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Autosolos – Autotests consist of all forward timed tests on a hard surface. This is not a memory test as there will be numbered gates and markers to help you find your way around. You will have more than one run at each test and should you have a really ‘bad’ test for any reason the maximum is adjusted based on the fastest time achieved by others. This then allows for the “little disasters” by applying a time that doesn’t rule out overall recovery by performances on the other tests. The cars entered into the Autosolo must be road worthy, they must be taxed, mot’ed and insured (details are checked at signing on) and driven to the event. Other cars, and non-road going can be eligible for the Autotest. There is now a class where you can have a passenger if you are learning. There will be awards for both events.

“An excellent low cost way of getting started competing in motor sport”

Check the events calendar to see when the next event is on.

Barcelona - FrankStaden 2012

WSMC are involved in several rallies. The road rallies are usually of the 12 car type however some members enter the “full on” Clacton Stages type of event. The club organises 12 car events and helps other clubs within AMSC in running theirs. If you are looking for something with more off road action the clubs runs Targa Rallies. These are usually run on redundant airfields and involve a series of tests of 1 to 2 miles length.

Rally equipment can be found here.

Check the events calendar to see when the next event is on.

 

Car Trials

“An excellent low cost way of getting started competing in motor sport”

Car trials - action in the mud!

Car Trials are a low speed test of driving skill and car control, and is one of the cheapest forms of motorsport available. The object of a car trial is to get as far along a course (known as a section) as possible without stopping or hitting a penalty marker.
Sounds easy doesn’t it? But the section is set out on a grassy hillside and can weave, rapidly change direction and even go downhill at times. To add to the difficulty, some or all of the section may be wet, muddy, sandy or even icy! The further along the section you get, the less penalty points you receive, and the person with the least number of points at the end is the winner.

Normally at an event, there will be 4 to 6 different sections which are varied during the day, with each section attempted a number of times. Once the results have been calculated, awards will be presented to the winners.

How to get involved – Competing
If you wish to compete, you will firstly need a car. Trails are open to a wide variety of cars, which are split into classes depending on which wheels are driven and where the engine is. It is not just for people with a “special” car either. There is a class for normal road cars which were first registered on or after the 1st of January 1998, that are unmodified and driven to the event, which means you could drive your normal road car to the event, use it to compete, and then simply drive home at the end!
You will also need to make sure the car complies with the MSA (Motor Sport Association) regulations. These can be accessed online and a link to the regulations is given at the bottom of this guide. There are some very simple steps needed to meet most of the regulations such as making sure your battery is secure, marking your earth lead with yellow tape and clearing out any clutter from the car! You will also need to ensure that your tyres are road legal summer tyres. Each car is scrutineered at the start of each event to check that it complies with the regulations.

You will also need a passenger! All cars must carry a passenger in the front passenger seat. The passenger (known as a “Bouncer”) can help you by bouncing in the seat to help get some grip on the slippery parts of the section. Passengers can be aged 12 and above, so you could bring your son/daughter. It is also allowed to share a car so the bouncer also has a turn at driving while the driver becomes the bouncer. This is known as double driving and is popular amongst competitors. Drivers can be as young as 14 but anyone who does not hold a full RTA driving licence must have a front seat passenger who does, and who is experienced in Car Trials.
To take part in Car Trials as a driver, you need to be a member of a club that is invited to the event and hold a free MSUK Clubmans Licence. By joining West Suffolk Motorsport Club, you will be able to compete in the Car Trials we organise, as well as those of several other Motor Clubs in the local area, and you will also be eligible to score points in the Anglia Motor Sport Club Trials Challenge. There are 10 Car Trials that make up the challenge in locations in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

To Join the club, click here and fill in the membership application form:
Here

Check the events calendar to see when the next event is on.

MSUK Regulations can be found in the “Blue Book” details here
Here

How to get involved – Marshalling

Marshals are an essential part of motorsport as without them events would not be able to run. The best way to get into motorsport and learn about Car Trials is to volunteer to Marshal. Sound scary? Don’t worry, you will be placed with an experienced marshal who will show you the ropes, and when you are comfortable doing so you can start to get involved.
In Car Trials, there are a number of marshalling duties which need to be carried out:
Scrutineer – The scrutineer(s) job is to check each competitor’s car to ensure they meet the standards required under the regulations. This is done before the event starts, although spot checks may be carried out throughout the day.
Chief Marshal – The Chief marshal is in charge of the other marshals and will typically allocate positions for each marshal and give the marshals briefing at the start of the event.
Section Observers – The main marshalling task at a Car Trial is observing on the sections. As each car attempts the section, observers will watch the car to ensure that it takes the correct route, that it does not hit any markers and that it continues to travel forwards without stopping. Once the car stops or hits a penalty marker, the marshal will indicate to the driver that their attempt is over, and will mark the competitors results card with the appropriate score.

Interested? Let us know that you would like to give marshalling a go by filling in the form here, and our chief marshal will contact you:
Here

If you have any questions relating to Car Trials, our club, or anything else motorsport related please let us know. You can do this by e-mailing us at mailto:contact@wsmc.co.uk, by sending us a message on Facebook (West Suffolk Motorsport Club) or Twitter, or why not drop in and see us We meet at the Horringer Social Club every Wednesday night at 8.30pm. Check the events calendar to see when the next event is on.



Targa Rallies include driving tests similar to road rallies. Targa Rallies are a new category from 2013, which just involve driving tests on private land – simular to the stages from rallies. These allow single-venue tests events without any skill tests. Vehicles do have to be road legal in all respects including tax, MOT and insurance. Check out the event regs for suitable cars. You must be a member of one of the invited clubs to enter. Fancied a go at a rally but it was too big a step, Targa rallies are the ideal event to try. More information here. Check the events calendar to see when the next event is on.

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The club helps organise the South Suffolk Classic run which comprises of a route of apx. 100 miles around East Anglia raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. More details can be found at www.southsuffolkclassic.co.uk/

We do hope that you are able to join us again.

WSMC and ECMC SSC Team.