The Clubmans Register

Clubmans - one of the longest running series in the world – here’s why………………..

So you want to find the best possible way of going motor racing? You want slicks, wings, fun, speed, safety and cost integrity. CCC Magazine calls it "Fast, close racing in cars that are incredibly economical". MotorsportNews says, "Cars that are great fun to drive, yet the costs are not excessive and depreciation is modest".

The organising club is The Clubmans Register which is run by, and for, the drivers of these front-engined sports racing cars. There are currently two formulae within the club, each with their own BARC-run championship... Classic Clubmans and Clubmans Cup. The first caters for pre-1981 cars complying with the regulations at the time of their manufacture, running in several classes defined by engine type. The Dunlop Clubmans Cup is for cars defined in our championship regulations and powered by a sealed MG fuel-injected 1600cc engine. Both formulae are slicks and wings front-engined prototype sports racing cars attracting many different chassis designs and dominated by the oldest race-car manufacturer in the world – Mallock Sports Limited. For those drivers who prefer to be different, there are many other manufacturers to choose from including Phantom, Gem and Xero.

Safety - Are you nervous of the open wheels of formula cars, those air-borne manoeuvres that look so painful? With Clubmans' sports-car bodywork, side impact deformable structures and strong space-framed chassis, together with a low centre of gravity, you’re well provided with car stability and driver protection.

Cost integrity - Drivers can get through the season on one set of slicks, and a set of wets will last for years. The Dunlop Cup MG engine need not be rebuilt for at least two seasons (and even then we have Paul Freeman Motor Services at every race to handle those rare breakdowns). Classic Clubmans brings back the "Golden Days" of club motorsport. Using spaceframe chassis', and powered by the venerable Ford X-Flow engine, the cars are capable of speeds of 150mph+. Unlike some of the fashionable one-make championships, there is no-one at Clubmans trying to make money out of you. You can even buy a second-hand car for between £5,000 and £10,000 and go racing. Ask for information on running costs or find it on the formulae web-sites www.clubmans.org.uk and http://www.classic-clubmans.co.uk

Drivers - This is the formula where 5-times Le Mans winner Derek Bell, FIA President Max Mosley, Patrick Head of Williams fame, world-renowned journalist Simon Taylor, BRDC stalwart Frank Sytner, BTCC champion Will Hoy and RML’s Ray Mallock all started their racing careers. For many years Autosport's legendary Catchpole cartoonist, Barry Foley, graced the grid with his humour, warmth, and natural speed in his self-built cars, Humbug and the St Bruno Special. This is the paddock where you will be greeted as a friend from your first visit, and where drivers provide parts (and cars!) for each other when in need. You could not find a friendlier bunch.

The Clubmans Register, of which you will be a member, runs its affairs democratically. Our Forum provides the platform for each member to contribute views and to influence decisions.

The first steps - So you've been to a few track days and you like the feel of it. Do you know how easy it is to get your motor-racing licence from an ARDS racing school at the circuits round the UK? First get the Blue Book and starter pack from the MSA (the Motor Sports Association of the RAC) by phoning (01753) 765000 or on their web site http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2586 Next, come and meet us, then speak to members who rent cars or who have one for sale.

Fun! - We mentioned the close racing, reliability and safety aspects of Clubmans, but we forgot to mention the main ingredient - FUN! Have you driven a thoroughbred sports racing car with slick tyres and wings? Have you experienced high-G cornering while overtaking a bigger car? Sure, you could start off in Caterhams or in saloons, but why not go for the real thing? Clubmans. Our cars often embarrass much more powerful cars with their performance. In the Birkett 6-hour Relay Race in past years a team of Clubmans cars has won the annual Birkett Handicap and Outright trophies several times.

A full season at the best circuits - no half measures here. Some of our "more mature" drivers come back year after year because Clubmans has got everything. Thanks to the support of our organisers, the BARC, we race at the best circuits in the UK, and you'll be at each of them and have more access to the drivers, paddock, pits and grandstands than at international meetings. The championships have 20 mile races and, as a bonus, your car is valid for many other championships as well.

Action! - Why not arrange to drop by at one of our next meetings of Clubmans or Classic Clubmans to savour the atmosphere for yourself? You'll be very welcome. Ask for Jamie Champkin jamie@champkin.co.uk or Howard Payne at Dunlop Cup races and Mike Hickson hicksonmike@yahoo.co.uk or Gavin Childs at Classic Clubmans races (see Contacts page).