Autotest

Autotests involve navigating a set course marked out by cones. Top speeds won't be high, but the skill involved is, as handbrake turns, reverse flicks and other manovers are needed to set the fastest times around the courses. Autotests are usually run as club events and championships, with people using standard road going cars - the low speeds and emphasis on skill mean even very basic road cars can be used at club events. Club events are one of the best value forms of motorsports, with little investment needed in the vehicles used, and entry fees ranging from £5 - £30. At the highest level national championships many drivers use Lotus 7 based cars, but others use specially created 'specials' (see image). These can either be reworked versions of small road cars (commonly Minis) or fully-original designs. They all have in common a lightweight but rigid body set up to deliver maximum acceleration and a minimal turning circle.

Have a look at the following videos to get more of an idea of what's involved -

Paul Swift autotesting - this famous stunt driver started off in autotests, winning the national championship multiple times - quite dizzying car control!

Loughborough MC Grass autotest - from summer 2009

Forms of Autotesting
Autotests - run on hard or grass surfaces. Run with forwards and reverse sections.

AutoSOLOs - Run in an 'all-forwards' format with no reversing sections. AutoSOLOs are always run on a hard surface.

Production Car Autotests (PCA) - very similar to a 'normal' Autotest, but limited to road going cars. Younger drivers (from 14) can take part in these events.

Further information
Go Motorsport Autotest Page - Information to help you get started, and links to clubs.

MSA National Autotest Championship - The UK's most prestigious Autotest Championship

BTRDA - Great club running national championships in Autotesting and AutoSOLO

Autotest Drivers Club - A club in Northern Ireland specialising in running Autotests.