A six hour multi-class race at the famous Spa Francorchamps in an MGB, with everything from GT40’s to 911s all around, a high likelihood of rain and a few hours of racing in the dark - sounds like being thrown in the deep end for someone who has never raced before…

Thankfully the rules are made so that is something that can’t and shouldn’t happen! Before I can even qualify as an entry for the Six Hours I’ll need to have verified races under my belt and an upgraded race license.

Upgrading a license

Immediately after finishing the ARDS test, drivers are holders of a ‘Race Interclub’ license (formerly known as as the ‘National B’ License). As a requirement, the first six races a driver does will require them to display a ‘novice cross’ on the back of their car to alert other drivers that there is someone new at the wheel.

Although the Race Interclub covers most club race meetings in the UK and is often as high as many people need to go in regards to licensing, after obtaining six signatures from clerks of the course verifying six completed races, drivers have the option to upgrade their license to a ‘Race National’ (Formerly known as the ‘National A’). This unlocks more opportunities to take part in bigger championships and to race overseas.

The 2020 Plan

So what’s the plan to get an upgrade license and my six races? - Three double header rounds of the BRSCC MK1 MX5 championship! Seeing as the MX-5 is as close as it gets to driving an MGB, I thought it would make the perfect practice car before I head out in the MGB. With quite a few rounds of the championship to choose from, I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to avoid any clashes with my work commitments.

Sadly with little room to store a race car, I’ve opted to go down the ‘arrive and drive’ route for this season which means finding a team that offers the service! Coincidentally, having looked around at MX-5 specialists for Project NC, I recently came across Kent MX-5 who are based out of Tenterden, Kent. Only a short drive from where I am, they turned out to be very knowledgeable and experienced with all generations of the Japanese roadster.

As it turns out, as well as doing a fantastic job on the road/track alignment for the NC, they also race and prepare cars for the BRSCC MK1 Championship and MK3 Supercup and just so happened to have some spaces available. The stars seem aligned and the first round I’m booked in for is at Brands Hatch in May. As well as being my local circuit, it was also the very first UK race track I visited on photography duties, so it would be really nice to start there with the racing too.

Let’s hope these six races help me race safely and to at least paddle in the deep end at Spa...