In order to compete in any form of motorsport, participants must be a member of an RAC Motor Sports Association affiliated CarClub. Click here to see a list of Scottish Car Clubs, or visit the MSA 's web site for more information on this and other ways of getting involved. The following information has been issued by the MSA - the governing body of British Motor Sport - aimed at new competitors to rallying.

From 1st January 2002, all drivers competing in Stage Rallies will be required to hold a Stage Rally Competition Licence. Competitors, including co-drivers, will no longer be able to apply for their Competition Licence on the day of the event.

The Stage Rally National 'B' licence may be issued, without other qualification to the following:

• All competitors who have previously held a Non-Race National 'B' Competition Licence
• All competitors who have previously held any licence which was valid for driving in Special Stage Rallies i.e., all Race, Kart, Speed, Drag and Rally licences which have always been valid as a Non-Race National 'B'. Evidence of driving on a Special Stage Rally is not required.

Drivers not qualified as above will be required to successfully complete the BARS (British Association of Rally Schools) course. These are:

• Competitors who have held only Non-Race Clubmans licence
• Competitors who have held only Rally National 'A' Navigator licence
• Competitors who have never held any type of Competition Licence.

The licence and what it covers:

• The Stage Rally National 'B' licence is the only licence which will entitle the holder to drive in Stage Rallies and can be used for any other events requiring a Non-Race National 'B' or Non-Race Clubmans licence
• Competitors wishing to drive in Stage Rallies will be required to apply for a Stage Rally National 'B' Competition Licence - No Stage Rally events will accept Non-Race National 'B' licences for drivers.
• Competitors wishing to navigate in Stage Rallies may apply for a Non-Race National 'B', Rally National 'A' Navigator or, if they are entitled, a Stage Rally National 'B' - These licences may not be applied for on the day of the event, all Stage Rally competitors are now required to be in possesion of their licence prior to competing.

The only BARS approved Rally School in Scotland at present is based at Knockhill in Fife. Anyone wishing more details about the course can phone Knockhill on 01383 723337.

That's fine for securing the required licence to compete on stage rallies. But what about a vehicle? Perhaps one of the best ways of finding out about what is required is to join your local car club and get involved, either by going along to club nights or by attending events that they organise. There will always be people able to point you in the right direction, and one of the best of these would be a scrutineer. Regardless of what type of motorsport event a club is running, the competing vehicles must be checked out to ensure they are safe and that they comply with the regulations pertaining to that particular discipline. This is known as scrutineering, and the MSA publish all the names of the different grades of approved scrutineers in the 'Blue Book' that is given to every competition licence holder each year. Finding your nearest scrutineer and having a chat will save a lot of grief later on, and he can help with information on safety things like roll-bars, fire extinguishers etc. All rally cars must also have a 'log book', which has to be stamped by an MSA-approved scrutineer before it can compete. The crew members will also need help on purchasing the necessary safety equipment for themselves as well as their cars. Things like crash helmets and flame-proof overalls are required before you can compete, and, again, a scrutineer can help with such matters.