Hartlepool car park will become stunt track for motor club event

Hartlepool & District Motor Club secretary Stu Leighton in his Nissan Micra at a previous event.

Hartlepool and District Motor Club is holding its first club championship gathering of 2017 this Sunday.

Seaton Carew’s Fairground car park is the location of the meeting, with club chiefs hoping for a big turnout.

Chris Langan from the Hartlepool and District Motor Club at the sandy car park Seaton Carew. Picture by FRANK REID

Mini Coopers, BMWs and Nissan Micra cars are all set to feature, with former British autotest champion Richard Pinkney scheduled to make an appearance.

“It’s an auto-test event which is basically stunt driving around a set course involving moves such as handbrake turns, reversing around bollards etc,” said Chris Langan, who is competitions secretary at the club.

“We’ve got our own special timing gear which is very accurate and we’ll be running that on two courses at the same time.

“The turnout is always good and we’ve got 25 entries to take part so far.

“Hopefully the weather is not like it was last weekend and we get plenty of people coming along to watch.”

Hartlepool and District Motor Club was formed in 1903, making it one of the world’s oldest motoring groups.

Members used to race cars and bikes up and down Seaton Carew Beach in days gone by, but this no longer happens.

Mr Langan added that the club hope to see an interest from younger drivers in Hartlepool.

“We want to encourage a few local lads to come along,” he said.

“So many people write their cars off within the first few years of driving and a lot of that is too much confidence and not enough skill.

“Some think what we put on is just lashing cars around a car park but it helps to make people safer drivers because for example, when there are wet conditions, they end up knowing how to steer and not go off the road if they have that experience.”

Sunday’s meeting has been sanctioned by the Motor Sports Association, which is part of the Royal Automobile Club.

Risk assessments have been carried out ahead of the event and the emergency services have approved the operation.

Barriers will be in place and event officials on hand to help with any concerns brought to their attention.

Parking will be available for spectators on the day.

The event is set to run from 10am to 3.30pm.