Autograss splits vehicles down into 10 classes. Both Men and Women race these and there is are junior classes for 12 to 16 year olds who can race class 1 cars or Junior Specials. Class 1 to 7 are for saloons, and classes 8 to 10 for purpose built vehicles, known as "specials". A few regulations are common to all classes

All flammable trim removed
Fire extinguisher fitted
Roll cage fitted
Windscreen replaced by wire mesh
Headrest fitted
Harness fitted
Petrol tank removed
Replaced with small tank

Class 1

Standard Production Front Wheel Drive Saloons of specified type and manufacturer.

The specified cars are the 998cc Leyland/Austin Rover Mini, 954cc Citroen AX 1987 - 1997 and 899cc Fiat Cinquento 1993 - 1998. No tuning modifications are allowed. The only modifications permitted are those needed to comply with regulations that refer to safety.

 

Class 1A

These cars are only used in Ireland. The rules are the same as for the Mini but allows for a variety of cars. There are significant changes being introduced by the governing body NASA. Anyone intending to race this class in 2007 should speak to a scrutineer to understand exactly what the new rules are to be. This season will see the end of this class.

Class 2

Restricted Modification, Front and Rear Wheel Drive vehicles up to 1300cc. Limited engine and suspension modifications are allowed but all engines must breath through a 32mm inlet restrictor plate. Front Wheel drive vehicles are subject to a minimum wheelbase restriction of 2286mm (90ins). Popular cars are the Front Wheel Drive Vauxhall Nova, Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagon Polo.

 

Class 3

Front Engined, Rear Wheel Drive Saloons over 1421cc. Any car engine is permitted in any style of bodyshell. Front Wheel Drive shells converted to Rear Wheel Drive are also subject to a minimum wheelbase restriction of 2300mm. Popular cars in this class are the Rear Wheel Drive Toyota Starlet and tthe Front Wheel Drive converted vehicles such as the Mk3, 4 & 5 Escorts, Fiestas and the Peugeot 205.

 

 

Class 4

Modified Front or Rear wheel drive vehicles up to 1130cc. The main restriction in this class is that the manufacturers original engine and gearbox must be used. Unlimited internal modifications to the engine and gearbox are allowed. Popular cars in the class are still the ultra light Minis and the Hillman Imp, which are now being challenged by the more modern 1100cc vehicles such as the Citroen AX and the Nissan Micra.

 

Class 5 is a very popular starting point for people wanting to drive modified saloons. Engine capacities from 1131cc to 1420cc are allowed. A lot of cars run rear engines to help improve grip. So all rear wheel drive vehicles are also rear engined. The advantage swings between front and rear depending on the condition of the track. A multitude of cars are used for this class, e.g. Mini’s and Mini Pickup’s also very popular are rear engined metro’s, saxo’s, Ka’s and Peugeot.

Budget guideline €1,000 - €15,000

 

Class 6 This class allows for unlimited engine capacity over 1421cc and modifications in a front engine/front wheel drive. The most popular car in this class is the Vauxhall Nova, its comparatively easy to transplant the 2.0 litre Astra engine into this chassis, but this engine can be placed in any chassis and regularly is. With the difficulty of getting high output through front wheel drive this class is renown for a class not to be missed. Honda power is becoming a major force in Class 6 in Ireland.

Budget guideline €1,000 - €15,000

 

Class 7 Over recent years class 7 has become the most entertaining class in Autograss. The inherent sideways handling of these powerful cars lends itself to good spectating. The class is restricted to rear engined cars, the engines are unlimited, but must be above 1142cc, frequently two engines are run, as is the case with the bike engined cars. Cosworth turbo motors, large block American V8s, V6s of different types all highly tuned engines along with the twin engined ones, makes the sound of this class thundering down the straight enough to make some fans go weak at the knees.

Budget guideline €2,000 - €22,000L

ASS 8
Class 8 The most competitive of the special classes is also the one with the lowest capacity limit. In the vast majority of cars bike engines are used, even though they infrequently reach the engine capacity limit of 1420cc. Engines may be tuned, but as usual with capacity limited classes may not be turbo or super charged. All cars are mid-engined. With the large grids this class attracts it is highly competitive and one of the most entertaining to watch.   

Budget guideline €4,500 - €18,000

Class 9 The class most likely to win an open class race. This class combines the high power output of the modern 2.0 litre engine with the lightness to allow better handling than the heavier class 10 vehicles. The capacity limit is minimum 1421cc - 2070cc and any modifications are allowed, with the usual exception of turbo and supercharging. All cars are mid-engined with most utilising an inline configuration. Occasionally cars will, for cheapness and better weight over the rear wheels, use a transverse box, allowing them to use the original box combined with a locked differential. The majority of cars in this class use locked diffs.

Budget guideline €2,000 - €17,500C

LASS 10
Class 10 This is one of the most powerful classes around. Vehicles over 2071cc with no maximum capacity limit, or limit on the modifications made to the engine. Another of the purpose built classes, this one has Twin bike engines, which are popular, as is V8 power. Once again all cars in this class are mid-engined, again for no other reason than it seems to be the best solution.         

Budget guideline €2,500 - €25,000

Class 11: Ladies’ Production Saloons.  Class 1 and Class 2 cars race together, with a handicapped start. Ladies’ races feature at all Autograss meetings and every effort is made to give them as much racing as the men. Some have their own cars, but many share the driving, making this a real family sport – a Class 1 Mini may race in Men’s, Ladies’ and Juniors’ classes on the same day. Class 12: Ladies’ Modified Saloons.  Class 4, 5 and 6 cars race together, with a handicapped start. Class 13: Ladies’ Modified Saloons.  Class 3 and 7 cars race together, with a handicapped start. Class 14: Ladies’ Specials.  Class 8, 9 and 10 cars race together, with a handicapped start.

Junior Drivers aged 12 – 16 years. Juniors wishing to race saloon cars are only allowed to race standard Class 1 or 1A cars. All drivers must pass a test of competence and safety before being permitted to race. New for 2005! For the first time in, juniors aged 12 - 16 will be able to race open-wheel Autograss machinery, presenting an exciting and affordable alternative to Kart racing. All cars will be powered by standard 44 bhp 1200cc Vauxhall Corsa engines with standard gearboxes and many standard suspension components. Chassis will be available from specialist constructors Z-Cars, GB Engineering and ARD, but you may build your own or adapt an existing chassis. Adult racers may also drive these cars, at single-day club events only.