CIRCUIT RACING

Once you’ve had a taste of competitive driving you might want to progress to circuit racing. Thanks largely to television, the world of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing is familiar to most enthusiasts and represents the ultimate aim of many young people entering the sport. However, Formula 1 is by no means the only form of competition available. Each year, over 200 race meetings are held in the UK, providing opportunities for a wide variety of cars from road-going saloons to expensive single-seaters, and offering keenly-contested championships based on regions, individual circuits, makes of car, or type of car.

Although motor racing can never be truly cheap, racing at club level is the backbone of the sport in this country and need not be prohibitively expensive. In fact, it is still possible to race competitively in a car that you have driven to the circuit.

• You must be at least 16 years old.
• Before you can apply for a Race Licence, you must do the following:

1. Purchase a "Go Racing" starter pack from the MSA. This costs £49 and includes a VHS video, a copy of the Competitors’ Yearbook, the necessary application form, plus various other useful items.
2. If over 18, obtain a medical certificate (the form is in the ‘Go Racing’ pack).
3. Complete a one-day MSA course for novice drivers, run only by members of the Association of Racing Drivers Schools (ARDS). (Castle Combe is one such school).

When you have obtained a Competition Licence, you will require the following:

• Car with added safety equipment (rollcage, fire extinguishers, fireproofing, etc)
• Crash helmet and flame-resistant overalls

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