British VW Clubs 

Volkswagens can be found in all forms of Motorsport today. 

The early days of VW Motorsport began with Autotests and Rallies. Though VW engines entered races early on in Porsche cars, it was 1949 before a VW Beetle was a recorded entrant in the Monte Carlo Rally, finishing a creditable 43rd place overall. This would have been a vary basic car by today's standards with just 25hp and 6volt electrics to call upon, never mind the skinny cross-ply tyres. It was the 'Tulip Rally' in 1951 before victory was recorded in the 1100cc to 1500cc Class, finishing 3rd overall.

Meanwhile in Ireland, Stephen O'Flaherty was busy importing VW Beetles, which were then being trialled with much success. By 1953 Stephen had taken up the franchise to import into Britain under the name of Volkswagen Motors Ltd at St John's Wood, London.

With the readily available source of parts and vehicles it was inevitable that the VW would grow in popularity with grass root sports such as trials, rallying, autotests and eventually becoming the used for drag racing and single seater racing. 

Motorsport in Great Britain today, is run by the Motor Sport Association http://www.msauk.org. 

The MSA is recognised as the sole governing body of motor sport in Great Britain by the world governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
As the governing body, the MSA is responsible for the admin-istration and control of the motor sport rules.
These rules are actually made and amended by the Motor Sports Council, which is the ‘parliament’ of motor sport; while MSA staff act as the ‘civil service.’

So where can you find VW's, in all their forms, racing today ?

Check the links below and if you see an event you like, go visit and perhaps you too will become part of the VW sporting fraternity:

         If you want to talk VW Motorsport then feel free to visit our ABVWC MotorSport Forum

Classic Car Trials

  (Photos: Jonathan Toulmin)

This is where you race up muddy, slippery, twisting paths, up a steep hill. 

The average modern classic trial runs to about 70-100 miles on roads in between the observed sections. There are usually 14-18 sections to each event with a variety of different surfaces to test your skills. The events are scored by markers by the side of the section, numbered from 12 at the bottom down to 1 at the top. Marks are scored by getting the front wheel(s) past the marker. At the end of the day the driver/rider with the lowest score is the winner.

 - Spectators have to be prepared to travel around as the courses can be over several miles. The advantage is that it costs you nothing, but bring your wellies.

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2329

http://www.actc.org.uk/association.htm

http://www.classictrials.co.uk/

ABVWC - Classic Trials FORUM

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Autotests. (Against the clock)

The ability to fling your car around without getting dizzy or crashing. Surprising lack of VW pictures available, even though the 1972 Champion was a certain Mr Peter Noad writer of various tuning books and articles in VW Motoring Magazine (Now defunct)  in his 1500 Beetle registration SKT 328H. Modern day VW's compete with Buggies taking up the aircooled mantle. 

 - Spectating is easy as the events often take place in large car parks or airfields with large tarmac areas.

Useful links:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2317

http://www.btrda.com/Autotest/

ABVWC - Autotest FORUM

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Drag Racing.

(Photo: Courtesy of http://www.vwdrc.com/ )

This is a very popular motor sport for the VW enthusiast. Though it might seem odd that a Beetle is used for what is a traditionally maximum power driven sport. The influence of the originally American scene on the Aircooled VW enthusiasts in the UK has meant a large following has grown. There is a VW Drag Racing Club catering for the enthusiast. 

 - Spectating is easy but you will have to pay for entry to the VW Show, often you can not just enter for the drag racing (it is an integral part). Pit areas can be easily accessed.

Useful links:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2319

http://www.vwdrc.com/

ABVWC - Drag Racing FORUM

2008 Calendar

Round 1 - Easter Thunderball March 20th - 24th, Santa Pod Raceway

Round 2 - Big Bang April 25th - 27th, Santa Pod Raceway

Round 3 - Spring Nationals May 2nd - 5th, Shakespeare County Raceway

Round 4 - Summer Nationals June 14th - 16th, Santa Pod Raceway

Round 5 - Bug Jam 22 July 18th - 20nd, Santa Pod Raceway

Round 6 - Open Sports Nationals August 22th - 25th, Shakespeare County Raceway

Round 7 - National Finals September 24th - 26th, Santa Pod Raceway

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  Formula Vee Racing

   (Photos: Coutresy of http://www.vwracing.net/)

This is single seater race cars powered by (in Great Britain) the Beetle 1300cc air-cooled engine with Beetle transmission and front suspension. The organised by the 750 Motor Club.

 - Spectating is easy, catered for at the circuit, but be aware that big meetings have VIP areas and the pit areas are sometimes restricted.

Mar 9           Mallory Park, 

Mar 23         Thruxton, 

Apr 19 & 20  Brands Hatch, 

May 24 & 25 Pembrey, 

Jun 7 & 8      Anglesey, 

July 5 & 6     Cadwell Park,

 July 19        Donington, 

Aug 23         Silverstone, 

Sep 27 & 28 Snetterton, 

Oct 12         Mallory Park.

http://www.750mc.co.uk/F-formula-vee.php

http://www.veecentre.com/

http://www.vwracing.net/

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2318

ABVWC - Formula Vee FORUM

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  Golf Gti Racing.

(Photos: Coutesy of 750 Motor Club)

Circuit car racing for the Mk2 1800cc Golf Gti. The regulations describe them as follows:

The Championship is for Competitors participating in naturally aspirated, right hand drive, front wheel drive Volkswagen Golf GTI vehicles, sold in the UK between April 1984 and March 1992, known as the ‘Mark 2’ variant. For avoidance of doubt, ‘ standard specification’ will always be made with reference to 1.8 litre Golf GTI vehicles sold through authorised United Kingdom Volkswagen dealers in that time period.

 - Spectating is easy, catered for at the circuit, but be aware that big meetings have VIP areas and the pit areas are sometimes restricted.

http://www.750mc.co.uk/F-golf-gti.php

http://www.golfgtiracing.co.uk/

ABVWC - Golf Gti Racing FORUM

2008 Calendar 

Mar 16 Snetterton, 

Apr 19 Brands Hatch, 

May 11 Cadwell Park, 

Jun 8 Anglesey, 

Jul 20 Donington, 

Aug 3 Mallory Park, 

Aug 23 Silverstone, 

Sep 6 Oulton Park, 

Sep 28 Snetterton 

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Hill Climbing (Against the Clock)

  (Photo: http://www.sjtphotographic.co.uk/)

Probably one of the oldest forms of motorsport, racing up a steep road to the top in the quickest time. There are numerous classes available and this season there is a Beetle being raced up the hills.

Spectating is easy, catered for at the course  the pit areas are accessable.

http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk

http://www.smvoc.co.uk/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=37

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2320

http://www.top12runoff.co.uk/

ABVWC - Hillclimbing FORUM

2008 Calendar

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  VW Fun-cup

(Photos: Courtesy of www.funcup.co.uk)

The concept was originally conceived in Belgium based on the success of endurance karting. From small beginnings, it has taken off to massive success with more than 160 cars on the grid for the Spa 25 hour race and regular grids topping 50 cars in Europe. Racing has now also spread to France, Italy, Germany and Spain with the USA next in line.

The cars are race designed single-seater cars with a strong tubular steel chassis, mildly modified super strong Audi/VW engines and gearbox, race brakes and fully adjustable suspension. Over it all is draped a VW Beetle look-alike glass fibre body.

http://www.funcup.co.uk/

ABVWC - VW Fun-Cup FORUM

2008 Calendar

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  VW-Cup Racing

(Photo: Courtesy of  www.vw-cup.co.uk)

Launched in 2000, the Volkswagen Racing Cup is widely regarded as the most exciting saloon car championship in the UK and for 2008 it remains the sole saloon support race in the prestigious British Formula 3/British GT Championship package.

Open to any model of racing Volkswagen, the Cup has attracted drivers of the Beetle RSi, Corrado, Vento & Golf VR6, Golf GTI of every generation, Polo, Lupo and Bora models. For a car to be allowed to race in the Championship, it will need to be issued with a Volkswagen Racing logbook. To be eligible for this, it must either be a car that has competed in the championship in the past two years, or if it is new to the championship, it must be less than 10 years old.

http://www.vw-cup.co.uk/

http://www.brscc.co.uk/vw.html

http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.caddyRacer

ABVWC - VW-Cup FORUM

2008 Calendar

Rounds 1 & 2       24 March    Oulton Park Cheshire

Rounds 3 & 4       26 May       Rockingham Northants

Rounds 5 & 6       8 June        Snetterton Norfolk

Rounds 7 & 8       29 June      Thruxton Hampshire

Rounds 9 & 10     13 July        Brands Hatch Kent 

Rounds 11 & 12   17 August    Silverstone Northants 

Rounds 13 & 14   12 October  Donington Park Leicestershire

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  Rallying (inc Historic)

Special Stage Rally: The basis of such events - the special stage - is a stretch of road closed to all other traffic, which must be covered at a high average speed.

Road Rally: The essence of this type of event is to maintain a time schedule through a series of control points by following route instructions which often put a great emphasis on navigation.

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2323

Special Stage - Specialised (as seen on TV), concentrating on top driving skill

Road Rallying - More navigation orientated, but can be as competitive as you wish due to the numerous classes available.

 

For (Historic) cars produced before 1981

http://www.hrcr.co.uk/ - Varies from stage rallying to a country tour and everything in between.

http://www.hrct.co.uk/ - The technical Regs

 

A must see site for Rallying VW Beetle history & photo's

http://www.rallybugs.com/index.html

ABVWC - Rally FORUM

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The Beetle Challenge is the first all ‘Aircooled’ classic VW Beetle circuit racing series in the UK since the demise of the Beetle Cup over 12 years ago. This is not a resurrection, it is a whole new beast! New rules for a new millennium! There has been a lot of talk and false starts within the VW community for years… but now thanks largely to a few committed enthusiasts, it is Go… Go… Go…

The MSA (Motor Sports Association) have signed off the regulations. We are registering drivers to compete, and the excitement is building within the huge UK VW community.

• The cars must be aircooled beetles (any age and parts can be inter-swapped between years and models)
• No aerodynamic aids
• 15″ x 6″ max wheel size with a control Toyo tyre
• Brakes can be upgraded
• Engines must be based on a Type1 Engine Case, with no electronic fuel injection or ignition and no forced induction
  

http://www.beetlechallenge.com/

ABVWC - Beetle Challenge FORUM

2008 Calendar

07-08 June/2008 - Rockingham

28-29 June/2008 - Lydden

19-20 July/2008 - Castle Combe

06 Sept/2008 - Lydden

04 Oct/2008 - Lydden

08-09 Nov/2008 - Brands Hatch

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  Volkswagen Racing UK

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/volkswagen-world/performance/racing

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Others I am aware of include Off-Roader, Banger Racing and Ice Racing etc.. but there isn't much ice here and I don't know the governing body for Off-Roaders or Banger Racing...if you do drop me a line :)

Finally, heart felt thanks to all the organisations represented on this page for their help & support.

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