10th & 11th May 2008

After a gap of 12 years or so, the MSA British Autocross Championship got under way with a double header weekend at Braintree in Essex. This was all made possible by the enthusiasm of the Chairman of the Association of Eastern Motor Clubs, John White, who has some 40 years experience in Autocross as both competitor and organiser.

Round one took place on Saturday and round two on Sunday. The weather was absolutely superb on both days and it was great to see an entry of 68 competitors over the weekend; the best entry for an autocross meeting for many years. The track stood up well with three corners being altered to avoid ruts on the Sunday. The only problem was the dust, so the cars had to run singly after the first timed runs on the Saturday in the interest of safety.

The most spectacular incident of the weekend was car no.51, a Citroen AX driven by Melanie Stiles, when the O/S/F wheel dropped into a rut and the car went up onto two wheels. The car then ended up sitting on its front bumper with all four wheels off the ground; the car was completely upright and everyone thought it was going to roll. But luck was on Melanie's side and the car dropped back onto its wheels, she re-started the engine and then continued her run!

On Saturday only two competitors broke the 3 minute barrier, E1 Vauxhall Corsa of Roger Brunt with a 2.58.0 and E717 Buggy Kawasaki of Jimmy Wood with a 2.55.8, which gave FTD to Jimmy Wood.

On Sunday the three fastest were E717 Jimmy Wood with a 2.45.0, E800 Vauxhall Astra of Geoff Holland and D651 VW Golf of Glen Guthrie with a joint time of 2.48.2; so Jimmy Wood took FTD on Sunday as well. Roger Brunt had his clutch break on the 3rd run on Saturday and, despite attempts to repair it, he was unable to compete on the Sunday.

Thanks must go to Green Belt Motor Club and Wickford Auto Club for organising a superb event and thanks also to Langley Park Rally School for their sponsorship of the Championship.