{"id":26030,"date":"2023-09-16T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-09-16T07:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=26030"},"modified":"2023-09-21T15:18:10","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T14:18:10","slug":"getting-into-motorsport-its-easier-than-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/getting-into-motorsport-its-easier-than-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Into Motorsport \u2013 It\u2019s Easier Than You Think"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever fancied having a go at motorsport? Most of us have pondered what it would be like to be Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Loeb for the day. But all too often the idea is dismissed as too expensive, too complicated or too risky to undertake with a prized classic. The reality is that club-level motorsport doesn\u2019t have to be any of those things. Pick the right event and you can take part in a standard road car for less than the price of a night out. You don\u2019t even need a driving licence \u2013 drivers as young as 14 can take part in a lot of club-level events.<\/p>\n

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A Lea Francis being put through its paces at an autotest (photo courtesy of Phil Jones)<\/em><\/p>\n

A spot of friendly competition can add a whole new dimension to the time you spend with your classic car, whether you\u2019re competing against friends or simply trying to improve on a previous result. Even if you\u2019re not competitive by nature, it can be a great opportunity to meet some likeminded enthusiasts as well as form a deeper bond with your steed. Following our escapades at Le Mans<\/a> earlier in the summer we thought we’d put together a brief summary of what is involved should you wish to legally drive your classic, how shall we say, with a little more exuberance.<\/p>\n

How to get involved<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The best place to start is to find a Motorsport UK recognised club<\/a> near you. There are dozens of local motor clubs across the country that host their own motorsport events, not to mention larger organisations like owners\u2019 groups and the Vintage Sports Car Club. Once you\u2019re a member of one club you\u2019ll often be able to compete in other clubs\u2019 events as a guest entrant.<\/p>\n

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Most of the events discussed here require an RS Clubmans licence<\/a>. That might sound serious, but in fact, this entry-level licence is completely free and can be issued immediately through an online form. Events held under this licence do not require helmets, fireproof overalls or any safety modifications to the car. Hill climbs and sprints require an RS Interclub licence. This currently costs \u00a374 and takes around a week to process, although it\u2019s still just an application form, with no test or medical required.<\/p>\n

What sort of car do I need?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The beauty of club-level motorsport is that you can turn up in whatever you\u2019ve got. We\u2019ve seen a 1920 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost autotesting, a three-wheeled Reliant Rialto used for trialling and a Daihatsu Hijet van chucked sideways around an autosolo course.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

That said, some cars are better suited to certain disciplines than others. Plenty of ground clearance, for instance, is useful for trials. And while we\u2019d have no hesitation whatsoever taking on an autosolo or a navigational rally in an unmodified daily driver, a few modifications can be useful if you intend to take on tougher events like classic trials.<\/p>\n

How much will it cost?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ah, the million dollar question. Or not. Entry fees for a club autotest can be as little as \u00a310 and there are no modifications or safety gear required. It really is that simple.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

At the opposite end of the scale, entry fees for sprints and hill climbs range from under \u00a370 to over \u00a3200. The biggest investment for these events is a helmet, overalls and gloves, all of which have to meet current FIA or equivalent standards. We\u2019d strongly recommend buying new for the helmet (prices start at around \u00a3300) but the suit and gloves can be bought second hand (\u00a3200 should get you a full set).<\/p>\n

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Motorsport disciplines<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

From karting to tractor pulling, the number of motorsport disciplines out there is almost too numerous to list, so we\u2019re going to focus on the sort of things that you could realistically do with a standard or lightly modified road car and briefly cover each.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

Autotests and Autosolos<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Autotests and autosolos are a great place to start. These both follow a timed course around a series of cones. The key difference between them is that autotests can feature reversing manoeuvres, while autosolos are entirely run forwards. If the idea of reversing into a parking space sounds a bit pedestrian, it\u2019s worth checking out some of the videos<\/a> of autotesters in action to see that it is anything but.<\/p>\n