500 MRCI 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland Ltd, Kirkistown Racing Circuit, 130 Rubane Road, Kircubbin, Co. Down, BT22 1AU email: info@kirkistown.com phone: 028 4277 1325

Race Licence

Though motor racing can never be truly cheap, racing at club level is the backbone of the sport in this country and need not be prohibitively expensive. It is still possible to race competitively in a car, which you have driven to the circuit. Novice racing drivers will be obliged to undergo a half days training at one of the Association of Racing Drivers’ Schools (ARDS), before they can obtain a National B Licence.

Kirkistown Racing Circuit

Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit is a permanent motorsport circuit located between the villages of Kirkistown and Portavogie, on the Ards Peninsula of County Down in Northern Ireland. The circuit is owned and operated by the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland (500 MRCI), who opened the circuit in 1953 on the site of the former RAF Kirkistown Air Force base.

Motorsport UK

Motorsport UK sets minimum safety standards for the equipment you must wear and your car must have, e.g. a roll cage, harnesses and a fire extinguisher. With all the safety requirements that both the cars and the circuit have to adhere to and the on-site medical facilities you are considerably safer on track than you are out on the road.
This ‘Competitor Information’ page is written in a way that will give help to people wanting to start racing in this class along with information for people who already have a race licence.
MSA 'GO RACING' STARTER PACK

Race Licence

Going racing doesn’t have to be expensive; gaining a licence isn’t particularly complicated. It’s fun and once you’ve taken those first few steps we guarantee you’ll never look back. The buzz from driving a race car is impossible to match and the adrenaline rush of competing is massively addictive. Only a racer knows just how good it feels to race wheel-to-wheel with fellow competitors. The off-track action is equally enjoyable, you’ll meet like-minded new friends who will offer help when you need it and have fun with at the end of the day. How good do I need to be? Of course, until you’re actually out on the track you won’t know your skill level, but as long you can drive a car then you will be good enough to get started. Remember to give yourself time to learn and improve at your own pace. When you take the test to gain your licence you will need a basic understanding of the racing line and the technique required but this will be explained to you on the day. Will I make a fool of myself? No. The trained instructor will help you on the licence test day, and the championship co-ordinator will help you at your first race meeting. It’s very likely that there will be plenty of other drivers on track for the first time Is it safe? Modern circuits are designed with safety as the number one priority ensuring all racers are thoroughly protected. Circuits are subject to regular stringent checks and the race meetings can only be held if they are up to standard. All meetings are marshalled by trained volunteers, professional medical crews and doctors and most have fully staffed on-site medical centres too. If you do need assistance help will always arrive within seconds. The controlling body for motorsport in the UK is Motorsport UK, who derive their authority from the FIA in Geneva. The FIA is the highest international body involved in the administration of Motor Sport. All competitors need to obtain a Competition Licence from the Licensing department of the Mortorsports UK In order to start circuit racing you need to request a “Starter” pack from Mortorsport UK which will include an application form and details of ARDS courses offered by various Racing Schools. It is necessary for all new Competition Racing Licence holders to attend and pass an ARDS course and the ARDS examiners will endorse a successful candidates Competition Licence application form. After watching the Mortorsport UK video you will sit the first part of the test which is a two-part written assessment to check your knowledge of Section Q of the Motorsport UK Competitors and Officials Yearbook (blue book) on Car Racing. Then, it's on to the driving part of the test where instructors will assess your track driving during a 20 minute lapping session. You must be able to demonstrate that you are a competent circuit driver and that you can lap consistently in a safe and controlled manner amongst other 'traffic'. You must also show your knowledge of the racing line and ultimately assure the instructor that you are safe and able to enter your first race. Don't worry - they will not be looking for you to set a new lap record and although it is a test, you'll enjoy yourself as well! At the end of that just send the paperwork to Mortorsport UK and you will have gained your National B race licence and you’re ready to go racing. Congratulations! All you need now is a car and you’re off on the start of a whole new chapter in your life, one where you can call yourself a racing driver.
Mortorsport UK set minimum safety standards for the equipment you must wear and your car must have a roll cage, harnesses and a fire extinguisher, all of which is examined closely during scrutineering. With all the safety requirements that both the cars and the circuit have to adhere to and the on-site medical facilities, you are considerably safer on track than you are out on the road. All the basic rules governing participation in motor sport events in the UK are contained in the current Motorsport UK Regulations. To enjoy the sport to the full, Organisers, Competitors and Officials should ensure they are familiar with the regulations relevant to their own particular discipline, in this case circuit racing. 2024 Motorsport UK regulations - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD For those taking part in circuit racing the simple way to read the Year Book is to read the sections in the following order; Section J: Competitors – Vehicles Section Q: Circuit Racing Section K: Competitors – Safety Section J has the regulations that concern every vehicle taking part in motorsport. Section Q will detail specific regulations for cars that are involved in circuit racing. Section Q will also list the regulation numbers for the safety items detailed in Section K, i.e. rollcage, fire extinguisher, etc; that cars require before taking part in racing. Along with reading the Motorsport UK regulations above, you need to read the current MODI-5-CUP Sporting and Technical regulations as issued by the 500MRCI. These regulations set out the modifications you can and can’t make to the MX5 race car, what it is required to have e.g. what springs it has to run, what gearbox ratios it has to have, etc.

Motorsport UK Regulations

The information contained on this page is presented for convenience only. While every effort will be made to keep it up to date, in the event of any disputes the official version of the regulations will be the version published by the 500MRCI. The MODI-5-Cup is organised and administered by the 500 MRCI Ltd. in accordance with the General Regulations of the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA) and these 2024 Race Series Sporting & Technical Regulations. Kirkistown race dates for 2024 - March 23rd, April 27th, May 25th, June 22nd, July 27th, August 31st, September 28th. There will be a qualifying and two races at each meeting. This series is for competitors participating in the following MX5 cars - Eunos/Miata origin 1989 – 2005. There may be an A and a B class within each race depending on the modification level of the cars that take part in the series. This would allow highly modified cars and less modified or Stage Rally and Sprint-Hillclimb cars to score points in the appropriate Modi5cup race series class. USEFUL NUMBERS Race Series 500MRCI Office 02842 771325

Race Dates, Cup Sporting & Technical Regulations

COMPETITOR INFORMATION

Race Licence

MODI-5-CUP
500 MRCI 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland Ltd, Kirkistown Racing Circuit, 130 Rubane Road, Kircubbin, Co. Down, BT22 1AU email: info@kirkistown.com phone: 028 4277 1325
MODI-5-CUP

Race Licence

Though motor racing can never be truly cheap, racing at club level is the backbone of the sport in this country and need not be prohibitively expensive. It is still possible to race competitively in a car, which you have driven to the circuit. Novice racing drivers will be obliged to undergo a half days training at one of the Association of Racing Drivers’ Schools (ARDS), before they can obtain a National B Licence.

Motorsport UK Regulations

Motorsport UK set minimum safety standards for the equipment you must wear and your car must have, e.g. a roll cage, harnesses and a fire extinguisher, all of which is examined closely during scrutineering. With all the safety requirements that both the cars and the circuit have to adhere to and the on-site medical facilities you are considerably safer on track than you are out on the road.

Kirkistown Racing Circuit

Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit is a permanent motorsport circuit located between the villages of Kirkistown and Portavogie, on the Ards Peninsula of County Down in Northern Ireland. The circuit is owned and operated by the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland (500 MRCI), who opened the circuit in 1953 on the site of the former RAF Kirkistown Air Force base.
This ‘Competitor Information’ page is written in a way that will help people wanting to start racing in this class along with information for people who have a race licence.

COMPETITOR INFORMATION

Race Licence

Going racing doesn’t have to be expensive; gaining a licence isn’t particularly complicated. It’s fun and once you’ve taken those first few steps we guarantee you’ll never look back. The buzz from driving a race car is impossible to match and the adrenaline rush of competing is massively addictive. Only a racer knows just how good it feels to race wheel-to-wheel with fellow competitors. The off-track action is equally enjoyable, you’ll meet like-minded new friends who will offer help when you need it and have fun with at the end of the day. How good do I need to be? Of course, until you’re actually out on the track you won’t know your skill level, but as long you can drive a car then you will be good enough to get started. Remember to give yourself time to learn and improve at your own pace. When you take the test to gain your licence you will need a basic understanding of the racing line and the technique required but this will be explained to you on the day. Will I make a fool of myself? No. The trained instructor will help you on the licence test day, and the championship co-ordinator will help you at your first race meeting. It’s very likely that there will be plenty of other drivers on track for the first time Is it safe? Modern circuits are designed with safety as the number one priority ensuring all racers are thoroughly protected. Circuits are subject to regular stringent checks and the race meetings can only be held if they are up to standard. All meetings are marshalled by trained volunteers, professional medical crews and doctors and most have fully staffed on-site medical centres too. If you do need assistance help will always arrive within seconds. The controlling body for Motor Sport in the UK is Motorsport UK, who derive their authority from the FIA in Geneva. The FIA is the highest international body involved in the administration of Motor Sport. All competitors need to obtain a Competition Licence from the Licensing department of the Motorsports UK In order to start circuit racing you need to request a “Starter” pack from Mortorsport UK which will include an application form and details of ARDS courses offered by various Racing Schools. It is necessary for all new Competition Racing Licence holders to attend and pass an ARDS course and the ARDS examiners will endorse a successful candidates Competition Licence application form. After watching the Motorsport UK video you will sit the first part of the test which is a two-part written assessment to check your knowledge of Section Q of the MSA Competitors and Officials Yearbook (blue book) on Car Racing. Then, it's on to the driving part of the test where instructors will assess your track driving during a 20 minute lapping session. You must be able to demonstrate that you are a competent circuit driver and that you can lap consistently in a safe and controlled manner amongst other 'traffic'. You must also show your knowledge of the racing line and ultimately assure the instructor that you are safe and able to enter your first race. Don't worry - they will not be looking for you to set a new lap record and although it is a test, you'll enjoy yourself as well! At the end of that just send the paperwork to Motorsport UK and you will have gained your National B race licence and you’re ready to go racing. Congratulations! All you need now is a car and you’re off on the start of a whole new chapter in your life, one where you can call yourself a racing driver.

Motorsport UK Regulations

Motorsport UK sets minimum safety standards for the equipment you must wear and your car must have a roll cage, harnesses and a fire extinguisher, all of which is examined closely during scrutineering. With all the safety requirements that both the cars and the circuit have to adhere to and the on-site medical facilities, you are considerably safer on track than you are out on the road. All the basic rules governing participation in motor sport events in the UK are contained in the current Motorsport UK Year Book or ‘Blue Book’ as it is generally called. To enjoy the sport to the full, Organisers, Competitors and Officials should ensure they are familiar with the regulations relevant to their own particular discipline, in this case circuit racing. 2024 Motorsport UK regulations - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD For those taking part in circuit racing the simple way to read the Year Book is to read the sections in the following order; Section J: Competitors – Vehicles Section Q: Circuit Racing Section K: Competitors – Safety Section J has the regulations that concern every vehicle taking part in motorsport. Section Q will detail specific regulations for cars that are involved in circuit racing. Section Q will also list the regulation numbers for the safety items detailed in Section K, i.e. rollcage, fire extinguisher, etc; that cars require before taking part in racing. Along with reading the Motorsport UK regulations above, you need to read the current MODI-5-CUP Sporting and Technical regulations as issued by the 500MRCI. These regulations set out the modifications you can and can’t make to the standard MX5, what it is required to have e.g. what springs it has to run, what gearbox ratios it has to have, etc.

Race Dates, Cup Sporting

& Technical Regulations

The information contained on this page is presented for convenience only. While every effort will be made to keep it up to date, in the event of any disputes the official version of the regulations will be the version published by the 500MRCI. Series Registration Form here. The MODI-5-Cup is organised and administered by the 500 MRCI Ltd. in accordance with the General Regulations of the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA) and these 2024 Race Series Sporting & Technical Regulations. Kirkistown race dates for 2024 - March 23rd, April 27th, May 25th, June 22nd, July 27th, August 31st, September 28th. There will be a qualifying and two races at each meeting. This series is for competitors participating in the following MX5 cars - Eunos/Miata origin 1989 – 2005. There may be an A and a B class within each race depending on the modification level of the cars that take part in the series. This would allow highly modified cars and less modified or Stage Rally and Sprint-Hillclimb cars to score points in the appropriate Modi5cup race series class. USEFUL NUMBERS Race Series 500MRCI Office 02842 771325
MODI-5-CUP
MODI-5-CUP