Pre event info for Manston Airfield Safari weekend

Access Gate There are many gates onto this site, the one we will be using will be marked with orange arrows. What3Words ///hindering.little.sizzled The gate will be LOCKED overnight and secured with a combination lock. The number of the lock will be available on the official noticeboard. Please ensure you take a note of it in case you have a need to leave the site at short notice. If you do leave, please ensure you lock the gate behind you.

There is NO WATER onsite – please bring everything you need.

Toilets – there will be portaloos onsite.

Catering will be provided by Kate from Wagon Rolls. She will stay onsite until around 6pm on Saturday if you want to eat at the end of the day and she will be back onsite in time for breakfast on Sunday.

Manston Airfield is still ‘active’ in two areas for helicopter flights. These areas may be active over the weekend. The course will not go near and you MUST NOT venture into the operational areas.

Manston also has an active military area in the centre of the site – DO NOT enter any of the buildings are attempt to peer through any windows. These areas are monitored remotely 24/7. It may fascinate you to try and see what is there, but you will live to regret it when you are asked to leave the site!

Because the area is monitored and aerially active, it is PROHIBITED to have any form of open fire in the pit area. This includes fire pits, charcoal/wood BBQs and camp fires. It is PERMITTED to cook on a gas BBQ or a gas stove. No drones may be flown.

Movement around the site, including walking the course, from dusk onwards is PROHIBITED. You may move around the pit area, but not venture further afield.

Timing. Southern Counties does not run fancy pants live timing so unfortunately you will need to activate the old-fashioned way and walk to the timing van to see your times on the TV screen at the rear of the van. If you have any queries about your times, please feel free to ask one of the officials around the van to make the query to the timekeepers. With this many entries, it may be impossible to get all the times on the TV screen. If that is the case, we will print times and post them at regular intervals on the official noticeboard.

Laps. There has been a new restriction placed on the event since the SRs were published. Sunday will not start until 10am. In order to achieve the intended 14 laps, you will be permitted to complete up to 8 laps on Saturday and a total of 14 over the two days. This change has been put in place in consideration of those who have a very long journey time on Sunday evening to get home. Please listen carefully to the drivers’ briefing where this will be confirmed.

The official noticeboard will be near the TV and you should keep an eye on this during the day for any updates.

Our traffic light system will show a red light followed by five amber lights which will then count you down to green. When the green light shows, your time starts so don’t blink! You will see the time of day above the lights and all start slots will be on a full minute unless we post on the noticeboard that we are going to 30 seconds to catch up after a stoppage. 

USEFUL INFORMATION

There is a fuel station on the corner as you turn off the dual carriageway, under 1 mile from the site gate.

There is also a Macdonalds and a Table Table restaurant (Smugglers Retreat Table Table restaurant in Ramsgate, Kent | Table Table) at the same ‘service’ area as well as a Holiday Inn Express (Ramsgate Hotels: Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate - Minster), Premier Inn (Book Ramsgate (Manston Airport) hotel today | Premier Inn) mini Co-op, Subway and Minster Food station, including a Noodle Bar (- Lemongrass Thai Food & Noodle Bar)

The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum (Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum) is free to enter, has a fabulous café and is around half a mile from the site gate. RAF Manston History Museum (RAF Manston History Museum – RAF Manston History Museum) is also on that same site. Two museums right next door to each other.

If you have any questions, please contact Debby Darby – Event Secretary on 07886 387002 (Before 9pm – I am less polite later in the evening!)

Southern Counties Off Road Club

21 and 22 Safari February 2026

Cross Country 4x4 Plus – Manston Airfield

Event Supplementary Regulations

[1] Announcement

Southern Counties Off Road Club will organise a Clubmans Cross Country 4x4 Safari Plus on 22 February 2026  at Manston Airfield, CT12 5BQ – What3Words ///hindering.little.sizzled

[2] Jurisdiction

This meeting will be held under the National Competition Rules of Motorsport UK (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA), and these Supplementary Regulations.

[3] Permits

ASN Permit No(s):                             TBC

Route Authorisation No:                  N/A

[4] Eligibility

The event is open to all fully-elected members of Southern Counties Off Road Club and up to a maximum of 15 MSUK Registered Clubs prioritised by bookings until the maximum number is reached.

All entrants must produce a club membership card and an MSUK RS Clubmans licence (or higher grade)

Vehicles must be presented in accordance with MSUK NCR applicable to Cross Country.

[5] Championships

The event is a round of the SCOR Annual Championship

[6] Scrutineering/Programme

The event will run over two days

Saturday 21 February 2026

08:00 – 10:30 - Scrutineering starts at 08:00 on 21 February 2026 at in the pit area. There may be earlier provision for scrutineering on Friday afternoon. If this is the case, those present in the pit area will be made aware.

11:00 - Look see lap

11:30 – First lap. It is proposed that there be 6 laps of between 8 and 8.9 miles. If circumstances dictate that 6 laps cannot be achieved and it is reasonable to do so, the missed laps may be added to the number run on Sunday.

Sunday 22 February 2026

09:00 – Event resumes with the intention of running a further 8 laps.

The course closing time will be posted on the official noticeboard and are individual to each vehicle to give equal amount of course open time to all entrants.

It will be permitted to enter the event and attend on Sunday 22 February 2026 only. Those competitors must be present and scrutineered and complete signing on by 08:30. Scrutineering will open at 07:00. Those arriving for Sunday only will pay the full entry fee and will be permitted to run up to the total number of laps within the same course closing time as those who have been present for both days. It should be noted that it is likely that it will not be possible to complete the full number of laps in the time available.

[7] Event Start

The event will start at 11:00.

Nature of Start: Start intervals will be no shorter than 30 seconds apart. Timing will be by electronic clock using traffic lights at the start line and a beam at the finish

Handicapping Details:  There will be no handicapping, drivers are expected to self-seed in the line up late to avoid congestion on the course.

Any competitor not signed on by 10:45 on Saturday 21 February for those driving both days, or by 08:45 on Sunday 22 February for those driving on that day, may be disqualified.

[8] Description of Event

This is a Cross Country Competitive Safari Plus as defined in MSUK NCR, Chapter 1, Appendix 1 (General and Establishment: Nomenclature and Definitions

Course Length and course closing times (individual to each driver to give equal course open time to all) will be confirmed at drivers’ briefing and noted on the timing screen. Penalty free time will be calculated at an average of 50mph in accordance with MSUK NCR Ch.20 App.5. Art.3. Maximum lap time will be calculated by referring to the ‘Bogey Time’ app. The number of laps will be advised at drivers’ briefing. To get a ‘finish’ drivers must have attempted 75% of the laps and may then be given a ‘maximum time’ for the remaining laps.

The course will be available for walking reconnaissance on Saturday morning ONLY. Although, there will be camping available from Friday evening, there will be NO access to the course. The site PROHIBITS VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT after dusk except within the camping area. Campfires and charcoal BBQs are PROHIBITED due to the military and flying status of the site.

The following classes will apply: -

Class A - 4wd live axle up to 2.6l. All leaf sprung. All 2wd vehicles. All standard production vehicles.

Class B - 4wd live axle over 2.6l and up to 4.0l. All diesel engines.

Class C1 - All fully independent suspension vehicles, including UTVs

Class C - 4wd live axle over 4.0l engine.

NOTE: Vehicles with hydraulic steering must hold a Vehicle Passport issued by the ASN (in the UK, this is MSUK)

Chapter 20, Appendix 10, Article 12 – All Vehicle Types

12.16. Steering provided by hydraulic operation (i.e. not by direct mechanical link) is permitted in Competitive Safari (Inc. Competitive Safari Plus) Events only. Vehicles with hydraulic systems must comply with the Vehicle Technical Requirements published by the ASN and Vehicles must be issued with a Vehicle Passport which must be obtained by application to the ASN.

[9] Vehicles Starting Positions

Vehicles will start at no less than 30 second intervals. The event will be run on a ‘self-seeding’ basis.

[10] Practicing Requirements

Practicing will be permitted by way of a ‘look see’/parade lap. In accordance with NCR 20.5.4.4. Motorised reconnaissance of the course will be available, leaving the start line at 11:00 on Saturday. This will be managed in a controlled convoy with lead and tail Official course vehicles. There will be no other vehicular access to the course. It is permitted to view the course on foot prior to the event start time on Saturday morning only. There will be no ‘look see’/parade lap on Sunday

The parade lap will not be mandatory. There is no additional charge for this lap.

[11] Identification

Identification numbers will be issued by the organisers and must be clearly displayed. Please declare the number you wish to use on your entry. Should this create a duplicate, the Event Secretary will contact you to require that you use an alternative number. A forward-facing number should be displayed to assist the timekeepers. Please ensure that the number is black on a white background. The background must show a clear border.

[12] Pits Area

Competitors/Entrants should take care to ensure that no fluids are spilled and that all parts are removed from the site to ensure no litter or debris are left behind. This also extends to all areas of the site, for example, vehicle parts which may be left on the course must be collected and removed.

[13] Judges of Fact

The Chief Timekeeper will be considered to be a Judge of Fact in relation to timing issues.

The Chief Scrutineer will be considered to be a Judge of Fact in relation to vehicle eligibility issues.

[14] Television Coverage

There will be no television coverage at the event.

[15] Awards

Awards will be presented as follows: -

1^st Overall

1^st Class A

1st Class B

1^st Class C1

1^st Class C

[16] Entries

The maximum entry for the meeting is 60 and the minimum is 15. Should any of the above figures not be reached, the organisers have the right to amalgamate classes or cancel the event.

A waiting list may be operated by the Event Secretary.

[17] Entry List

The entry list opens a minimum of 2 weeks before the event and closes finally on the evening prior to the event  at 20:30.

Entries must be sent to: -

Entries must be made online via the link available on the front page of the club website – scor4x4.co.uk. Queries can be made by phone with the Event Secretary – Debby Darby – 07886 387002.

[18] Entry Fee/Refunds

The Entry Fee is £180. The entry fee includes the ‘look see’ lap and camping. All entries must be made on the official form and be accompanied by the entry fee.

Refunds may be issued in accordance with MUK NCR 6.1.11 or at the discretion of the SCOR Committee.

[19] Refusal of Entries

Incomplete entries may be refused.

[20] Additional Entry Information

The use of Puma style aluminium steering universal joints (knuckles) is prohibited.

This event will accept entries from vehicles with a single seat. This is a permitted alteration to the MSUK NCR Technical Regulations in accordance with Chapter 20 Appendix 10 Article 3.1.

[21] Nomination of Drivers

All driver details must be included in the online entry submission.

[22] Postponement/Cancellation

A cancellation will be notified directly to signed on Officials and Competitors as soon as possible.

[23] Officials

Official

Name

Event Secretary:

Debby Darby

Clerk(s) of the Course:

TBC

Chief Scrutineer:

Charles Darby

Event Steward(s):

Paul Barton

Chief Timekeeper:

Debby Darby

Safeguarding Officer:

Rescue Unit:

Jon Darby

TBC

[24] Provisional Results

Provisional results will be published as per Ch.3 App.6

Provisional results will be available immediately prior to the course closing time via the screen on the timing van.

Times on the day will be available on the screen at the timing van.

[25] Results

The results will be declared final 30 minutes after the provisional results are made available and awards declared accordingly.

[26] Protests

Protests must be logged in accordance with Ch.2 of the National Competition Rules.

[27] Parc Fermé

N/A

[28] Other Requirements/Information/GDPR Policy Reference

The Championship Rules, Safeguarding Policy and GDPR Policy for Southern Counties Off Road Club can all be found on the club website at scor4x4.co.uk/policies-and-documents/. If you require a paper copy, please contact the Event Secretary.