MGCC Luffield Speed Championship
Co-ordinators Corner - August 2005
Silverstone
After several years of hot, sunny Silverstone, the weather gods really got
their own back this year.
As an absolute first priority let me thank profusely all the marshals and
officials who soldiered on in spite of being soaked. In the end we called it off
after only two competitive runs, and from what I hear about other events that
afternoon, that was one of the better decisions made that day. I understand that
Stowe Corner was actually awash, and that an area just before the start line was
so deep that drivers were concerned to be driving through it.
It is of credit to the drivers that in these conditions there were remarkably
few excursions into the surrounding countryside, and only one incident that
required a red flag.
David Coulthard (61.57) is developing a title as "Regen Meister". He
set fastest time at Harewood in the rain (He was playing "at home"),
and at Silverstone he did it again. Talking to him later he extolled the virtues
of front wheel drive and ABS, but in the conditions we had that day skill and
courage must also play a part.
Richard Frogatt (62.81) presumably also owed a great deal to the wonders of
modern braking systems. His usual sheer power advantage was restricted in the
wet, but even with too much power on the rear wheels and a lot of weight to
wrestle round the bendy bits, he managed to give David a run for his money.
There was a new Trophy to be won this year. Many of you knew Ian Beresford who
died earlier this year. Ian's family offered in his memory, a trophy for the
fastest MG driven by a NW Centre driver at the Silverstone Sprint. Subject to
confirmation etc. my calculations show the winner of this award as Jonathan
Beresford, MG BGT with a time of 66.00. By any standard this is a remarkably
good time in these conditions (without ABS!) . Indeed I think it is only
bettered by Mike Froggatt in an MG TF160, Richard Froggat in a ZT and David
Coulthard in a ZR. ( there must be something in the Froggatt genes).
Another time that is worth noting is Keith Beningfield in a modified MG TC at
67.11. I keep telling people that a well prepared T could win the championship,
but nobody listens.
For those of you who like disputes and tortuous calculations just what should be
the capacity of Danny Cusworth's diesel. At scrutineering, blue book pages were
being turned furiously, but without a satisfactory answer. The actual capacity
is 2000cc Diesel turbocharged. I say it is therefore 2000/2 X1.4 = 1400cc, but I
have no authority whatsoever for this statement
One last word on Silverstone. It is traditional at this event that marshals are
rewarded for their efforts with a can/bottle of suitable refreshment at the end
of the event. On this occasion the end of the event was somewhat chaotic, and
the Start line marshals, who had been exposed to the rain for the whole time
disappeared before I was able to get to them with the bottles. This is fully
understandable. I assume they were seeking some place to get dry, but if they
will be in touch with me I will ensure that their efforts are properly
recognised.
REGS.
This is the time of the year when we start to look at our regs in terms of any
required modifications. We are hoping this year to keep any changes to an
absolute minimum, but if you have an opinion on regs which you believe to be un
fair or unnecessarily restrictive please get in touch with me and let me know.
One point has already been raised, and it is one with which I am sympathetic.
It mainly concerns Road going modified A and Road going modified B.
There are a number of drivers who would like to compete in races such as the
Cockshoot series as well as competing in the Luffield Speed Championship, and
they would like to do so in the same car, with an absolute minimum of
modifications.
The Speed committee will be meeting to consider this in the near future. If
you have constructive comments or suggestions on this matter please let me have
them with some urgency. I believe that a move in this direction could be good
for both series.
Lawrie