Autograss is split up into 11 classes ranging from the standard mini's of class 1 to the purpose built specials of classes 8, 9 & 10 click on the links below for a brief description of each class
CLASS 1
This class is ideal for beginners to the sport, those racing to a low budget and is also one of the 2 classes in which 12 - 16 year olds (Juniors) may race. A complete family often race the same car in this class, Dad in the Men's races, Mum in the Ladies races and Junior (girl or boy) in the Junior races. Sometimes they even have a car each. There are no special tuning modifications allowed, the engine/gearbox must remain basically standard within strictly enforced maximum and minimum tolerances. This ensures that costs are kept within affordable limits and that there is very close racing in this class. The car used must be a Mini, Citreon AX or Fiat Cinquecento.
CLASS 2
This class is ideal for beginners to the sport, those racing to a low budget and those who wish to race either a Rear Wheel Drive or Front Wheel Drive vehicle. There are limited special tuning modifications allowed, the engine gearbox must remain basically standard within strictly enforced measurements. All the fuel-air mixture must pass through a single 32mm diameter restrictor. This ensures that costs are kept within affordable limits and that there is very close racing in-this class. The car used may be of either Rear Wheel Drive, either a saloon, estate or hatchback, or Front Wheel Drive either a saloon or hatchback. The engine must be of a maximum of 1300cc capacity. To limit the use of "odd' or "specialist" cars the types of vehicle make and model are restricted to those that are listed in the original Palgrave and now Glasses Guide Technical Services Data Manuals. At present there are over 200 different types of car makes & models eligible for this class. e.g, Ford Fiesta, Escort, Orion, Toyota Starlet/Corolla, Mazda 323, Hillman Imp (875cc only), Suzuki SCIOO, Skoda 120, 130, & 135/6, Vauxhall Nova, Astra, Cavalier, VW Polo, Golf, Rover Maestro, Montego, Nissan Micra, Fiat Uno, Strada, Peugeot 205, Renault Clio, Seat Ibiza, etc,
CLASS 3
This class is ideal for those who want to put a 'big' engine in place of the original engine. This is a popular class with very close fast sideways racing. The cars resemble stadium 'Hot Rods' as they used to be and to a certain degree, as they are now. The car used must be a saloon or hatchback and have Rear Wheel Drive. Any front engined, front wheel drive saloons with a wheelbase of 2300mm or more may be converted to front engine rear wheel drive. The engine must be of a minimum of 1421 cc capacity and have 2 valves per cylinder, or multi-valve engines under 2000cc. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine/gearbox/axle need not be original. At present there are many popular combinations of body shell & engines. e.g. RWD Ford Escort Mk I & 2, Sierra, Toyota Starlets, Talbot Sunbeam, converted FWD Peugeot 206 & 309, all fitted with one of the following engines: Ford 2.1 & 2.5 Pinto / Vauxhall 2.0 VW 1.9 Rover V8 / Ford V6 / Renault V6 etc.
CLASS 4
This is the smallest capacity modified engine class, ideal for those who want to squeeze more power than anyone else out of a small engine. The car used must be a Front or Rear Wheel Drive saloon, hatchback, van or pick up. The engine must be of a maximum of 1130cc capacity, be of the type originally fitted to the car and must remain in its original position. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed This is a popular class and consists of mainly Mini's with a few Imps and Fiats. The class is ideal for the latest generation of under 1130cc cars such as the Citroen AX, VW Polo, Vauxhall Nova, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 106 & 205 Fiat Uno 60 and Rover 111.
CLASS 5
This is the smallest any engine in any vehicle modified class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engine, gearbox & body shell combinations. Any body shell i.e. saloon, hatchback, van or pick up, may be used to produce a Front or Rear Wheel Drive vehicle The engine must be of a minimum of 1131cc and a maximum of 1420cc and have 2 valves per cylinder, multi-valve engines are not allowed. There are almost unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle / axle need not be original or fitted in its original position. This is a popular class and consists of mainly Mini's, Nova's, Fiesta's Peugeot 106's Citroen AX's and Imp's, with the engine and gearboxes not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original vehicle manufacturer intended or imagined. This class is ideal for the latest generation of under 1420cc cars such as the Citroen AX, Peugeot 106 & 205, Vauxhall Astra, Nova & Corsa
CLASS 6
This is the any engine in any vehicle class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engine & body shell combinations. Any body shell i.e. saloon, hatchback, van or pick up, may be used to produce a Front Wheel Drive vehicle. The engine must be of a minimum of 1421 cc and of an unlimited maximum capacity, multi-valve engines are allowed and this class is ideal for the latest generation of 1421 cc and over cars such as the Citroen AX, Ford Escort, VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Nova & Corsa, Nissan Micra and Peugeot 106, 205 & 306. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle axle need not be original or fitted in its original position. There are a multitude of body shell types currently used with 1.4 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 SOHC & DOHC engines fitted in Mini's, Fiesta's, Nova's Corsa's etc; not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original vehicle manufacturer intended.
CLASS 7
This is the any engine in any vehicle 1421 cc capacity and above modified engine class, ideal for those who want to experiment with various engine & body shell combinations. If you want you can even fit 2 engines! Any body shell i.e. saloon, hatchback, van or pick up, may be used to produce a Rear Wheel Drive vehicle. The engine or engines must be of a minimum or combined capacity of 1421cc and of a free maximum capacity, multi-valve engines are allowed. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle / axle need not be original or fitted in its original position. Class 7 cars consist of a multitude of body shell types with 1.8, 2.O SOHC & DOHC/V6/V8 engines mainly midmounted or twin 1.0 / 1. I / 1.2 motorbike engine & gearbox units chain driven onto a common drive shaft. This is the most spectacular of the saloon classes is very popular with the spectators for its noise and action and consists of mainly Peugeot's Nova's, Fiesta's Renault Clio's etc; with the engines and gearboxes not necessarily being of the type originally fitted or even in the position the original vehicle manufacturer intended or imagined.
CLASS 8, 9 & 10
These are vehicles with a steel tube spaceframe chassis, either home constructed or professionally built, divided into three classes by the application of an engine capacity and/or engine type limit. The specials are built to withstand a collision or roll over, but are not fitted with nerf bars, bumper bars etc; as deliberate contact is definitely not allowed. There are unlimited tuning modifications allowed, the engine / gearbox / transaxle / axle types are free according to each class cc limit and specification. Class 8 are mainly fitted with motorcycle engines up to 1300cc, class 9 must be fitted with car type engines from 1421cc upto 2070cc with vauxhall 2.0 SOHC & DOHC and normally aspirated cosworth's being very popular. Class 10 has a minimum engine capacity of 2071cc and has no upper limit this class mainly consits of big V6 or V8's and twin motorcycle powered machines. All of the special classes are very popular with the spectators for their noise and action. Most are geared to achieve speeds of 100 Mph +
JUNIORS
12-16 year olds may race either Class 1 Minis or Junior Specials.
Junior Specials were new for the 2005 season and are ideal for younger members who want to progress into the open wheeled classes or racing to a low budget.
The cars construction is very simular to that of the other 3 specials classes but the cars are restricted to 1200cc Vauxhall Corsa engines, there are no special tuning modifications allowed, the engine/gearbox must remain basically standard within strictly enforced maximum and minimum tolerances., drivetrains and suspension components are also restricted. This ensures that costs are kept within affordable limits. Racing in this class should bring some very close and competitive racing and is definatly a class to watch.