Entries are now being accepted for the California Cup Autotests to be held as part of MGCC Silverstone on Saturday 14th June 2008.
Supplementary Regulations and entry forms are available from this website, or by ticking the box on the main MGCC Silverstone 2008 entry form, or from Club Office on 01235 555552. Closing date for entries was set one week prior to the event but has been extended.
The California Cup – or more formally the “California Cup and BMC Trophy Inter-Centre Challenge Match” - is the Club’s premier autotest, attracting competitors from throughout the UK and Northern Ireland driving MGs in classes for the very earliest to the latest models. As the name suggests, there are team prizes in addition to those for individual classes; the California Cup and BMC Trophy are for teams of three from the same geographical centre and the Register Trophy is open to teams from the Vintage, MMM & T Registers.
In bygone days it was not unknown for each and every regional centre to be represented in the team competition; indeed, some centres were able to enter several teams. The popularity of the event has waned in more recent times – but with entries of around fifty the event is still one of the largest of it’s type in the UK. The Supplementary Regulations have been simplified for 2008 with the aim of attracting more individual and team entries.
You don’t need a specialised vehicle to compete – in fact, all vehicles must be road-going and drivers are required to present their MOT certificates at scrutineering. The Chief Scrutineer and his team will also check Club Membership Cards, correct operation of throttle closing springs and general roadworthiness.
Although MGBs and Midgets form the backbone of the entries, it is not unusual to see 18/80s and pre-war Midgets rubbing shoulders with 1980’s FWD saloons and MGFs. The organisers are hoping to attract some entries from the new Zed cars – the lower-powered ZRs in particular should make decent autotest cars. There’s even a class for MG SVs – why not enter yours…?
If you do not want to compete, then why not spectate? There’s plenty of space for everyone to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the first competitive event of MGCC Silverstone. The tests are located in the Grand Prix car-park, just outside of the main entrance to Silverstone. If you don’t fancy the five minute walk, then a shuttle bus will be available from the main arena.
Neil Lock
Secretary of the Meeting
California Cup and BMC Trophy Inter-Centre Challenge Match