Photo: screenshot from Youtube/edited by autoevolution
All you aspiring race drivers out there, if you think the world of professional racing is too expensive for you to join and casually driving your dad’s BMW on the local track careful not to scratch it is the most you can do now, there is an answer for you - cheap stock hatch racing.
The stock hatch racing events are part of a series called the 750 Motor Club and the only thing wrong with them is that you’ll need to travel to Europe to attend one. Maybe other continents will adopt the concept because we already love it.
The Stock Hatch Championship is open for anyone wanting to feel the need for speed in an old four-pot banger. Pilots here in the videos look like they simply love to abuse old Citroen Saxos, but you can basically bring anything with a maximum engine capacity of 1,400 cc for multi-valve types or up to 1,600 cc for two-valve-per cylinder.
All you need next is to make sure your vehicle’s mechanical parts are in good shape, strip off unnecessary things, add a rollcage and racing harnesses and you’re ready to hit the tarmac for around £300 per stage.
The engine, transmission and brakes need to be stock but you can change the springs and dampers a bit. Other than that, you’ll need a helmet, a valid MSA Entrants license and a lot of courage, because there’s more action here than in Touring Car championships.
And if you think racing an old front-wheel-drive hatch isn’t fun, do watch a small part of this year’s championship first lap on Snetterton below and you’ll see what we mean. Contact is somehow tolerated and you might easily find yourself on two wheels or heading straight to a barrier.
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