News
About the Club
That is not a quote - it's a boast! We think it is justified. Check the links and see if you agree.
The Club is organised and run by a small but dedicated group of enthusiasts who are prepared to give up their time in order to that this source of pleasure is available - twice a week, every week!.
We follow BRCA racing rules, but try to keep things simple for club events. Click here for details.
As well as a superb tarmac track for Sunday racing, the Club has the unique benefits and facilities of Southend nearby. An ideal combination for family entertainment.
Come along and see for yourself. If you have a car, bring it. Even if you choose not to race, you can practice/experiment at the outdoor track between heats. If you are thinking of getting a car, come and talk to the drivers. They are always happy to share their knowledge and opinions.
Southend - the world's longest pleasure pier
History of the Club
The Club was started over 20 years ago (1982) as an alternative winter activity by Ray Cockman and a few other radio control model enthusiasts who raced model boats on the pond at Southchurch Park.
According to Ray, he and his brother met up with some guys who had cars, but nowhere to race. This seemed like a good idea, so Ray found a hall, built a car, and that was it!
Well, not really. Model cars were not as readily available as they are now, and many were home-made. Much of the technology came from the boatbuilding activities (with the addition of wheels of course), but that story would probably justify a whole book.
The club owes much to Ray's dedication - then and now.
Lap counting and race times relied on observers with stop watches (or just watches) until Ray wrote a lap-counting programme on his Commodore 64 computer (a very primitive instrument by todays standards), and he has pushed for change and improvement ever since (see below).
Car racing became more popular, and Ray looked for somewhere that would allow them to set up an outdoor (buggy) track for the summer. The piece of land at Eastwoodbury Lane was allocated to them on a temporary basis, and the development of the current track began.
Initially a flat grass surface, inclines and astroturf were added, then some concrete areas to make it a mixed surface track.
The timing hut was originally at Marshal point 4, and the drivers rostrum was much smaller.
The current layout was created in 1999, when the tarmac surface was laid to provide for the growing popularity of saloon car racing - but most of the inclines and switchbacks were kept - which is why the track is so different to most of the other 'more modern' saloon car tracks around the country!
Popularity of the sport has varied considerably over the years. At one time, the Club offered 'oval' racing and a separate venue on Friday nights as well as the current Tuesday and Sunday events. All were heavily supported, and a large committee was needed to keep everything under control.
The Club has always produced high class drivers, many of whom enter the national and even international circuits - we think it is something to do with the skills learned at Southend - where drivers have the opportunity to learn and hone their skills on either carpet or tarmac - or both!
Membership
Current membership is over 130 - although not all drive regularly.
Approximately 70 are regular drivers on Tuesday nights.
About 25 hardy souls brave the elements at the outdoor track during the winter, and this swells to 50 or 60 during the summer - when many drivers are racing at major events around the country.
Equipment
The Club has two track venues - which is rare - and both are used every week - which is also rare.
The outdoor track has a (mostly) well drained hard standing area for car park and pitting, as well as a drivers rostrum that offers shelter from wind, rain and sun.
The track surface (though bumpy) is smooth and kind to tyres - and the inclines ensure that rainwater 'moves' towards the drainage areas (although some improvement is required).
The indoor track has the benefit of a large hall, and a good quality carpet surface. The heavy duty ropes enable complete, simple flexibility of track design within the well defined track perimeters.
Both tracks benefit from the use of a modern lap timing system which supports personal transponders - and is completely automatic once set up.