MSA British Autocross Championship
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How To Get Started In AutocrossThis Guide has been compiled to tell you everything you need to know about how to get started in Autocross from licences to cars and, most importantly, the costs. It has been written by current competitors for new competitors. Join A Local MSA Recognised Club. There are many local clubs which host across the UK, though the main regions hosting Autocross events are:-AEMC- East Anglia, ASWMC - South-West and ANECCC - North East. If you need to find your local club, you can type in your postcode on the MSA website and will be able to see a list of clubs in your area. There are benefits from joining a club. Most clubs publish a monthly magazine to keep you up to date with events and news, have their own club awards – normally presented at their annual dinner and dance and you build a network of competitors and officials you can call on to help with any motor racing problem you may have! Obtain A Licence To compete in the vast majority of motor racing events, you need a competition licence. For Autocross, you need what is known as a Non-Race National B licence. You can apply for one of these on the first day of competition by filling in a form! Choosing a Racing Car The biggest and most important piece of equipment you will need is a car! You may be able to hire a car to see if Autocross is for you, although this is not particularly common in the National Championship. There are several classes in Autocross and are generally determined by what type of car you drive, the only exception being Class F for the 14-16 year old juniors (although restrictions do apply to the type of cars they can compete in). When initially starting Autocross, the best category to enter is the road going class (Class A in the local area and the British Championship). By using a road going car you can drive to the event, compete, and then drive home again without having to fit a tow bar to your existing road car and buying a trailer. Class A provides an entry level into Autocross. The cars are closely matched and can be relatively cheap to run over the season. The Class is split in two – those under 1600cc and those above to ensure fair and close competition. They can have safety modifications such as roll-cages, seats and harnesses. In addition, there are basic engine tuning modifications such as exhaust and air filter alterations (see Championship rules for details). You can help the handling of your car by fitting ‘off road’ tyres to deal with the dirt. Additional Equipment Other than a car, additional equipment is required. For safety reasons you must have a crash helmet, fireproof overalls and fire extinguisher, which are mandatory and comply with MSA regulations. You may also wear fireproof gloves and racing boots, although these are advisory, and not mandatory. Several companies provide all these items; ask the drivers and see what they recommend! Double Driving The great thing about Autocross is that you don't need to have one car per competitor. Often 2 people compete in the same car, and it has been known for 3 people to drive the same car in the same event (albeit one competitor has to enter a different class)! If you have a friend or relative who already competes, you may be able to persuade them in to letting you double drive their car. If not, but you know someone else who is interested in competing, why not buy a car together and split the cost? Autocross is a great family event and some of the cars are driven by a combination of husbands/wives/sons/daughters. Multi-Car Starts Some people choose to start singularly, particularly if they compete in a rally car. The sport is relatively low risk as there is or should be nothing to hit. However, if you wish, you may do double car starts. Most people opt for this, although some competitors choose to do 3 and 4 car starts whilst still competing against the clock. Costs Autocross is a very cheap form of motor sport in comparison to other types. The following is an approximate guide of the costs you will incur:-
You can only use a road car for these type of events. There is no need for a licence. There are no events that run at the moment, but if there were people willing to do it, one of the clubs maybe prepared to run one at an Autocross event. Talk to the “Experts” It is well worth talking to the competitors and officials at any event, who will be pleased to advise you on any aspect of the sport. |