Observed Section Trials, or OSTs, test unique and specific driving skill where precision, traction and manoeuvrability are paramount.

Designed as a friendly form of motorsport participation, OSTs challenge drivers to guide automobiles through difficult terrain, such as dirt, gravel, mud, rocks, steep slopes and uneven ground, from a standing start.

In the same way the horse and rider work as a team in equestrian events, in an OST, the driver and passenger (if required) work as a team; using communication and positioning to negotiate challenging terrain and marked sections to complete the course with as few penalties as possible.

As the name suggests, each section is observed by an official who judges, or observes, the competitor as they drive through a series of marked sections.

Officials watch each vehicle’s progress and apply penalties for things such as hitting markers, stopping, reversing or taking the wrong line.

The aim is to complete the sections with as few penalties as possible, rather than simply being the fastest.

The objective is to negotiate each marked section without stopping and without striking any of the markers along the way.

A course is made up of a number of individual sections, each at least 25 metres in length.

Every section is divided into 10 parts, marked by pairs of pegs or markers positioned on either side of the course.

The spacing between the markers can vary depending on the difficulty of the terrain, creating a series of increasingly challenging obstacles for competitors to overcome.

Motorsport Australia’s Observed Section Trial Standing Regulations can be found here.

Unlike traditional forms of motorsport where the fastest time determines the winner, OST scoring is based on successful completion through each section. This makes smooth and controlled driving essential.

Competitors need to carefully manage traction and momentum while navigating uneven ground and tight sections.

Too little momentum can bring the vehicle to a halt, while poor wheel placement can make it difficult to progress through the course. The challenge is to keep moving while maintaining enough control to avoid the markers.

Motorsport Australia’s Observed Section Trial Standing Regulations can be found here.

The vehicles themselves are an important part of the discipline. Vehicles competing in Motorsport Australia-sanctioned Observed Section Trials are purpose-built and must meet specific technical requirements.

They are two-wheel-drive, open-top vehicles powered by naturally aspirated four-stroke engines of up to 1600cc.

Both front-engine and rear-engine designs are permitted, while regulations also govern everything from wheelbase and vehicle width to tyres, braking systems and safety equipment.

Each automobile must be fitted with four wheels, an operable reverse gear, a safety cage structure and appropriate safety harnesses for both the driver and passenger. A working braking system, fire extinguisher and other safety equipment are also required.

All vehicles must meet the regulations and pass scrutiny before competing.

As mentioned, if event regulations permit, there may be a passenger alongside a competitor. The passenger can play an important and active role in helping the driver navigate the course, particularly on challenging terrain.

The result is a form of motorsport that rewards technique rather than outright horsepower.

For newcomers, Observed Section Trials provide an opportunity to experience the challenge of competitive motorsport in a discipline where patience, precision and vehicle control are the keys to success.

For anyone looking to get involved, a current Motorsport Australia Speed Licence or Junior Auto Test Speed Licence is the minimum requirement for competitors in an Observed Section Trial.

Motorsport Australia’s Single Event Auto Test Licence can be used for your first OST, providing first-time participants with an affordable and simple way to have a go before committing to an annual licence, unless an event’s Supplementary Regulations require a higher grade of licence.

Motorsport Australia’s Observed Section Trial Standing Regulations can be found here.