Red Bull-CMSC Autocross May 20

The Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) has announced the conducting of an Autocross at the prestigious Waters Edge property on Saturday 20th May. The principal sponsor for the event is Red Bull, the energy drink.

Autocross is an entry-level motor sport event where competitors are given a single attempt at a course set over rough but completely traversable gravel terrain.

The time is recorded for each competitor, and the class is won by the competitor with the lowest time. The course is usually marked out with series of wooden posts and plastic tape, and the competitor is required to navigate the course without braking the tapes or knocking down the posts.

Where this does happen, a time penalty is added to the time recorded. If the competitor leaves the circuit, he (or she) must re-enter the circuit from the same location.

The beauty of an autocross is that vehicles do not require any special preparation. The risk of 'contact' is minimal as vehicles take part one at a time, and therefore accidents are rare. Competing against the clock takes a particular skill as unlike mass-start events, the driver has no idea of how well he (or she) has done until the all competitors have completed their run. Vehicles are classed by engine power and weight, most cars are quite competitive in their own class.

Classes for the event are as set out by the governing body for the sport, and will include classes for Jeeps, Double Cabs and other similar 4 wheel drive vehicles. These vehicles will be particularly suited to the terrain.

In order to attract new faces to the sport, there will be events for novices. There will be very little preparation needed for vehicles entering in the novice category, and it is hoped that this event will help bring new people into the sport.

Motor sport does not easily attract the wealth of new talent out there, as most events will require a lot of preparation of vehicles and not all meets hold events specifically for novices. Novices will compete against each other this time, with awards being given to the first 3 novice drivers.

The rules specify that novices are drivers who have not previously taken part at a motor sport event. The event will take place in the grounds of Waters Edge, which has many facilities for this type of event.

Entries for the event are available at the Club Office, at Jinasena Ltd, No.4, Hunupitiya road, Colombo 02. Entries are limited, and will be taken on a first come first served basis.