2012
Calendar
|
![s]() |
| Round |
Event |
Date |
1 |
Roger Holmes Memorial |
January |
2 |
Golden Springs |
March |
3 |
Sevenoaks |
March |
4 |
Cross Trophy Trial |
April |
5 |
Southern Autos |
May |
6 |
Wyre Forest |
June |
7 |
Mercury |
Sept/October |
8 |
Brickhill |
October |
9 |
Guy Fawkes |
November |
10 |
Farnborough |
November |
|
|
|
Car Trials (Formerly known as “Production
Car Trials”)
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). |
