Any local motor clubs?

[Chris71]

I'm looking to get into some informal low-level motorsport - possibly sprints and auto-tests that sort of thing and it seems that finding a suitable local motor club is the best place to start!

I'm in Enfield in North London, so I wondered if anyone could recommend club in the Hertfordshire/Essex/Middlesex sort of area?

A quick search on google revealed the North East London group of the CSMA (whatever the CSMA is...) is very local indeed, meeting about 5 minutes drive from my house! There's also the Herts County Auto and Aero Club who're fifteen minutes down the B158 (which, as locals will know is usually 15 minutes well spent!) Any others, or any observations on the above?

[Graeme_Gman]

There is the Green Belt Motor Club too. Been thinking of joining myself for quite a while, but just never got round to it. They meet in Northaw, which certainly isn't too far.

[eastlmark]

www.borough19motorclub.co.uk
http://www.hertscountyaac.co.uk/
http://www.greenbeltmc.f9.co.uk/
http://www.harrowcarclub.com/

all run sprints at North Weald, Debden etc and affiliated with other motor clubs which allow you to enter sprints anywhere. Next event May 10th Debden nr Saffron Walden.

Edited by eastlmark on Monday 27th April 22:59

[silverian535]

CSMA is the Civil Service Motoring Association.

[Chris71]

So if you can enter any of the associated clubs' events how do you choose which one to join?

I get the impression from there calendar that the Herts County AAC are probably the most active in speed events (which is what I'm after), so that's probably looking most promising so far. Essendon may be a little further than Northaw, but there are considerably less speed bumps en-route!

[GBRM]

I can recommend Herts Aero, good little club and a friendly bunch.

[Blib]

So Chris, you thinking of finally getting a quick car then?

[Chris71]

Blib said:

So Chris, you thinking of finally getting a quick car then?

Nah, I think the driver needs more work than the machinery.

Actually it'll either be a significantly quicker car or a somewhat slower one - torn between a Westfield/Caterham or an MX5 as a track toy. Either way the TVR shall be going up for sale in a few weeks I think and then I'll probably just see what comes up in a decent track spec first.

Back on the subject of clubs I went over to the HCAAC sprint yesterday and they do indeed seem to be a friendly bunch. Some of the machinery on display was incredible too - Alpine A110s, Austin Healey 3000s, Renault 8 Gordinis, Turners, 911 GT3s and various full on race machines. Only one MX5 (a bit dissapointingly as I think that's my main choice for a plentiful, affordable track toy) but there were a reasonable collection of Elises and Caterhams.

[Blib]

Chris, next time you fancy attending one of these meets, please give me a heads up. I'd like to come along with you and check them out myself.

[Chris71]

Blib said:

Chris, next time you fancy attending one of these meets, please give me a heads up. I'd like to come along with you and check them out myself.

Will do.

Why don't you join up and have a go at sprinting the Strat? There's not a great deal to hit on an airfield and the car would be about ready to go as it is.

[Blib]

I half thought about having a go at Abingdon this year as the Stratos Enthusiast's Club meet there and many compete. (well many in Stratos replica terms).

But, I like to think that my problem is that I am way too imaginative to drive really quickly.

Either that or I'm a total wimp. One of the two.

[lewis_sharman]

Sorry for my ignorance, but how do these clubs work? i have not seen them before but they look like quite good fun. Would anyone be able to talk me through the process?

[Chris71]

Blib said:

I half thought about having a go at Abingdon this year as the Stratos Enthusiast's Club meet there and many compete. (well many in Stratos replica terms).

But, I like to think that my problem is that I am way too imaginative to drive really quickly.

Either that or I'm a total wimp. One of the two.

Come to somewhere like North Weald where there's nothing to hit! You do need a competition license (£45 and a form, no test or medical for non-race stuff) and an MSA spec helmet and suit. The good news is that mods to the car can be pretty minimal - you just need approved tyres, some yellow tape on the battery lead and an on/off sticker on the ignition.