Autotests

The ‘autotest’ is one of the cheapest and most enjoyable forms of UK motor sport, and the most common BDCC event. You can pretty much use any standard road car, with or without MOT (trailer required for cars without MOT). Your car does not require any special equipment but you may need to bring a spare set of wheels and tyres, these are typically part worn and bought second hand from eBay to keep the cost low.

The most unassuming Ford KA or Mini can be very competitive (and win the class) but some will say rear drive is more fun! Examples often seen on these events include MX5, MGF, Toyota MR2 or BMW. Sometimes more exotic vehicles such as Arial Nomad or Kei cars make an appearance. Often it’s the cheapest cars that win the class and anything is possible with driver skill.

Cars compete alone, against the clock and the driver negotiates a set route between plastic cones. There are 3 sets of courses, known as ‘tests’ and the 3 sets stay in the same position throughout the day. There are three rounds of competition and in each round you must take a different route through the cones, as fast as you can. You get two attempts at each round to set the fastest time, all attempts over the day count tor your overall score. It is harder than it sounds to get a fast time but all skill levels can still have fun. Watch out for hitting cones or going the wrong way through or you’ll pick up a time penalty.

Often drivers will have a friend or relative sit in with them to help navigate the route (supplied a few days before the event via email to paid-up competitors). The navigator and driver can swap too and this is called double-driving.

The surface is normally tarmac but BDCC hold three grass events at Shillingstone during each summer which are great for those new to motorsport and for those that want to take it very easy on their vehicle.

The competitors are divided into classes, according to cubic capacity of the engine e.g up to 1300 cc, 1300 to 1600 cc, 1600 cc to 2000 cc and over 2000 cc. The price of entry is typically around £40 for the entire day, usually 6 hours of motorsport with a lunch break, and this – along with your annual membership will ensure you are covered under Motorsport UK insurance.

The price is low, the adrenaline is high and the people involved are friendly. If you enjoy driving, an autotest is the best way to get involved and try for yourself!