Tynemouth & District Motor Club

Rallying In General – The most popular form of motor sport in Britain, perhaps because it involves ordinary-looking cars. It involves two people working together: a driver and a co-driver/navigator, and the cars normally run at one-minute intervals, competing against the clock rather than directly against each other.
While very specialised cars are required for top-level special stage rallying, unmodified, everyday cars can be used for simple road events, making this an accessible sport without the expense of stage events.
Another major attraction of rallying is that it takes place throughout Great Britain. Although most special stage events take place in less populated areas, road rallies are held even in the Home Counties.
The basis of such events – the special stage – is a stretch of road closed to all other traffic, which must be covered at a high average speed.
In most of Great Britain (the exceptions are Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Mull, the Channel Islands and the roads used by the Jim Clark Memorial Rally), public roads are not available for this purpose; so special stage events use private land, frequently Forestry Commission roads, disused airfields or even Military Ranges.
Linking the special stages are sections of public road, where the required average speed is low (usually 30mph or slower).
Because of these sections, all competing cars must be properly taxed, tested and insured.

One requirement for all aspects of Motorsport is to be a member of a motor club. This entitles you to apply for an M.S.A. (Motor Sports Association) license, which in turn permits you to drive or co-drive in a rally car. Being part of a club gives you access to people with the same interests and also their knowledge on building, buying, maintaining and rallying many types of cars. Tynemouth has various competitors competing in various makes and models.
Rallies would not run without marshals and organisers, they are highly regarded and appreciated by competitors. As a Marshall you gain entrance to many non-spectator venues and get close to the action. You also get into all venues free of charge, all you need to do is turn up, sign on and enjoy a days motorsport. Organising a rally is a huge task and any assistance in this area is always appreciated. Our existing team will show you the ropes and work with you to achieve our aim, which is a well organised motorsport event which both the competitors and the organisers enjoy running.

Co-driving is something many people take up as it is all the fun without the cost of running a car. A stomach of steal and a level head under pressure are probably the best qualities. Once again many members are co-drivers and will help you by providing the support you need to get started.
You may also have seen the cars in service area being fixed. Many of the service crew are not professional mechanics and learn their trade fixing the cars when they have been crashed, broken or maimed!
As a driver you obviously need a car whether you purchase something prepared or build from scratch. Our members have bought and built cars ranging from Escort’s, Nova’s, Astra’s, Cosworth’s, Peugeots, Metro 6R4s and many more. If you fancy yourself as the next superstar then come along to the clubhouse and find out what it is all about. The club members meet alternate Monday Evenings at 8:30pm.

Autocross – takes place on grass or stubble fields, and is one of the cheapest forms of motorsport with entry fees between £40 & £65 per event. There are seven classes in the North of England championship, these include any car from reasonably standard Metros, Fiestas and Astras to Rally cars, Specials and Modified production cars. Four cars race together around a marked course of between 600 metres and a mile. The North of England is the only place in Britain where competitors still race four abreast.
The competitors race for time rather than position, because each race can contain a mixture of cars from a number of different classes. Each competitor must complete one lap in the practice runs to be allowed to race. They then get three timed runs of which the best two times count. The 12 cars with the best times will then be entered into one of four finals, again there may be a number of different classes in each race. Unlike most motorsport events it is possible for the car to be used by two people, both racing in different runs and having different competitor numbers.
The championship consists of 11 rounds per year, all taking place in the North East of England between Kelso, Newcastle and Whitby, with most events taking place within a 30-mile radius of Newcastle.
Tynemouth and District Motor Club have been organising Autocross events for over 40 years and many members have competed, some very successfully. We organise either 1 or 2 events a year and these are held (more often than not) at Causey Park Farm, just north of Morpeth on the A1. We have had a good relationship with the owner of the land for many years and he always provides us with very good, large and smooth fields to use. The club has twice won the trophy for best organised round in the BTRDA National Autocross Championship as well as being voted best ANECCC Championship round. We have a very healthy number of Autocross competitors within the Club who are always willing to offer assistance on building and preparing cars to match current regulations.

Motorcycle Trials – Each year a Motorcycle Trials event is held at Shaftoe Crags. Expert, Clubman and easy courses are setup to offer something for every level of competitor.
We are always looking for volunteers to help on the day, so if you would like to see at close hand great control of these machines then please let us know.

If you have been to a rally or a race meeting before you may have seen people standing at the side of the track or blocking a junction wearing a very bright tabard. These people are marshals. Marshals must be present at every rally, race meeting or any motor sport event.
Who are marshals? Marshals are normal people, me, you, them, everybody. You don’t need formal qualifications or training, training days are run by the MSA (motor sports association) and we always encourage people to attend, even if it just refreshes your memory. 95% of marshalling is common sense. If a car is on fire, you make sure the crew can get out of the car, rather than stand and get the sausages out for a BBQ!
What do marshals do? Marshals are there the make sure an event can run as safely as possible. At a race meeting spectators are generally kept behind a fence, so spectator safety is not a major factor. Therefore your time and energy can by concentrated on ensuring the race runs smoothly. On a rally, you will generally be placed at a public access junction. Rallies run on closed roads so stopping the general public from blocking the stage. As a rally marshal you need to make sure your section of the stage is clear from blockages, any members of the public spectating are in a safe place, and then when the competitors come through, ensuring that everything passes safely. If an incident does occur then you would need to act quickly, but remembering safety first!
What do I need to go marshalling? When you marshal on a rally, most of the time you will have your car near to your location. As mentioned above marshalling is mainly common sense, so depending upon the season will depend on what you need to take. Waterproofs are essential regardless of the season or weather forecast. Extra layers of clothing, sun cream, LOTS of fluids (especially water), in winter a flask of soup or coffee goes a long way. In rallies specialist equipment is not necessary, however over time as your experience of different situations grows you may wish to purchase some equipment. This is ENTRIELY optional and will depend on what you have experienced. In a race meeting, you are often supplied with a specialist marshalling suit and extinguisher.
How often do I have to go marshalling? As much or as little as you like. If you work some weekends, obviously when you have time off then you can go. If you don’t have the finances to pay for petrol or accommodation to go all over the country then stick to local events. Some people do go all over country marshalling but this is their choice. There isn’t a minimum or maximum number of events you need to go to.
What does it cost? What ever you spend. I.E. petrol, food, drink, accommodation (if applicable). There is no charge to go marshalling. However there are usually charges just to go watching!

What do I get out of it? Some organising clubs will offer a small financial incentive to go to their event. However most offer a gift as a thank you and as a memory of your day. These gifts are wide ranging. Some offer a woolly hat, a cap, t-shirt, mug, travel mug, camping facilities, meal at the burger van and the list continues. However more importantly of any gift is the action it self. Yes you have a responsibility to ensure the safety of others. However you are at the front of the action. You normally get to drive the stage you are marshalling on, so you get to see exactly what the competitors face. Also there are lots of venues that are closed to spectators (army camps, private land etc) so the only way to get in (unless you are competing) is to marshal. So in these cases you really do get the best view!
When do rallies happen? All year round. There is a bit of a dip at the end of November until February and March but the season continues all year. Which is why you should always have the correct clothing and materials with you – and expect the worst!
Is there anyone to come with me? Usually yes! The only way to find out is to ask. At Tynemouth Motor Club we meet every Monday and people are often going to various rallies – so get your self a buddy. This means 1. You’re not alone, 2. Should anything happen there’s someone else to help, 3. You can share petrol costs.
How do I get involved?
Simple come along to the club on Monday nights and have a chat with some of the other people who go marshalling. The Turnbull Trophy Rally and Lindisfarne Rally are coming up soon. The Turnbull is held at a dis-used airfield in between Hexham and Newcastle, the Lindisfarne is held on Otterburn military ranges. We are looking for help on both of these events.

We have various forms of membership.

Please email our Membership Secretary Dylan Scott on tynemouthdistrictmotorclub@gmail.com to request membership.

Any other queries contact our Competition Secretary Warren Scott on 078 117 09200