The newsletter of the Luffield Cars MGCC Speed
Championship
Also available at the championship web site www.mgcars.org/mgccsc
Where has all the time gone...
It seems like only last week-end that we were standing in the
sunshine at Prescott, watching “Spinner” Holford become
intimately aquainted with the armco at Ettore's, but it is in
fact over a month ago and another half dozen events have gone
by. Through May the Northern lads (and lass!) set about the
hills, while down South it was a mixed bag with 2 of each
discipline. David CoulthardBell’s jottings on
Lys-y-Fran, while I was ’s reports on the Northern
Hillclimbs are below, along with Rob present at Prescott and
Colerne over the May holiday week-end and offer my view of
happenings at these two meetings. Unfortunately I have no
report on Goodwood yet, so I will include this in the next issue,
if I get one sent to me. This is another bumper
issue, with news of championship regalia, proposals for the
future direction of the championship, a current status report and
multiple event reviews, but before we move on to all these, a
couple of IMPORTANT bits of information.
Firstly, the good news, the championship stickers have arrived at last. I now have in my possession all 3 types of championship decal, wide windscreen strips, narrow windscreen strips and ovals. Please let me know if you need some, by phone or e-mail (to work on Jim.Garvey@ilford.com), but remember, each type is limited so please specify your preference, with a second option just in case.
Secondly, the bad news.I have been asked to mention to you all (although in the case to follow only 2 of your number were at fault), that any actions that could be deemed to bring the championship, club or motor sport, into disrepute are considered to be very serious and will be dealt with accordingly.
This is not a general admonishment, merely information and a plea to all to be responsible in your actions. The case currently being pursued followed the MGCC(NW) event at Scammonden Dam on 19th May, where 2 competitors were seen to exit the venue via the ‘emergency services only’ access gate directly onto the hard shoulder of the M62, before proceeding East in the direction of Leeds. Not only is this action prohibited and dangerous, but it could, had it been observed by either a representative of the land owner (Yorkshire Water) or the Yorkshire Constabulary, have resulted in the closure of the venue for motor sport, or at the very least the loss of the use of this venue to the club. The two drivers concerned will be hearing from the relevant club officials!
Regalia
With the serious business out of the way, and Silverstone not
far off, a bit of fun stuff. As some of you will remember, in the
past we have produced occasional items of Championship
merchandise. This year, to mark our second year with Luffield
Cars, we have decided to produce embroidered T-shirts, sweat
shirts and polo shirts. The design will be the same on all the
different items, with Luffield Cars and MGCC logos, the full
details are included on an attached sheet.
The current plan is to offer 2 colours, dark green and light grey, with the embroidery in green and gold luminous thread, with bits of black and white. The enclosed order form should be detached and sent with a cheque for the relevant amount, made payable to the MGCC Speed Championship, to me at the address shown. The plan is to collect all the orders for the end of this month, so we can get the items produced in time for distribution at the Silverstone week-end. As previous years, these will be limited edition items, produced strictly to order. So if you want to be part of the in-crowd at Silverstone, sporting your Luffield Cars MGCC Speed Championship regalia, send your order in today.
Looking to the future
Over the last few weeks there has been some considerable
debate via the bulletin board and e-mail about new MG Z-types and
where they will run. This is a matter already considered by the
committee at the start of the year, when we saw the prospect, now
realised, of 10 or more new MG models appearing in the showrooms
and eventually on the track. With this future ahead of us, now
might be the time to review and change the class structures to
head off the inevitable proliferation of vehicle classes.
Options currently considered are to restrict the total number of classes by grouping the cars together via different systems; effectively to define set amalgamations from the off. The current proposals are:
1.Group by age and separate levels of modification. This might give 9 classes, Pre-1960 @ Std, RGM & Mod, 1960-1985 @ Std, RGM & Mod, Post-1985 @ Std, RGM & Mod.
2. Group by body type/drive train, and engine capacity e.g. Chassis cars, Monocoque RWD, FWD, Mid-engined each with capacity classes up to 1400cc, 1401-2000cc & over 2000cc, might give 12 classes.
3. Group by similar performance, extending to old group system used for event classes in previous years, divide up to give 6-8 classes.
4. Do nothing and run as we currently do amalgamating classes.
The committee’s favoured option is to adopt option 3. And we have given some thought to how the cars would be grouped.In this scheme the current vehicle modification regulations remain as they are, and different models might be grouped thus:
1. Standard MMM, Std T-types, Std MGA
2. Std Midget, Std MGB, Std MGB/C, Std ZR 105
3. Std MGF, RGM T-type, Std Metro turbo, Mod
MMM, Std ZR 120, Std ZR TD, Std ZS 120, Std ZT 160
4. Std M’stro/Monty, RGM Midget, RGM
MGA/B/C, Std MGF VVC/TF160/TF180, Std BGT V8/RV8, RGM ZR 105, Std
ZR 160, Std ZS 180, Std ZT 190
5. Std M’stro/Monty Turbo, RGS up to
1400cc, RGM ZR 120/TD, RGM ZS120, RGM ZT 160
6. RGM M’stro/Monty, RGM MGF/TF, RGM ZR
160, RGM ZS 180, RGM ZT 190, RGS 1401-2000cc
7. RGS over 2000cc, RGM M’stro/Monty turbo,
Modified Midget, Modified MGA/B/C, RGM BGT V8/RV8
8. Modified MGF, Modified ZR/ZS/ZT
9. Modified BGT V8/RV8, Racing Specials
This allows for new cars to be slotted in, with probably a 2 year probation before grouping is fixed. The system can be adjusted if car developments change.
We would like your written input on this and the other proposals, to Hamish Cruickshank, 235 Walnut Ave, Weaverham, Northwich Cheshire, byt the end of July. Please no e-mail, but you can discuss it via the bulletin board if this is helpful. Please try to be constructive, and bear in mind these are only draft proposals, the final proposal will be presented at Curborough for approval and circulated in the August Newsletter.
Positions so far….
So, with 8 events completed in the South and only 4 “up
North”, for the second month running the overall
championship top six is filled with Southerners. Surprise,
surprise, Terry is top with 69 scored from 7 events, while, on a
better average, Chris Cooper is a close second on 62 (from 6
events), but even closer behind him is Mike Heath scoring 60 from
5 maximum 12s. 4th spot is currently held by another title
front-runner, David Smith, on 55, again from just 5 events, while
Matt Dryell (52) and Niall Campbell (50) round out the top six.
In the Northern series John Wilman currently leads with an impressive 44 points from 4 events, while Tony Mac props up 2nd with 37points from the same 4 outings. Diggers fills the last step of the podium with 29 points, just ahead of that man Heath again, tied with Richard Sands on 28, followed Chris Cooper’s flying banana with 27 points and 6th place.
So looking forward, (well actually a bit back as well, as between starting to write this month’s newsletter, and finishing it, 2 more Northern events have passed me by) we’ve got June’s hillclimb-fest at Barbon and Scammonden up North, with Gurston down South. Then we all speed off to Anglesey for the next joint meeting at the North Western Centre’s 2 day, 2 lap, sprint. This is always an excellent event, made the more so this year with the MGCC Barbie on Saturday evening. What more can you ask for, 2 days of track action on a fast demanding circuit, and a free burger in a bun. For those who’ve never sampled the delights of Ty Croes you’re in for a treat. Imagine a slightly scaled down Oulton (remember when we could sprint there!) or Loton on the flat or Colerne with proper corners and twice round it. All this and more awaits you on Wales’ off-shore island paradise…….no really, it does. Honest, come along you’ll enjoy it.
Now on to the individual event reviews..
Prescott Hillclimb – 4th May
I love Prescott. Especially on a sunny day. I
know it’s a long drawn out affair over 2 days, but the
atmosphere and facilities are second to none. There is
something most civilised about sitting on the verandah of the
restaurant with a chilled beer in your hand watching MGs hurtle
past at full chat. It’s also quite amusing seeing Roy
Lane fluff his home hill and spin out on the first corner, then
again I do have a strange sense of humour.
This year’s event was as reliable as ever, the sun shone,
the rain came, the rain went, it dried out, everyone went faster
and Steve spun off! With a relatively small entry at the 2
day meeting, people were a little spread out, and many drivers
ended up in the Novices class (those with National B licences).
This could have raised a few eyebrows, had it not been won by a
true event Novice.
With an amazing feat of Déjà vu, as the MGs lined up for their
first timed run, the sun hid and dark clouds gathered, shedding
just enough rain to slow everyone down, leaving a dry second run
almost certain to decide awards. In the final all or
nothing run, Steve Holford, leading the class at the time, flew
round the first corner, but couldn’t hold it and slid neatly
into the gravel trap at Etorre’s. With an open
field, Anthony Cutler pushed hard in his newly built K-series
Midget, finding a couple more seconds to record his first event
class win. Well done that man. Up with the Modified
machinery, John Hawley was having all kinds of trouble with a
mis-firing Midget, but managed to nurse it up the hill to record
a time and some much needed points. There were no such
problems for the V8 boys, with Terry and John separated by only 1
second, sandwiching Chris Cooper’s MGC, and Kim and Tim even
closer. In the awesome Modified RV8 they stormed the hill
in 47 seconds, with Tim finding that vital extra half second, to
revenge the result at Curborough last month. This smashed
the class record by almost 3 seconds and earned him a maximum 12
points, a similar feat to that achieved by Adrian Moore in his
Road-going Modified Midget, on what was, I think, his first visit
to the hill. Elsewhere in the Standard Metro class Mike
Heath was finding his new car a tad quicker than the old one,
shaving almost a second off the record, and newcomer Keith
Doherty established the RGM T-type record with 65 second
run.
Finally, on a nostalgic note, it was great to meet an old friend
at this year’s event, when we spotted Alastair Crawford on
the other side of the paddock. Despite graduating from the
MGCC speed championship to the MSA Hillclimb championship and now
driving a Pilbeam Judd, Alastair still can’t shake off his
roots as an ex-MGB driver. Maybe that’s because he is
the only man to qualify an MG for the top 12 run off!
Colerne Sprint 6th May
In contrast to the previous 2 days Prescott meeting, Colerne
saw the usual huge championship entry, with half the Southern
series drivers turning out for a first run at the “new”
course. As a result of the infamous 2001 fence demolition
by a well known red MGB, this year’s circuit was modified by
the introduction of the “Andy Bush” chicane, a feature
that caught out many, including the man himself, Mike Heath and
spinner Holford.
From a damp and dismal start the day gradually brightened, and by
mid-day we were basking in glorious sunshine. With no exclusive
MG classes, the majority of the championship cars were split
between the 4 road sports & saloons classes, with only the
odd (?) road-going specials running with the modified cars and
“young” Jeremy’s K3 up with the racing cars.
Throughout the day intense battles were fought, particularly the
inter-generation duels. In the TF, Russ seemed to be about
to commit the cardinal sin of beating the “old man”,
carrying a half second lead from practice. But in the
afternoon experience showed and Bruce’s 111.15 put a clear
second between them. At the other end of the capacity
scale, the Smith family fight was mixed up in a 5 way technology
challenge; FWD turbo vs. big bore RWD.
After the wet first practice modern technology was holding sway
with the Smith Monty 6 to 7seconds ahead of Terry’s V8 and
Chris’s MGC, but as the track dried things started to even
up. Going into lunch David was still leading with 97.51,
but now less than half a second ahead of Terry, who in turn was
just 6/100ths in front of Max. A couple of seconds further
back was Alex Smith, while Chris had spun out of contention,
languishing In the 107’s, and John Rose joined the fray with
a 104.27.
Another step up in performance was produced for the first timed
runs, on what was by now a dry track. The big engine
‘grunt’ started to tell, as Terry set the standard with
an 88.96, followed by Chris with 91.61, but the FWD brigade were
not going to let them have it all their own way. Just over
half a second behind, David nudged 92, closely followed by Alex
on 92.50, while Max was left a second further back on 93.97,
muttering something about turning the boost up! In a
titanic final run effort Dave overhauled the MGC, while Max (plus
boost!) edged past Alex, who had peaked early, but no one could
catch the flying Pigott who found over a second more to finish on
87.72.
Other equally hard fought encounters were taking place throughout
the classes; Matt Dryell held off all-comers in the 1400-1800cc
class, showing 15 year old Metro turbo power was the match of MGF
mid-engine balance, beating Rob Bell into 2nd place,
while the Standard Metro of Mike Heath fared less well against
the Road-modified Midgets of Richard Bailey and Steve
Holford, with the latter picking up an event award for 3rd
in class.
Finally, “embarrassment of the day” had to go to Ralph
Higson. While we all waited anxiously in the paddock,
fearing the worst when he failed to return after his first timed
run, the concern quickly turned to howls of laughter when it
transpired he’d run out of petrol on the far side of the
track. So much for minimising weight!
Harewood Hillclimb 11th May –
“DC”
A contingent of 21 MGs arrived at Harewood for the third
round of the Northern Championship. The drivers were greeted with
pleasant spring sunshine and potentially record breaking
conditions, whilst the courteous efficiency of the organisers
produced two practice and three timed runs. The MGs were split
into three classes, for Group 1 cars, Groups 2 and 3 combined,
and Groups 4 and 5 combined.
From the first class emerged a couple of débutantes. Phil
Tavaria drove his B all the way from Cambridge for his first
hillclimb, whilst Helen Waddington was out in the new ZR160 for
her first ever competitive event.
The day didn't go entirely without mechanical breakdown. On its
third timed run, Richard Watkinson's Midget suffered a front
wheel bearing failure. This caused the car to go straight-on at
Country, fortunately without further damage. A creditable fourth
was some compensation. However, at the head of the class, Tony
MacIntyre's BGT was comfortably within the target time and had an
advantage of almost two seconds over Keith William's similar car.
The Metro of Mike Heath finished third, making the long trip from
Worthing well worth the effort, despite going slower on each
timed run!
The class for Groups 2 and 3 combined produced the closest result
of the day. With three runs all within two tenths of a second of
each other, Allan Inwood's Midget took the class (and an extra
point for the target time). However, Chris Cooper's C was just
half a second behind, despite a 'moment' on his first run and a
'fail' on his third.
And so to Groups 4 and 5 combined. After just one timed run,
ignition woes on the "Plastic Fantastic" put paid to
Andy Long's efforts and Anthony Cutler's Prescott class winning
K-series Midget found the gravel trap at Orchard on its third
ascent. The Malvern man is obviously still coming to terms with
his new found power.
Under the watchful eye of the car's owner, Terry Pigott set about
the hill with great gusto, the result of an over developed engine
and under developed brakes! The outcome? A re-setting of the over
2 litre RGS record by four hundredths of a second. A conversation
in the paddock then ensued as to whether this would net Terry 11
or 12 points under the recently reworded rules. The matter was
resolved to Terry's obvious satisfaction!
But way out in front was James Thacker in the fully modified
Midget. James took MG FTD (which sounds like a new model from
MG-Rover...) with a run of 67.24, some four seconds quicker than
Terry. A blistering performance to end an excellent days
hillclimbing.
Scammonden Dam Hillclimb – David Coulthard
Most "Northerners" will be familiar with
Scammonden - cold, wet and covered in sheep, erm, droppings.
However, the dozen or so Speed Championship competitors who
attended the recent North West Centre hillclimb at the venue,
were pleasantly surprised.
Despite weather forecasts predicting pestilence and plague, the
day dawned dry, bright and sunny. Remarkably, it stayed that way
all day. With the hill not used during 2001 due to Foot &
Mouth, most were expecting the track to be rather
"green" (and shall we say "brown"...).
However, it was in remarkably good condition.
Two practice and five timed runs were completed before lunch,
without incident. The only exception being Richard Sand's
modified Midget, which suffered a major head gasket failure.
Richard certainly did the job properly. I have never seen a
gasket with such a large hole blown in it! MG FTD was the reward
for all the hard work in the paddock.
The classes were small and invariably merged in strange and
varied ways. The full title of the "Midgets, B, C, V8 and
Cockshoot" class was longer than the list of entries.
However, Diggers saved his best run till his twelfth (yes,
twelfth!) timed run to emerged with the victory and the Kimber
Trophy (for fastest NW Centre Member) to boot. John Wilman was a
second and a half behind, with Christopher Savoury another second
down.
In the smaller Road Going Specials class, Ian Hodkinson double
drove Andy Long's Arkley and almost won the Kimber Trophy,
missing out by a tenth. Ian demonstrated the ability of the
Arkley, but broke the unwritten rule of "Never Beat The Cars
Owner" with Andy's finishing 2nd, one hundredth ahead of
yours truly!
Tony MacIntyre wrapped up the Standard B battle and Paul Savoury
the Standard FWD saloons.
With 12 timed runs on offer, the day represented excellent value
for money, and the NW Centre deserve credit for a well run and
friendly day's sport.
Llys-y-fran Hill Climb 19th May
– Rob Bell
Llys-y-fran is one of the furthest points on the southern
series calendar (other than the joint northern/southern event at
Anglesey), and for those of us living in the Southeast of the
country, it involves travelling the full length of the M4. Given
the distances involved in getting there and back in a day, is the
journey worth it? I think that for the competitors who made it
past the Welsh border in the early hours of Sunday, the answer is
yes. Three commendable reasons come to mind: the spectacular
scenery, the relaxed atmosphere and the wonderfully demanding
Hill. Oh, and the facilities are uncharacteristically
civilised!!!
For those who've not made it to Llys-y-fran, the setting is a
Hill climb ascending a river valley in the shadow of reservoir
dam, just west of Carmarthen. The course consists of a fast
straight, with a sharp right hand corner to a river crossing and
then a fast right hander into a swift left and then a slower
right hand corner before an evil left hand hairpin (a corner that
Steve endeavoured to please the spectators with some exciting
daisy cutting manoeuvres!). The course then ended after taking an
'S' bend through a farm gate (!) and then a particularly greasy
90 degree right hander, seemingly designed to ensure that
competitors spinning off here would take out the timing gear!
With comparatively few cars present (and just nine cars in
southern series entered), the practice sessions were ran in rapid
succession - much to the chagrin of those competitors who wanted
breakfast! For, no sooner had one finished one run, collected
your times (efficiently posted by the time you went to get them),
it was time to go out again! Three practice sessions were held in
drying conditions before the lunch break, where we all looked
anxiously skyward, hoping that the weather would hold (unless you
were Andy, in which case you were secretly performing rain
dances!). After the resumption of 'play' the first timed run was
in the dry, where Andy managed to maintain his time advantage
gained over the practice sessions over Terry. The dry conditions
suited everyone, with practically all the competitors posting
close to their respective target times. However, just in time for
the final, no bars held run of the day, the heavens opened. What
a difference a little shower made! The track might just have well
have been covered in Vaseline! So Andy's rain dance had paid off
after all.
Overall, a fabulous day’s motor sport. I for one would
gladly make the trek once again.
So, all in all, a busy month, fortunately June’s a little lighter, before we plunge headlong into July.
Well, that’s all for now, hope to see you at Anglesey.
Jim