Cross-country motorsport · Motorsport UK

Trialling

A trial is a test of control, not speed: drive through eight to twelve marked sections of hillside without stopping or touching a cone. Lowest score wins. It is the cheapest motorsport there is, and one of the friendliest.

A cross-country vehicle throwing up a wall of water on a trials section — CCV trialling — severe ground, where getting stuck is part of the sport

The trials we run

A road-legal Range Rover on a gentle grass Tyro section

Start hereTyro

For newcomers and unmodified vehicles — any road-legal 4x4, in any condition. Sections avoid anything that could cause damage. Drivers from age 13, passengers front and back from 12. Typically £10–£20 on the day.

A dark blue Land Rover Discovery working down an RTV bank

RTV

Road-taxed-vehicle trials: tougher ground for road-legal Land Rovers with MOT, tax and insurance. Driven sensibly, vehicles come home unmarked — mud tyres and recovery points recommended. Drivers from 15.

A caged cross-country vehicle throwing up dust on a steep climb

CCV

Cross-country vehicles: certified roll cages, harnesses and helmets, usually trailered in. Severe terrain where getting stuck is part of the sport. For experienced RTV hands.

A trials car spraying mud against the clock at a timed trial

Timed trials

The same kind of sections, but scored on the clock rather than cleanness — fastest through wins. Usually CCVs, and the quickest, hardest test of car and driver. Drivers £40; the free RS Clubman licence still covers it.

A trial day

08:45: Signing on and scrutineering
09:45: Drivers’ briefing
10:00: First sections
14:00–16:00: Finish, results and the drive home

Entries are booked online at least 24 hours before the event — the form doubles as your Motorsport UK signing-on declaration. Drivers £30 for RTV and CCV, £40 for timed trials. Passengers, marshals and spectators free.

Licences

Every driver and passenger at a competitive event needs a Motorsport UK competition licence. The good news: the RS Clubman licence covers all our trials and is free from motorsportuk.org. Under-18 rear-seat passengers in a Tyro need neither licence nor membership.

You’ll also need club membership — MROC or another ALRC club. Bring both cards on the day.

Marshalling

Trials only run because members marshal them. No experience needed — you’ll be shown the ropes, you get the best view on the hill, and at the Majors a packed lunch is part of the deal. Ask at signing-on or email trialscoordinator@mroc.co.uk.

Spectating

Free, always. Wear boots you don’t mind ruining, expect mud and hills, and follow the marshals’ directions. Most sites have no facilities — event pages say when there are. It’s how most members found the club.

Beyond club trials there’s a whole ladder — comp safaris, hill rallies, winch challenges — run by neighbouring clubs; ask the competition secretary (competition-secretary@mroc.co.uk) where to look next. League tables and results appear in the club journal and the Facebook group.