You are not a car enthusiast if being a racing driver is not on top of your list of dream jobs. Unfortunately, only a microscopic fraction of car-crazed children ever become a professional racer, while the rest of us wonder how it would all look if the stars aligned and we caught a big break. However, the fact you don’t have a multi-million dollar contract with one of the Formula One teams doesn’t mean you should abandon racing. Quite contrary, there are still plenty of ways to indulge in octane madness and enjoy competition but further away from Monaco. If you are looking to get into grassroots motorsports in the UK, now is the time, and this is the best way to pursue your racing passion while still having a normal life. Here’s how to do it.
What is Grassroots Motorsport?
You have probably heard the name “grassroots motorsport,” and in short, this is the lowest level of amateur racing. Grassroots motorsport includes all kinds of car racing – from rallycross events, trials, go-karts, and even the lawnmower racing series. No, we are not joking; there is actually a lawnmower racing series. The idea behind grassroots motorsport events is to allow anybody with any type of car to participate in the appropriate event. Some races are endurance type, some require precision driving, and some are won by sheer speed. However, all events are extremely fun and exciting, and we are sure you will be hooked after just one race.
How To Become A Part Of The Grassroots Motorsport Scene
The first thing is to become a member of one of the local grassroots motorsport clubs. It shouldn’t be very hard since there are over 720 local clubs all over the UK, so finding one that suits your interest and that is organising events close to home is fairly easy. This way, you will acquire a competition license that will allow you to participate in these amateur racing events. At the moment, there are over 30,000 people with similar racing licenses in the country, so finding like-minded friends will be no problem. This license is only for lower and amateur ranks, and if your performance was to catch the attention of a professional racing team owner, you would need to upgrade it. Although grassroots racing is strictly amateur, many well-known racing names started out here.
The great thing about grassroots motorsport in the UK is the fact that this form of racing is very affordable since you can enter a modified car, non-roadworthy machine, or stripped-down hatchback and find an event in which you can have a go. There are several main categories of events like Autotests and Autosolos, which are maneuverability tests with precision driving and time trials. Navigational events are exciting since they require navigating on unknown roads in a limited time frame. There are also Targa Road Rallies and Production Car Trials that are often driven on muddy hills and require immense skill to finish, although the average speed is very low.
Even if you are too young to drive, you can still participate in Grassroots Motorsport events since local clubs are always on the lookout for marshals and help with organising. This is, in fact, a perfect way to enter the scene since you will get to know every last detail about the events, meet all the participants, club members and learn the sport inside and out. Navigating or being a co-driver is also an excellent way to participate. You can then decide which discipline you want to pursue and in which direction your racing career should advance.
The Advantages Of Grassroots Motorsport
Grassroots Motorsport is the perfect way to enter the fascinating and affordable racing scene in the UK – attending local events, making your weekends very fun and making you dozens of new friends with the same passion and racing addiction. The fact you don’t need an expensive racing car to enjoy it to the fullest is very refreshing and allows so many people to feel the joy of racing without a huge investment.
Last but not least, participating in grassroots racing will make you a better driver since you will have a chance to practice skills and driving you usually don’t have an opportunity to do on the street. Events like Autosolos, which require fast reflexes and perfect control of the vehicle, will improve your driving in many ways. Not only will you be more confident in your driving, but you will drive much safer and learn to control your car in various conditions and on different road surfaces, which is something you wouldn’t learn from a standard driving school or instructor.
Set the PACE on Track
Dry sump systems are the preferred choice for most at grassroots level. They increase engine protection and reliability, boost power, improve handling dynamics and much more. The Pacepump® range is designed to meet almost any installation. From the dry sumping of pre-war classic sports cars to modern day Le-Mans cars, fast road cars to Touring cars, Formula Ford to Formula 1 – and everything in between.
PACE Dry Sumps and Pumps are designed and manufactured by pre-eminent motorsport engineering group Neil Brown Engineering. NBE is engine partner to some of motorsports most successful racing teams, and has won multiple championships across series including BTCC, DTM, F3 and historic formulas. NBE is currently sole engine support provider for the F4 British Championship, and sole engine supplier to BTCC teams Halfords Yuasa Racing, Team BMW and Ciceley Motorsport in 2021.
