CLUB CORNER
The day also included a non-competitive Production Car Autotest‘ experience’ in which youngsters who had never tried out motorsport before could get into a car with an adult and learn the ropes without a leaderboard or times, although still with marks for hitting cones or not crossing lines to add a measurement of skill.
There were also static displays and stalls and one of the Club’ s members, navigator Graham Raeburn, also ran educational sessions on Rallying and navigation, which proved a revelation for some people who did not realise that Targa Rallies were run at lower speeds than stage rallies and that they could enter them with a standard car.
Although putting on a new event is never easy, Lawson says the work involved was only“ a little bit more difficult” than setting up and running one of the Club’ s AutoSOLO national championship events. That was mainly because it was the first one – and it proved to be a big success that they plan to run again next year.
“ It went better than expected and we were pleased with the turnout,” he says.“ We tried a lot of different ways to advertise it – the usual website and social media as well as village magazines, free ads, advertorials and paid adverts. We also did flyers at car meets and pubs and we even did the supermarket‘ What’ s On’ boards.
“ Bearing in mind the weather forecast was for horrendous rain, we had around 30 people have a go at the Gymkhana, and a lot more just come along, look at the stalls and talk to us about what we do. We got seven new members on the day and lots of other potential members who may sign up in the future. That’ s pretty good going.”
Alongside its own events, the Club runs Championships which include other Clubs’ events to give everyone something to play for – including one for Autotests, Trials, Sprints and Hill Climbs; one for road, stage and historic Rallying; one for Scatters; one for grass Autotests; one for Marshals, and even ones for all-rounders.
“ We actually get a lot of people who just want to do the organising side,” he explains.“ They’ re not so bothered about competing, they love getting out marshalling and taking positions in organising roles. We’ ve got a strong marshalling group, so we make sure we include them in the Championships too!
“ That’ s another area where we’ re trying to encourage younger people. Very often, with youngsters who’ d like to go out marshalling, there’ s issues around transport and safeguarding, so the question is how do you tap into that group? That’ s still a work in progress, but the vision and the idea is there.”
It’ s all about making the Club inclusive and open-to-all. That extends to the lively social side, which sees monthly meetings at a local pub for motorsport talks, quizzes, treasure hunts, model car racing and tabletop rallies, where people can learn Road Rally navigation without leaving their seat, and with a pint in their hands.
The last 10 years has shown first-hand how people can grow with the Club, and, for Lawson, that is the secret to the future.“ We have quite a nice mix right now,” he explains.“ Some just enjoy staying where they are while others do explore the next levels up – and that’ s what the Club needs for a successful future.”
To find out more, see www. knutsfordmotorclub. co. uk
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Revolution- September 2025