|
|
Sprinting
The Objective:
Is simply to drive a car around a course/circuit in the fastest possible time, thus beating the other competitors in the event. Direction of travel should always be forwards (unless you spin). At the end of the day the fastest overall driver wins outright, the fastest driver(s) in each class win that class and other awards may be presented to the best novice, the best lady, etc.
Circuits and Maps:
Our two local circuits are Lydden International Racing Circuit near Dover, Kent and Brands Hatch at Fawkham, Kent. Lydden is a challenging 1mile lap while Brand Hatch uses the 1.2mile Indy Circuit for sprints.
Timing and Penalties:
A number of cars are allowed on the circuit at one time, but overtaking is NOT allowed. The event has 2 practice runs and 2 timed runs. Times are taken to the one-hundredth of a second and in some cases two-hundredths can be the difference between first and second places.
As overtaking is not allowed drivers who are baulked (held up by slower competitors) are given a re-run should this happen. Luckily this does not happen very often as cars are grouped in classes and similar times which ensures fairly even competition (see below).
Competition:
The events are split into classes for different types of car e.g. standard roadgoing, modified roadgoing, modified production, kit/component cars and racing cars. Entries within the above classes vary with cars ranging from specialist single-seaters, rally and racing cars, e.g. Formula Vauxhall Lotus and Formula Ford and Jedi/OMS motorbike powered cars, to standard road going saloons. All levels of ability and costs are covered and cars are grouped in classes that reflect the extent of modification that is permitted or has been made.
Some drivers, at the top level of the sport, use ex-F1-engined cars to power their way to success, and have even unofficially broken the lap record from a standing start. Indeed, in magazine tests (Cars and Car Conversions), one competitor’s car was found to be faster than a F1 car to 120mph!!
Championships:
Although the Club does not currently organise a sprint meeting members are able to enter sprint events though the Clubs membership of the Weald Motor Club as well through invitation from other local clubs.
The following championships are available to enter should members wish to do so :
- British Sprint Championship
- ACSMC Sprint Championship
- LCAMC Sprint Championship
- ASEMC Sprint Championship
|
|
|