HISTORY
What is Autograss Racing?
Who can race?
Spalding & District Grass Track Car Club (as it was then known) was formed during the 1960's, at the same time as the "Jalopy" racing clubs in the Midlands. After many years as an extremely successful independent club, the decision was eventually made during the mid 1990's to join the ranks of the National Autograss Sports Association (NASA), thus opening the opportunity for the Club's members to race anywhere in the country as well as welcoming visiting drivers to the Fenland Track.
Spalding is one Club in fifty plus clubs across the country with 5000 competitors nationally. It is a low cost motorsport that is available to almost everyone, including Drivers, Mechanics, Officials or purely social members who like to be involved and is a truly "family sport" with classes for men, ladies and juniors. It is car racing for every taste - saloon racing and special (hand-built) racing.
Safety is paramount and all cars are fully safety checked before racing commences and they must all meet stringent safety rules as laid down by NASA. A team of race marshals are allocated at each meeting and First Aid cover is provided by the St John's Ambulance and a team of fully trained Paramedics.
Recent years have proved extremely successful and we were very proud to boast that in 2003 we saw National Championship victories in both Class 5 (SP240 Justin Drury) and Junior National Champion SP741 Dan Vaughan. Dan also became the "Fastest Junior on Grass" at the big annual Fastest Man on Grass, August Bank Holiday meeting on the Lincolnshire Showground. 2005 we saw more success with a superb 2nd place in Class 6 by SP17 Chris Allanson. Local driver SP8 Chris Pope has for a number of years appeared in the top three positions of the British Championship in his Class 8 Special.
Spalding continues to be a small but successful club which has maintained it relaxed family atmosphere, whilst providing an exciting day's motorsport in as safe an environment as possible.
Spalding has over the years had some competition from its Short Circuit Stadium neighbours - but where else could you find a full afternoon's race programme of some 36 heats and 12 class finals as well as a Champion of Champions race for £6.00 per adult entry fee??
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What is Autograss Racing? Autograss is a non-contact sport (although the odd "bump" is inevitable)
and deliberate contact is punished. Cars & Classes: Autograss cars are grouped into 10 Classes - 7 for Saloons
and 3 for Specials. General descriptions are outlined below - for more details
go to the official NASA website through the links page. Classes One & Two: Unmodified Saloons
- The easiest and cheapest. Class
1 is for front-wheel drive saloon cars (regulated) up to 1000cc. Class 2 is for all saloon cars up to
1300cc. Classes Three, Four, Five, Six & Seven: Classes 3 & 7 are restricted
to rear-wheel drive only. Both have a minimum engine capacity of 1420cc and
Class 3 cars must have the engine in the front. Class 7 are known as "unlimited
saloons". Class 6 is similar to Class 3, but all cars in this class must
be front-wheel drive. Classes 4 & 5 allow both front and rear-wheel drive.
Classes Eight, Nine and Ten: These classes house the purpose
built, single-seat, open-wheel race cars described as Specials. Class 8 being
the smallest up to the awesome unlimited machines of Class 10. Class trophies are awarded at the end of the day. Go to top of page
Who can race? Licences come in 3 types to encourage participation by women and children as
well as adult males. Juniors: Available to male and female competitors between the ages of 12 and
16. Driving in designated Junior races. (Parent/Guardians consent required). Ladies: Available to female competitors who are 16 or older. Driving a saloon
or special competition car in designated Ladies races. (Ladies can race on a
men's licence but may not therefore compete in the Ladies classes). Men: Available to all male and female competitors who are 16 or older. The
licence entitles participation in all races with the exception of those designated
for Juniors or Ladies - driving a car from any class. For further information:
Chairman: Andrew Godfrey (01406 490102)
Vice Chairman: Bob Ellis (07872 634735)
Secretary:
Sandra Secker (01775 710672) Go to top of page