Motorsport with a passenger?

[ntiz]

Not sure if this is the right place for this.

Quite some time ago I decided that i really want to get involved in some form of speed based motorsport and this is something I am actively working towards in the next few years.

My son appears to really enjoy cars and going fast. I would have liked to have let him get involved himself but unfortunately he will most likely never be able to drive.

This got me wondering if you are allowed to compete with a passenger assuming of course all the safety precautions are in place as they would be for myself? I have tried googling but can’t find anything. So I am looking to the great place of wisdom that is PH.

Is there an obvious reason that this wouldn’t be allowed that I am missing?

Just think it would be really awesome to be able to share the experience with him.

[Voldemort]

Go rallying. Have him as your navigator/route caller. There will be an age limit but I don't know what it is. Read the motorsport regulations

[ShampooEfficient]

Rallying? Join a local club and do some navigation scatters, or targas. HTH

[Truckosaurus]

They have passengers in Fun Cup. Not sure if the UK series allows it, but the continental series does.

http://www.vwfuncup.eu/en/pilotes

[ntiz]

That would be difficult as he is unfortunately totally non verbal. I do plan to perhaps do some rally’s around Europe with my Dads old Bentley.

But was thinking more hillclimbs and sprints in something like an exige?

[ntiz]

Truckosaurus said:

They have passengers in Fun Cup. Not sure if the UK series allows it, but the continental series does.

http://www.vwfuncup.eu/en/pilotes

Now this looks interesting!

Thank you.

[ShampooEfficient]

ntiz said:

That would be difficult as he is unfortunately totally non verbal. I do plan to perhaps do some rally’s around Europe with my Dads old Bentley.

But was thinking more hillclimbs and sprints in something like an exige?

Ah, that does complicate it then. Perhaps some informal hillclimbs (like the Retro Rides Gathering at Shelsey Walsh) will allow you, even if competit8ones wouldn't? (I'm not sure on that).

[DelicaL400]

ntiz said:

That would be difficult as he is unfortunately totally non verbal. I do plan to perhaps do some rally’s around Europe with my Dads old Bentley.

But was thinking more hillclimbs and sprints in something like an exige?

Have a look at comp safari offroad events, these are a bit like rallying in that you're going round forests/tracks but they don't have pacenotes so don't require the co-driver/passenger to shout instructions. There are various regional championships and a British championship too. This video will give you an idea of the events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0tj07JHdAU

Another option would be trialling, the passenger role in these is to shift weight around to try and maintain traction, they are good fun and (for motorsport) cheap to enter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDHKL8GgtEg

[groomi]

It's not fast, but what about something like Trials cars where the passenger is there for ballast, so plays as big or as little a part as needed?

[thepawbroon]

Hi,

I think you could try "Production Car Autotest" and "Autotest with passenger" - if you are from Norfolk, then perhaps get in touch with Anglia Motorsport group http://www.amsc.org.uk/ who will be able to help you find one.

Also - speak to Andrew Bisping - he's a very helpful and enthusiastic guy. Contact details here:

https://www.motorsportuk.org/The-Sport/Go-Motorspo...

A non-verbal passenger might also be possible for a Single-venue Targa rally - especially if he can manage hand signals.

[fat80b]

thepawbroon said:

Hi,

I think you could try "Production Car Autotest" and "Autotest with passenger" - if you are from Norfolk, then perhaps get in touch with Anglia Motorsport group http://www.amsc.org.uk/ who will be able to help you find one.

This was going to be my suggestion - PCA or PCT sounds like the right thing at least to start with.

I'd also be looking at autosolos where I would have thought that it might be possible to have a passenger if you were to speak to the organisers / MSA.

Targas would be a great shout if he could nav a bit - I think navigators can start from age 12 on a Targa Rally.

[Wingo]

thepawbroon said:

Hi,

I think you could try "Production Car Autotest" and "Autotest with passenger" - if you are from Norfolk, then perhaps get in touch with Anglia Motorsport group http://www.amsc.org.uk/ who will be able to help you find one.

Also - speak to Andrew Bisping - he's a very helpful and enthusiastic guy. Contact details here:

https://www.motorsportuk.org/The-Sport/Go-Motorspo...

Production car Autotests are a great shout IMHO, the tests are designed to be doable without a passenger, so any input from the passenger is a bonus.

Not motorsport but passenger on a trackday might be an option. IIRC MSVR allow kids from 14 to Passenger, other companies say 16. I have no idea what other restrictions they might have that could be relevant to you and your sons particular circumstances.

There are some organisations that might be able to help getting him behind the wheel even if the speed element is missing, Youngdriver.eu.

A colleague at work was asking about driving experiences for an adult partner who cannot hold a driving licence, They are going to take a look at Diggerland, maybe not a sportscar but they have some machinery that requires driving, again maybe worth checking out, to see if suitable. Diggerland is for kids anyway, whatever age!

Good luck in finding something to suit that you and your son can enjoy.

[ntiz]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Perhaps I should have been more specific. Of course I dont know what the future holds, but my son is coming up for 4 but has the understanding of a 10 month old. Obviously this plan is for when he is older just trying to figure out if it is even possible.

The chances are his development will mean he won’t be able to help in any form. So looking to basically strap him and have some fun with him in the car.

[thepawbroon]

ntiz said:

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Perhaps I should have been more specific. Of course I dont know what the future holds, but my son is coming up for 4 but has the understanding of a 10 month old. Obviously this plan is for when he is older just trying to figure out if it is even possible.

The chances are his development will mean he won’t be able to help in any form. So looking to basically strap him and have some fun with him in the car.

Thanks for the clarification - I know for sure you could have him as a back seat passenger on a Targa Rally, as long as he's in the right car seat (which is the law for the road anyway). Front seat passenger needs to be 12yo. When you read the regs etc for Targa rally, it might not sound exciting, but it is really good fun. There is one at Debden on 30th June http://www.wickfordautoclub.co.uk/ and Weathersfeild in November https://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/TargaRally/Bonfire19

These are normally non-spectator but if you talk to the organisers I'm sure something could be arranged for you to have a look.

Good luck - I hope you find some good fun for the lad, I'm a father of a 4 year old myself

D

[df76]

ntiz said:

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Perhaps I should have been more specific. Of course I dont know what the future holds, but my son is coming up for 4 but has the understanding of a 10 month old. Obviously this plan is for when he is older just trying to figure out if it is even possible.

The chances are his development will mean he won’t be able to help in any form. So looking to basically strap him and have some fun with him in the car.

Doing track days with him as a passenger when he's at least 16 will be the answer.

[anonymous-user]

ntiz said:

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Perhaps I should have been more specific. Of course I dont know what the future holds, but my son is coming up for 4 but has the understanding of a 10 month old. Obviously this plan is for when he is older just trying to figure out if it is even possible.

The chances are his development will mean he won’t be able to help in any form. So looking to basically strap him and have some fun with him in the car.

I used to organise a sprint series for road based cars and we allowed passengers. The age limit was set by the venues at 16 for insurance reasons.

If you want to introduce him to speed a little earlier then you could join a car club that runs their own informal sprint type events by renting somewhere like curborough or do some teackdays where age limit is often 14 for passengers.

[RyanTank]

Autotests and track days may be your best bet. Hillclimbs and anything with a rollcage and harnesses could prove an issue depending on how your son develops whether he would be able to extract himself from a car should an off occur. That said track based single venue rallies could be a shout as you are less likely to be remotely isolated if an accident does occur.

Look up John Stone and Legend Fires rally team. he regularly attends rallies and track event with his son Alex who has Downs Syndrome. He is registered as a co-driver but doesn't actually call any notes. They've just bought a Twingo gravel rally car for forestry event too.

Autotests will enable your son to sit in and enjoy going round the course as once you've familiarised yourself with the route you'll be able to get faster and faster each loop, or if you decide to just be and entry and not worry about getting the route wrong to pick up penalties it wont hamper other competitors as they wont be on track the same time as you.