So your interested in Motorsport?
Before you can compete in any type of motorsport you must be a member of an MSA (Motor Sports Association*) registered club. Some events, such as stage rallies will require special "competition" licences too. We are able to guide you through from being a newcomer to achieving your motorsport aspirations.
*The MSA is recognised as the sole governing body of motor sport in Great Britain by the world governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
As the governing body, the MSA is responsible for the administration and control of the motor sport rules.
These rules are actually made and amended by the Motor Sports Council, which is the ‘parliament’ of motor sport; while MSA staff act as the ‘civil service.’
Here are a few of the things you could get involved in;
Autotests
Autotests are one of the cheapest and most enjoyable forms of motor sport that you can participate in. The event consists of a number of tests laid out on tarmac or grass with cones. You are required to manoeuvre around the cones sometimes in reverse and stop inside ‘garages’ astride the lines. You are timed on each test, the fastest total time on all of the tests being the winner. However, you are penalised for hitting cones and getting the test wrong, therefore accuracy is as important as speed. It is an excellent sport to hone you car control skills and you can compete on autotests in a totally standard car of any make or model. It is also a good sport for youngsters wanting to get involved in motorsport as competitors age 14 and over can take part.
es
These events are held early evening and last about 2 hours, with a route of about 60 miles on the public highway. The maximum number of entries is 12 with each crew consisting of a driver, navigator and car. Cars do not need any special preparations to take part, normal road cars are fine. These events are an excellent way to get into rallying as you learn quickly whilst having an extremely enjoyable night out. Twelve cars are navigational based with the route of the event being defined by various methods using local Ordnance Survey maps. You must complete each section of the route whilst maintaining a strict time schedule. You are penalised for arriving at controls too early or too late and for not following the correct route. The winner is the crew with the least penalties.
Road rallying is a very popular discipline of motor sport, generally because it is relatively cheap and easy to participate in; the events are run during the night on a Saturday / Sunday. They are very similar in format to 12 car rallies but with a route of 100 to 160 miles. The aim is to keep to a strict time schedule over a demanding route defined using different navigational techniques that can be plotted onto an Ordnance Survey map. Both standard cars and road rally prepared cars are permitted. All cars must be taxed, tested and insured for use on the public highway. The organisers can arrange special rally insurance for you.
Production car trials (PCT’S)
PCT’S are not speed events but do require a good degree of car control as the aim is to follow a course set out on a grassy slope. The further up the slop you go the lower the penalty. It is harder than it sounds as the grass makes the traction more difficult.
Historic rallying
There are a number of different forms of event available for cars built before 1974. Historic road rallies are similar to ordinary road rallies but may take place during the day and include driving tests en route. There are also historic car runs and touring assemblies which are non competitive types of events designed more as a social occasion than any thing else and can provide a good day out with other classic car enthusiasts.
Stage rallying
Stage rallying involves crews competing in a specially prepared rally car on times stages over tracks on private land or closed public roads. The private tracks may range from Forrest roads to airfields. The fastest crew on the stages are the winners. With the speeds on the stages often being high, safety standards are important and there are specific regulations covering the requirements.
Speed events
Circuit racing, sprints, and hill climbs are specialised forms of motorsport and take place over fixed courses on tarmac surfaces. There are many different classes of car and venues; locally we have both Croft Circuit, Harewood house hill climb and Teesside Autodrome.
Marshalling
None of the above could be done without the invaluable efforts of the Marshals. Marshalling is a fun and cheap way of enjoying the sport and getting closer to the action than just spectating. (It's not always as cold as the picture !).
We also organise karting days, track days, quizzes etc.