Looking for motorsport people Hampshire/West Sussex/Surrey

[SuperNads]

Hi all,

I'm a 33yo guy based down near Portsmouth and whilst I've done a number of track days, I keep getting drawn into the idea of club motorsport/competitive racing both for the competitive and social aspects. I see people down here playing golf and sailing for leisure but neither interests me in the same way as motorsport does.

Somehow despite me being a car obsessive, I don't have many car obsessive friends down this way and I'd love to know if there are any like-minded people in the Surrey/Hampshire/West Sussex area who either already are involved with racing or are keen to get involved like me. I'd love to know what a day or weekend of racing involves - if you are going to any events I could tag along to that'd be great!

I'm thinking relatively low-budget city car/MX5 type stuff. I've already got my Motorsport UK intro pack and will be doing my novice ARDS this year.

Even if there are local guys doing track days, I'd be keen to meet more people!

Thanks,

Nads

[stevieturbo]

There are various hillclimbs around the country, you could maybe seek out those groups. As always, FB is becoming a more popular platform.

Or is it actual wheel to wheel racing you're after ?

Or simple trackdays ? Javelin offer a few that are easy to access I believe.

Or on occasion I think there is some drag racing events at Dakota Raceway which is in the south of England.

[ARHarh]

Maybe a little north of you preferred area, but these guys put on a good few events and they are a friendly bunch.

https://fdmc.org.uk/

[df76]

As above, there's also the Bognor Regis Motor Club, and they're active at running a few events each year. Including a sprint at Goodwood that's coming up in April and the South Down Stages Rally in the winter.

[WombleCate]

I suspect the majority of club racing isn’t geographically based. I.E. if you wanted to race an MX5, then you join a suitable club (like 750) and the race weekends are spread across the whole country.

I race with CSCC, which has a friendly paddock, however, race weekends are as far afield as Silverstone, Anglesey and Zolder.

As others have said, there might be sprint clubs in your area (Bognor and Southsea). There are also non-racing venues like Goodwood, Caffeine & Machine.

[WombleCate]

If you're looking for like-minded motorsport addicts who are close to home you could consider marshalling at either Thruxton or Goodwood.

I did a day at Oulton Park last year. It gives an interesting angle on motorsport and I was humbled by the passion and hard work of all the Marshalls I met.

[stevieturbo]

https://www.javelinsprintdays.co.uk/jtss/

[bmf]

I’m in liss and about to make the same step but probably a caterham to do a mix of tracks days and some race weekends

[andy97]

SuperNads said:

Hi all,

I'm a 33yo guy based down near Portsmouth and whilst I've done a number of track days, I keep getting drawn into the idea of club motorsport/competitive racing both for the competitive and social aspects. I see people down here playing golf and sailing for leisure but neither interests me in the same way as motorsport does.

Somehow despite me being a car obsessive, I don't have many car obsessive friends down this way and I'd love to know if there are any like-minded people in the Surrey/Hampshire/West Sussex area who either already are involved with racing or are keen to get involved like me. I'd love to know what a day or weekend of racing involves - if you are going to any events I could tag along to that'd be great!

I'm thinking relatively low-budget city car/MX5 type stuff. I've already got my Motorsport UK intro pack and will be doing my novice ARDS this year.

Even if there are local guys doing track days, I'd be keen to meet more people!

Thanks,

Nads

Dont discount rallying.
Both of the Assoc of SE motor clubs (ASEMC) and the Assoc of SW motor clubs (ASWMC) have rally championships largely based on circuits (Brands Hatch, Goodwood, Castle Combe),old airfields and military training camps (Bovingdon) etc.

[bltamil1]

The best bet would be to get yourself along to a club meet or a Trackway and have a wander around the paddock. Outside of F1/BTCC they are pretty open to go anywhere you want, and a mostly a pretty friendly bunch.

You're a bit out of the way for the most popular circuits, but you've got Goodwood, Thruxton and Castle Combe reasonably close by at least.

We're racing on the MSV programme ourselves, and have got Donington, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park and Brands Indy left this season. Let me know if you want any more details, I'd be happy to say hello of course!

[Nookey]

I compete in Hillclimb & Sprints in the area, normally at Gurston Down nr Salisbury - which is well worth a visit to spectate and chat to competitors about participating too. There are also Sprints at Goodwood several times a yeat too.