FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

ITALIANO / FRANCAIS - please click here

1. Why the FIA Masters?

Hill climb is a discipline with which the general public and the media are largely unfamiliar today. The Masters came about through the desire to showcase drivers in a traditional (and century-old!) discipline, sometimes extreme and always spectacular.

2. Who takes part in the Masters?

The aim is to bring together the best drivers from the FIA Championships and the national Championships, not forgetting junior drivers (under 25) and women drivers. The criteria for admission are published in the sporting regulations. Certain drivers can benefit from special authorisation, called a Wild Card.

3. Why accept drivers who do not satisfy all the criteria via a Wild Card?

Priority is given to the champions. The Wild Card will be granted, either for participation or for a demonstration, only to drivers who have given an exceptional performance. The Wild Card also helps to ensure the presence of drivers from countries that have little activity in hill climb (without an official championship) or who have to go abroad to take part in races.

The idea is also to celebrate hill climb in all its variety: for example, to allow the public the possibility of seeing cars that take part in Pikes Peak or which stand out from the crowd, of meeting famous drivers, etc.

4. The Masters are open to the best national drivers. Which licences are required?

The competition has international status, and an FIA international licence (Grade A, B, C, R or D1) is mandatory.
For drivers who only have a national licence, the Grade D1 international licence is an interesting option because the National Sporting Authorities (ASN) issue it for only one event and often at a reduced cost.

5. Do drivers "satisfying the entry criteria" have to follow a registration procedure?

Yes, all drivers (including national and international champions) must necessarily register and fill in the entry form, which is freely accessible on the FIA website or on that of the organisers.
Registration is free of charge!

Drivers are not accepted as a matter of course, and the National Sporting Authorities will not automatically register them for the Masters. Each driver must register and have his or her registration validated by the organising club.

6. How are the drivers classified?

There are two competitions (race of champions and nations cup), so two separate classifications will be drawn up: one for all the drivers and one for the nations.

7. How does the drivers' competition take place?

ALL the drivers registered take part in this competition and will automatically appear in the individual classifications.
This is a pure hill climb! There is only one rule: be the fastest on a climb. The drivers are categorised according to their vehicle type (1- production / 2- competition / 3- open).

8. ...and the Nations Cup?

In a way, this is a "competition within the competition". From among the drivers admitted, the National Sporting Authorities designate 4 drivers to take part in the Nations Cup. For these 4 drivers from the same nation, the classification is based on regularity. The rule for each of these drivers is to set similar times from one climb to the next.

9. Hill climbs are performances of pure speed …why choose regularity for the Nations Cup?

It would have been simple and ideal to base it on speed. However, the choice of regularity was necessary, for reasons concerning the viability of the event.

Certain realities must also be taken into account: at present, hill climb activity is far too diverse on the national level – the pool of drivers with high-performance competition cars is small. Basing the Cup on speed would eliminate most of the groups of vehicles, to favour single-seaters/two-seaters: only 2 or 3 nations could aspire to win the Cup.

10. In the Nations Cup: strategy rather than speed?

Yes, but don't worry: being regular does not mean being slow! And the regulations are clear: the drivers must register a time that is within a certain limit compared with the best.

The Cup opens up possibilities. The team captain can make choices from among all the categories of cars in his delegation. Selecting the most regular drivers will allow the other drivers to devote themselves to the individual competition.

This notion of a national team is unique in hill climb and rather rare in motor sport. The Cup serves as an incentive to the drivers to come and represent their country's hill climbs – take part and win as a team!

11. A captain: what is his role?

The captain is a delegate designated by his National Sporting Authority. His main role is to help all the drivers in his delegation and be the privileged contact between them and the organising bodies (organising club, ASN, FIA). You are a racing driver and you have questions? Contact your captain!
The list is published on the FIA website.

12. Will there be other activities going on around the competition?

Yes, as time goes on, the Masters will also become a meeting platform for everybody, with the creation of a fan zone bringing together drivers, spectators, exhibitors, media, etc. Autograph sessions will be scheduled.

Uniquely, in collaboration with the organisers, the FIA provides locations for stands and exhibitors free of charge. Places are limited.
You are an ASN, a manufacturer, the media, a club or an association? Do you want to exhibit or showcase an activity? Contact us and take part!

PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE MASTERS (ENG/FRA) - click here

ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact: masters@fia.com