There’s no disputing the success enjoyed by the 750 Motor Club over the past few years, with its mix of affordable championships consistently proving popular with drivers. For three seasons in a row, it has topped Autosport’s average grid size charts among the leading national racing organisers, giving a clear indication of how it’s pulling in the crowds. But, equally, the club’s bosses are well aware of the need to continually improve and evolve, and some of its latest initiatives will be highlighted at this week’s Autosport show.
While many of its categories flourished in 2023, that successful theme was far from universal. One of the 750MC series that struggled a little was Bikesports, which – as the name suggests – caters for bike-engined sports-prototype machinery, chiefly Radicals and Mittells. And, given its numbers fell by 12% last year to sit at the bottom of the 750MC table, the club is working hard to boost its fortunes this time around.
Grid sizes analysis: How club racing proved resilient in 2023
A new race weekend format has been devised for the championship, which will not only increase its track time by 18% by moving to a 15-minute qualifying session and two 25-minute races, but also the second of these contests will feature a mandatory pitstop for all drivers, while the first will have the top eight qualifiers reversed on the grid. These moves are designed to attract more drivers and make the fighting at the front even more competitive.
The series will be showcased in the NEC halls this week on a satellite stand to the main 750MC display. Reigning champion Leon Morrell’s title-winning Radical SR3 will be in attendance, and Morrell will be on hand to talk about how to get involved in Bikesports, which offers a more affordable alternative to some of the other prototype categories that exist. RJ Motorsport boss Josh Smith is also due to bring one of his arrive-and-drive cars to demonstrate another way of getting on the grid.
But the 750MC is taking a slightly different approach for its main stand (located in Hall 3, 3280). The club has been a long-term fixture at the Autosport show, and this year it is looking to use the event as a shop window, quite literally, for how people can start upon their racing journey.
“You would want to get as many cars there as possible, but it’s difficult when you’ve got 24 series or championships,” admits the 750MC’s James Winstanley. “The idea was just to try and do something a bit different.
“Last year at the show we sold a couple of cars that were on display and thought, coming into the new season, let’s see if we can sell a few more. So, on the main stand, we’ve got six cars on display and they’re all for sale and, if someone agrees to buy one, we will give them two free race entry fees for 2024.”
Source: Autosport