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| David Coulthard trying Autotesting in a Mini Special |
Go
Motorsport’s display stand at this week’s Autosport International
Show (12-15 January) will be promoting all forms of grass roots motor
sport as organised by hundreds of car clubs throughout the UK.
Proving
that motor sport is both more affordable and more accessible than
many believe, the ‘Join Your Local Motor Club’ showcase at the
National Exhibition Centre will not only feature an array of
inexpensive competition vehicles but also be manned by members of car
clubs from the region around Birmingham’s NEC complex.
Cars
on show will include those regularly used for a wide range of
disciplines including asphalt rallying, sporting trials, autotests,
sprints and road rallies. Indeed many are unmodified road cars
providing potential participants with one of the most cost-effective
ways of enjoying the thrills of competitive motor sport without the
need to invest in specialist machinery. Several of the vehicles also
feature special controls permitting those with disabilities to
compete alongside their normally-abled opponents.
In
recent months the huge amount of competitive fun offered by the
thousands of events organised every year by Motor Sports Association
registered local motor clubs has been highlighted on several major
television programmes. Former F1 driver David Coulthard experienced
the delights of autotests, hillclimbs and sporting trials [we did that too!] for a
feature aired on the BBC’s award-winning Formula One programme.
Then last month, Vicki Butler-Henderson teamed up with Skoda UK’s
reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge Champion Andreas Mikkelsen
to contest a 12-car navigational rally for Channel Five’s popular
motoring show Fifth Gear.
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| Vikki Butler Henderson and Andreas Mikklesen |
“It
was all about showing just how easy it can be for all-comers to have
some really great fun,” reported Coulthard. “As I found out, all
these disciplines create very accessible and affordable opportunities
for people to get into motor sport and, as there are classes for
everyday road cars in hill climbs, autotests and trials, there really
is something out there for everyone.”
“I
had a real giggle,” agreed Butler-Henderson. “I’m passionate
about grass roots motor sport and, in particular, things that are
cheap to enter. Navigational rallies certainly tick that box as you
don’t even need a special licence. You participate in a great sport
with some healthy competition in your everyday road car for an entry
fee of just £15. You can’t have more fun for your bucks than
that.”
It
is now hoped that many show goers at Autosport International will be
inspired by those two high profile programmes and thus be encouraged
to experience similar thrills by joining their local motor club at
the NEC.
“The
Go Motorsport initiative is all about dispelling many of the myths
regarding the perceived costs of getting involved in motor sport,”
confirmed
Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the MSA. “As
both David and Vicki found out for themselves, you can have an
enormous amount of enjoyment for very little financial outlay. This
is an important message and one that is often overshadowed by the
huge budgets found at the top level of our sport. Anyone wanting
further proof of the fun to be had at grass roots level should visit
the ‘Join Your Local Motor Club’ display at this week’s
Autosport International.”
Those
MSA registered car clubs participating on the Go Motorsport stand at
Autosport International are: Herefordshire Motor Club; Loughborough
Car Club; the Mercia Motor Sports group; North
Humberside Motor Club;
Owen Motoring Club; Oxford
Motor Club;
Peterborough Car Club; Quinton Motor Club; Wolverhampton
& South Staffordshire Car Club and the British Motorsport
Marshals Club.
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