Motorsport is one of the most popular and successful sports in Britain.

There are over 700 registered Motor Clubs, who in turn organise over 4,000 events in 22 different disciplines. There are at least 100,000 competitors - of which some 30,000 individuals hold Motor Sports Association (MSA) Competition Licences.

Anyone over the age of eight can race competitively, and there are also opportunities for severely disabled drivers to compete. Many forms of motor sport can be tackled with completely standard road cars, while others permit only very limited modifications. Practically any vehicle can be used in some form of competition, with organising clubs updating series and championship regulations on a regular basis to suit the demands of the competitor.

Race and Rally Schools exist to allow drivers the opportunity to hone their skills before they can compete in an MSA sanctioned event. A small test, comprising of a written and practical section, called the ARDS test has to be completed by both track and rally drivers before a competition licence will be issued. Once an individual has obtained a competition licence the opportunities are endless.

If you don't wish to compete, you may wish to become involved in another aspect of motorsport. You may wish to become a Marshal. Motorsport in Britain could not take place without Marshals, and Marshals are required every weekend of the season at race tracks, and for example, the Network Q Rally Great Britain, Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship, requires a total of around 6,000 volunteer officials and Marshals. For more information on becoming a Motorsport Marshal please contact: pam.dearn@brdc.co.uk

Useful links:

www.msauk.org (British governing body)
www.brscc.co.uk (organising club)
www.barc.net (organising club)
www.fia.com (World governing body)
www.750mc.co.uk (organising club)
www.motorcyclinggb.com (Auto Cycle Union)
www.octagonmotorsports.com (Race Schools)
www.btrda.com (trials and rally organising club)

The MSA Starting Motorsport Guide is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. If you do not have a copy of Adobe Acrobat on your computer you can download a copy for free from the Adobe website by clicking on the link below.

Getting Started in UK motorsport (203 kb)