Autocross or Autograss?


The terms Autocross and Autograss can be a bit confusing to the newcomer.  Here I’ll try to explain the differences and how each sport evolved.

MSA Autocross  http://www.msabritishautocrosschampionship.co.uk

Autocross dates back to the early 1950's. The competition takes place on a temporary circuit usually set up on a grass or stubble field.

A competitor will get a three lap practice session and three or four timed runs of three or four laps. The circuits are approximately 1000 meters per lap and will contain a variety of bends.

Traditionally the format is 2 cars start side by side and race against the clock, this varies from region to region.
 

During the 1960’s Autocross was one of Britain's most popular and professional forms of motor-sport, with the likes of rally ace Roger Clark, HotRod champion Barry Lee and European Truck Racing Champion Rod Chapman tacking part. The Players No6 national championship continued until the 1967 foot-and-mouth outbreak and the launch of the new sport Rallycross.

Autocross continued to be popular throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's while Rallycross became semi professional with lots of televised events and incredibly expensive 4wd cars.

NASA Autograss. http://www.national-autograss.co.uk/

National Autograss takes place on an oval (approximately 400 meters) using a natural soil surface. Racing is strictly non-contact, up to 8 cars start on a straight line grid and race over 4-8 laps. The sport dates dates back to the 1960's, Grass Track and Jalopy clubs merged and formed regional leagues. As the sport became more professional the name Autograss was adopted. It is only since the early 90's that the sport has become fully national with a common set of regulations and class structure.

Autocross or Autograss?

Having competed in Autocross and Autograss, I would recommend both, but I prefer Autocross. The non oval tracks are more challenging. You can use a greater variety of cars including road cars, sports cars, rally cars, four wheel drive cars and specials. The cars are built to MSA regulations, this allows crossover from one MSA sport to another. My car was originally built for Sprints and Hill-climbs, the only modifications required to make it suitable for Autocross were to the suspension, a bit of beefing up and off-road tyres.

For me timed events are special, each time you go out you are racing yourself trying to improve your driving technique, striving to get your race car set-up just right. If you beat others in the process all the better.

Entry fees

A non championship Autograss gate fee is £6, plus you will usually pay a £3 signing on fee. A family of 4 would expect to pay about £25. Double that amount for two meetings you pay £50.


MSA Autocross and NASA Autograss have many similarities; they both share the same ethos to promote friendly club level motor-sport for the amateur on a grass field. The most significant difference is the number of events and active competitors. Autograss has grown to be arguably the popular motor-sport in the UK. Autocross has decreased in popularity since its peak in the 1960’s.

I suspect the most significant reason for the reversal of fortunes is entry fees. NASA oversee Autograss for the amateur, they do everything in their power to keep costs down. As the governing body for professional motor-sport the MSA are not under the same financial pressure. The most telling point is when you first apply for a license. The NASA license is printed on a postcard. The MSA licence is a high tech credit card; it comes with a glossy rule book, a promotional DVD and follow up glossy magazines. The information contained within is mostly irreverent to the Autocross competitor but sometimes interesting. (Parents fighting at kart meetings).

The motor clubs who actually organise Autocross meetings are doing their best to keep costs down. The most significant recent innovation is the two day weekend meeting.

Spectators and family members attend an Autocross for free, overnight camping is free. Travel costs to and from meetings are reduced. You get a better motor-sport experience.

Remember the £50 for two days Autograss?

All things considered the £95 entry fee for two days Autocross is not too bad.

Autocross Braintree 2009