WHAT IS AUTOGRASS?
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JUST A BRIEF OUTLINE OF MOTORSPORTS BEST KEPT SECRET.
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There are 11 NASA Classes, differing by type of set up and engine sizes, from near standard 1000cc Minis through to specifically designed spaceframed single seaters with monster V8 or twin motorbike power!
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Up to eight cars start on a straight line grid and race over 4 - 10 laps. This results in the major race meetings, most of which are staged over the course of two days, offering upwards of 200 races! All Classes normally race through qualifying heats and finals followed by, time and weather permitting, open races where all Classes have the opportunity to race each other.
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The social aspect of the sport is a very large factor in what makes the atmosphere so enticing and allows friends from all over the United Kingdom to meet and catch up at the 'larger' events. The family nature is still, as has always been, an important factor - sometimes all members of the same family are seen to be sharing on car and racing at one meeting. Although having said this, Juniors (10 - 16 years) are restricted to two less powerful Classes for obvious reasons.
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Only a small number of Autograss events require competitors to enter prior to the day of racing. With the exception of the National Autograss Championships, which requires qualification / registration, a NASA Licence holder can race at any NASA meeting just by turning up with a car that meets the National Construction Rules for it's Class.
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Please Note: Some meetings throughout the Autograss calendar are restricted. If you are unsure, it is strongly advised that you contact the host Club / League to check whether restrictions are in place before travelling.
Racing Licences are available through a Club of your choice for Mens; Ladies and Juniors. Also available are Mechanics and Social Licences for those who do not wish to race but would still like to be a part of this very affordable motorsport. It is first and foremost an amateur motorsport, so there are always plenty of opportunities to join in and help to run your Club. As time goes by, there are also chances to become more involved with the sport on a high organisational level, or of course you can simply turn up and continue enjoying the racing!
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If you would like to know more specific details, the best place to start is by visiting your local race meeting and witnessing the action first hand. To find your closest Club, please see the Venues page of this website. Once you know which Club you want to visit, you can then find out when they are next racing by visiting the Fixtures page. When you attend an Autograss event, you can speak with people who will always be more than happy to give you more information about the sport. Alternatively, on the Contact page, you can find contact details for the sports Board of Directors and Officials who are always happy to answer any questions you may have.
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about the classes
CLASS ONE
This is one of the ideal classes for beginners to the sport; those who want close racing or are racing to a low budget. This is the only saloon class with which 10 - 16 year olds are able to race the same vehicle in their own category. It's also a class that people with previous racing experience are keen to join.
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A complete family often participate in this class with the same car - Dad racing the mens category, mum in the ladies and their son/daughter racing in the junior category.
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There are no special tuning/modifications allowed in this class. The engine/gearbox must remain basically standard within strictly enforced minimum and maximum tolerances. This helps to ensure that costs are kept within affordable limits and that there is close racing both at Club and National level.
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To ensure that the field is kept as possible, there are a limited amount of vehicles that can be used. At the moment, this includes the classic Mini saloon; Citroen AX; Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra. The engine and gearbox must be from the same car and using an engine no more than 1000cc capacity.
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CLASS TWO
This class is another great one for beginners to the sport and for those starting their Autograss career; those racing on a low budget and those who wish to race either front or rear wheel drive vehicles, although the front wheel drive cars have become far more dominant over the years.
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There are limited modifications allowed in Class Two, the engine and gearbox must remain basically standard within strictly enforced measurements. All the fuel-air mixture must pass through a single 32mm diameter restrictor.
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These measurements help to ensure that costs are kept well within affordable limits and that close racing remains at both Club and National level.
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Cars that may be used in this class may either be front or rear wheel drive saloons or hatchbacks.
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The engine must be of a maximum capacity of 1300cc. To limit the use of 'odd' or 'specialist'cars, the type of vehicle make and model are restricted to those listed in the original 'Palgrave' or 'Glasses Guide Technical Services Data Manual'.
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At present, there are over 200 types of vehicle permitted to race in this class
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CLASS THREE
This class is ideal for those who want to put a 'big' engine in the place of the original. This is a very popular class with a lot of sideways action.
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The Class Three care resemble stadium 'hot rods' as they used to be and to a certain degree, still are now.
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The car used must be a saloon or hatchback and be rear wheel driver. Any front engined, front wheel drive saloon with a wheel base of 2400mm or more may be converted to front engine - rear wheel drive vehicle.
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The engine must be of a minimum of 1421cc capacity. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed; the engine and/or gearbox need not be original to the vehicle used.
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At present, there are many popular choices of car used for this class; both modern and classic vehicles.
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CLASS FOUR
This is the smallest capacity modified engine class, ideal for those who want to squeeze more power than anyone else from a small engine.
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This class is often used as a 'stepping stone' from Class One into the larger, more powerful classes as you can - with relative ease - convert a Class One into a Class Four.
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The car used must be a front or rear wheel drive saloon; hatchback or pickup.
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The engine must be of a maximum 1130cc capacity, be of the type originally fitted to the car and must remain in its original position. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed.
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This is a popular class and consists of mainly classic Minis with a few Imps and Fiats, however the class is now expanding with many different models of car entering the class.
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Click Here to visit the rulebook page
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CLASS FIVE
This is the smallest 'any engine in any car' class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engines, gearboxes and body shell combinations. Any saloon; hatchback or pickup body shell may be used to produce a front or rear wheel drive vehicle. The use of spaceframing is widespread.
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The engine must be between 1131 and 1420cc and have two valves per cylinder. Multi-valve engines are not permitted.
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There are almost unlimited tuning modifications allowed; the engine/gearbox/transaxle/axle need not be original or fitted in its original position.
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This is a popular class consisting of a variety of combinations including Minis; Ford Fiestas; Peugeot 106s; Citroen AXs; Imps and many more. The engine and gearboxes aren't necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original vehicle manufacturer intended or even imagined.
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CLASS SIX
This is a front wheel drive, any engine in any vehicle and modified class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engine and body shell combinations. Any saloon; hatchback or pickup body shell may be used to produce a front wheel drive car.
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The engine must be of a minimum of 1421cc and is of an unlimited maximum capacity, making it the most powerful class for sole front wheel drive saloons.
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There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine/gearbox/transaxle need not be original or fitted in its original position.
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There are a multitude of body shell types currently used with 1.4/1.6/1.8/2.0 SOHC & DOHC engines fitted in Minis; Ford Fiestas; Vauxhall Novas; Vauxhall Corsa and many more, not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original manufacturer intended.
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CLASS SEVEN
This is the 'super saloon' any engine, any vehicle class. You can experiment with various engine and body shell combinations. If you want, you can even fit two engines! Any saloon; hatchback or pickup body shell may be used to produce a rear wheel drive vehicle.
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The engine(s) must be of a minimum capacity of 1421cc and have no maximum capacity with multi-valve engines being allowed in this class.
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With the size of the engines and the unlimited modifications permitted, this is the most powerful saloon class in the sport. The engine/gearbox/transaxle/axle need not be original or fitted in its original position.
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Class Seven cars consist of a multitude of engine types with 1.8/2.0 SOHC & DOHC/V6/V8 engines, mainly mid mounted or two 1.0/1.1/1.2 motorbike engines with gearbox unit chains or gear driven onto a common mounted shaft.
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This class is widely regarded as the most spectacular of the saloon classes, for both driver and spectator for its action packed, sideways racing.
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Body shells often used include Minis; Mini pickups, Fiat Cinquecento, although there are becoming more and more different models and more classic shapes making a reappearance.
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CLASS EIGHT, NINE & TEN
These vehicles with a steel tube spaceframed chassis are either home constructed or professionally built. The 'Specials' classes are split into three classes by the application of an engine capacity and/or engine type limit.
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These 'Specials' are specifically designed to be strongly built enough to withstand a collision or roll over, but are not fitted with bumper bars as deliberate contact is explicitly not permitted.
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There are unlimited modifications allowed, the engine/gearbox/transaxle/axle are free according to each class cc limit and specification. Specials are fitted with a multitude of engine types with 1.0/1.1/1.3 motorbike/1.3/1.4/DOHC engines/1.8/2.0 SOHC & DOHC engines/2.1/2.5 DOHC engines/2.8/3.0/V6/3.5/4.0/5.0 and V8 engines, mainly mid or rear mounted to Hewland/Renault/VW gearboxes or direct drive.
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All of the specials classes are very popular with both spectators and drivers alike as many are geared to achieve in excess of 100mph... which on a 400m oval track isn't slow!
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Class Specification:
Class Eight: Up to 1420cc
Class Nine: 1421cc - 2070cc
Class Ten: Over 2070cc
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JUNIOR SPECIAL
These are a junior version of the adult special classes, with a full spaceframed chassis. Some are made from 'used' adult specials. The Junior Specials, just as their peers, are rear engined - rear wheel drive vehicles.
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All vehicles must use a Vauxhall Corsa 1200cc engine, plus specified Vauxhall gearboxes, original style struts and driveshafts. No engine or gearbox modifications are allowed, apart from some basic reconditioning.
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With cheap donor engines plentiful and older chassis' easy and cheap to come by, this can be a very economic option for the children to enter the sport. The engines and frames are often seen to last an entire five year career and beyond!
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Professionally constructed cars are also available ready built or in kit form. Junior drivers must be between the ages of 10 and 16 years, although adults may drive these cars in a single Club meeting, often in specific 'Dads' or 'Mums' races.
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STOCKHATCH
Stock Hatch Up to 1600cc limited modification front wheel drive hatchback vehicles
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