Class 1

Standard Production 1000cc Saloons

This class was previously restricted to Minis, but the Fiat Cinquecento (to be phased out in 2012), the Citroen AX, the Citroen Saxo, the Peugeot 106 were added recently. No modifications are allowed apart from those required by NASA safety regulations. It's a very well supported and competitive class; the standard cars are surprisingly quick and it must represent the very cheapest way of going motor racing. Another reason for the popularity of Class 1 is that this is the only class of saloon car allowed to be used by Junior drivers.

Budget guideline £500 - £2,000

 

Class 2

Restricted Saloons up to 1300cc

The second of the entry level classes. Limited engine and suspension modifications are allowed, but equality is ensured by stipulating that all engines must breathe through a 32mm intake restrictor. Front wheel drive Novas, Micras Fiats and Fiestas, Rear-wheel-drive Escorts and Starlets and rear-engined Imps, Suzukis and Skodas are all evenly matched.

Budget guideline £750 - £2,500

 

Class 3

Front-engine rear-wheel-drive Saloons over 1420cc

Often thought of as the "Hot Rod" Class, with any engine allowed in any bodyshell, although multi-valve engines are subject to a maximum of 2070cc. This very well-supported Class is a firm favourite with plenty of sideways action guaranteed from the big-engined Escorts and the hybrid-type cars such as Ford or Vauxhall powered Toyota Starlets. Front-wheel drive cars (such as Peugeot 205 or Ford Fiesta) may be converted to rear-wheel-drive.

Budget guideline £1,000 - £20,000

 

Class 4

Modified Saloons up to 1130cc

This is the smallest and most affordable of the "fully modified" classes with the only restrictions being that the engine must be of a type originally sold in that make of car and must be fitted in the original position. Minis and Imps tend to dominate (many of the Minis being based on lightweight Pickup bodyshells), although Micras, 106/Saxos, Fiats, Fiestas, Metros, Suzukis, etc are also competitive.

Budget guideline £1,000 - £10,000

 

Class 5

Modified Saloons 1131 - 1420cc

Unlike Class 4, this class allows any engine to be used, anywhere in the bodyshell. Although front-wheel-drive Minis used to dominate and are still popular, the recipe for success is now a mid-engined Special, usually Ford or Vauxhall-powered, clothed in a small hatchback bodyshell.

Budget guideline £2,000 - £15,000

 

Class 6

Modified FWD Saloons over 1420cc

One of the most hotly contested classes (including most of the rising numbers of Stock Hatches) – anything goes as long as its’s front-wheel-drive. Favourites are 2-litre 16 valve-powered Vauxhall Novas, but Fiestas, Metros, Golfs and even Minis are equally effective and you can be competitive with a relatively standard car.

Budget guideline £1,000 - £10,000

 

Stock Hatch

Modified FWD Saloons over 1420cc

A very low cost introduction to Autograss Saloon Racing requiring minimal car preparation skills yet offering high-speed racing and room for some creative car building. All components are standard, off the shelf, units. There should be no machining or specialised fabrication in any car. The cars should be easy to build, run and police. The class will work on the principle of honesty and trust

Drivers will be expected to maintain cars in a tidy and presentable condition.

Budget guideline £600 - £1,500

 

Class 7

Modified rear-wheel-drive Saloons over 1420cc

Probably the greatest crowd-pleaser, these are the ultimate "Supersaloons". The idea is to cram the biggest, most powerful engine you can find into the smallest, lightest body shell and drive it foot flat to the floor! You'll see Fiestas, Escorts, Metros and Mini Pickups like you've never seen before, with V8 or V6 engines, often supercharged or turbo charged, or twin motorbike engines, sitting where the rear seat should be.

Budget guideline £4,000 - £20,000 +

 

Class 8

Specials up to 1420cc

The smallest Specials class provides close and fast racing with the majority of cars powered by high-revving and widely available motorbike engines. Many of the bike engines are tuned to the ultimate, but standard engines are usually competitive at club level. Chassis are readily available from a number of specialist Autograss constructors although a number of drivers still build their own chassis.

Budget guideline £3,000 - £15,000

 

Formula 600

Specials up to 1420cc

Founded in 2002 by a number of Leewood Autograss members, the F600 class is in essence an introductory specials class which runs to class 8 specifications with further restrictions imposed. This is an attempt to reduce cost and increase the quantity of specials racing at club level. It has been proven that a brand new F600 with all new components can be built for less than £3500.

Budget guideline £3,000 - £5,000

 

Class 9

Specials 1421 - 2065cc

The motorbike engines that now dominate the other Specials classes are excluded from Class 9, which features cars powered by a variety of easily affordable engines such as the Vauxhall 16 valve, Ford Pinto or Fiat or Alfa Romeo Twin Cams, giving plenty of usable power in near standard form, mounted on a VW transaxle if the budget won't run to a Hewland racing box. Transversely-mounted Vauxhall or Citroen engines are increasingly offering an even cheaper alternative.

Budget guideline £2,000 - £20,000 +

 

Class 10

Specials over 2065cc, & Twin Engines

These are the ultimate machines in which to go Autograss Racing, with no limits on engine capacity or tuning, once again in lightweight mid-engined single-seaters. V6 and V8 engines once dominated and the popularity and reliability of the Ford V6 and Rover or Chevy V8 engines means that it's still possible to race in this exciting class on a limited budget at club level, although the professionally built twin bike-engined cars now rule the roost at the bigger meetings.

Budget guideline £5,000 - £20,000 +

 

Junior Saloons

Drivers aged 12 – 16 years

Juniors are only allowed to race the Unmodified Class 1 (see above) saloons or the new Junior Special cars (see below). All drivers must pass a test of competence and safety before being permitted to race.

Budget guideline £500 - £2,000

 

Junior Specials

Drivers aged 12 – 16 years

Autograss’ newest class, introduced in 2005, allows Juniors aged 12 - 16 to race open-wheel Autograss machinery, presenting an exciting and affordable alternative to Kart racing. All cars are powered by standard 44 bhp 1200cc Vauxhall Corsa engines with standard gearboxes and many standard suspension components. Chassis are available from specialist constructors Z-Cars, GB Engineering and ARD, but you may build your own or adapt an existing chassis. Adult racers may also drive these cars, at single-day club events only.

Budget guideline £2,500 - £5,000

 

Ladies

Class 11: Ladies’ Production Saloons

Class 1 and Class 2 cars race together, with a handicapped start.

Class 12: Ladies’ Modified Saloons

Class 4, 5 and Class 6 cars race together, with a handicapped start.

Class 13: Ladies’ Modified Saloons

Class 3 and Class 7 cars race together, with a handicapped start.

Class 14: Ladies’ Specials

Class 8, 9 and 10 cars race together, with a handicapped start.

 

Ladies’ races feature at all Autograss meetings. Some have their own cars but many share the driving, making this a real family sport - a Class 1 car may race in Men’s, Ladies’ and Junior classes on the same day.

 

Stock Hatches