AutoSolos - cheap events open to roadgoing MR2s

[WillJohnson]

Apologies for repeating this here but it's buried at the bottom of another thread and I think quite a few people seem interested in having a go.

AutoSolos - a brief history (and why the confusion with Autocross!)

These are based on US-Style "Autocross" events. A course is layed out on large tarmac areas using motorway cones. These events are a little like an all-forward Autotest with less complex courses which to not have to be walked and memorised before you drive them.

These new-style events were name "AutoSolos" in the UK because Autocross already existed as a motorsport discipline. A UK Autocross is a little like Rallycross at temporary venues (OK, fields) without the tarmac bits.

Various UK clubs associated with the BTRDA (British Trials and Rally Drivers Association) have been pilotoing and promoting AutoSolos for the last few years. They are an ideal way to have a go at a form of motorsport in a road vehicle - in fact the rules specify that you must drive the car to the event and therefore must be Taxed and MOT'd. The Mk1 MR2 has already proven itself competitive - it would be interesting to see how it would stack up against a well-pedalled Mk2.

In last couple of years the BTRDA have launched a national AutoSolo Challenge series. I think it initially runs in seperate regions to keep travel costs down, and then finished last year witha final on a large car park at Donington Park. It is hoped that some people doing well in this, will progress into Autotests or other forms of motorsport.

I am sure they would be delighted to hear from you and see a contingent of MR2s out there. The Warwickshire Drivers event is run at a truckstop near Daventry so that one at least is very central.

See www.btrda.com, www.btrda.com/autosolo , www.gomotorsport.net

If anyone wants to follow this up, and you can't find what you need on the above sites, please drop me a PM and I should be able to put someone in touch with you.

Cheers JOHN
MR2 Mk2 #77 (and Westfield 7 autotest driver!)

[BenF]

Will,

Sounds interesting - are there many MR2s competing in this kind of event?

However, I note it is only open to drivers who are 25 or under - are there any plans to extend this kind of event to those over 25 ?

Ben

[WillJohnson]

Hi Ben,
Apologies if this reads like an advert for the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association but I have enjoyed a lot of years of excellent motorsport with the BTRDA and many of the skills learned have help me keep my MR2 race cars on the black stuff most of the time, and keep me out of the tyre walls and back onto the black stuff when necessary!

Eligible Competitors: To compete in the BTRDA AutoSolo Challenge you CAN be over 25 years old BUT you must not already hold a Competition Licence - or your last one must have expired 10 years ago.

BUT if you don't comply with all of the above you could always register for the BTRDA Allrounders Championship. This way you WILL get invites to enter various AutoSolo events through the year and be eligible to compete - but not for the Beginners trophy.

Registering for Allrounders also means you will also get invites to Sprints, Autotests and Car Trials (but you would need a basic competition licence for these - see Allrounders section of www.btrda.com website for more info).

Some people have registered for Allrounders purely to enable themselves to continue competing in their AutoSolo events. Steve Layton of the BTRDA is involve in both Allrounders and Autosolos and can be contacted on: [email protected]

I should also point out that any Motor Club registered with the MSA (Motor Sports Association) can run an AutoSolo event (or several). The events require no competition licenses. If there is an MSA-registered MR2 club (is IMOC?) then an AutoSolo could be run by them - but I'd advise anyone thinking of doing this to go and attend an event first- or better still, have a go at one - oh! look what I just found at Shtresham Services 8th March. http://www.btrda.com/AutoSolo/article_373.php Please, if anyone goes to have a look, please drive responsibly when you arrive and leave - with H&S legistaltion as it is, it is immensely difficult to persuade people to let Motor Clubs use their car parks!

MR2 Performance: I am aware of at least one Mk1 doing pretty well over the last couple of seasons but since I started racing, I have not had a chance to check one out or have a go - and I might struggle to get the race car through an MOT these days! I suspect a Mk1 would be the more effective weapon of choice!

Cheers JOHN John Wilson #77 - 750mc MR2 Championship

[WillJohnson]

ANOTHER SOURCE OF HELP

From today's Motorsport News - check out the advert for Richard Egger Insurance.

Apart from his insurance activities, Richard is a long-time enthusiasic supporter and promoter of grass-roots motorsport, having helped run award winning events with Loughborough Car Club.

Apart from pointing out the virtues of Autosolos, Richard is inviting first-time organisers to contact [email protected] - or indeed any of the clubs already running these events.

Cheers JOHN

[cartledge_uk]

autosolos are over the uk and not age related etc

Check out your local motor clubs

[Quigonjay]

have a look on here for details of north west venues

http://www.anwcc.org/

and on here

http://liverpoolmc.proboards45.com/index.cgi

[ilogik]

This is exactly what I was after, going to register, how often is the one in warwickshire/

[WillJohnson]

I think Warwicksire Drivers event is once per year, but membership of WD MC may give you access to other events in the area.

http://www.warwickshiredrivers.co.uk/ (just spotted my old autotest mini on the home page!)

More Autosolo info: http://www.warwickshiredrivers.co.uk/autosolo-intro.htm

Cheers JOHN
Mk2 #77 in 750MC MR2 Championship