12
MOTORSPORT DAYS ANNUAL
MotorsportDays.com
INTERVIEW
Back in 2010, MotorSport Vision Trackdays
(MSVT), the in-house track day division of
MSV, took the bold step of launching the
MSVT Trackday Trophy, which five years on
continues to provide amuch-needed platform
for trackday enthusiasts and novice racers to
enter the world of competitive motorsport.
The idea is that drivers can gain their race
licence and then go racing, assured of having
the support of MSVT every step of the way.
“MSV fully appreciates that grassroots
motorsport is vitally important to keep the
sport’s entry-level as affordable and accessi-
ble as possible, and to provide an arena
where would-be professionals can develop
and showcase their skills,” MSV explains.
“The MSVT Trackday Trophy was introduced
to provide an easy progression path from
track days to competitive racing.”
So, how exactly does it work? As MSV out-
lines, cars must be fully compliant with Motor
Sports Association (MSA) regulations – they
must have a roll cage, fire extinguisher and cut
off switches – but the regulations for the
seven-round series are reasonably relaxed.
The races themselves are designed for teams
of two drivers, so the running costs can be
shared. Each team must contain at least one
novice driver who has competed in less than
six races before, and experienced drivers are
permitted to race with a novice co-driver. Solo
entries are also acceptable from novices.
As for the four classes, they are determined
on a power-to-weight ratio, and each event
consists of a 30-minute practice/qualifying
session and a 45-minute race, both of which
take place on the same day.
MSDwas keen to gain clarification onwhich
cars are eligible and what type of licence you
need to take part. “Sports cars, hatchbacks
and saloon cars with up to 175bhp/ton are eli-
gible for the Trackday Trophy,” we are told. As
for the licence: “Drivers must hold a valid race
licence of at least National B status. If a driver
holds a National A licence or higher, they must
partner a novice.”
Such was the immediate success of the
Trackday Trophy, a year after it was launched,
MSVT introduced the Team Trophy for the
more experienced drivers, including those
who have gained experience racing in the
Trackday Trophy. The races in the Team Tro-
phy are 60 minutes long and there is an addi-
tional class for more powerful cars with
between 176bhp/ton and 200bhp/ton.
“People like the paddock, it’s a very
friendly, relaxed kind of paddock,” MSV says,
explaining why so many people make the
step up from the Trackday Trophy to the Team
Trophy. “It is competitive racing of course, but
everyone knows it’s gentlemanly racing and I
think that’s why so many people stay with us,
because it’s such a relaxed atmosphere.”
AstheTrackdayTrophyentersitssixthyear,MSV
is confident that it will continue to be an effective
means of making motorsport more accessible.
“The 2015 calendar for both series is taking
shape and is set to build on the five successful
years so far enjoyed by MSVT’s racing,” MSD is
told. Anyone interested inmaking the stepup to
competitive racing should certainly take a look.
More information can be found at
and
The MSVT
Trackday Trophy
was introduced to
provide an easy
progression path
from track days to
competitive racing
’
MAKING MOTORSPORT ACCESSIBLE
AND AFFORDABLE
.
“
Improving access to motorsport is easier said than done, especially when you consider
the size of the budget that is usually needed to race competitively.
MSD
explores how
MotorSport Vision (MSV) is doing its part to help promote the sport at entry level.
”
