MGCC Luffield Speed Championship
Coordinator's Corner - End of 2005 Season
So another busy season comes to an end. A season that in MG terms has been somewhat traumatic to say the least, yet the keen competition and enthusiasm for the marque shown in our speed championship gives that feeling the lie. As I write there is still no hard news that indicates that MG will survive, either in China or the UK. But I can give one bit of good news. Our sponsor, Luffield Cars has agreed to continue sponsorship of the Speed Championship during 2006.
I cannot speak too highly about David Wood of Luffield Cars. By any standards he must have had a terrible time, yet he has always had time to talk to us about the championship. He attended several of our events, even shared the shelter of my car during the Silverstone monsoon. He will be with us again at the dinner dance on November 19th as a very welcome guest.
At the end of this "Corner" you will find a list of this year's awards. My thanks to Iain McDougall-Bell and Helen Waddington for organising the results chart and easing my problems with the calculations. Careful analysis of these results shows up one or two disappointing features, The MMM cars were few and far between this year. This is a continuation of a trend that has been noticeable ever since I became coordinator. (I don't think it is my fault). This is a great pity because it tends to sever our links with important MG history. Yes, of course these cars are slower than the Midgets, but not always that much slower. In any case our target time system is meant to give all cars a fair chance of competing. In fact, because our records on MMM performance are somewhat sketchy, a well driven MMM competing in enough events could well cause a flutter among the Midgets.
The other problem is at the other end of the time scale. Two MGF and three ZR and a ZT is a very poor showing for the modern MGs. All credit to the competitors who have entered these cars, they have put up a good performance. David Coulthard's performance on a flooded Silverstone was an eye opener. He, in his modest way put it down to ABS and other modern developments, assuring me that he could stamp on the brakes at the end of Hangar Straight in the sure knowledge that he would not lock any wheels. I suspect that skill, and sheer courage may also have played a part. But where are all the other ZR drivers?
Terry Pigott, having given up sheer power in favour of finesse and
reliability, has finally been rewarded with success as this year's Luffield
Speed Champion. Our congratulations to him and the other competitors who kept
him honest right to the end of the season. John Wilman and Gary Waite kept
pushing, but John has to be satisfied with the Norwester Trophy, and Gary with
the Class win.
In the South, Peter Hall is a worthy winner of the Windmill & Lewis Trophy,
but hotly pursued by Mark Walker, Who was winner of the Group 3 Class award,
followed by Rachel Walker. Clearly this is a Team to beat.
The Novices Award this year goes to Katie Nicolson. Talking to a number of
fellow competitors it is clear to me that she is a very popular winner. A
regular comment has been, "She has worked hard". So well done Katie,
now you can start putting pressure on TJ!
Click here for a full list of award winners
Drivers Meeting
We have decided to try something new this year. Drivers meetings taking place at
the dinner dance have always been poorly attended, and in the case of the
Southern drivers, too late in the season for any input from the drivers meeting
being incorporated into changes in regs or systems. We intend to hold a Joint
N/S drivers meeting on a Saturday morning, in a suitable venue in the Midlands,
where we can have a buffet lunch, and talk shop in comfortable surroundings. I
am currently looking at venues, and I would welcome suggestions. I am looking at
venues only just off the Motorway network, such as the Motorcycle Museum at
Stonebridge. Another possibility is Loughborough J23 or J24, with a visit to
Luffield's MG centre. Your comments and suggestions will be most welcome. One
idea already put forward is that if drivers paid for their lunch, then we could
have partners along as well, and make it "A grand day out" (Apologies
to Wallace & Grommit) with a visit to a local attraction.
Comments and agenda items urgently to <lawriebrown@aol.com>
or 01490 440251.
2006 Regs
We intend to make some small but important alterations to the regs for
2006.
The basis of these changes are to make it easier for drivers in racing
championships, like the Cockshoot Cup to use the same car for Speed events.
At the end of this "Corner " you will find the wording we intend to
use. The changes apply to 3.3.8 and 3.3.9 with a small change to 3.4.7. Again we
want constructive comments, but we would expect this to be an agenda item at the
drivers meeting.
2006 Calendar
The calendar for next year is almost complete. My thanks to all the clubs who
invite us to take part in their events, they have been most helpful and
co-operative and enabled me to tie this up early. As usual Mr Ecclestone has
kept us waiting on some details, and there are some event clashes which I am
trying to iron out, but most of the dates are firm. In the calendar attached the
firm dates are in Red. There is one major addition this year, which is Cadwell
Park. Your response to my query "Should we go?" was a very positive,
"Wouldn't miss it for the world"
MGCC HQ
Paul Rodman, David Rainsbury and I attended a very acrimonious Council Meeting
and AGM at Gaydon recently. The source of all the argument is the question of
the Car Club's new headquarters building, and the differences of opinion concern
(A) whether we need a new building, (B) If we do what type of building should it
be, (C) How much can we afford, and (D) where should it be?
There are very strong views, held honestly on all these points, and the acrimony
arises because there has been a lack of communication between the various
parties.
Paul Rodman, representing NW centre made a proposition, which was accepted with
a considerable majority, that all activities on this matter should cease while a
working party is put together to study and report on all of these aspects.
This working party will be set up by the Club Chairman with three members from
the executive and four from the membership.
This argument was threatening to split the Club, just at a time when we need
unity to face the difficulties which are inevitable with the demise of MG Rover.
The meeting at Gaydon helped to heal some of the rifts, but we all need to work
together to sort out differences and to decide what is best for the club. If you
have a particular expertise in some aspect of our future planning, why don't you
get in touch with Mr Best, now, and offer your help on the working party.
Retirement
Finally you will recall that I said earlier in the year that I would retire at
the end of this year. A replacement has been found, but I have also agreed to
continue to be involved during the coming season to ensure a seamless handover.
I have enjoyed my time as co-ordinator, in particular I have appreciated the
friendly support and encouragement that has been offered so often. I am
delighted to report that my wife Ann, who has been seriously ill, is now making
a good recovery. My thanks to so many of you, who only know Ann from brief
telephone conversations, who have sent your good wishes to "Mrs B".
Your friendship has been appreciated, and has played a part in her recovery.
Lawrie