Trials

This is the oldest form of motor sport, and gave rise to hillclimbs, sprints, rallies and autotests. The competitive element is the ability to climb gradients of varying difficulty.

Each trial has several observed sections on private ground. The organisers design each section to try and prevent cars completing (or `cleaning') each section. There is no timing - the distance covered without stopping determines the winner. There are four different types of trial, each requiring different vehicles and driving skills.

Production Car trials

Perhaps the best form of motor sport for the complete novice: you can use a perfectly standard road car with no risk apart from getting it covered in mud!

Major UK events

Annual - British Production Car Trial Championship.

Minimum requirements

A roadworthy car (with an MoT Certificate for any car which needs one). The driver must hold a valid club membership card. Anyone who is 15 or 16 years old or has not passed a driving test, may drive if accompanied by the holder of a full RTA driving licence.
 

Specialist contact

Classic trials

These involve off-road competitive sections linked by non-competitive liasion sections on public roads. Each car also carries one or more passengers, to act as ballast and to navigate on the link sections. Observed sections are tougher than those used for PCTs, so some car preparation is necessary.

Major UK events

January - Exeter Trial; March - Land's End Trial; September - Edinburgh Trial.

Minimum requirements

A roadworthy car (with an MoT Certificate for any car which needs one). The driver must hold a valid club memership card and a valid RTA Licence.
 

Specialist contacts

Sporting trials

These are for cars built solely for off-road trials. Cars must meet specific regulations - the National Formula or 750MC Formula - and the tests are much tougher than those used for PCTs, in order to offer a challenge to the purpose-built cars.

Major UK events

Annual - British Sporting Trial Championship.

Minimum requirements

An eligible car. The driver must hold a valid motor club membership card and RTA Driving Licence. However, if the driver is 16 or 17 years old and does not hold an RTA licence, he or she must be accompanied by the holder of a full Driving Licence.
 

Specialist contacts


Off Road vehicle trials

These are intended for four-wheel drive and other vehicles designed to cope with really rough terrain. Some events include classes for road-taxed vehicles, with sections laid out so as not to cause undue damage.

Minimum requirements

An eligible off road vehicle. The driver must hold a valid motor club membership card and a valid RTA driving licence.

Specialist contacts

(see those for Off-Road Events)

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