Largest number of electric vehicles enter UK club event
The largest number of electrified vehicles to compete in a single UK club event were in action in a Sevenoaks & District Motor Club-organised autosolo at Brands Hatch last weekend.
A total of 10 EVS took part, with the fully electric-powered machines competing alongside combustion-engined cars. Seven Tesla Model 3s were among the entry, along with two Model Ss and a Nissan Leaf. Experienced autosolo champion
Alan Wakeman topped the EV class and was classified sixth overall.
Governing body Motorsport UK produced a set of guidelines for the introduction of EVS into grassroots motorsport nearly two years ago, and CEO Hugh Chambers is pleased to see uptake beginning to increase.
Shorter events such as hillclimbs, sprints and autosolos are considered a great way to begin their introduction into national motorsport, while an electric class was also added into the British Rallycross Championship last year.
“The adoption of electric vehicles into various motorsport disciplines reflects a shift in the road vehicle market, which in 2021 saw a doubling of pure electric car sales,” said Chambers. “Different and varied propulsion technologies such as electric vehicles are going to be central in moving UK motorsport towards net-zero emissions, and these technologies are a key feature of Motorsport UK’S sustainability strategy, which was published last year.
“Events such as this will set the benchmark for the future and I would like to congratulate Sevenoaks &
District Motor Club and all those involved for creating the event.”
Club chairman Chris Judge added: “Sevenoaks & District Motor Club have always tried to be innovative and forward-thinking, so the inclusion of standard electric cars is inevitable for club motorsport, and we believe an autosolo should be the ideal introduction for these vehicles.”