Motorsport at The British Motor Show
The UK is the spiritual home of motorsport, playing host to over half of the current crop of Formula 1 teams, and being home to more motorsport world champions than any other country. In fact, the UK motorsport industry boasts an annual turnover of £9 billion and employs over 40,000 people.
Outside of the bright lights of Formula 1, the UK plays host to over 5,000 motorsport events every year. These range from an AutoSolo in the car park of motorway services, to the ever-popular British Touring Car Championship and everything in between.
As the national governing body and membership organisation for four-wheeled motorsport, Motorsport UK permits these events, licences competitors, trains volunteers and ensures the sport remains safe, fair and fun for all.
In total there are 12 motorsport disciplines governed by Motorsport UK, eight of which you can do in your road car!
Motorsport UK’s will be taking part in The British Motor Show with daily events in the Live Action Arena, hosted by Mike Brewer, where you can learn more about these disciplines and see how you can get started today.
We take a look at the different disciplines and what is needed to take part in them.
Autocross – Tackle a temporary course in a grass or stubble field against the clock.
AutoSolo/Autotest – It’s all about car control. Negotiate a memorised, low-speed course as quickly as possible without hitting any markers.
Top Tip: To see an AutoSolo in action, visit Farnborough Motor Club’s AutoSolo demo in the Paul Swift Stunt Arena.
Circuit Racing – Wheel-to-wheel racing, and with over 300 events a year there are series and budgets to suit all.
Cross Country – An off-road discipline combining elements of rallying and trials. The perfect excuse for getting your 4×4 dirty!
Drag – Two cars and drivers compete to see which can cover a quarter of a mile in the quickest time. Expect speeds over 300mph from a standing start!
Drift – The only judged motorsport discipline, drifting is all about speed, style and staying in control.
Hill Climb – Driving quickly up a narrow asphalt hillside course. Fastest time wins.
Karting – Not just for Formula 1 wannabes, karting provides exciting wheel-to-wheel racing for all.
Rallycross – A combination of rallying and circuit racing featuring plenty of close, sideways, wheel-to-wheel action.
Rallying – Complete a section of stages in the lowest aggregate time, but it’s not all about speed. Navigation skills and car control are key to success.
Sprint – Drivers take turns to set a time around a lap of a race circuit or a point-to-point course, fastest time wins.
Trials – All about how far you go rather than how fast you get there. A low speed, highly challenging discipline that is one of the most accessible forms of the sport.
Outside of competition, there are numerous ways to get involved in motorsport, such as volunteering as a marshal or official. Visit the Motorsport Area next to the Live Action Arena to learn more and start your volunteering journey.
Join the Motorsport UK Community
Want to get involved without having to compete or volunteer? Motorsport UK’s Trackside fan membership is for you.
What’s more, if you sign up at the British Motor Show you’ll save 20% on your 1st year’s membership, reducing it to £19.99 and also take home a free motorsport themed gift.
To learn more about the UK motorsport scene and how you can join the community today, visit Motorsport UK, next to the Live Action Arena at the British Motor Show. Get your tickets to the show here. 19 – 22 August, Farnborough.