on the edge of the lake operating for the week of the event only, you can buy cold drinks, beer, ice and all your meals there if you wish. They sell cooked breakfast, lunch and dinners, sandwiches etc.. Prices are very reasonable and the dinners very generous.

Accommodation in PORT AUGUSTA

There are a number of caravan parks and motels in Port Augusta. The DLRA recommends the Big 4 Caravan Park, Cnr Highway One & Stokes Terrace, Port Augusta. In recognition of DLRA members support over the years the Big 4 offers all racers and spectators a special 15% discount for all bookings for this year and no cancellation fee will apply should the need arise. Please do not book on-line as the discount is only available dealing directly with our staff in reception. All you need to say is that you are part of the Lake Gardiner Salt Lakers and they will add the discount to your booking.

Port Augusta Big4 Holiday Park Ph 08 8642 2974

CONTACT

There will be a number of announcements and press releases leading up to the event. If you wish to be placed on the mailing list, please forward all your contact and publication details, to the Info Email or complete the on-line mailing list form.