Motorsport Australia has brought forward a regulation change relating to SXS vehicle component replacement in the Off Road Specific Requirements.
The change to Off Road Appendix 11.2(g) was originally scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2027. However, following an issue identified by the Australian Off Road Commission (AORCOM) with current NT1 gearboxes, the committee unanimously voted to bring the implementation date forward to 1 October 2026.
The change will allow competitors to replace an OEM component or part with another OEM component or part from the same SXS Model, regardless of the year of manufacture.
This means competitors will have greater options when sourcing replacement components required to repair their vehicles, particularly where an identical component from the same model may be unavailable or difficult to source.
Under the updated requirement, the replacement OEM component or part must be fitted and used in accordance with the OEM instructions and must not require modification. The minimum modification to the chassis necessary to facilitate the fitment of the replacement component or part is permitted.
Where a chassis modification is undertaken, a Triennial Inspection is mandatory. The inspection must be completed before the vehicle’s next race.
The change provides competitors with the opportunity to source the components they need and return their vehicles to competition without having to wait until the start of the 2027 season. This will also increase opportunities for affected competitors to participate in upcoming club and state-level events, as well as the final round of the Comiskey Mining Services Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship at Kalgoorlie.
The updated wording of 2026 Motorsport Australia Off Road Appendix 11.2(g) now reads as so:
It is permitted to replace any OEM component or part with any other OEM component or part from the same SXS Model (regardless of year of manufacture). The OEM component or part must only be fitted and used in accordance with the OEM instructions requiring no modifications to that component/part. It is permissible to make the minimum modifications necessary to facilitate the fitment of that component/part. Triennial inspection is mandatory following any chassis modification. The Triennial Inspection must occur prior to the vehicles next race.
Competitors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated requirement before undertaking any relevant repairs or modifications.
