Event Types

Trials

This is the oldest form of motor sport, which gave rise to hillclimbs, sprints, rallies and autotests. The competitive element in a trial is the ability to climb gradients of varying difficulty. Each trial has several observed sections on private ground. The organisers try to prevent cars completing (or ‘cleaning’) each section. There is no timing – the distance covered without stopping determines the winner. There are three different types of trial, each requiring different vehicles and skills. For those wishing to become involved with motor sport – but not as a competitor, there can be no better introduction than as a marshal or official. To organise any event requires a small army of volunteers, usually many more than the number of competitors. These volunteers carry out a wide range of duties, all of which contribute to the overall efficiency and success of the event. Volunteers are also needed as administrators within motor clubs Whatever you choose, your presence will be welcomed and appreciated. As a marshal, you will join a band of enthusiasts who enjoy their motor sport and through active marshalling clubs, an interesting social life. Signing-on as a marshal is easy, and there are special training days throughout the year. After you have gained experience as a marshal, you might like to consider one of the many other duties, such as scrutineering or timekeeping.

Hill Climbs & Sprints

Hill Climbs and Sprints are two similar branches of motor sport. Each event takes place on a smooth sealed surface over a measured distance against the clock. The only general difference is that generally sprints take place on flat venues such as airfields whereby Hill Climbs, as the title suggests occur on hill courses of varying gradiants.

Cars start separately, although there may be up to three cars on the course at any one time. A wide variety of cars compete, from single-seaters to standard production saloons, divided into classes by types and engine capacity.

Venues range from disused airfields to permanent racing circuits, and from picturesque private estates to seaside promenades.

Minimum Requirements

• An MSUK Competition Licence.
• You must be at least 16 years old.
• Please refer to the current MSUK Competitors’ and Officials’ Yearbook for current
• Safety Equipment specifications

Race

Thanks largely to television, the world of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing is familiar to most enthusiasts and represents the ultimate dream of many young people entering the sport.

However, Formula 1 is by no means the only form of competition available: each year, there are over 300 race meetings, providing opportunities for a wide variety of cars.

From road-going saloons to single- seaters, and offering keenly-contested championships based on regions, individual circuits, makes of car, or type of car, there is a form of car racing to suit everyone.

Racing at club level is the backbone of the sport in this country and need not be prohibitively expensive.

It is still possible to race competitively in a car which you have driven to the circuit.

Autocross

A circuit is laid out on a grass surface and cars compete individually against the clock, although more than one car may start at the same time dependent on circuit criteria.

Autocross cars a generally road going production cars which have been specially modified to meet specific Autocross & MSA safety requirements however there are also classes for Autocross ‘specials’, cars designed specifically for Autocross.

Minimum Requirements

• An MSUK Competition Licence .
• You must be at least 16 years old,however 14-17 year olds may compete in Junior Autocross

Please refer to the current MSUK Competitors’ and Officials’ Yearbook for current Safety Equipment specifications.

Cross Country

This category includes a variety of events, including Trials, Competitive Safaris and Team Recovery Competitions, all of which take place over difficult terrain and call for specialist vehicles, normally with four-wheel drive.

While each event has its own rules, they are all based on the ability of the specialist vehicle to encounter and overcome various obstacles.

Cross Country Trials are for four-wheel drive and other vehicles designed to cope with really rough terrain. However, some trials also include classes for road-taxed vehicles, with sections laid out so as not to cause undue damage.

Some types of event, such as Competitive Safaris and Hillrallies, are run against the clock, calling for driving skills and vehicle preparation similar to those found in Special Stage Rallies.

Rally

The most popular form of motor sport in Britain, perhaps because it involves ordinary-looking cars. It involves two people working together: a driver and a co-driver or navigator, and the cars normally run at one-minute intervals, competing against the clock rather than directly against each other.

Another major attraction of rallying is that it takes place throughout Great Britain. Although most special stage events take place in less populated areas, road rallies are held even in the Home Counties.

Autotests

The ‘autotest’ is one of the cheapest and most enjoyable forms of UK motor sport, and the most common BDCC event. You can pretty much use any standard road car, with or without MOT (trailer required for cars without MOT). Your car does not require any special equipment but you may need to bring a spare set of wheels and tyres, these are typically part worn and bought second hand from eBay to keep the cost low.

The most unassuming Ford KA or Mini can be very competitive (and win the class) but some will say rear drive is more fun! Examples often seen on these events include MX5, MGF, Toyota MR2 or BMW. Sometimes more exotic vehicles such as Arial Nomad or Kei cars make an appearance. Often it’s the cheapest cars that win the class and anything is possible with driver skill.

Cars compete alone, against the clock and the driver negotiates a set route between plastic cones. There are 3 sets of courses, known as ‘tests’ and the 3 sets stay in the same position throughout the day. There are three rounds of competition and in each round you must take a different route through the cones, as fast as you can. You get two attempts at each round to set the fastest time, all attempts over the day count tor your overall score. It is harder than it sounds to get a fast time but all skill levels can still have fun. Watch out for hitting cones or going the wrong way through or you’ll pick up a time penalty.

Often drivers will have a friend or relative sit in with them to help navigate the route (supplied a few days before the event via email to paid-up competitors). The navigator and driver can swap too and this is called double-driving.

The surface is normally tarmac but BDCC hold three grass events at Shillingstone during each summer which are great for those new to motorsport and for those that want to take it very easy on their vehicle.

The competitors are divided into classes, according to cubic capacity of the engine e.g up to 1300 cc, 1300 to 1600 cc and over 1600 cc. The price of entry is typically around £45 for the entire day, usually 6 hours of motorsport with a lunch break, and this – along with your annual membership will ensure you are covered under Motorsport UK insurance.

The price is low, the adrenaline is high and the people involved are friendly. If you enjoy driving, an autotest is the best way to get involved and try for yourself!

Special Stage Rallying

These are far more expensive than road rallies, with more emphasis upon car preparation, speed and driver ability, rather than navigational skills.
Most famous rallies are special stage events, like the Rally of Great Britain , Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship .

At a national level the British Rally Championship is the most significant challenge and incorporates rounds across the country. The basis of such events – the special stage – is a stretch of road closed to all other traffic, which must be covered at a high average speed.

In most of Great Britain (the exceptions are Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Mull, the Channel Islands and the roads used by the Jim Clark Memorial Rally), public roads are not available for this purpose, so special stage events use private land, frequently Forestry Commission roads or disused airfields.

Linking the special stages are sections of public road, where the required average speed is low (usually 30mph or slower). Because of these sections, all competing cars must be properly taxed, tested and insured.