The newsletter of the Luffield Cars MGCC Speed Championship
Also available at the championship web site www.mgcars.org/mgccsc
Here we stand, poised on the brink of a new competition season, with the opening round just 2 weeks away and our first joint Northern & Southern get together only one week later. It is going to quiet an event, the return to Loton Park after 2 years away. It is always a venue I love, and to my mind “probably the best Hillclimb in the country” to steal some ad-mans words. I think it’s the combination of the tricky start under the trees, followed by challenging downhill section through the tightening adverse camber “loggerheads” corner and down towards the paddock at “triangle”, before the steep climb back up through the trees, over blind crests and round the hairpin to the flying finish. Really gets the adrenaline going. And it will be great to get everyone together so early in the season for a change.
This year we already have an excellent entry of 76 cars, which includes over a dozen newcomers and 5 returns from earlier seasons, so we could be in for another bumper year, to rival the high point of 2000, when we had nearly 130 drivers registered. Looking down the list there are going to be some excellent competition this year, with the welcome return of “Diggers” and Tony Holt (both previous class winners) to the Road-going Modified MGB & C class. They should provide a challenge last years front runners, Chris “Fyffes” Cooper and David Butler, both of whom have registered for Northern and Southern Series. Elsewhere, almost all of last years award winners are out (I think I’m the only absentee), and the next generation are also out in force with family teams from the Savourys, Smiths and Pattinsons.
So, what has been going on since the last missive. Well first of all, the calendar has been corrected, to include Castle Combe (which fell off the end of the page in error), to remove the cancelled Leconfield meeting and to try and put right all the dates. To that end, an updated version is in preparation and will be sent out next month. Suffice to say though you will get regs for all the rounds.
We (that is the organising committee) have met and reviewed the entry list to try and sort out viable classes. As I promised at the drivers’ meetings, both North and South, we will be rigorously applying the regulations this year, to maximise the competition in all classes. There will be no small classes in 2002 with amalgamations made early rather than late, so everyone knows who their competition is. In the class listings appended, we have indicated where we think the likely amalgamations will be; all the classes are listed with dotted lines separating those likely to be combined if entries remain at their current level. I have also noted in the comments column some alternatives, such as combining all the MMM and T-types irrespective of level of modification. This is all only provisional, the final decision being taken at the May committee meeting and communicated via that months newsletter. In another initiative to promote communication and keep everyone abreast of goings on in the organisation, Paul Rodman will be providing a report from the championship committee meetings, the first of which is below.
Looking a bit further a field than Loton, the next major get-together for all the championship will be the NW Centre’s own event at the Anglesey Circuit in July. This event, 2 weeks before Silverstone, is being planned as a major MG showcase, and we are trying to encourage as many championship drivers as possible to make their way to Wales’ own off-shore island. First contacts have been made with the media, and we are hoping to try and interest Chanel 4’s Driven team in coming down to have a go at “grass roots” motorsport. To try and persuade some of the more distant competitors to make the journey for what is always 2 days of excellent sprint action, the Championship committee will be holding a welcoming party on Friday evening and the NW centre will be hosting a BBQ on the Saturday evening for all MGCC members and their families. Come and join us for the North’s premier sprint round 2 laps of the circuit, more details next month with the regs.
Another initiative to promote a little friendly rivalry is the institution of the “Inter Series Challenge”. The idea is that for each of the 5 cross over events (Loton, 2 x Anglesey, Silverstone & Curborough) the top 5 points scorers of each series will be added together in a table, producing a total of 25 scores for each series. At the end of the year an award presented to the highest scoring team, and they can lord it over the opposing series competitors for the following year! Those drivers who have registered for both Northern and Southern series must nominate their allegiance for the whole year at the start of the season, if you are registered in the same car that is. Email your loyalties to me at jim.garvey@tesco.net. Just a bit of fun, should be a larf!
A further event that I would recommend to you is the annual Rodders grass autotest, this year to be held at 521 Chester Road, Woodford, SK7 1PR (map available from the Post Code, via www.multimap.co.uk) on Sunday 28th July. Another day of fun followed by the traditional BBQ and prize giving. Again further details closer to the time.
Other events of interest at this time, is the invitation to the Bentley Drivers Club Curborough Sprint on 8th June. This is not a championship round, but the MGCC is an invited club, and all are welcome.
The thought of sorting out some championship regalia was also mooted at last week’s committee meeting, and plans are afoot to produce a limited run of T-shirts, polo shirts and sweatshirts with an embroidered championship logo. Prices are likely to be £8-15 depending upon the item. Full details and an order form will be included in next month’s newsletter. In fact we might produce a whole range of items; once we have the logo sorted we can put it on almost anything! (Personally I fancy a jacket, and we’ll make sure they’re cheaper than the MGCC ones.)
For those of you who have not registered for 2002, this will be your last newsletter until you do. All the best, and hope to see you soon.
Jim “Piglet Pilot” Garvey
We are trying to raise the profile of the championship in the media and TV using flagship events i.e. Ty-Croes etc, We have had some positive response and will report further if firm proposals are received.John Willman, known to many of the northern drivers, is the new Safety Fast Scribe.
Of interest to all, the last meeting discussed and sorted the buoyant entry to both
North and South into sensible classes for 2002.
The amalgamations will be firmed
up after the May 1st cut off. However initial work must be done to
allow the results spread sheet to be sorted by JT based on entries received at
present.
Due to not all competitors being “on the net” the Speed Com only accepts
comments, suggestions etc, by post at present, to Jean Entwisle Champ Cordinator
or Paul Rodman @ 39 Moor Lane, Woodford, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 1PW.
All Letters will be read by the committee and answers supplied ASAP.
(NB. Short Concise Letters Get Quicker Answers!)
It should be noted that all Speed Com members / Stewards Enjoy motorsport and see
turning up monthly for sometimes long and involved meetings as putting something
back into a sport that has given them so much fun and friendship.
I hope this
positive attitude will spread through all competitors and make 2002 the best
year for the best championship.
As the old adage goes “You only get out what
you put in”.
I promise a more lightweight account next time.
Don’t forget Optimax & CVL(Millers) is the hottest legal brew going!! (100+ Octane
and monster advance, = lots of ponies).
Happy Sprinting
Rodders