Sprint

What is Sprint?

In UK motorsport, a Sprint is a high-speed, precision driving discipline where competitors race against the clock, rather than directly against other cars on the track at the same time. Think of it like a time trial.

Here’s a breakdown for a newcomer:

  • The Goal: The aim is to complete a point-to-point course (often on a disused airfield or a dedicated track) in the fastest possible time.
  • One Car at a Time (Mostly): Unlike traditional circuit racing where multiple cars are on track simultaneously, in a sprint, usually only one car is on the same part of the course at a time. This means you’re competing against your own best time and the times of others in your class. Sometimes there might be two or more cars on different parts of the circuit, but they won’t be wheel-to-wheel racing.
  • Practice and Timed Runs: Typically, an event will involve one or more practice runs in the morning to allow drivers to learn the course and get up to speed. In the afternoon (and sometimes to morning too), there will be two or more “timed runs,” and your best time from these will determine your result.
  • Classes for Fair Competition: Cars are grouped into different “classes” based on their type, engine size, and level of modification. This ensures that a standard road car isn’t competing directly against a highly modified specialist sprint car. There are classes for everything from everyday road cars to powerful single-seaters.
  • Where it Happens: Sprints are held at various venues across the UK, including purpose-built race circuits, disused airfields, and even some closed public roads.
  • Getting Started:
    • Licence: You’ll need a competition licence from Motorsport UK (the governing body for motorsport in the UK). A “RS Inter Club Competition Licence” is usually the starting point, although some events run an “Intro” class where an RS Clubman licence is acceptable.
    • Club Membership: Join a local club that organises sprints you want to enter. They’ll organise events and provide information on how to get involved.
    • Car: You can often start with your own road car, with minimal safety modifications required. For more modified or specialist cars, additional safety equipment like roll cages may be necessary.
    • Safety Gear: As a minimum, you’ll need a crash helmet and, for Road Cars, flame-resistant overalls and, for Modified Cars, gloves and Hans.
  • Why it’s Popular:
    • Accessibility: It’s a relatively affordable way to get into competitive motorsport compared to full circuit racing.
    • Variety: You get to drive at different venues and experience various track layouts.
    • Skill Focus: It’s all about precision, car control, and finding the perfect line, providing a great challenge and helping drivers hone their skills.
    • Individual Challenge: It’s just you against the clock, which can be very satisfying when you put together a perfect run.

In essence, a Sprint is about raw speed and precision driving in a controlled environment, making it a fantastic entry point into the exciting world of UK motorsport.

What’s on in Sprint?

Kames Spring Sprint Weekend

  • Date: 2026-04-04
  • Location: Kames Circuit, Furnace Road, Cumnock, Ayrshire, United Kingdom, KA18 3QQ
  • Organiser: East Ayrshire Car Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.eastayrshirecc.co.uk

GRRC Spring Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-06
  • Location: Goodwood Motor Circuit, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom, PO18 0PH
  • Organiser: Goodwood Road Racing Club
  • Find Club: Goodwood Road Racing Club

NUCC April Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-11
  • Location: Nutts Corner Circuit, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, United Kingdom, BT29 4SR
  • Organiser: North Ulster C C Ltd
  • More Info: [NUCCLTD @Hotmail.com](https://NUCCLTD @Hotmail.com)

Portreath Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-11
  • Location: Portreath Airfield, Redruth, United Kingdom, TR16 4RA
  • Organiser: Truro & District Motor Club
  • More Info: www.trurodmc.co.uk/#portreath

Event Image

MG Car Club Ltd Midlands Centre - Spring Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-12
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: MG Car Club Ltd (Midland Centre)
  • More Info: [Contact Dave Russell for further details and an Entry Form at d.a.russell@btinternet.com](https://Contact Dave Russell for further details and an Entry Form at d.a.russell@btinternet.com)

Event Image

Hethel Lotus Sprint Festival

  • Date: 2026-04-12
  • Location: Hethel - Lotus Test Track, NR14 8EZ
  • Organiser: Herts County Auto & Aero Club
  • More Info: www.hertscountyaac.co.uk

Event Image

2026 Two Clubs Llandow Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-18
  • Location: Llandow Circuit, Llandow, Cowbridge, Glamorgan, United Kingdom, CF71 7PB
  • Organiser: Swansea Motor Club
  • More Info: bristolpegasus.com

Doran Moore Memorial Sprints

Event Image

Doran Moore Memorial Sprints (British Sprint Championship)

Event Image

MAC Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-19
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: Midland Automobile Club (Est 1901) Ltd
  • Find Club: Midland Automobile Club (Est 1901) Ltd

Dimanche Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-19
  • Location: Rushmoor Arena, GU11 2FE
  • Organiser: Farnborough District Motor Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.fdmc.org.uk/news

The Regis Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-25
  • Location: Goodwood Motor Circuit, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom, PO18 0PH
  • Organiser: Bognor Regis Motor Club
  • Find Club: Bognor Regis Motor Club

Spring Double Lap Sprint

  • Date: 2026-04-26
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: Sheffield & Hallamshire Motor Club
  • More Info: Sandhmc.co.uk

Mallory Park Sprint Meeting

  • Date: 2026-04-26
  • Location: Mallory Park Circuit, Kirkby Mallory, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, LE9 7QE
  • Organiser: Bentley Drivers’ Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.bdcl.org/motorsport

The Figaty Spring Sprint

  • Date: 2026-05-02
  • Location: Goodwood Motor Circuit, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom, PO18 0PH
  • Organiser: Brighton & Hove Motor Club
  • More Info: bhmc.club

Iain Pinkerton Memorial Sprint 2026

  • Date: 2026-05-02
  • Location: Kames Circuit, Furnace Road, Cumnock, Ayrshire, United Kingdom, KA18 3QQ
  • Organiser: Scottish Sporting Car Club
  • More Info: Scottish Sporting Car Club

VSCC Speed Championship Round 1 - Curborough Speed Trials

  • Date: 2026-05-03
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: Vintage Sports Car Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.vscc.co.uk/page/events?eventID=2036

BMMC Midlands Sprint

  • Date: 2026-05-09
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: British Motorsports Marshals Club Ltd.
  • Find Club: British Motorsports Marshals Club Ltd.

Debden Spring Sprint

  • Date: 2026-05-10
  • Location: Debden Airfield, Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom, CB10 2YA
  • Organiser: Herts County Auto & Aero Club
  • More Info: www.hertscountyaac.co.uk

Event Image

2026 Curborough Figure 8

  • Date: 2026-05-10
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: Caterham and Lotus Seven Club
  • More Info: www.caterhamlotus7.club/

SDCC Double Lap Event

  • Date: 2026-05-17
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: Shenstone & District Car Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.curborough.co.uk

Aintree Spring Sprint

  • Date: 2026-05-30
  • Location: Aintree Motor Racing Circuit, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, L10 8LF
  • Organiser: Liverpool Motor Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.liverpoolmotorclub.com

Event Image

Llandow Spring Sprint

  • Date: 2026-05-30
  • Location: Llandow Circuit, Llandow, Cowbridge, Glamorgan, United Kingdom, CF71 7PB
  • Organiser: Bristol Motor Club
  • More Info: bristolmc.org.uk

Event Image

BARC Wales Summer Sprint 2026

  • Date: 2026-05-30
  • Location: Pembrey Circuit, Pembrey, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom, SA16 0HZ
  • Organiser: BARC (Wales Centre)
  • More Info: barcwales.com/

Event Image

BARC Wales Summer Sprint 2026 (BS)

  • Date: 2026-05-30
  • Location: Pembrey Circuit, Pembrey, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom, SA16 0HZ
  • Organiser: BARC (Wales Centre)
  • More Info: barcwales.com/

Event Image

Summer Single Lap Sprint

  • Date: 2026-05-31
  • Location: Curborough Sprint Circuit, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom, WS13 8EJ
  • Organiser: Sheffield & Hallamshire Motor Club
  • More Info: SandHMC.co.uk/events

Event Image

JIMF Moonlight Sprint

  • Date: 2026-06-05
  • Location: Victoria Avenue, Jersey, JE2 3LU
  • Organiser: Classic & Vintage MRC Of Jersey Ltd
  • More Info: www.jimf.je/

Golspie Sprint June 2026

  • Date: 2026-06-06
  • Location: Littleferry, KW10 6UB
  • Organiser: Caithness Car Club Ltd
  • More Info: caithnesscarclub.co.uk

Abingdon CAR-nival Sprint

  • Date: 2026-06-06
  • Location: Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, OX13 5JZ
  • Organiser: Sutton & Cheam Motor Club
  • More Info: www.abingdoncarnival.com

Brooklands Relived Sprint 26

  • Date: 2026-06-13
  • Location: Mercedes Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom, KT13 0SL
  • Organiser: Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.mmkmc.co.uk

Sprint

  • Date: 2026-06-21
  • Location: Five Mile Road, St. Brelade, Jersey, Jersey, United Kingdom, JE3 8FN
  • Organiser: Jersey Motor Cycle & Light Car Club
  • More Info: Jersey Motor Cycle & Light Car Club