- How To
- Start Racing
ARDS Test & Race Licence
a) Buy a Go Racing Pack from Motorsport UK (£115): This will include a Race Licence Application Form, a Medical Form (if you are 60 or over) and a video outlining some of the things you will come across in your ARDS course. The cost of your first race licence is included in the pack.
b) ARDS course (Typically £250-£400): Most of the race circuits in the UK run one-day courses which include multiple choice theory tests (flag signals for example) and a practical ‘test’ of your ability to drive safely around a circuit. The questions covered in the theory test are all covered in the Go Racing Pack video, and the practical is a test of competency and safety not competitive pace – a straightforward affair for anyone who has done any form of karting, trackdays, or just the pre-test tuition session.
The Motorsports School (Mallory Park) (Midlands) | Anglesey Circuit (North Wales) | Thruxton (South West) | Croft (North East) | Silverstone (Midlands)
c) Medical: Only a vision test is required to race in the UK if you are aged between 14 and 59, or a basic medical is required if not. 750MC members are eligible for a discount from D4Drivers: D4Drivers
d) Apply for ‘Race Club’ Licence: On the assumption that you pass your ARDS course and there are no issues with the eyesight test or medical (if required), you can then send the documents off to Motorsport UK and apply for your licence. The cost of first issue of this is included with the ‘Go Racing Pack’, and there is a renewal cost for future seasons (currently £104).
e) Visit a 750 Motor Club race weekend: Whilst not essential, coming along to a race day in advance is a great way to see how the format works, meet drivers, 750MC staff and formula representatives – not to mention watching a day of great racing. Check out the full 750MC season calendar here.
The paddock is freely accessible at 750MC events and drivers are always happy to talk about their formula, car and racing itself. Contact us in advance and let us know if you are planning to come along. We can also arrange for a scrutineer to give your car a pre-meeting checkover if it helps for peace of mind in advance of your first meeting, and should you need a hand running the car (or even require a full Arrive & Drive service) then we can put you in touch with suitable teams in our different series and championships.
Join the 750 Motor Club
All competitors must be a member of the 750 Motor Club. Racing Membership costs £95 for 12 months (rolling, not ‘per season’) and allows access to a huge range of discounts from motorsport parts/preparation companies. Club membership is separate to series/championship registration as it allows 750MC to operate as a sporting club.
Register for a Series/Championship
750 Motor Club currently manage 25+ formulae, from single-seaters to hot hatchbacks, so there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. We also offer two different formulae that allow two drivers to share the racing (Roadsports and Club Enduro) and one that allows up to three drivers to share (116 Trophy) and therefore split the budget. Each formula page has respective links to results, photos, videos, registration and formula-specific regulations.
A ‘Series’ is ‘a series of races’ throughout the year, each classed as separate events, whereas a ‘Championship’ accrues points for each round, with an overall champion at the end of the year. However, other than a slight difference in registration fee (typically £100 for a Series and £145 for a championship), there are no other differences and no obligation to do a certain number of rounds. We can even offer a Single Event Registration fee (typically £35) for a trial or if you just plan to do one race in a season.
Extras
You will be required to have the correct safety clothing (overalls, gloves, frontal head restraint/HANS, helmet), and bear in mind that the standards for these are reviewed regularly (see the National Competition Rules (NCRs) via Motorsport UK. Most experienced racewear retailers such as Tegiwa or Vulcan Racing will be able to advise and ensure that you are not sold something which is not eligible in car racing.
More information about FHRs and suppliers can be found in the ‘Guidelines’ section below.
Consult the NCRs and your chosen formula regulations for more information, but car safety equipment will include an electrical cut-off switch, plumbed-in fire extinguisher (with up-to-date service stamp), roll cage (unless integral), tow straps/eyes, a race harness (in date) and race seat (does NOT need to be in date for UK circuit racing).
You will need a race transponder fitted to your car – more details can be found in the ‘Guidelines’ section below.
If working on cars isn’t your cup of tea then there are various teams, individuals and companies working in and around 750MC formulae who will be able to provide support – from help on race weekends to complete ‘arrive and drive’ packages. Please contact the 750 Motor Club office to find out more information.
Costs
| Racing Costs Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| One-off Costs | |
| Motorsport UK 'Go Racing' Pack | £104 |
| ARDS Course | From £250 |
| Race Kit | From £950 |
| Racecar | From £4000 (secondhand, ready to race - see classifieds) |
| Trailer | From £700 (secondhand - see classifieds) |
| Transponder | From £85 (subscription, buy, or hire from 750MC each race - see more info below) |
| Ongoing Annual Costs | |
| Motorsport UK 'Club' Race Licence | £99 |
| 750 Motor Club Membership | £95 |
| Formula Registration | Typically £100 (Series) or £150 (Championship) |
| Race Entry Fees | £230 - £450 approx (per double-header race weekend) |
Race Kit Guidelines
Safety kit required includes an approved helmet, an FHR (‘Frontal Head Restraint’ – various versions available but generally known as a HANS Device), fireproof suit, gloves, boots and balaclava. Fireproof underwear is not mandatory but highly recommended. Buying safety kit secondhand is not recommended, and any damage/tears may fail scrutineering.
Transponder Guidelines
It is the competitor’s responsibility to equip their car with a fully working transponder, and this must be fitted in a suitable position. The regulations for 750 Motor Club series and championships previously stated that the required transponder is the AMB TranX 260, a unit available either hard-wired or rechargeable, known as the ‘old red type transponders’. These are no longer available new and normally cost around £300-£375 secondhand.
Download details on the correct placement of transponders at this link – please ensure they are followed so that your car is timed! They MUST have a clear line of sight to the ground (no metal/plastic in between).
Other Information
Race Meeting Procedure
Your first meeting might seem like a daunting affair in terms of paperwork and procedure, but the 750 Motor Club team are here to help. As a general guide, the following will apply to all of our meetings:
Glossary
Note that formal defintitons are listed for many aspects of circuit racingin the Motorsport UK Blue Book, currently section B, p52. Some of the more useful general terms to understand when starting racing with 750MC are however as follows:
Series: An unconnected series of race events in a season, with no points awarded.
Championship: A set of races each season, with points awarded dependong on results. At the en of the season, the driver/team with the highest score is the champion.
Membership: 750MC operates as a non-for-profit sporting club, therefore every competitor must be a club member. This lasts for 12 months, ratehr than ‘per season’.
Registration: Registration takes place each season for your chosen series or championship, or more than one if required.
Race Entry: Once a driver has club membership and registration in place, they may enter a race.
Sign On: Often confused for registration or race entry, this signatory agreement process is now done online in the seven days leading up to each event. Drivers are not permitted on circuit until this has been carried out.
Final Instructions: Typically published one week before each event, these are the crucial details for each race event that must be read in full.
Scrutineering: The process of inspecting a competition car, both pre-race (normally safety aspects, including driver race kit) and post-race (normally eligibility aspects).
Timeline
Note that formal defintitons are listed for many aspects of circuit racingin the Motorsport UK Blue Book, currently section B, p52. Some of the more useful general terms to understand when starting racing with 750MC are however as follows:
January: Registration opens for series and championships.
January: The race numbers used by competitors in the previous season are reserved for the first week of registration being open, plus the #1 is reserved for the winning driver in a championship if required.
February: Race Entry opens – normally two weeks after Registration. We encourage all drivers to enter all races they plan to contest at this point to help with event planning, and this forms the entry list order. There is no requirement to pay until 21 days befroe each event, nor does it affect the entry list order until the 21 day payment deadline.
February: Annual Awards Night from previous season. Tickets typically go on sale from the previous November onwards.
March: Typically 750MC has one pre-season trackday each year in March. This is a great event to meet some drivers from your formula if you are a newcomers, get to see how it all works, meet staff and have car or kit inspected by scrutineers if required. Since it is a trackday rather than test day, passengers are permitted so ideal for sponsors, family/friends or for an instructor to sit alongside (always recommended at all levels/abilities, and available on the day).
April to October: Race season; most formulae have six to seven events with as close to a month spacing in between as possible.
October: The Birkett Six-Hour Relay – the famous end to the UK’s club racing season. This typically takes place on the last Saturday in October on the full Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
October: Entry typically opens for the Plum Pudding on Boxing Day (see below).
November: The Race Calendar is tyically released for the following season, along with the advertising the dates for when Registration & Race Entry go on sale (see above).
December: Draft regulations are typically available for the following year’s series and championships.
December: The 750MC run Mallory Park’s Plum Pudding races on Boxing Day. Race entry typically openes in October, and the order of entries forms ther grid order for the first race.
Links
The Motorsport UK ‘Blue Book’ – containing all general rules and regulations
- 750MC Marshals Site – The crucial other side of the fence; motorsport would not be possible without the orange army of volunteer marshals at each event. We can never have too many, so why not volunteer to be a marshal at a 750MC race meeting online and learn more
- Facebook – You can find the main 750 Motor Club Facebook page linked here, and all individual formulae have their own respective pages – click the ‘Social’ button on your formula page of choice to join in discussion and reach drivers directly.
Your first meeting might seem like a daunting affair in terms of paperwork and procedure, but the 750 Motor Club team are here to help. As a general guide, the following will apply to all of our meetings:
Note that formal defintitons are listed for many aspects of circuit racingin the Motorsport UK Blue Book, currently section B, p52. Some of the more useful general terms to understand when starting racing with 750MC are however as follows:
Series: An unconnected series of race events in a season, with no points awarded.
Championship: A set of races each season, with points awarded dependong on results. At the en of the season, the driver/team with the highest score is the champion.
Membership: 750MC operates as a non-for-profit sporting club, therefore every competitor must be a club member. This lasts for 12 months, rather than ‘per season’.
- NCRs: National Competition Rules. Formerly known as the ‘Blue Book’, these go hand-in-hand with series or championship regulations.
Registration: Registration takes place each season for your chosen series or championship, or more than one if required.
Race Entry: Once a driver has club membership and registration in place, they may enter a race.
Sign On: Often confused for registration or race entry, this signatory agreement process is now done online in the seven days leading up to each event. Drivers are not permitted on circuit until this has been carried out.
Final Instructions: Typically published one week before each event, these are the crucial details for each race event that must be read in full.
Scrutineering: The process of inspecting a competition car, both pre-race (normally safety aspects, including driver race kit) and post-race (normally eligibility aspects).
Note that formal defintitons are listed for many aspects of circuit racingin the Motorsport UK Blue Book, currently section B, p52. Some of the more useful general terms to understand when starting racing with 750MC are however as follows:
January: Registration opens for series and championships.
January: The race numbers used by competitors in the previous season are reserved for the first week of registration being open, plus the #1 is reserved for the winning driver in a championship if required.
February: Race Entry opens – normally two weeks after Registration. We encourage all drivers to enter all races they plan to contest at this point to help with event planning, and this forms the entry list order. There is no requirement to pay until 21 days befroe each event, nor does it affect the entry list order until the 21 day payment deadline.
February: Annual Awards Night from previous season. Tickets typically go on sale from the previous November onwards.
March: Typically 750MC has one pre-season trackday each year in March. This is a great event to meet some drivers from your formula if you are a newcomers, get to see how it all works, meet staff and have car or kit inspected by scrutineers if required. Since it is a trackday rather than test day, passengers are permitted so ideal for sponsors, family/friends or for an instructor to sit alongside (always recommended at all levels/abilities, and available on the day).
April to October: Race season; most formulae have six to seven events with as close to a month spacing in between as possible.
October: The Birkett Six-Hour Relay – the famous end to the UK’s club racing season. This typically takes place on the last Saturday in October on the full Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
October: Entry typically opens for the Plum Pudding on Boxing Day (see below).
November: The Race Calendar is tyically released for the following season, along with the advertising the dates for when Registration & Race Entry go on sale (see above).
December: Draft regulations are typically available for the following year’s series and championships.
December: The 750MC run Mallory Park’s Plum Pudding races on Boxing Day. Race entry typically openes in October, and the order of entries forms ther grid order for the first race.
The Motorsport UK Resource Centre – containing all general rules and regulations (search for NCR/National Competition Rules for the latest version.
- 750MC Marshals Site – The crucial other side of the fence; motorsport would not be possible without the orange army of volunteer marshals at each event. We can never have too many, so why not volunteer to be a marshal at a 750MC race meeting online and learn more
- Facebook – You can find the main 750 Motor Club Facebook page linked here, and all individual formulae have their own respective pages (and often Drivers’ Groups) linked via each formula page.
