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.