The Oxford University Motor Drivers’ Club, also known as the OUMDC, was established in 1934 to contest the ‘Battle of the Blues’ motor race with Cambridge University. Racing bikes and cars, the competition ignited a great sporting rivalry which would become the prestigious annual Varsity Match.

Indoor and outdoor karting has since become the most accessible form of motorsport around the world and for our club. Furthermore, modern Formula 1 drivers began learning their craft by racing karts! We welcome students across the spectrum of karting experience including newcomers, and enthusiasts of other motorsports.

When the chequered flag falls, regardless of the result, our priority is for everyone to have fun and a memorable time! Many lasting friendships have developed through the club, and alumni members are invited to our treasured Veteran events. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the university's fastest sports club! 🏎️

This form is for students intending to become a club member for the remainder of the academic year – September 1st to August 30th. Certain questions support our development of practical initiatives to cultivate greater diversity within motorsport and a more inclusive club for everyone.

Weblinks in this form open a new window. All the information displayed will be presented in a welcome email and can also be viewed via our Linktree. If you need assistance, please email us. 

In the event of an emergency, please provide the details of someone who we can contact – ideally someone who lives with you or nearby you.

The Motor Drivers’ Club principally races go-karts at indoor tracks and outdoor circuits. The club is proudly sponsored and supported by TeamSport, the UK’s largest indoor karting company.

Club membership provides you with exclusive eligibility to subsidised membership of the highest tier and additional discounted events with TeamSport. The benefits of club membership are therefore linked to TeamSport's membership scheme.

Upon becoming a club member and subscribing to the member newsletter, you will be offered early priority booking to attend all activities that we organise including indoor and outdoor karting, socials and motorsport trips. Furthermore, you will receive the following benefits of 'elite' tier membership – valid at every TeamSport track in the UK:

– An 'elite' tier membership pack

– An official K-I Licence by the national governing body Motorsport UK

– Free karting on your birthday (2x 15 minute sessions)

– Free karting after every six visits (2x 15 minute sessions); each visit is a stamp on your electronic loyalty card

– Free karting for you when you bring six paying non-members

– Free reusable 'elite' tier #GRID balaclava to wear under your helmet

– Free reusable racing gloves

– An exclusive sponsorship discount off karting events organised by the club (e.g., Motor Drivers' Club Grand Prix)

– Access to all members' events offered by TeamSport, including practice sessions every Monday and a race every Thursday

– If you go karting at TeamSport at any other time, members receive discounts off full-priced events; 15% off if you call to book, and 25% off if you book via their website

– Entry rights to the British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC)

– Entry onto the Hot Lap Leaderboard

– View your lap times and race results via the TeamSport app

– Member benefits with Motorsport UK; exclusive discounts and offers from major retailers and automotive partners.

The club membership fee is £10 per academic year, and the 'elite' tier membership fee with TeamSport is discounted from £35 to £10 for 12 months. After this form is submitted, you will be automatically guided through both payment processes. Membership can be renewed whilst you are a student. 

The majority of our members when they first join the club start karting as a beginner. A driving licence is not required as everyone receives instructions and a safety briefing at the track. The karts are simple to drive; the steering is responsive and there are no gears, just an accelerator and a brake pedal. The seat and pedal positions can be adjusted for comfort, and a soft rubber seat insert can provide further support. All the safety and protective racewear is provided too.

Before you go karting, we will advise you to read our FAQs for important guidance so that you have the best experience! We will also suggest that you watch our recommended videos of skills and tips, which includes how to race safely and respectfully.

There are three ways to go racing at TeamSport and enjoy your 'elite' tier membership benefits:-

#1. Motor Drivers’ Club Grand Prix

Our Monday evening races are very popular! The club privately hires the TeamSport track in Reading at least twice per term. We race in a friendly F1-style Grand Prix, go-karting up and down three levels around an awesome layout – to watch a flying lap, click here! 

We begin the Grand Prix with a 15 minute practice to become familiar with the kart and track, followed by a 15 minute qualifying to set our fastest lap time. We then line up on our qualifying grid position in front of the start light gantry for a 15 minute sprint race to the chequered flag! Afterwards, there is a podium presentation and trophies for the top three drivers 😀

Between each session there is a break to catch up with everyone, and to have some food or drink. The train journey from Oxford to Reading is just 23 minutes, and then the taxi ride to the track is about 5 minutes. Members of the club committee will meet and accompany those intending to travel by train-taxi.

As the club is sponsored by TeamSport, they support us with an exclusive 50% discount to bring the karting entry fee down to £33 per driver. The member newsletter provides the first opportunity to book you ticket online before the event is publicised on our social media channels. 

#2. TeamSport's member events

Your 'elite' tier membership also gives you complete access to every member event – including 'club' and 'social' tier – offered by TeamSport at all of their tracks in the UK! 

TeamSport's practice events every Monday evening are perfect for beginners who would like to try karting, and are also great for drivers wanting to improve their lap time. These events are discounted to £36 per driver. Then, every Thursday evening TeamSport's race events provide exciting competition! Their races vary in interesting formats, and they are a great way to improve your race craft with experienced drivers. These events are discounted to £40 per driver.

Events offered by TeamSport are open to the public for members only. Whilst the club does not formally schedule TeamSport's events into our term card, we encourage our members to attend them anytime they wish. TeamSport's events are a great way to meet other motorsport enthusiasts, and we suggest that you connect with club members who may also like to attend by joining the OUMDC Racing Team 🚀

You can book onto these events by calling TeamSport or booking via their website.

#3. Independent bookings

In addition to our club race nights, and TeamSport's member events – you are welcome to book karting at any of their tracks in the UK for a time most convenient for you. Depending on the event type and party size of your booking, you could race with members and/or non-members, or be able to book the track for exclusive use. Your 'elite' tier membership provides you with discounts off full-priced events; 15% off if you call to book, and 25% off if you book via their website. 

The Motor Drivers' Club also invites you to race in four exciting, annual competitions!

British Karting Championships

The British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC) is good progression for those who are quick at our Grand Prix nights or enjoy the TeamSport tracks around the UK. The competition goes up a gear, and the racing is very close amongst indoor karting regulars! Qualifying starts towards the end of Trinity term and concludes in September, before the racing begins in Michaelmas term.

The British Universities Karting Championship (BUKC) is a great next-step from indoor karting for those who would like to race outdoors in faster karts – to watch a taster clip, click here! We welcome all levels of karting experience, including newcomers, and enter teams of beginners and experienced drivers. Several F1 drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris learnt to kart at the same circuits that host the BUKC. Competing against other universities is great fun, and the races are live-streamed! The pre-season practice days and Qualifier are in Michaelmas term, and the Championship rounds are scheduled throughout Hilary term. Everyone is welcome and we encourage you to have a go – it’s awesome! 🫠 For more information including how to register, click here.

Cuppers & Varsity

Furthermore, the club hosts the inter-college Cuppers Competition and contests the prized Varsity Match with Cambridge University. These competitions usually occur at an outdoor kart circuit in Hilary and Trinity term, respectively. The racing is wheel-to-wheel, and winning always comes down to the finest margins!

Competition entry

Karting Cuppers is open to club members and non-members too! We have created a Karting Cuppers WhatsApp group for every college. If you are interested to race in this competition, click here to join your college group where you can link with your teammates and build your racing team!

Club members only are permitted to compete in the BIKC, BUKC and Varsity Karting Match, which enables eligibility for the award of Half Blue; a highly sought-after achievement. If you are interested to race in these competitions, join the OUMDC Racing Team 🚀 

Further information, including the dates and entrance fees for all four competitions, will be first announced in the member newsletter before publication on our social media channels.

To receive notification about our indoor and outdoor karting events, socials and motorsport trips…

– Like and follow our Facebook page

– Join our Facebook group

– Follow us on Instagram

– Join our WhatsApp group

If you would like to be the first to know about club events and to be offered early priority booking, we recommend that you subscribe to the member newsletter:

Club members become a Veteran after graduating, and it would be great to keep in touch! The Veteran newsletter includes our latest news, and invitations to events for alumni.

You can unsubscribe from club newsletters at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of the emails.

Step 1: Become a Motor Drivers’ Club member

After your submit this form, the payment page will appear – please pay the club membership fee of £10. Your club membership begins from the date of payment, and remains active for the rest of the academic year – September 1st to August 30th.

Step 2: Activate your 'elite' tier membership benefits with TeamSport*

Once you make payment, a confimation page will appear. The page will include instructions to register / sign-in via the TeamSport website, a discount voucher code to become an 'elite' tier member for just £10, and an online payment link. Your membership benefits become activated for 12 months from the date of payment.

*If you were a Motor Drivers’ Club member in the previous academic year and your 'elite' tier membership continues to be active, please skip this step as you do not need to pay another fee to TeamSport until you wish to renew.

Step 3: Come to a club event! 😀

Subscribe to the member newsletter to be the first to know about our latest events and to be offered priority booking. Futher club announcements are made via our social media channels. If you live away from Oxford between term, remember that your 'elite' tier membership benefits are valid at every TeamSport track in the UK; find your nearest, and continue racing at their member events!

Please click on the links below to read all the important documents pertaining to the Motor Drivers’ Club:

– Club Constitution

– Club Code of Conduct

– Club Risk Assessment

– Club Membership Agreement

– Terms, Conditions & Privacy Policies

– Oxford University / Sports Federation Student Conduct Regulations

– Public Liability & Personal Accident Insurance: TeamSport / British Universities Karting Championship

I have read and agree to the Motor Drivers’ Club Constitution, Code of Conduct, Risk Assessment, and Membership Agreement. I have read and agree to the Terms, Conditions and Privacy Policies pertaining to the Motor Drivers’ Club, TeamSport / the British Indoor Karting Championship, Club 100 / the British Universities Karting Championship (“the karting providers”), the national governing body Motorsport UK, Sendinblue, Oxford University, Facebook and Eventbrite. I agree to abide by the guidelines and conduct regulations of the Motor Drivers’ Club, the karting providers, Motorsport UK, and Oxford University / Sports Federation.

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