Autocross

Autocross dates back to the early 1950's, where clubs would organise timed runs around a course set out in a farmers field. In 1954 Taunton MC were the first club in the country to organise a series of Autocross events, they scored another first in 1959, when they were awarded the first permit to run a British National Autocross event. The sport caught on and in 1963 the ASWMC Autocross Championship came into being. During the 60's and 70's the sport was at its peak and was pulling between 2 - 3000 spectators at regional events and entries of 70 to 80 cars.
	Today the sport still runs to the same basic format of timed runs around circuit laid out in a field, with the exception of the 4 a-breast Sandocross at Weston-Super-Mare, which takes place on the beach, the only event of its kind in mainland Britain.
Autocross events will run up to four cars side by side, sometimes two, and singly if conditions are very dry and dusty. Timing is against the clock, so if you want that fastest time, you will have to beat the competitor alongside you into the first corner and then stay in front. Conditions of the track can change rapidly, so you need to be adjusting your driving technique all the time to find the best traction to achieve the fastest time. Circuit lengths are about 1000 metres and a you normally get about 3 or 4 laps for each timed run, during the day with practice runs you will get somewhere in the region of 12 laps or more.
	You can start to compete in Autocross events from the age of 16. As long as you have a National B MSA Competition Licence, the basic safety gear of fire resistant overalls, crash helmet and a fire extinguisher, you can take your everyday car and have a go. Cars vary from Standard Road Cars, Rally cars, Lightweight Autocross Cars and Specials. If you are a really serious competitor it is advisable to trailer the car to the events, as this is an off road sport and things do break. But saying that it is great fun and a good adrenalin rush.
In the 2000 season, we joined forces with the Association of Central Southern Motor Clubs, who last ran an Autocross championship in the Mid 70's. This partnership has increased the competitor base and added to the continued growth of this Championship. Entry fees are around the £50 to £60 mark, which for a days high speed all action motorsport is great value. Registration for the Championship is only £10 and for this you get all the regulations for each event sent to you automatically, as well an ASWMC or ACSMC Year Book, registration card and regular Championship Newsletters.

2009 Autocross Calendar

1. The Southern Counties Autocross Championship shall be open to members of member clubs of the following Regional Associations, ASWMC, ACSMC, AEMC, LCAMC and ASEMC. It shall consist of a maximum of 14 events, which should be run with a minimum interval of 2 weeks.

2. All events shall be run as in the SR's for the event. Except in the case of force majeur, 2 timed runs should be allowed.

3. Classes:
Class A1. Economy Production Saloons up to 1600cc
Class A2. Economy Production Saloons over 1600cc
Class B. Cars up to 1400cc.
Class C. Cars 1400cc up to 1650cc.
Class D. Cars over 1650cc.
Class E. Specials and Four Wheel Drive cars.
Note:
i). Cars fitted with forced induction will have a 40% capacity loading applied
ii). All motorcycle engined vehicles will be classified as Specials.

4. All vehicles MUST comply with Technical Regulations C(b) 7 to 26 and E 69 to 81 and E 84, Classes A1 and A2 cars MUST comply with the current version of E 85.

5. Scoring: Registered contenders will be awarded points in each of the classes defined in 3 above, at each event as follows:
Fastest Registered Contender in Class = 25 points. If there is only ONE competitor in a class as defined in 3 above then 24 points will be awarded.
The remaining contenders will have 0.1 point deducted from the figure of 25, for each 0.1 of a second their time exceeds that of the fastest registered contender in class.
In addition points will also be awarded for positions in each of the classes defined in 3 above, according to the following table.

In addition every competitor will be awarded three points for starting an event and one further point for every successful timed run completed, to a maximum of two timed runs (excluding practice) and providing that these runs are carried out in the same vehicle, in which the competitor started the event.
Championship Results.
Championship points will be awarded to drivers who have scored the highest number of points in the qualifying events, according to the following table:

6.A tie shall be decided in the following order:
(i) The competitor with the highest overall score over the complete season including scores discounted in Autocross regulation 5 will be the winner.
(ii) The competitor who has beaten the greater number of competitors in achieving their score.
(iii) If the tie is not resolved by the above methods (6(i), 6(ii)) then the Championship will be declared a tie with 2 or more winners.

7. Competitors MUST nominate the class in which they intend to claim championship points on the Championship Registration Form.
Points may only be scored in a different class by notifying the Championship Co-ordinator prior to the event, phone, e-mail or letter, if by the latter, postmarked not later than the day prior to the event in which the change is to become operative.

For more details contact Darren Loveys the Championship Co-ordinator