Cambridge University Automobile Club

The Cambridge University Automobile Club or CUAC is a motor club for members and alumni of the University of Cambridge cite web | title = Cambridge University Automobile Club website | publisher = Cambridge University Automobile Club | date= 2006 | url = http://www.cuac.soc.ucam.org/ | accessdate =2006-12-09] .

It is recognised by the RACMSA. CUAC is also a member club of the London Counties Association of Motor Clubs (LCAMC) and the Association of Eastern Motor Clubs (EAMC).

History

The Cambridge University Automobile Club was founded in 1902.

In 1946 the club organised the first motor race in Britain after the end of the World War II at nearby Gransden Lodge airfield [ cite web | title = Gransden Lodge track details | publisher = GEL Motorsport Information Page | date= 2006 | url = http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/gransden.html | accessdate =2006-12-09] .

Its members have competed in speed trials, rallies, economy runs and kart races.

In 1983 members of CUAC contested a fuel economy run in Austin Maestros against members of the Oxford University Motor Drivers Club (Oumdc) [ cite web | title = Maestro economy run | publisher = The Unofficial Austin Rover Web Resource | date= 2006 | url = http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?lm10econf.htm | accessdate =2006-12-09] .

Roles and responsibilities

CUAC is run by students, with one exception. In line with the university’s rules governing societies its chief treasurer has to be a member of the university faculty.

The current President of CUAC is Alex Norman (as of 2006/07). [ cite web | title = 2006/2007 CUAC Committee | publisher = Cambridge University Automobile Club | date= 2006 | url = http://www.cuac.soc.ucam.org/contacts.php | accessdate =2006-12-09] :

Membership

Any member of the university can become a member of CUAC. Membership gives discounts on attending most CUAC events.

Activities

Weekly meeting

The CUAC committee meet at the Castle Inn, Castle Hill, Cambridge during the university’s term time (and occasionally outside of term time).

Rallying

CUAC runs several road rallies which involve navigating from checkpoint to checkpoint on public roads within a time limit. The onus of the competition is on decoding the navigation clues as quickly as possible, rather than fast driving.

Annual rallies include the Mindwarp and the Ariel. CUAC and the Oxford University Motor Drivers Club (Oumdc) take turns at organising the Varsity rally between the two universities.

Notable Rallys

The 1996-7 CUAC Karting Championship was jointly won by two drivers: Steve Brumpton and Carolyn Pursell [ cite web | title = 1996/7 CUAC Karting Championship - Final Positions | publisher = Cambridge University Automobile Club | date= 1997 | url = http://www.cuac.soc.ucam.org/199697/kcresult.htm | accessdate =2006-12-09] .

The 2001 CUAC Mindwarp Rally was cancelled due to the ongoing foot and mouth crisis [ cite web | title = Mindwarp Rally 2002 | publisher = Cambridge University Automobile Club | date= 2002 | url = http://www.cuac.soc.ucam.org/200102/mindwarp.htm | accessdate =2006-12-09] .

Karting

CUAC runs its own series of karting races, collectively known as the CUAC Karting Championship, and sends a team representing the University of Cambridge to the British Universities Karting Championship.

CUAC and the Oxford University Motor Drivers Club (Oumdc) take turns at organising the Varsity Kart Race between the two universities. This year's varsity race was won by Oxford University. [cite web | title = Varsity Karting 2007 Results | publisher = Oxford University Motor Drivers' Club | date= 2007 | url = http://users.ox.ac.uk/~oumdc/varsity07res.htm]

CUAC Karting championship

The number of rounds in the CUAC Karting Championship tends to vary from year to year with demand.

Races take place most frequently at the nearby Caxton, Red Lodge and Rye House circuits, but there have also been visits to Whilton Mill (Daventry), Daytona (Milton Keynes) and Buckmore Park (Kent).

British Universities Karting Championship

CUAC enter the University of Cambridge team in the British Universities Karting Championship.

Annual events

CUAC’s annual events include attending the Cambridge University Students’ Union’s Societies Fair, a Freshers’ Squash for new members and an Annual Dinner usually held in Easter Term.

References

Links

* [http://www.cuac.soc.ucam.org/ Cambridge University Automobile Club Official site]
* [http://www.oumdc.co.uk/ Oxford University Motor Drivers' Club]
* Buckmore Park