2010 Car Trial Championship     Last Updated :- Monday, 28 June, 2010   Posn Driver Club Points Class 2     1 Colin Reid Falcon MC 15 2 Bruce Aitken Falcon MC 13 3 Chris Judge Sevenoaks 10 4 David Judge Borough 19 MC 7 5 Michael Trim Middlesex CAC 4 Class 3     1 Dave Harvey Falcon MC 8 2 Nigel Weeks Sevenoaks 6 3 Richard Tompkins Falcon MC 4 Class 4     1= Dave Smith Falcon MC 6 1= Barry Callen Mainstone 6 3 Michael Weeks Southern CC 5 4 Colin Weeks MGCC 4 2010 Calendar Round Event Date 1 Southern Autos 14th February 2 Golden Springs 7th March 3 Sevenoaks & District 21st March 4 Wyre Forest 13th June 5 CSMA 26th September 6 Mercury 3rd October 7 Brickhill 10th October 8 Guy Fawkes 7th November 9 Farnborough 14th November

Car Trials are relatively informal, sociable events taking place off-road at a single site. They are usually on grass, although sand, bracken, and other vegetation can be the surface. Cars have to proceed with unassisted forward motion through courses set out on a hillside, known as “sections”. This places a premium on the ability to place and drive the car skillfully and accurately, whilst retaining grip on a slippery surface. Throttle control is the key to this. Most sections are untimed and don't involve high outright speeds, but reflexes and judgement are tested when attempting to maintain momentum within their confines.

The poles which mark out a section are numbered from 12 at the bottom to 1 at the top, using markers which enable the marshals to determine how far you get up each one. The further up the section you get the better (lower) the score, and the lowest total score at the end of the event wins the class. If you “clear” a section (pass the posts marked “1”) then your score is 0. If you stop or go “four wheels out” then your score is that of the next pair of poles you would pass. If you run into a pole then your score is taken from that pole. An event would typically consist of 24 to 32 hills.

Cars in most classes are either unmodified or only lightly modified, running on standard road tyres. Virtually all regular competitors fit a sump-guard. Most cars will be carrying ballast to assist with grip. However, there is a new class (Class One) for unmodified production cars less than 12 years old which are carrying no ballast but may be fitted with a sump-guard. Class One cars have to be driven to the events. Only cars in Classes 1 and R should be required to produce an MOT certificate – cars in the other classes will not need to have MOTs.
There should be a class available in the ACSMC Championship for almost any two-wheel drive car with at least two seats and without “fiddle” brakes. The ACSMC Championship has two extra classes in addition to the four regular classes. ACSMC Class R was added to try and provide an opportunity for road rally cars (especially endurance rally cars) where their usual preparation and safety equipment won’t be a disadvantage. Class S is mainly intended for classic trials cars which wouldn’t normally be allowed in (production) car trials except at club level, although other suitable “specials” would be welcome. Please see the ACSMC Car Trials Championship Regulations for full details of the classes.

As well as the awards for the Champion and Class Winners, there are also awards in the ACSMC Car Trials Championship for the best Clubman, Lady, and “Under 25” Driver.

A passenger must be carried in the front of the car; known as the “bouncer” they can provide valuable weight to the driven wheels when called for by the driver. Most events also allow cars to be “double-driven” which is where two drivers are entered (usually the driver and passenger swapping positions).