Pics from an AutoSolo at Kemble Airfield

[Chris64]

Hi all, thought you might like to see a few snaps from a recent AutoSolo I attended in my Mini.

It was the first competitive event I've entered with it and I wasn't last , depsite some competition from some bigger engined/more highly tuned Frogeye Sprites.

It was absolutely brilliant fun and I would recommed it as a great way of enjoying driving your Mini properly without worrying about speed limits, traffic and speed bumps etc!

The line up - 5 Frogeyes, 1 Spitfire and my Mini (notice how I took out the child seat to save weight ):


This Frog had been owned and raced by the same chap since the early 60's - notice the appropriate reg no.:



My Dad kicking up the dust in his Sprite:


You can just see me spinning the wheels off the start line :


Into the slalom:


Round the cone - hard to know if to use the handbrake or not...:


Spinning up the inside rear:


The overall winner:


Cheers,

Chris

[slowboy]

brilliant ! auto solo looks a great way to learn tests, i take it that the laid down cone tells you which side to go, that should really allow you to wind the mini up , by the way, your cars look fab in their natural surroundings.................being driven ,

[Matt_Tupman]

Absolutely gutted I didn't know about this! only live 10mins from Kemble. Are there anymore events planned locally?

[LMM76C]

Whilst UK "Autosolo" is an excellent way to start in motorsport, it is so annoying that the MSA chickened out of its original assurance to "import" what in the USA is called Autocross or Solo 2 (depending under which US sanctioning body it's organised).
UK Autosolo is, crucially, a vast improvement over Autotests as the absence of reversing avoids much mechanical carnage. Following the US format would have given faster courses and required only a crash helmet (no flame resistant overalls, gloves etc. as required for a sprint or hillclimb). Rumour has it someone within the MSA who had been a factor in requiring full safety clothing for all speed events Didn't like the "halfway house" between speed/safety the US format repesented, so Autosolo was slowed down to something a bit too close to an Autotest and a bit too far from a sprint.

[Chris64]

Slowboy > Yes, that's right about the laid down cone. Although we only put that down on that point for the second runs as the majority of people kept going the wrong way!

Matt > Ah yes I forgot you were in Cirencester too - The event was actually run by the South West region of the Austin Healey Club of which my Dad is a member. I'm sure they would be happy to have another Mini in attendance though so I can instant message you when I hear about the next one.

LMM76C > That's interesting - no having to reversing etc was an attraction as was the more open nature of the course compared to an Autotest.

One thing you do notice after doing your first competitive event is that you start thinking of ways you can improve the car! First off I could do with a more supportive seat and perhaps a fly off handbrake!

[UHR850]

What an very good looking Mk1 you have, congratulations with it.

[Chris64]

Thankyou!