Guides · Hillclimb & sprint · Checked 10 September 2026
Step by step
- 1
Find a club and watch an event
Find a local speed club with Motorsport UK's club finder and go to an event to see how the day runs before choosing a class and car.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- 2
Optional: try the hill without a licence
Harewood's Driving Academy lets drivers aged 16+ drive the hillclimb course in their own road-legal car with an instructor. No competition licence or experience is needed, and helmets can be provided free of charge.harewoodhill.com
- 3
Join a club and get your licence
Join a Motorsport UK-recognised motor club and apply for an RS Inter Club licence online. Harewood says RS Interclub is the minimum requirement for entry.harewoodhill.com
- 4
Get your safety kit
A helmet is mandatory for all classes. For sprints, Motorsport UK says overalls and gloves are mandatory for competition cars and strongly encouraged for standard cars. Harewood requires a suit and gloves except in road classes.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- 5
Prepare your road car
Road classes are a good place to start. At Harewood a road car needs a valid MOT, road tax and insurance, a sticker showing which way to turn the ignition or cut-out off, a yellow-marked battery earth cable, race numbers on both sides and a timing splitter on the front.harewoodhill.com
- 6
Enter your first event
Enter online through the organising club. At Prescott, the Bugatti Owners' Club's New Barn championship is for road-going cars and has a novice class. First-time competitors must complete a registration form first.prescotthillclimb.co.uk
The licence
RS Inter Club
Motorsport UK RS Inter Club licence
Apply online through Motorsport UK. Motorsport UK says no test is required for RS Inter Club. You also need to be a member of a Motorsport UK-recognised club.
£85 on Motorsport UK's licence page (no year shown). The older hill climb and sprint guide pages say £82. Licences run January to December.
Official licence page · motorsportuk.orgKit you need
- Helmet — Mandatory for all drivers and must meet Motorsport UK regulations.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- Fireproof overalls and gloves — Sprint guide: mandatory for competition cars and strongly encouraged for standard cars. Harewood: race suit and gloves required except in road classes. Motorsport UK's hill climb guide lists overalls, balaclava, FHR and gloves as mandatory without a road-car exception.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- Balaclava and Frontal Head Restraint (FHR) — Listed on Motorsport UK's hill climb guide as mandatory. The sprint guide lists them without saying which classes they apply to.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- Boots and fireproof underwear — Recommended.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
What it costs
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| RS Inter Club licence (annual) | £85 | getstarted.motorsportuk.org |
| BARC Yorkshire membership (Harewood) | £55 annually | harewoodhill.com |
Published figures from the sources shown, checked on the date above. Prices change; confirm with the organiser before you book.
Your first event
Coming up: go and watch one first
Hillclimbs and sprints: questions people ask
Can I do a hillclimb or sprint in my road car?
Yes. Motorsport UK says you can use a standard road car, and clubs run road-going classes. Harewood calls road classes a good place to start and requires a valid MOT, road tax and insurance.
What licence do I need for a hillclimb or sprint?
An RS Inter Club licence is the minimum. You apply online with no test, and Motorsport UK listed it at £85. You also need to be a member of a Motorsport UK-recognised club.
Do I need race overalls for a sprint?
A helmet is always mandatory. Motorsport UK's sprint guide says overalls and gloves are mandatory for competition cars and strongly encouraged for standard cars, and Harewood exempts road classes from suits and gloves. Check each event's regulations.
Can I try a hillclimb without a competition licence?
Yes, at Harewood's Driving Academy. It is open to drivers aged 16+ in their own road-legal car with an instructor, and no competition licence is needed.
What is the difference between a hillclimb and a sprint?
In a hillclimb, drivers run one at a time against the clock up a short uphill course. A sprint is a timed run around a circuit or a point-to-point course. Both use the RS Inter Club licence at club level.
Sources, checked 2026-09-10: motorsportuk.org · getstarted.motorsportuk.org · getstarted.motorsportuk.org · harewoodhill.com · harewoodhill.com · prescotthillclimb.co.uk · getstarted.motorsportuk.org · harewoodhill.com. Rules and fees change; the governing body’s own page is always the final word.