Trials is about how far you go rather than how fast you get there.

A low-speed but highly challenging discipline, it is one of the most accessible forms of the sport and an ideal entry point for newcomers.

How do Trials work?

Trials are all about finding grip in order to progress as far as possible along a course laid out on a hill side. There are three main types of Trials: Car Trials, Sporting Trials and Classic Trials.

Car Trials are for the driver who wants to compete in a road car, so it’s a great place to start. In Sporting Trials, cars are designed especially for the purpose. Classic Trials are the original form of Trials. The cars tend to date from as early the 1930s.

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How do I start?

First,  join your local Trials club, which you can find using the club search function. To compete in Trials (as a driver or passenger) you will need to apply for a free RS Clubman Competition Licence.

This will change as you progress through the sport. More information can be found here. The BTRDA is a good club for novices, as it organises many Trial events and is a rich source of information on the discipline. However, for information on Classic Trials you need to go to the ACTC.

What kind of car do I need?

For Car Trials any road-going, two-wheel-drive vehicle will do the trick, so you can use your road car or buy an old hatchback for a few hundred pounds. Road cars are also suitable for Classic Trials.

Sporting Trials cars are built especially for their purpose and are more expensive at around £15,000. However, they hold their value extremely well and are often sold on for the price that was paid for them.

What equipment do I need?

There are no specific requirements for personal protective equipment in Trials events.

A standard road car can compete without any addition safety items in certain formulae, but other formulae cater for more specialist Trials cars, which are required to carry safety equipment such as a fire extinguisher to acceptable standards.

Technical regulations for Trials are found in section T of the Motorsport UK Yearbook. Specific event or Championship regulations are found in Supplementary Regulations (SRs) made available by the organiser.