Woolbridge MC - Moving Forward

Woolbridge Motor Club
Moving Forward In Motorsport

Do you want to move forward your interest in motor sport,
either as a competitor, marshal or official?

Well if the answer to the question above is yes, this page is for you. In each of the categories below I will outline the basics of what is involved and the likely costs of events to help you take forward your interest in motor sport. Should you want to know more than either contact a club official or contact the club via: wmc@woolbridge.co.uk

Marshals & Officials
Full details of the role of marshals at events is given on the marshalls page, and the Woolbridge lead is Worth Birkill (Woolbridge Marshal Coordinator) who can be contacted via Tel: 07823 554246 email marshals-co-ord@woolbridge.co.uk . Costs are fuel to get to events, most of which are within 20 miles of Dorchester, and decent weatherproof clothing. Larger events may be up to 40 miles away, you may need a set of the orange overalls that you see TV motorsport events, but you might get a free lunch voucher.

After a spell marshalling, you may wish to move forward as a club official at events, such as an entries secretary or assistant clerk of the course. Please contact a club official at an event to see what is involved. .

Motorsport events can’t happen without marshals; marshalling is a good way to see things at close quarters, and perhaps find out what events you might like to compete in, and which cars are best suited for those events.

For those wishing to compete, the basics, before entering any type of event
The Federation International de L'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body of motor sport worldwide and the affiliated UK governing body is the Motor Sports Association (MSA), which defines all regulations for running and administering events within the UK. The Woolbridge Motor Club is an affiliated club of the MSA.

To be able to complete in a Woolbridge event you have to be a paid up member of the Woolbridge Motor Club, or a member of a club invited by Woolbridge to that specific event. The Woolbridge annual membership fee is £15. A monthly club magazine is posted to you (except that in Dec/Jan there is a combined edition). Additional family memberships cost £2.50, which enables entry to events without the extra magazine.

The one area I have not covered in this page is the type and model of car to use, except to say that for most motor sport disciplines you can use (and many people do) a standard road going car. The choice is yours to fit your budget. What I would suggest is that you attend events and chat to drivers and officials before purchasing your car.

Clubman's Events - Autotests (grass & tarmac), Car Trials, 4x4 Trials, Classic Trials, and 12 car navigational rallies
So you have joined the club and that will entitle you to enter the above event types which are either run by the Woolbridge Motor Club, or other clubs where the Woolbridge Motor club is an invited club.

The likely cost of entering a Woolbridge event is defined below (please note these may vary at times due to specific venue costs), and other clubs may have different entry fees:

· Autotests                           ~ entry fee £25
· Car trials                            ~ entry fee £15
· 4x4 trials                            ~ entry fee £12
· Classic trials                      ~ entry fee £40
· 12 car navigational rallies ~ entry fee £20*

Of course to enter the event you will need a car, and on all events (Autotests (grass & tarmac), Car Trials and 4x4 Trials) which are at a single venue and do not use the public highway, the car does not need to have current road fund licence, insurance or MOT. In addition for these events the same car can be driven by up to two different drivers during the event, but both will need to enter the event. This shares the cost of running the car. For Classic trials and 12 car navigational rallies where the event uses the public highway, all cars must be fully compliant with the road traffic acts e.g. taxed, MOT (if applicable) and insured. There is an insurance scheme available for these events because most normal polices excluded competition use (* this is included in the above entry fees). Cars in these events need a crew of two, driver and navigator.

Cars must also be 'fit for purpose' and are checked before the event starts against the regulations for the event, which includes checking if applicable tax, MOT and insurance. Entries are grouped into classes based on a variety of parameters, which in the main comes down to engine capacity and for two wheel drive cars, into front or rear wheel drive.

Should you then wish to move on to other regional or national type events then you will need to have an MSA licence of the appropriate type in addition to Woolbridge club membership.

Speed Events – Hillclimbs & Sprints
For these events you will additionally need an MSA Non Race National 'B' licence as a minimum, cost £35. This will also allow you to enter Woolbridge Motor Club events and other speed events where the Woolbridge Motor Club is an invited club. Entry fees start from about £75 depending on the event and venue.

With Speed Events the range of cars greatly increases from classes for road going cars (which must have current road fund licence, insurance and MOT (if applicable), through to modified cars, formula cars and single seat racing cars etc.

The same car can be driven by up to two different drivers during the event, but both will need to enter the event.

Cars must also be 'fit for purpose' and are checked before the event starts against the regulations for the event, with entries being grouped into classes based on a wide variety of parameters and additionally for speed events, the driver will need a helmet and overalls to the approved MSA specification. It is suggested that when you go to buy your helmet and overalls that you take the current MSA year book with you (a copy of the MSA year book will be supplied with your MSA licence) and check the helmet and overall specification is in the current year book.

Should you then wish to move onto other regional or national type eventsthen you will need to upgrade your MSA licence as appropriate.

Within the Woolbridge, there is a specific class set up for new starters in speed events using cars which comply with the road traffic act (street legal). The link above gives full details.

I hope this short introduction helps you in taking forward your interest in motor sport, and if you have any further questions or want to know more, please ask.