Finding a local club (London/Kent) - am I being a bit thick?

[C70R]

I'm moving (temporarily) to SE London/Kent borders, and am keen to start using my current track car (and possibly my road car) more competitively in future (hillclimbs, sprints etc.). While the Javelin sprint series sounds like it might be the right format for me, every track is a minimum of 3hrs drive from home.
As such, I'd really like to try and find a club to join where I could take part in these kinds of events.

I'm obviously a newbie to all of this, but even with extensive Google-Fu deployment (and flicking through the Kent/London sections here) I'm struggling to find what I'm looking for. A slight fly in the ointment is that long hours in London will prevent me from making any midweek meets/socials.

Can anyone recommend a club, please?

[Bertrum]

Take a look at http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/

Membership gives you entry to Sprints and hills all over the UK.

Rob

[evilmiyagi]

Have you had a look at the BARC series'? The South East office has events at Brands Hatch.

[C70R]

BARC looks a bit more focused towards hardcore hillclimbing and circuit racing, unless I'm missing something obvious?

I think this is a case of me being a bit thick. I'm really not 100% clear on the process of entering these events, and had hoped that club membership would give me access to something more locally (i.e. not Blyton Park or Anglesea!) on a more frequent basis. Perhaps I'm looking for something that doesn't exist?

[tapkaJohnD]

C70R,
If you haven't already, you will need an MSA Speed licence to take part in either of your planned disciplines. Just apply, there's none of the expensive ARDS courses that you need for a race licence.
Then you will get your copy of the MSA Yearbook, the Blue Book, that includes lists of all the venues in the UK, inc. hill climb, Sprint, even drag racing (there are only two), plus lists of all the affiliated clubs (see Regional Structure).

What is your track car? If it's suitable, have you considered Autotests? Many car clubs organise these on a Sunday on a convenient local car park, and there is probably one near you this Sunday. Driving around cones may sound trivial to someone used to the thrill of a race circuit, but it is a challenge that demands skillful driving, can offer you many drives in a day, and the craic is splendid. Oh, and often, you don't even need an MSA licence!

Have fun
John

[carl_w]

Borough 19 or Tunbridge Wells might be good options?

http://www.borough19motorclub.org.uk
http://twmc.org.uk

Or Sevenoaks & District Motor Club:

http://www.sevenoaksmotorclub.com

[reynardfvl]

You should try http://www.hertscountyaac.co.uk/ local club that runs two events a year but allows you to access all the other events around the south east (sprinting) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw339KKKFCU ).

The club also does a couple of track days a year at brands hatch etc. PM me if you want some more details.

[C70R]

Thank you all for the input. It turns out that my Google-Fu needs work, because I missed most of those options!

tapka - I've tried autotesting in the past, and it doesn't really float my boat if I'm honest. Regarding the MSA licence, I'll be applying on the 1st January!

carl/reynard - That's super-helpful stuff. I'll take a look over.

ETA: What a barrage of information! Such confusing websites...

Edited by C70R on Thursday 27th October 11:28

[fat80b]

There's also Maidstone and Mid Kent Motorsports club.

http://mmkmc.co.uk/MMKMC/

I've done a few of their events in the past

Bob

[reynardfvl]

Give me a PM, can tell you how to enter best club to join etc

[C70R]

I presume one just pays the club joining fee, apply for the MSA licence, and that's it? Once I'm a member, I assume it will be clear which events I'm eligible for and invited to?

Am I over-complicating this, or missing something really obvious?
In effect, I would like to have access to a calendar of relatively regular sprint/hillclimb events within a couple of hours' drive of my front door. That's not too complicate to ask, is it?

[carl_w]

C70R said:

I presume one just pays the club joining fee, apply for the MSA licence, and that's it? Once I'm a member, I assume it will be clear which events I'm eligible for and invited to?

Am I over-complicating this, or missing something really obvious?
In effect, I would like to have access to a calendar of relatively regular sprint/hillclimb events within a couple of hours' drive of my front door. That's not too complicate to ask, is it?

Most of the clubs round your way are members of the following three area associations:

http://aemc.org.uk
http://asemc.co.uk
https://acsmcsite.wordpress.com

So it doesn't really matter which you join as you can access all AEMC, ASEMC and ACSMC events.

[C70R]

Thanks Carl.
Reynard - YHM

[Salesy]

Im a Sevenoaks and District MC member and have been sprinting with them for 3 years now.

We get invited to many other clubs sprints as we are members of the weald clubs.

[Furyblade_Lee]

If you register with someone like the Sevenoaks & District Motor Club Speed League you pretty much get invited to every MSA sanctioned sprint in the south of England and selected events across the country such as Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Llandow, Llys Y Fran, Mallory, Curborough, Blyton, Rockingham, Goodwood and Hethel etc. etc. And if you are actively doing several rounds then you may get preferential selection for the over subscribed events. The closest sprint venues near to you will be North Weald, Debden, Crystal Palace, Eelmore, Rushmore and Llyden Hill

[Furyblade_Lee]

If you register with someone like the Sevenoaks & District Motor Club Speed League you pretty much get invited to every MSA sanctioned sprint in the south of England and selected events across the country such as Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Llandow, Llys Y Fran, Mallory, Curborough, Blyton, Rockingham, Goodwood and Hethel etc. etc. And if you are actively doing several rounds then you may get preferential selection for the over subscribed events. The closest sprint venues near to you will be North Weald, Debden, Crystal Palace, Eelmore, Rushmore and Llyden Hill

Edited by Furyblade_Lee on Thursday 3rd November 11:13

[C70R]

Thank you both, that's very helpful stuff indeed. That may well be the avenue I eventually pursue, although Sevenoaks is a bloody long way away!

[Furyblade_Lee]

Chelmsford Motor Club may be closer.
http://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/

they do not organise any sprint events themselves but most motor clubs are eligible for other clubs events so to can register via them.

Edited by Furyblade_Lee on Thursday 3rd November 11:21