Starting out in Motorsport Open Day 2008

Thanks to all those that came last Weekend we would not pulled it off without you for those that did not i think they missed a right 'good do'
Thanks to the Heaves!!! Gary and Rob Martyn and Katy for all the help we raised 330 pounds for the emmu rescue unit thank you all

Introduction

Motor sport is one of the most popular and successful sports in Britain. There are around 750 registered motor clubs, who organise over 4,300 events in 22 different disciplines. Some 30,000 individuals hold MSA Competition Licences and there are at least 100,000 competitors in total.
Anyone over the age of 8 can drive competitively, and there are opportunities for even severely disabled drivers. As for cars, many forms of motor sport can be tackled with completely standard road cars, while other permit only very limited modifications. There are events for old cars, for brand new cars, and for cars using unleaded petrol.
Actually, you don't even need a car to compete: several types of motor sport require each car to carry a passenger, often as an active participant.
If you prefer not to compete at all, there are opportunities to marshal, to help with organising, or simply to spectate.
Motor sport is also one of Britain's major export earners: with a total turnover of £1.3 billion, over £750 million is accounted for by foreign earnings.

Getting Started

For virtually every form of motor sport you intend to pursue, your first step will be to join a motor club which is recognised by the British governing body, the MSA. Do not under-estimate the importance of your club: its members can call upon a wealth of experience and will provide help and encouragement in your early days of competition. Remember also to enjoy the social side of membership - most clubs excel in this respect!

Young Drivers

For most forms of motor sport, you must be 17 years old and hold a Road Traffic driving license. However, can start kart racing at the age of 8, navigating on road rallies at 14, driving in trials and autotests at 15 and car racing (after at least one year in karts) at 16.

Disabled Drivers

Many disabled people can still compete. Each case is individually assessed by the MSA, but it is generally easier to obtain a license for any discipline which involves cars competing singly and at lower speeds. For advice before you get started, contact: British Motor Sports Association for the Disabled. T Youens, 39 Longlands Way, Heatherside, Camberley, Surrey GU15 1RH. Tell: 01276 66731 (h) or 01252 540019.

Government

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is recognised as the governing body of motor sport in Great Britain by the world governing body, the Paris-based Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). As the governing body, the MSA is responsible for the administration and control of the motor sport rules, contact: MSA, Motor Sport House, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG. Tel: 01753 681736.

Licenses

Competitors in over 70% of UK motor sport events do not require MSA licenses; only club membership cards are necessary. These events include road rallies, autotests, trials and certain cross-country events. When members of other clubs compete, however, licenses are mandatory, so that protests and disciplinary procedures can be properly conducted. Each competition license holder receives a copy of the British Motor Sport Yearbook (known as "The Blue Book") which contains the motor sport regulations, plus lists the senior officials, and other useful information. Each license holder also receives the quarterly MSA News, with details of forthcoming changes to these regulations

BBC Ceefax

For up-to-date news, motor sport enjoys a permanent listing on the BBC teletext service, Ceefax - see page 360 on both BBC1 and BBC2. This includes an MSA monthly calendar of international, national and club motor sport events, usually on page 369.

Autocross

A circuit laid out on a grass surface and cars compete individually against the clock, although more than one car may start at the same time if the circuit is long enough and wide enough. Because the course is usually bumpy and there is a risk of contact with other cars, most competitors use specially prepared cars (often inexpensive) brought on trailers.

Autotest

This is one of the cheapest and most enjoyable forms of motor sport, where you can use a perfectly standard road car, but where driving ability is vital. Cars compete alone, against the clock. The driver must negotiate a set route between, through and around various obstacles, usually plastic pylons or cones. Usually, some part of the route must be tackled in reverse. The surface is normally smooth, often tarmac. The entry is divided into classes, according to each car's size and technical specification (front-wheel drive and rear-)

Hillclimb and Sprint

Two similar branches of motor sport which take place on a smooth sealed surface over a measured distance against the clock. 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 sophisticated single-seaters to standard production saloons, divided into classes by types or capacity. Venues range from disused airfields to permanent racing circuits, and from picturesque private estates to seaside promenades.

Trials

This is the oldest form of motor sport, and gave rise to hillclimbs, sprints, rallies and even autotests. The competitive element in a trial is the ability to climb sections of varying difficulty and gradient. Each trial comprises a number of tests (observed sections) on private ground. The organisers design each test to try and prevent cars completing (or 'cleaning') the section. There is no timing - the distance covered determines the winner.

Car Racing

Thanks largely to television, the world of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing is familiar to most enthusiasts and represents the ultimate aim of many young people entering motor sport. However, it is by no means the only form of competition available: each year, there are over 200 race meetings, providing opportunities for a wide variety of cars - from road going saloons to expensive single seaters - and offering keenly contested championships based on regions, individual circuits, makes of car, or type of car. Although motor racing can never be truly cheap, 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.

Drag Racing

Drag racing is the art of covering a quarter of a mile (440 yards) as fast as possible from a standing start. As well as highly specialised drag racing machines, there are a wide variety of classes for other vehicles, including road going saloons and sports cars. The best way to start is by joining one of the drag racing clubs, which organise approximately 20 events at three different venues throughout the season.

Marshalling

For those wishing to become involved with motor sport, but not as a competitor, there can be no better introduction than to volunteer as a marshal or an official. To organise and 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. Your presence will be welcomed and appreciated, as a marshal you will join a band of enthusiasts who enjoy their motor sport. Signing on as a marshal is easy, and the MSA and various clubs organise special training days throughout the year.

Kart Racing

Where aspiring race drivers should start. Grand Prix World Champions Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Ad Champions Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna all raced karts. This is the nearest you can get to motor racing on the cheap. Although karts look much alike to the uninitiated, there are many classes, from 60cc Cadets to 160mph Formula Es. Some of the smaller classes feature fixed maximum prices for the equipment. Karts are divided into two basic categories: those with direct drive, and those with gearboxes.

Off Road

This category includes a variety of events, including trials, competitive safaris and team recovery. Competitions, all of which take place over different terrain and call for specialist vehicles, normally with four-wheel drive. While each event has its own rules, all are based on the ability of the specialist vehicle to encounter and overcome various obstacles. Some events are timed, calling for driving skill and vehicle preparation similar to those found in special stage rallies.

Rallycross

Races take place at permanent venues, using a mixture of surfaced and off-road sections. According to circuit length, between six and ten cars compete at once. Cars compete against the clock in qualification heats, then against each other in finals. Rallycross isst each other in finals. Rallycross is still a relatively expensive sport, and most competitors use specially prepared cars brought on trailers.

Rallying

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. While very specialised cars are required for top-level special stage rallying, unmodified, everyday cars can be used for simple road events, making this one of the cheapest forms of motor sport available.
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.

 
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