‘Something for the Winter , Sir?’

A motor sport alternative when there’s no racing to be had - by Jonathan Baggott

A Production Car Trial in progress. Ironically, the car is a Marlin which isn't really a production car

As I write this, we are still in the grip of a balmy summer or we continue to bask in its residual warmth. But as you read this, the stark reality is that the Monoposto season is behind us and the mind numbing reality of the winter months is only a blink away – or perhaps is here. Winter months are particularly harsh for Monoposto racers when the opportunities to race have hibernated, and cold garages deter even the most enthusiastic members from engine changes and making cutting edge technical upgrades to their single seaters.

Help could be at hand, and certainly for me the winter months open up a new avenue of motorsport as I fit the winter tyres and extra ballast to my kit car, and get ready for the best value motorsport on the planet.

Trialling is one of the oldest branches of motorsport, with some events’ heritage traceable to before the First World War!

Trialling falls into three categories of seriousness:
a) Sporting trials – the Formula One of trialling with lightweight cars, bristling with technical expertise, prices of cars ranging from £10,000 - £25,000 !
b) Classic trials – these take place typically across 15 different sections, using public roads to drive between those venues, and on some events competitors run through the night and day.
c) Production car trials (PCT) – take place at one venue with competitors attempting up to 40 different sections which have been specifically laid out to test driver skill and vehicle traction.

In (b) and (c) cars are allocated to different classes depending on FWD / RWD / RWD with rear engine / Sports Cars etc. which helps to iron out any issues regarding the superiority of certain design of cars for trialling.

In the last two years the MSA has relaxed the condition that all cars competing in Production car trials need to have a current MOT, so anyone with an eBay acquired VW Golf or Citroen AX etc etc can have a competitive and fun day testing and improving their car control skills while trying to win some silverware. Furthermore in PCTs, cars can be ‘double driven’ which means that the car can be entered by two competitors who alternate between driving and being passenger on each section.

For those us used to paying £200 for an hour of Monoposto driving time, the costs for trialling will make you weep. Typically the entry costs for a PCT are less than £25 and the time spent driving the car competitively will be close to 3 hours.

Trialling can’t give you the thrill of the perfect lap but don’t underestimate the tension and pleasure of ‘cleaning’ a tricky section, knowing that you’ve got to do it all over again on a completely different section five minutes later, and it keeps you in touch with motorsport and the sort of friendly atmosphere we’re used to during those barren winter months.

The author double driving his Marlin kit car near Dunstable		A couple of e-Bay acquisitions providing value for money motorsport. This is a Vauxhall Nova. Or "FVJ Saloon" as our 1600 brethren call them.	A Peugeot 104. Well, probably "The Only Remaining" RHD Peugeot 104 by now.

For more information have a look at:
www.classictrials.co.uk
www.falconmotorclub.co.uk
www.actc.org.uk
www.mcc.co.uk
www.the motorcyclingclub.org.uk
www.strouddmc.org.uk

Jonathan Baggott

Asst editors note: At least one other highly respected Monoposti is a trials exponent, though of the Classic variety in a Morgan 3 wheeler.

A challenging section for Jonathan

The author, getting dirty

Former Mono sponsor and 1600/1800 pilot Mike Hinman is another trialler.

Just another avenue of motorsport where Classic Minis are the cars to beat