My Motorsport: Comp Safari and Cross Country

For some, motorsport conjures mental images of glitz and glamour - of drivers sunning themselves at Monaco, racing in pristine cars on perfectly flat tracks, and of clean race suits with staff dedicated to wiping the boots of drivers before they step into their vehicle.

For others though the complete opposite is true, and that's certainly the case for Ben Farmer. Ben races in Comp Safari and Cross Country - categories where if your car comes back with the same level of cleanliness as when you started, you've done it wrong.

We spoke to Ben to find out more about the categories, and why they're the motorsport for him.

What's your motorsport series?

I compete in Comp Safari and Cross Country racing.

What's your car?

I race in a Polaris RZR Turbo. It's 168hp and can get to 60mph in about six seconds, but it's made for off-road so has some long-travel suspension that really gets some use over an event!

What's the race format?

For normal Comp Safari events it's a three-day rally without pace notes. Our sport doesn't allow them as it's more of a "drive it as you see it", which gives the navigators more of a responsibility to remember the courses and stages, and do other important things like operate the windscreen wipers. They'll generally be at the same venue as well, so you might do similar routes across the event which makes it easier.

For the Cross Country, the courses are up to 10 miles long. A professional will set a "bogey" time that you have to aim for, and everyone gets multiple runs. Drivers get penalties for exceeding the bogey time, so it's all about getting as close to it over the event as possible.

Why did you pick those series?

I chose them as I grew up with it, thanks to my dad (Huggy). He's won many championships, including overall and class, and some in France as well as the UK. Following in his footsteps has been fun, though has come with its own challenges - when I was younger I was known as "Huggy's son", but as I've come through the sport he's increasingly become known as "Ben's dad" - something he doesn't always enjoy hearing!

How much do rounds cost?

It can be a really cost-effective way of getting into motorsport, which is another positive. While rounds can go as high as £600, they can be as cheap as £40 to enter as well. You do typically get what you pay for, with the top-tier rounds being towards the higher end of that scale, but you're usually looking between £100 - £250 for a good event and £40 for ALRC (Association of Land Rover Clubs) rounds.

What makes it different to other motorsports?

Our sport is different because of the people that do it. We all help each other and socialize in the pits area between runs. On an evening we'll sit around a camp fire with a few drinks and have a good time. While the racing is definitely fun, it's not just about that - the camaradarie and social aspect as well.

Why should people get involved?

People should get involved because it's a cheap, entry-level motorsport for most that do it, with a great atmosphere and is a lot of fun. You can buy a race-ready 88" ALRC car for £5,000 and get racing, or if you're not ready to race in the trials, you can always enter in your road 4x4 car to get the experience and ease into the sport. Being a grass roots motorsport it's much easier to get into, and you can progress from there if you want to.

There are other ways to get into it as well - you can also marshal in your own 4x4 to help the clubs out and get to know the competitors. It's a great way to still be a part of motorsport without the outlay of a race car, and it's something I've done many times to give back.

Ben Farmer is sponsored by BMF Services, RCM 4X4, Lubico Oils, AAA Hydraulics, and GAAARD Protection. You can find out more about him at https://www.instagram.com/benfarmer03/