Solo

Solo (also known as slalom) originated in the US. In 2002, it was pioneered in the UK by Bristol Motor Club. The second event was run again by Bristol Motor Club in May 2003, which started a landslide of other motorclubs running Solo events.

Solo is a test of car control, with speeds between that of Autotesting and Sprinting, with the particular purpose of offering entry level motorsport, which doesn't involve specialised car preparation or driving techniques.

As distinct from Autotesting, no reversing is involved, and to foster a separate identity for Solo events, course designs should avoid the frequent tight turns (handbrake or spin turns) which are often a feature of all forwards autotests.

The courses, laid out with marker cones, are usually longer than in autotests, and providing the route allows this in safety, cars are started at intervals, rather than waiting until the previous one has finished. Drivers are timed over the length of the course, usually by handheld stopwatch.

Solo is designed as a cheap motorsport event to compete in. Under current Motor Sports Association (MSA) regulations, all competing cars must be road-legal, and driven to the event. The cost of marshalls is negated by the competitors taking turns to marshall in order to have their results published. Competitors are split into three groups who are either marshalling, preparing to compete, or competing. The low speeds involved negate the need for a rescue crew.

The event consists of a number of tests (usually between 3 and 6) run either two or three times. Only the fastest runs on each test count towards the aggregate time. In addition to the time taken, penalties are awarded for hitting marker cones and taking a wrong turn. The competitor with the lowest aggregate time wins the event.