The season starts for Torbay Motorclub with a superb Autocross event

Torbay Motor Club kicked off its 2026 motorsport season in impressive fashion over the weekend of 28–29 March, hosting the Central Garages Torbay–sponsored Spring Autocross.

The two-day event marked the opening round of the 1st Choice Finishes Association of South Western Motor Clubs Championship.

The event ran like clockwork, the weather being mainly dry and sunny, but very cold due to the North-easterly wind.

“It’s been a difficult time for Autocross over recent years,” said Torbay Motor Club chairman Roy Sims. “So it’s great to see the opening event of the season taking place, especially as some recent events have received low entries, leading to organising clubs having to cancel events.

“Autocross is a great place for young people to start competitive motorsport,” said Sims, “as the Junior Autocross Class runs from the ages of 14 to 17. In fact, if your 14th birthday falls in December, it is quite possible you could undertake a full season of Autocross at just 13!

“Junior drivers can also compete in speed events, as back in 2021 UK Motorsport changed to rules to permit junior drivers using standard cars of up to 1400cc, to compete in both hillclimbs and sprints.

“Luke and Polly Ashley began young and over recent years have made great progress and dominated the junior category.

“In just her second full season of competition, and after a season-long battle with her brother, Polly won the Association of South Western Motor Clubs 1st Choice Finishes Autocross Championship in 2024. The gap between siblings was just three points at the end of the season, with Luke finishing runner-up for the third time. Polly also won the associations ‘Under 21’ and ‘Allrounders’ championships.

“We had another new junior driver at this event, with 14 year-old Kyan Neville (Ford KA)  winning the Clubman A1+F combined class award, with his father, Ryan, taking the Clubman FTD award.”

It was a great weekend for the Ashley family of Brixham, the name behind event sponsor Central Garages, with father Simon (MG Maestro, a former MG Challenge car), son Luke (MGZR) and daughter Polly (Smart Roadster) all performing well. With Luke and Simon both scoring class wins, Simon recorded the second fastest tin top time over the weekend, though this was hardly a fair battle as the other car was a 450+ bhp Impreza!

Polly, having her first competitive run in the Smart, as previously driven by her father, was instantly on the pace, despite only five minutes of practice! Her speed, and style of driving, turned heads throughout the weekend. At one point, posting a single lap time faster than anyone else.

The former SW junior Autocross Champion eventually took second in class behind only Steven Hawkins Special, an incredible 17.4 seconds quicker than James Hall in second, who in turn was only 5.9 seconds faster than Polly Ashley. Polly also won the ‘Marshals Choice’ Award for her rapid and smooth driving.    

“Just a quick thanks to everyone involved in getting the weekend's event over the line,” said Championship co-ordinator Colin Anderson.

“The work behind the scenes has been immense to make the event viable and for that I am very grateful.

“From Friday morning, opening the gates and setting up, through to the final litter walk and closing the gates, I can honestly say it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.

“The whole event seemed to have been enjoyed by everyone, despite their dramas of varying degrees, be it mechanical, penalty posts, being beaten by the youngest non-junior driver. The smiles on competitors faces confirmed it all.

“Finally, a big thanks to the orange army of marshals, volunteers and club officials that make motorsport, on all levels, happen. It was good to see Autocross back.”

Torbay Motor Club's next event is the Torbay Trial, the pre-planning for which has been problematic due to the bad winter weather. A number of the normal sections have been damaged, leaving them unable to be used, and substitute sections being sought.