National Motorsport Week Delivers Grassroots Thrills
- Cat Lund
- Jul 31, 2025
- 7 min read
National Motorsport Week once again put the spotlight on grassroots motorsport, with clubs across the Association of North East & Cumbria Car Clubs (ANECCC) delivering a varied and action-packed programme of events.
Derek McGarrity and Damien Garvey won the Dunfermline Car Club Mach 1 Stages in their Škoda Fabia Rally2. Photo: Davie Hatrick, Dunfermline Car Club
From the demanding stages of Campbeltown to the picturesque lanes around Alnwick, competitors and enthusiasts came together to celebrate the vibrant community that underpins the sport at a local level.
This year’s celebration brought together a diverse mix of motorsport disciplines -rallying, autotests, treasure hunts, hill climbs, and classic car runs - reflecting the breadth and depth of club-level motorsport in the region. Each event was organised and supported by dedicated volunteers, passionate club members, and new faces keen to get involved, reinforcing the sense of camaraderie and shared enjoyment that define the north’s motorsport scene. For many, it was a chance to renew old friendships, introduce family and friends to the sport, and showcase just how accessible and welcoming club motorsport can be.
Motorsport Week Highlights
Dunfermline Car Club MACH 1 Stages Rally – 12–13 July
Hosted at Machrihanish Air Base near Campbeltown, Dunfermline Car Club’s Mach 1 Stages Rally provided two days of intense competition over Twelve special stages, reaffirming the rally's reputation as one of the most significant tarmac events in the region.
Mach 1 Stages winners. Photo: Davie Hatrick, Dunfermline Car Club
The event was a key round in several major championships and attracted a strong entry with a healthy number of competitors rising to the challenge of the unique venue. After a competitive run, it was Derek McGarrity and Damien Garvey who came out on top, guiding their Škoda Fabia Rally2 to overall victory.
Mach 1 Stages competitors. Photo: Davie Hatrick, Dunfermline Car Club
As ever, the rally wasn’t just about the results. The rally also hosted the Mach 1 Junior Stages, an important round for both the Junior 1000 Écurie Écosse Challenge and the English Junior Rally Championship. Young drivers aged 14 to 17 had the chance to take on the same special stages as the main field, gaining valuable experience in a fully competitive environment, all within a carefully managed and supportive setting. The inclusion of both the Scottish and English junior championships at Machrihanish highlights the Dunfermline CC’s commitment to encouraging new talent and providing a clear pathway for the next generation of rally competitors. This year’s event also featured a charity raffle that raised £734, which the club kindly rounded up to £1,000 to support local causes – a reminder of the generosity and community spirit that define grassroots motorsport.
West Cumbria Car Club Autotest - Sunday 13 July
West Cumbria Car Club held their autotest at Whinns Farm, High Harrington, on Sunday 13 July, welcoming a good mix of regular competitors and first-timers.
Autotests are all about car control, with drivers tackling a set route marked by cones - completing tight manoeuvres, quick direction changes, and the occasional reverse, all against the clock. The format makes it a popular entry point for anyone wanting to try motorsport without the need for a specially prepared car.
West Cumbria Car Club autotest at Whinns Farm. Photo: Lindsay Burnip
The event ran smoothly, giving each competitor several runs and plenty of opportunity to swap stories and tips between attempts. There were some quick times from the more experienced drivers, but the real focus was on encouraging everyone to have a go and enjoy some honest competition in a relaxed setting.
The club kept things straightforward, making sure everyone could get involved and go home feeling they'd had a proper day out. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and a great showcase for how accessible and fun grassroots motorsport can be.
Durham Auto Club Treasure Hunt - Wednesday 16 July
Durham Auto Club held its annual treasure hunt at Quebec, near Durham. The event offered a mapped route with clues to be solved along the way, making use of local roads and landmarks. Crews worked in pairs or small teams to follow the instructions and answer questions at various points, testing their navigation skills and attention to detail.
Durham Auto Club held its annual treasure hunt at Quebec. Photo: Lindsay Burnip
The treasure hunt provided a relaxed and sociable evening, with an emphasis on participation rather than competition. Finishing at a local pub, it gave everyone the chance to catch up and share their experiences from the route. Events like this remain a valued part of the club calendar, giving members and newcomers alike a practical introduction to motorsport and the opportunity to enjoy the local area in good company.
Alnwick & District Motor Club Treasure Hunt - Thursday 17 July
On Thursday 17 July, Alnwick & District Motor Club organised a treasure hunt that took crews on a drive around Alnwick and the surrounding area. Starting from Willowburn Industrial Estate, teams set off to follow a carefully planned route, picking up clues and answering questions linked to local features and points of interest. The evening was well supported, with a steady stream of cars heading out to tackle the route. The emphasis was on navigation and observation (puffin spotting is tricky from a moving car) rather than speed, making the event accessible for drivers and navigators of all experience levels.
Alnwick & District Motor Club Treasure Hunt route. Photo: Lindsay Burnip
Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club Barbon Hill Climb - Saturday 19 July
Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club, in partnership with Liverpool Motor Club, hosted the Barbon Hill Climb on Saturday 19 July at the well-known Barbon Manor hill climb course in Cumbria. The event attracted a varied field of cars and drivers, each aiming to set their fastest time on the challenging 675-metre course. Hill climb events like Barbon offer a unique test of speed and precision, with competitors taking turns to tackle the hill one at a time against the clock.
Barbon Hill Climb. Photo via Facebook / Katy Mashiter
With a strong entry and well-run organisation, the day delivered a full programme of timed runs and close results across the classes. The atmosphere in the paddock reflected the mix of competition and camaraderie that characterises club motorsport. Barbon Hill Climb remains a highlight of the regional calendar, drawing competitors and supporters from across the North and beyond.
Spadeadam Motor Club Three Counties Run - Sunday 20 July
Spadeadam Motor Club held their Three Counties Run on Sunday 20 July, a touring assembly that welcomed a range of classic and modern cars for a full day’s motoring through some of the region’s best scenery. Covering around 150 miles, the route was carefully planned to take in a mix of rural roads, villages, and points of interest across three counties.
The event attracted a strong entry, with crews setting off from a single start point and following detailed instructions throughout the day. While not competitive, the focus was on enjoying the drive, meeting fellow enthusiasts, and making the most of what the area has to offer. Stops along the way provided a chance to regroup, catch up with other crews, and take in the views. The Three Counties Run continues to be a highlight of the club’s social calendar, bringing people together for a relaxed day of classic motoring and good company.
De Lacy Motor Club Catterick Targa Rally – Sunday 20 July
The Catterick Targa used gravel roads around the extensive MOD venue at the home of the British Army in the north. Photo: Gary Plimer Motorsport Photography
De Lacy Motor Club ran the Catterick Targa Rally on Sunday 20 July, making full use of the Ministry of Defence training estate at Catterick. As a round of the BTRDA Gold Star Targa Rally Championship, along with several regional series, the event featured 12 tests across a mix of surfaces from broken tarmac, to concrete roads, and gravel tracks – providing over 60 miles of competitive driving on private roads.
The event filled up in less than 12 hours, showing the strong demand for this type of grassroots event. 70 crews took the start and competitors faced a full day of driving, with each test designed to reward accuracy and consistency rather than outright speed. The targa format welcomes both experienced and novice crews, and the use of test diagrams means that navigation is straightforward, helping to keep the event accessible and enjoyable. By keeping the entry fee as low as possible and focusing on participation, De Lacy Motor Club continues to make grassroots motorsport available to a wide range of competitors.
Wigton Motor Club Autotest - Sunday 20 July
Wigton Motor Club rounded off National Motorsport Week with an autotest on Sunday 20 July. The event gave drivers the opportunity to put their car control and precision to the test on a series of timed courses marked out by cones.
Autotests remain a popular entry point into motorsport, as they are straightforward to run and open to a wide range of cars and drivers. The focus at Wigton was on providing an enjoyable and accessible event for all, whether seasoned competitors or those trying motorsport for the first time. Each participant had several attempts at the tests, with plenty of encouragement and advice available from club members and organisers.
The day was well supported, reflecting Wigton Motor Club’s ongoing commitment to grassroots motorsport and the friendly, welcoming atmosphere the club is known for. For many, it was a fitting end to a week that showcased the best of local club motorsport across the region.
National Motorsport Week across the North East and Cumbria demonstrated exactly what makes club motorsport so special: inclusivity, enthusiasm, and a genuine sense of belonging. Every event reflected the commitment and hard work of organisers, marshals and volunteers, and member clubs across the region put the spotlight on just how accessible and inclusive grassroots motorsport is.
Our member clubs celebrated competition and provided a great opportunity to make new friends, develop new skills, and encouraged more people to get involved. By focusing on participation and enjoyment, ANECC member clubs show how motorsport at this level brings people together. Most activities need nothing more than an ordinary road car and a sense of enthusiasm, with formats that favour skill, observation and teamwork over outright speed.
ANECCC is proud to support its member clubs as they continue to champion accessible and sustainable motorsport at every level. Whether you’re interested in competing, navigating, marshalling, or simply supporting your local events, there is a place for you in our community.
We invite anyone inspired by National Motorsport Week to contact their local club or visit the ANECCC website for more information about future events.
