Racing numbers on road cars

[bongomania]

Is it legal to have race numbers on the side of a road car or do they need to be removed or have a cross through them?

[Mrs Fish]

I believe it is etiquette to at least have a cross through them. We had racing numbers on our car last year when we came back from Zoilder straight to Pistonfest, but we did cross them out





>> Edited by Mrs Fish on Tuesday 20th January 22:42

[ricardo g]

I remember reading somewhere that it is indeed illegal to have them on the car, crossed out is fine but not otherwise. Don't know why but there you go, can't even point you in the right direction for proof I'm afraid!

[slarty]

Hmmm - I saw a VW beetle last week with the number 53 on the doors - hadn't been crossed out though!

[brumster]

There are tonnes of Mini One's driving around Chiswick with numbers plastered on each door, as company cars for an estate agent based there - so I think possibly not.

I always thought any person holding a motorsport license was in danger of losing it if driving on the public road displaying numbers (and not competing in an event, naturally!)... but as for general road users, I wasn't quite so sure....

Any more thoughts? I'm unaware of any actual law that says it's illegal but, like you said, I think the police take a dim view of them... "inciting inappopriate behaviour" or some b*****ks like that, I imagine ;-) !!

[scrutineer]

according to the blue book - the racing bible-
racing numbers must be removed or covered when on the public highway
For rallys, numbers and event using public roads the numbers and identification must be removed on retirement from, or completion of the event.legally and for racing purposes crossing out is not enough.
wether the BiB do anything about it is up to them but they can! although judging by the amount I see on the road + all the altered number plates,fog lights and various other construction and use offences it would not appear to be a high priority

[mike s]

slarty said:

Hmmm - I saw a VW beetle last week with the number 53 on the doors - hadn't been crossed out though!

Thats ok, Thats Herbie

[Nick_F]

Numbers are not illegal on the road, but the MSA (Motor Sports Assoc.) takes a dim view - bringing the sport into disrepute - and reserves the right to disqualify you from the event you are travelling from/to if you don't take them off or stick something over them.

Nick.

[mcflurry]

AFAIK the BiB can't / won't do anything. Apparently, the enforcement is dealt with by the RAC

I guess a Herbie alike would be seen as different to a real racing machine being used on a public highway.

[FourWheelDrift]

brumster said:

There are tonnes of Mini One's driving around Chiswick with numbers plastered on each door, as company cars for an estate agent based there - so I think possibly not.

I've seen them, I'm sure they have different numbers on each side which is probably a way around it. Might be wrong though as there are so many around they're like flies buzzing around a big pile of poo.

[bga]

FourWheelDrift said:

brumster said: There are tonnes of Mini One's driving around Chiswick with numbers plastered on each door, as company cars for an estate agent based there - so I think possibly not. I've seen them, I'm sure they have different numbers on each side which is probably a way around it. Might be wrong though as there are so many around they're like flies buzzing around a big pile of poo.

They are the Foxtons lot, got different numbers and the name of their offices. I think they have flames too (though not burberry ones )

[DustyC]

If you have a 350i Wedge and have 350 written on the side Im sure thats not illeagal!

Would work for a lot of other cars too.

[ricardo g]

scrutineer said:

according to the blue book - the racing bible- racing numbers must be removed or covered when on the public highway For rallys, numbers and event using public roads the numbers and identification must be removed on retirement from, or completion of the event.legally and for racing purposes crossing out is not enough. wether the BiB do anything about it is up to them but they can! although judging by the amount I see on the road + all the altered number plates,fog lights and various other construction and use offences it would not appear to be a high priority

Thats where I had read it, it was in my blur book!

[Cooperman]

Only prats and poseurs have numbers on their doors.
Proper competitors always remove them or cover them when on the road (well, I certainly do).
The only exception may be genuine historic vehicles. for example, I know the chap who owns the 1965 Alpine Rally winning Cooper 'S' and his car has all the correct numbers and rally plates on it for shops. It is not really used on the road, but may sometimes make a short journey.
Even the MSA wouldn't bother about this.