Update from the Ordinary General Meeting on 15 September 2026
The Scottish Association of Motor Sports Clubs (SAMSC) held its latest Ordinary General Meeting on 15 September, bringing together representatives from member clubs across Scotland to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges facing our sport.
Two themes dominated the discussion: how we attract and retain volunteers, and how we manage an increasingly busy motorsport calendar. Both are closely connected, and both will require clubs to work together if Scottish motorsport is to continue to thrive.
There was also discussion about Rally Scotland, club development, training, event organisation and the importance of supporting the people who make our sport possible.
1. Volunteer recruitment: a shared responsibility
Recruiting and retaining volunteers remains one of the biggest challenges facing motorsport in Scotland.
Although some clubs have well-established volunteer teams, there was broad recognition that maintaining those numbers, attracting new people and developing the next generation of officials requires continued effort.
The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration rather than individual clubs competing for the same pool of volunteers.
There are already some encouraging examples of what can be achieved. Stonehaven & District Motor Club shared its experience of attending local shows and motoring events to promote opportunities to get involved. A training evening ahead of the Grampian Forest Rally attracted 40 new recruits.
The forthcoming Rally Scotland also presents an opportunity to introduce new people to motorsport volunteering, particularly those who may never previously have considered becoming marshals or officials.
What happens next?
Member clubs are being asked to nominate a volunteer recruitment contact who can contribute to a network for sharing ideas, experiences and good practice.
The intention is to develop a more coordinated approach, helping clubs learn from one another and work together to strengthen the volunteer community across Scotland.
2. Managing the Scottish motorsport calendar
One of the most substantial discussions concerned the increasingly crowded motorsport calendar and whether the current approach remains sustainable.
A busy calendar is undoubtedly a sign of enthusiasm for our sport, but it also places considerable pressure on competitors, organisers, marshals, rescue and medical personnel, and other volunteers.
The meeting heard examples of events competing for the same limited resources, with some events struggling to attract sufficient competitors or officials.
There was a recognition that simply continuing to add events to the calendar, without considering the capacity of the wider motorsport community, risks making existing events less sustainable.
A more coordinated approach
Delegates discussed the possibility of introducing a more structured approach to calendar management, similar to arrangements used in other countries.
Ideas included:
- Agreeing strategic priorities for the Scottish motorsport calendar.
- Improving coordination between clubs, championships and disciplines.
- Reintroducing dates meetings to help minimise clashes.
- Considering opportunities for clubs to collaborate in organising events.
- Exploring whether some events might benefit from running less frequently.
- Taking account of events in northern England, particularly where they draw on the same competitors and volunteers.
A possible process was outlined in which strategic priorities would be agreed first, followed by dates meetings to develop the calendar and a mechanism for resolving conflicts.
Importantly, no final calendar management system has been agreed.
However, delegates responded positively to the principle that a more coordinated approach is needed and supported taking the discussion forward with Motorsport UK’s Regional Committee.
SAMSC representatives Sandy Denham and Russell Fair will continue that work, with the aim of developing an approach that supports the long-term health of Scottish motorsport.
The intention is not simply to reduce the number of events, but to create a sustainable calendar that allows events, clubs and championships to flourish.
3. Rally Scotland: an opportunity for the whole sport
The meeting also received an update on preparations for Rally Scotland and the return of the FIA World Rally Championship to Scotland in 2027.
At the time of the meeting, the successful candidate event activities associated with the Grampian Forest Rally had been completed, including FIA visits to the proposed stages and P&J Live.
Rally Scotland represents much more than a major international sporting event. It provides an opportunity to showcase Scottish motorsport, introduce new audiences to the sport and encourage participation at club level.
The meeting emphasised that the benefits should extend across the wider motorsport community, not only to those directly involved in rallying.
There is particular potential to use the event to attract and develop new volunteers, helping to build a legacy that continues long after the World Rally Championship has left Scotland.
Local clubs will also have an important role to play, particularly through their knowledge of communities, roads and event organisation.
4. Club development and training
Suporting clubs and developing the skills of volunteers and officials remains an important priority.
The meeting highlighted Motorsport UK’s Club and Event Officials Workshops on 24 October 2026, with clubs encouraged to participate.
These workshops are intended to support event secretaries, stewards and those involved in club development, with an emphasis on practical learning and sharing experience.
The Regional Training Coordinator also highlighted forthcoming changes to training grant arrangements for 2027.
Funding will move from the British Motorsport Trust to Motorsport UK’s Club Development Team, with the application window expected to open shortly.
Clubs are encouraged to identify their training needs for 2027 and submit requests as early as possible.
The Association can help coordinate training opportunities, allowing clubs to benefit from shared resources and expertise.
5. Road events and working with local communities
The meeting revisited concerns about the organisation of road events outside a club’s usual geographical area.
Local clubs often have valuable knowledge of communities, sensitive locations and potential public relations issues. This can be overlooked when events are organised by those unfamiliar with an area.
Motorsport UK has reinforced the importance of cooperation between clubs.
Where organisers intend to use roads outside their normal area, particularly across regional boundaries, arrangements exist for notifying the relevant Regional Association and involving Route Liaison Officers.
The meeting also encouraged clubs to share information about any problems arising from events organised outside the Motorsport UK framework.
The overall message was clear: good communication and engagement with local communities are essential to protecting the reputation and future of our sport.
6. Planning for the future of our Clubs
Succession planning was another important topic.
Many clubs depend heavily on a relatively small number of individuals who have built up considerable knowledge and experience over many years.
While their contribution is invaluable, clubs can become vulnerable when key people step down without others being ready to take on their responsibilities.
Clubs were encouraged to consider where these risks might exist within their own organisations and to think about how they can identify, support and develop future committee members and officials.
A succession planning template is to be circulated to help clubs with this process.
7. Recognising volunteers and supporting sustainability
The meeting highlighted opportunities to recognise the contributions of those involved in motorsport, including Motorsport UK’s awards and its new Young Volunteer of the Year Award.
Clubs were encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and celebrate those whose work often takes place behind the scenes.
Environmental sustainability was also discussed, including progress towards accreditation under the Sustainable Rally Charter.
Further clarification is being sought about accreditation progress in Scotland and whether similar requirements may be extended to other forms of rallying.
The British Motorsport Trust’s evolving priorities were also highlighted, with increasing emphasis on safety, innovative technology and strategic investment under the theme Protect the People, Protect the Sport.
What do Clubs need to do?
Several practical actions emerged from the meeting:
- Volunteer recruitment: Nominate a club contact to participate in the proposed recruitment network and share successful approaches.
- Calendar planning: Engage with the ongoing discussion about how Scotland’s motorsport calendar should be managed, and ensure event dates are communicated to the Association’s Calendar Manager.
- Training: Identify and submit training requirements for 2027.
- Club development: Take advantage of Motorsport UK’s development opportunities and consider how succession planning could strengthen your club.
- Recognition: Look for opportunities to nominate volunteers and officials for appropriate awards.
- Collaboration: Continue sharing information, resources and experience with neighbouring clubs and across different motorsport disciplines.
Looking Ahead
Perhaps the strongest message from the meeting was that the challenges facing Scottish motorsport cannot be solved by individual clubs acting alone.
Volunteer recruitment, calendar pressures, rising event costs and the development of future officials are challenges shared across the sport.
There is much to be positive about, particularly with the arrival of Rally Scotland in 2027, but making the most of these opportunities will require cooperation, constructive discussion and sometimes a willingness to consider different ways of doing things.
The Association’s role is to bring clubs together, represent their interests and help create the conditions in which Scottish motorsport can continue to develop.
Scottish motorsport is strongest when its clubs work together.
This is a summary of the principal discussions from the SAMSC Ordinary General Meeting held on 15 September 2026. It is intended as an accessible update for clubs and the wider motorsport community, rather than a replacement for the formal minutes.
Next Ordinary General Meeting: 17 November 2026.
