Autotesting

Autotesting is a precision-based motorsport where drivers navigate their cars through a cone-marked course in the shortest time possible, emphasizing accuracy and car control over pure speed.

Unlike traditional racing where competitors battle wheel-to-wheel on a track, autotesting takes place on much smaller venues like car parks, airfields, or grass fields. The courses are laid out using traffic cones or pylons that create a challenging path drivers must follow without touching any markers. Think of it as an obstacle course for cars, where one wrong move can cost you valuable seconds.

The beauty of autotesting lies in its accessibility. You don't need an expensive race car or even a special competition license to participate. Most events welcome standard road cars, though smaller, nimble vehicles typically perform better due to the tight nature of the courses. Because speeds are relatively low compared to other motorsports, minimal safety equipment is required, making it an ideal entry point for anyone curious about competitive driving.

A typical autotest course includes various challenges designed to test different driving skills. You might need to execute handbrake turns, reverse through narrow gaps between cones, perform J-turns, or stop your car with the wheels precisely straddling a painted line. Many courses end with drivers parking in a tight "garage" marked by cones, requiring pinpoint accuracy under time pressure.

Before each run, drivers walk the course to memorize the route. This is crucial because once you're behind the wheel, there's no time to hesitate or figure out where to go next. Hitting a cone typically adds five to ten seconds to your time, while taking the wrong route usually results in a maximum time penalty that effectively disqualifies that run.

Autotesting is particularly popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The sport goes by different names in various regions—in Australia, a similar discipline is called Motorkhana. Despite the name differences, the core concept remains the same: testing driver skill through precision maneuvers rather than high-speed racing.

There are several variations of autotesting to suit different preferences and skill levels. AutoSOLOs are events where all driving is done in forward gear only, with no reversing sections, and competitors must drive their vehicles to the event rather than trailering them. Production Car Autotests (PCAs) restrict entries to standard road-going cars and require drivers to carry a passenger, adding an extra dimension of challenge and making the sport more social.

What makes autotesting special is how it levels the playing field. While having a purpose-built autotest car might offer some advantage, driver skill matters far more than horsepower or fancy modifications. A talented driver in a basic hatchback can easily beat someone in a more powerful car if they have better technique and course knowledge. This emphasis on pure driving ability rather than equipment makes autotesting both challenging and rewarding for participants at every level.