The following is a quick guide to getting involved in motorsport it is not intended to be a comprehensive or definitive guide. This is a guide to mainly saloon based Motorsports, e.g. Rally, Hillclimbs, Autocross and Quarrycross. At the end of this page you will find useful addresses if you want more information.
10 Tips to get you on the right track:
1. Join your local Motor club.
2. Find out as much information as possible, e.g. borrow or buy the M.S.I. "Green Book" and read it very carefully, it is by and large written in plain English.
3. Practically all the members of the Northeast Motorsports Club will be happy to give advice to any one thinking of getting involved. Don't be afraid to ask questions, the right advice could save you thousands of pounds and a heck of allot of time.
4. Do not apply for a competition licence until you are sure you are going to use it. A first time licence is available to motor club members for £20.00. this is a once off concession. A renewal will cost you over £57.00.
5. Decide what branch of the sport that you want to compete in e.g. Don't let the expense of rallying put you off Motorsport, Test Trialing is a very cheap form of motorsport. It is an excellent way of honing your driving skills and it's great fun. Autocross and Quarrycross are also excellent starting grounds and relatively in expensive.
6. Don't rush out and buy a car that with an engine bigger than 1600cc. You will not be allowed to race it. Your first licence will be a restricted licence, you must have 4 confirmed finishes (not starts !) before you can up grade your licence.
7. Your first event cannot be an international one, unless you are navigating.
8. Hillclimbs are an excellent way to collect signatures required to up grade your licence. A two day Hillclimb is two separate events, on the other hand, a two day Rally is a single event, with at least twice the entry fee not to mention other costs.
9. Standard road cars are eligible for allot of events, with the appropriate safety modifications. This can be a relatively cheap way of getting into the sport. Power boosting and other modifications can be made later.
10. You will need to pass a medical examination in order to hold certain types of competition licences. It is not as tough as the medical for a pilots licence. Your doctor will be asked to certify you fit to take part in motorsport events. It is a very simple and straight forward examination.
A little more detail...........
1. Obtain a copy of the M.S.I. Year Book (commonly referred to as the "GREEN BOOK" from the *M.S.I. Read it carefully. The "GREEN BOOK" will give you a summary of the regulations governing Motorsport. E.g. restricted licence holders (first time) can not compete in a vehicle with an engine capacity over 1600cc. To move from a restricted licence to a national licence you must have 6 confirmed FINISHES in selected events in the preceding two years.
Three layer flame proof overalls or Two layer flame proof overalls with flame proof underwear are required for all speed events. *FIA approved overalls are required for international events. If you intend purchasing a set of overalls, good advice would be; 1. Buy a FIA approved pair 2. A 3 layer suit, is a better buy as you are not required to wear flame proof underwear. A three layer suit may work out just as cheap as a 2 layer and underwear, however I would advise you to purchase a set of underwear as soon as you can afford it.
Any old helmet will not do, there are strict specifications laid down. Alot of helmets sold in motorcycle shops do not meet the requirements of motorsport. You may be able to purchase a second hand helmet but make sure that it is in excellent condition e.g. no scratches or indentations. Refer to the Green Bool for the Helmet Specs.
2. When building a car look carefully at the "GREEN BOOK". there is nothing more disheartening than failing scrutiny. The golden rule is build it strong. Pay particular attention to Roll cage, seat and seatbelt mounting, steering ,suspension, wheels and tyres. you are required to have two 2.5 kg hand held fire extinguishers securely mounted in the car and in easy reach of both occupants. N.B. check "GREEN BOOK" for specification as Halon is no longer produced. Unless you intend competing in international events a plumbed in fire extinguisher is recommended but not necessary.
3. When you enter an event you will be sent some paperwork Read any piece of paper you get very carefully, it always contains important information, you can save yourself a lot of grief .
When you check into to document scrutiny at an event make sure you register for all the special awards that you are eligible for e.g. Novice, Ladies award etc.
Aim to be the first in the queue at mechanical scrutiny. The scrutineer might not like the way something is on your car and he/she may ask you to change it. You then have more time to put the car right and represent it at scrutiny again. ( In Irish rallying most cars go through mechanical scrutiny on Saturday evening prior to the Sunday event. Sunday morning scrutiny is available but you run the risk of having no time to correct any minor faults.)
Register for every championship you can. You could be surprised, you may wind up in well placed, you may even win something. Make sure you send all the information about yourself, your car and your results to your motor clubs PRO. Newspapers will only print articles which they consider to be newsworthy.
4. Obtain good quality photographs of yourself and your car. Good quality action shots are hard to come by. Put yourself in the position of a newspaper editor when judging a photograph. Ask yourself these 3 questions, (1) Is it properly in focus ? ( 2) Will it print well in black and white ? (3) What does the picture convey ?.......Is the subject centred or blurred (this is acceptable if it gives the reader an impression of speed).
5. Crashing is part of Motorsport almost every rally/racing driver has had a whoopsey of some sort in their careers. Budget for them, don't mortgage the house or sell your soul, you could wind up with nothing but a ball of scrap metal. Insurance is available for competition vehicles but at a hefty premium. It generally only covers the shell (body).
Hiring a Rally / Racing car is becoming very popular lately. It can be a great way of starting in Motorsport. It can also help you find out what type of car most suits you. One word of caution, most cars are hired on the agreement you bend you mend, or even purchase. Make sure you know where you stand in the event of the unthinkable happening.
6. Make sure your life assurance, personnel accident insurance, permanent health policies etc. cover you while competing in Motorsport events. N.B. it is compulsory for all competitors competing in R.I.A.C. approved events, to subscribe to the R.I.A.C.'s personnel accident insurance scheme. The premium is included in your entry fee. Cover starts on the start line and ends when you finish or retire. It is only a basic policy and pays £30,000 on death. It also covers some types of serious injury.
7. If Rallying is your preference then a great way to start is by navigating a rally car. Navigating is quite a complex job and is guaranteed to bamboozle the first time navigator. Lots of drivers know nothing about it, and probably don't want to know, but get a penalty and you will hear all about it. Talk to an experienced navigator or get your motor club to organise navigation classes. These classes can be great fun and the knowledge you gain will ensure a first event packed with enjoyment.
One final word of caution take the time needed to learn the sport. Don't try to go too quickly too soon, the highways and byways of Ireland and elsewhere, are littered with the shattered dreams of budding world champions.
8. Brief definitions:
Note: All events have classes depending on the power and type of the car.
Rally: Two crew members allowed e.g. Driver and Navigator. Rallying in
Ireland comprises of timed sections of closed public roads (called special stages, which
can be up 12 miles in length). Each car is started in order of it's seeding, at thirty
second intervals. The crew with the fastest stage times wins. However, time penalties may
be imposed on any competitor who fails to meet his target time or transgress some other
rule. Tarmac rallying is by far the most popular form of motorsport in Ireland. Rallying
on forest roads is becoming more and more popular.
You must finish 6 events to up grade your licence.
Hillclimbs usually take place on closed public roads. The fastest car
up the hill wins. Single seaters and saloons are eligible. Cars may have up to two drivers
(extra runs cater for this).
You must finish 6 events to up grade your licence.
Autocross Grass track, course marked out by flags, penalties for striking or going the wrong side of selected flags, the two fastest times of three runs are added together to produce a result. Cars: Specials and saloons are eligible.. Cars may have up to three drivers. You must finish 12 events to up grade your licence.
Quarrycross almost the same thing as Autocross but on a hard loose surface (gravel) usually events take place in a Quarry. Cars may have up to three drivers.
Test Trials are usualy held in car parks. The course is marked out with flags and lines drawn on the surface. The aim of the competitors is to negotiate a course designed to, test memory , reversing and handling skills.The course must be completed in the quickest time possible. A very cheap form of motorsport and an excellent choice for the beginner.
*M.S.I- Motorsport Ireland. The governing body of Motorsport in the Republic of Ireland. address
*FIA / Federation Internationale de l' Automobile. The world governing of motorsport with its headquarters in Paris.
Bernie Gallagher,
NEMC Club Secretary
Drumcondrath
Navan,
Co.Meath.
Ireland.
Secretary E-mail: Starangel_1999@yahoo.com
Motorsport Ireland
34 Dawson Street,
Dublin 2.