FEATURE HOW TO …
Documentation
The event must comply with Motorsport UK’ s General Regulations, which are found in the found in Chapter 19 of the National Competition Rules, and the Supplementary Regulations, which outline the event rules and format. The Motorsport UK Resource Centre provides a template for this under the filter Clubs & Organisers and guidance can be found in Chapter 3 of the National Competition Rules.
The event will require a Risk Assessment, guidance for which can be found in the Club Toolkit under Sporting > Safety with a template available in the Resource Centre under the filter for Club & Organisers.
Set up and pack down
Send out a pre-event email to all participants a few days before the event with the start time and location and basic details. It is useful to include the specific what3words location, a diagram of the course and an FAQ sheet. Print out and take plenty of diagrams to site, in case people lose or forget theirs.
If possible, set up the event a day before, laying out cones or pylons to define the test courses and marking their exact location so they can be replaced if a car knocks them out of place. Locate marshal posts around the test and set out ropes or fencing to keep spectators and non-essential marshals at least 10m from the edge of the course and at least 20m from the finish line.
The clerk of the course should drive the route to check it and ensure the marshal locations are in safe positions. You should also post warning signs where required and display the Permit, Supplementary Regulations, and Entries List, on the site or on a virtual notice board.
Make sure you have all the equipment required on site, including hi-vis marshals clothing; radios and flags; timing equipment; a spill kit for each test; a first aid kit and fire extinguishers of minimum 5kg capacity( either as one unit or several 2kg units). If you are missing any items, contact another club or your Regional Association to borrow spare equipment. Other useful items include gazebos, table and chairs, and portable toilets if none are on site.
The most important aspect of the day for competitors is the timing. This is often now done using an electronic timing app – which can also be used to log entries and set up the event beforehand. If using a traditional stopwatch and pen, place the start and finish within sight of each other so the timekeeper can see clearly and ensure there is more than enough time cards. Ideally, test the timing operation with a course car before the first runs.
The organising team should arrive on site at least an hour before the competitors for a pre-event briefing, which will include the safety plan and what to do if there is an incident or accident. Once competitors arrive, cars should be checked by the chief scrutineer and sign-on completed.
A drivers’ briefing must be carried out, and time should be allowed for competitors to walk through the tests and familiarise themselves with the route. If there are newcomers, assign an individual to look after them to make their experience as enjoyable as possible.
It is a good idea to divide entries into groups and run them through different tests at the same time, to minimise time spent queuing. It also means other groups can volunteer and marshal or prepare for the next test.
This is an opportunity to showcase your club, so assign someone to capture videos and photos and share them post event and before any future events.
Once the event is complete, you must return the venue to its original state so try to engage participants to help collect and tidy everything. If everyone chips in, it will make it easier and to leave the venue in a good condition, and it is more likely you will be allowed back for another future event.
James Roberts
James Roberts
Provide copies of the Test routes to everyone in advance
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Timing, even if done with a simple stopwatch, is a key part of competitive motorsport
Revolution- November 2025