Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Championship

 

 

****    NEWSLETTER    ****

17th January 2012

 

Dear Competitor,

 

Firstly may we wish you all a safe and successful 2012.

 

2012 Regs

 

The 2012 Regulations still haven’t been approved by MSA. As soon as they are approved we will get them online ready for the 2012 season.

 

Race Kit

 

Please make sure that your race kit complies with the 2012 MSA Regulations.

The requirement for seat harnesses to be “in date” came in during 2006 and, given that they have a 5 year life, a lot of harnesses expire at the end of 2011. Please do check the date on your harness to make sure it’s valid until at least the end of 2012.

Race overalls must comply with FIA 8856-2000 (refer Blue Book K9.1.2).

Helmets must comply with K10.3.1(a).

Seats do not have to be “in date” for UK National racing. If you decide to race in Europe they must be in date.

Fire extinguishers are to be minimum 1.75 litre plumbed-in (refer K3.1.2a on page 168 of 2012 (Blue Book).

Click here from an excellent race shop called Road and Racegear. It is owned and operated by Nick Merry who used to work for Grand Prix Racewear but started his own shop when GPR changed direction last year. Nick is a great guy and will give a very personal service with a minimum 10% discount on all sales to MGOC drivers. His shop is 30 yards from Hanger Lane tube station on the A40 exiting London. He will of course send any items, large or small, by carrier if requested.

 

Classes F and Z

 

You will all recall the time and effort spent in getting the ECU chip situation correctly sorted. I do hope all F and Z drivers are fully aware of what you need to do. If you have any queries, please contact Jim.

General Chat

 

Jim spoke to Ian Evans today, he’s had a really rough time lately. After losing both his parents within a couple of weeks of each other just before Christmas he’s going into hospital on 25th January for a replacement hip. Ian is really keen to race in 2012 and I am optimistic that he’ll be back where he belongs, with MGOC, for the start of the new season.

Dave Mellor has already signed up for Class F.

Ex MG Metro Challenge racer Nick Webster has purchased the green rubber bumper MGB previously owned by Andrew Forsythe and is returning to the tracks after many years away.

Gethin Isaac is rumoured to be building a ZR with a view to returning to the tracks later in the year.

Danny Porter is in the final stages of building his BGT and expects to be out racing in the Spring.

Will Sharpe is talking to a guy who is building a ZR with a view to joining the action in the Spring.

 

Cars for Sale

 

A number of cars have been sold recently and the cars for sale list is looking a bit thin. If any of you have, or know of, a ready to race car please let me know.

Test Day

 

As usual, we have been invited to join the Classic Sports Car Club Test Day at Snetterton on Thursday 29th March. Our first meeting is at Snetterton on 7/8th April so this is a great opportunity to get back in the swing of things after the winter break.

 


 

****    NEWSLETTER    ****

11th December 2011

 

Dear Competitor


BARC have today advised the following races dates for the 2012 MGOC Championship:

 

 
Rounds 1 and 2 : 7/8th April    -  Snetterton
Rounds 3 and 4 : 5/6th May   -   Brands Hatch
Rounds 5 and 6 : 19th May       -   Oulton Park
Rounds 7and 8:   23/24th June    -   Silverstone GP circuit
Rounds 9, 10 and 11: 18/19th August -   Donington Park
Rounds 12 and 13 : 8/9th September -   Cadwell Park
Rounds 14 and 15 :  30th September -   Mallory
Round   16 : 14th October -  Thruxton

 

 

These dates are subject to final confirmation but I can assure you that BARC wouldn't issue unless they were 99% certain.

 

We really don't think we've ever had such an impressive race programme, the Donington weekend is a huge bonus for us and should be great fun.

 

We can't at this stage say what days we'll be racing on at the two day meetings, this won't be known for a couple of months yet.

 

All races are BARC meetings except Brands and Silverstone which are of course MG Car Club events. 

 

MGOC Championship 2012 Regulations

BARC have been submitted these to MSA for approval, I’d expect to be issuing the Regs and the 2012 Championship Registration form in late January.

 

This is the last Newsletter before Christmas and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported the Championship over the past 12 months. This of course includes the drivers but also your wives, partners, family, friends and mechanics who have all been there to support you and are every bit as important as us drivers in making our Championship so friendly and successful.


We would like to wish you all a peaceful Christmas and prosperous and, above all, a safe, 2012.

 

 


 

NEWSLETTER

30th November 2011

Dear Competitor,

The Awards Dinner went ahead as planned.  We ended up with 80 guests, it really was an excellent evening and I’d like to say thanks to all of you who supported this event.  If anyone has any comments, good or bad, about the Dinner, please email Jim at baynam@btinternet.com . We have been considering moving to our old venue in Buckingham as it is perhaps better suited to the numbers we now get for the event. We’ve been at the Cambridge Menzies Hotel for 9 years, I’m personally very happy what they do for us don’t want to change for the sake of change but would welcome any constructive comments you may have on the location, food quality and room rates.

The winners received their trophies from Dale Wells who was very complimentary about our Championship, he told me that the MGOC drivers are the friendliest he comes across in any of the 35 Championships they run. Dale doesn’t give praise lightly and you should all take this as a real compliment.

We have a number of new drivers coming into the Championship next season and several drivers who didn’t race this year are definitely coming back and together with our hugely enthusiastic bunch of Novice drivers I’m really optimistic that 2012 is going to be a fantastic year for us. I can hardly wait to start what will be my 32nd year of MGOC racing.

I’d like to thank every single one of you for your support this season. I know only too well that money has been tight and many of you have struggled to make the grid but our numbers have held up through this difficult time and on many occasions the MGOC grid has been the biggest of the day.

Whilst I certainly do wear the Championship organiser hat I can assure that there are many other people on the scene who contribute a lot of time to make the Championship work as well as it does. I’d particularly like to thank Will Sharpe who, apart from giving some welcome financial support through Wayside Adhesives, has come up with some great ideas for moving the Championship forward. Thanks also to Kevin Bull and Doug Cole for their tremendous support on all F and Z technical matters, Kelvin Fagan for his photo’s and of course Julie, Linda and Judith at MGOC.

We have a great team working for the benefit of our Championship and with your ongoing support we can look forward to moving the Championship on reinforce its position as the best supported MG Championship in the world. Big words but it’s true !!.

 

Race Dates

I’m as keen as you are to know the dates for 2012 but BARC have one or two issues with circuit owners and other major Championships that are preventing them firming up their Club race calendar. I can assure you that I will advise you all of the race dates immediately I receive them.

I can however confirm that we have reached an agreement with our friends at MG Car Club to join them on their meetings at Brands Hatch on 5/6th May and Silverstone (Arena GP circuit) on 23/24th June and BARC have put these dates in their calendar. I must however make the point that that both of the MGCC meetings are two-day events and I can’t, at this stage say if our races will be all on one or spread over the two days.

 

News

Dave Mellor has bought Stuart Plotnek’s MGF and will doing selected races in 2012.

Novice driver Jay Mooney has bought the ZR160 I raced at Mallory and plans a full season in 2012.

A team of 17 year old lads lead by Daniel White are building a 1500 Midget for Class A.

Phil Churchill plans to return to Class A in his MGB.

Ian Deaves plans to return in his MGF.

Henry Sharpe has bought Adrian Olsson’s ZR160.

Huds Johal is building a ZR160.

Jim O’Brien has bought a ready to race ZR160 and plans to race with us in 2012.

Will Sharpe is in touch with a novice driver who is halfway though building a ZR160 to race with us.

Darren Leonard plans to convert his ZS120 to ZS160 specification and do selected races in 2012.

Jeremy Rivers-Fletcher will enter a road going diesel ZS in the Invitation Class.

 

A former Formula Ford and Mazda MX5 driver went to Mallory to look at getting back into Classic FF but after watching the superb race we put on has decided to give up the FF idea and is currently in the process of buying a ZR160 to build up into a race car.

 

In addition to the above, I’m in regular contact with several other drivers who are planning to race with us next season. As I said, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.

 

Classes F and Z

Following my thoughts and comments towards the end of last season and subsequent discussions at the Mallory drivers meeting, I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks with Superchips re-affirming the specification of the MGOC specification ECU maps. I’ve attached a summary of the findings are where we are going with this for 2012. I’m absolutely certain that the route we have taken is the correct one and is in the very best interests of our Championship. I’d like to thank Will, Peter Higton and Kevin Bull for their input into this exercise.

 

 

The next Newsletter will give the confirmed 2012 race dates.

 


 

NEWSLETTER

 

12th October 2011


Dear Competitor,

 

Mallory Park saw the final race of the 2011 season and the 31st season of the

Championship. On a meeting where a total of only 89 cars were entered for 6 races,

it was to our huge credit that 30 of those entries were in the MGOC race and I’d like to personally thank all of our regular drivers and the Invitation Class drivers for putting on

such a great end of season show. It shows just how strong our Championship is in

these very difficult times.


Congratulations to Will Sharpe, Ben Duncalf, Simon Kendrick and Bob Kett for their Class

wins. It was particularly satisfying to see Simon and Bob gain long overdue first ever MGOC Class wins.

 

The Star Drive trophy went to Dean Sullivan who drove really well from 7th on what was a very strong grid to take a superb 2nd place, by far his best ever result and richly deserved after a difficult couple of years.


It was great to see Trevor back in his old MGBGT and to see Dave Rees and Ian Evans

back on an MGOC grid again and to welcome Julia Penfold who put in a very strong

performance in her immaculately prepared ZR160 to win the Invitation Class.

 

No new lap records were set.


Racing a ZR160 was something of a learning curve for me having never driven the car

until I went out for Practice on a damp track. It brought back memories of the last time I raced an FWD car at Mallory in August 1991 when I went off the track on the straight

leading up to the Hairpin and vaulted the central barrier ending up upside down in the

middle of the track coming down from the Hairpin. Despite a few minor problems I’m

pleased to say I didn’t repeat those dramas !!.


Championship Results

The final Championship positions are as shown on the results page. If you have any queries on the points shown, please contact me immediately.
Congratulations go to our 2011 Champions:

Class A and Overall Champion  - Jim Baynam
Class B  - Huds Johal
Class F  -  Peter Higton
Class Z  -  Will Sharpe
Novice Champion -  Brian Butler


Of course I am delighted to have won the Championship for the second time in my 31
years racing with MGOC but have some sympathy for Will and Peter who, whilst winning
their respective Classes, lost the chance of challenging for the Overall Championship
because of reduced points at a number of races due to low entries in Classes F and Z .

Driving Standards


The only down side of the Mallory meeting was the old chestnut of driving standards. The racing at front of the pack was very close but there is no excuse for the bumping and
boring that went on and the number of cars with body damage took the edge off what
was an otherwise excellent race.  It’s simply not acceptable and some drivers should have
a long hard think over the winter as to how they plan to clean their act up for next season.

2012 Regulations


We had a drivers meeting at lunchtime on Sunday to discuss any changes for the 2012 season. Time constraints meant that we only had 90 minutes to discuss the issues at stake but I felt that we covered the points in sufficient detail to draw some conclusions.
I have to discuss one or two of the proposed changes with BARC and will send out a final
list of changes in a week or so. I can however say that there will be no changes to the Regulations on tyres and no changes to the Reg's for Classes A and B.

Awards Dinner


Please click here to download a copy of the booking form. Please fill this in and return it to Julie at MGOC offices as soon as possible.

 

Thanks for your support this season.

 


 

 

NEWSLETTER

 

 

28th September 2011

 

Dear Competitor,

 

 

A race on the International circuit at Oulton is always a treat and it was good to see a decent entry of 21 cars for the last double-header meeting of the year. Congratulations go to Will Sharpe for two outright wins and to Peter Higton for two wins in Class F. Ben Duncalf made his race debut in Class B and took away a couple of trophies  for two Class wins. I had two wins in Class A but was made to work hard for the win in Race 2 by Chris Flooks and John Kimber who drove really well on a damp track and both recorded faster laps than me. Will Sharpe set a new lap record in Class Z.

 

Drivers Meeting

 

We will be having an end of season drivers meeting at Mallory on 9th October. The purpose of this is to discuss any changes to the Reg's for the 2012 season, I really don’t expect any major changes but this is your opportunity to raise any matters for discussion. The timetable posted on the BARC website shows Practice at 11.30am and the Race at 3.45pm, the meeting will commence at 1.00pm in the main office next to Race Control and will take a maximum of one hour. Any issues to be raised at this meeting must be emailed to me at baynam@btinternet.com by Wednesday 5th October.

2012 Race Dates

 

My current thought is that for 2012 we should have eight double-headers i.e. 16 rounds but I’m open to your thoughts on this. I’m meeting Dale Wells at Thruxton next week to talk through possible race dates for 2012 and, as ever, try and get the best programme we can. Hopefully we will get the 2012 programme confirmed a lot earlier than it was this year.

Awards Dinner

 

Another reminder that this will be at the usual venue, the Menzies Cambridge Hotel on Saturday 19th November. Booking forms can be downloaded here or you can contact Julie on 01954 231125.


NEWSLETTER

 

19th September 2011

 

Dear Competitor,

 

Only 13 cars made the long trek up the A1 to Croft. Despite the small entry it was great to see our new drivers Philip Espinasse, John Fletcher and Kieron Hayes make the considerable effort to be at this race.

 

Congratulations go to Peter Higton, Nick Golhar, Will Sharpe who all had two wins each. There were no Class B entries. No new lap records were set.

 

The saddest sight was to see the perennially unlucky Brian Butler sustain more damage to his MGF. The good news is that Brian expects to have the car repaired and will be entering Oulton.

 

The Wayside “Star Drive” trophies went to Paul Wisbey for two good drives in Class F and to John Kimber who for an excellent drive in Race 2.

 

Points Tables

These can be viewed on the here or at www.barc.net, please let me know if you have any queries on the points tables as shown.

 

Mallory Park

You should all be aware that any driver who has entered every BARC organised meeting this season is entitled to a substantial reduction to the final race entry of the season. There are very strict procedures for claiming this and you should refer to the information sheet as issued by BARC Click here to download the details.

 

If you have already entered the Mallory race you must contact Nicola at BARC to ensure that you get what amounts to a £146 refund. Retrospective claims submitted after the Mallory meeting will not be accepted.

 

Awards Dinner

Click here to download your Awards Dinner reservation form. This is a really important event in our calendar and I really do ask that you do your best to support it. It’s a good evening and an ideal opportunity to enjoy a social evening with you friends, family and fellow drivers. Please bring along as many guests as you can muster.

 

2012 Regulations

Once again, BARC have told me that I have to submit any required changes to the Technical Regulations for the 2011 season by mid-October. Please ensure that any items you wish to be considered for change or inclusion into the 2012 Regs are emailed to me at  baynam@btinternet.com by 16th October at the very latest.         

 

 

 

Thanks for your continued support, I Iook forward to seeing you all at Oulton.

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________

 

NEWSLETTER

 

 

30th August 2011

 

Dear Competitor,

Once again, we were a supporting race to the 24 Hour Citroen 2CV at Snetterton on Saturday. The races were held on the new 200 circuit. For reasons known only to themselves, MSV have renamed most of the corners, I haven’t got a clue what the new names are so I will simply continue to call them what I’ve called them for the past 30 years.

Personally, I thought that the new hairpin and the left hander onto the Revett Straight were a bit fiddly but the extended Coram was challenging and the new left hander at Russell was a great improvement over the old chicane.

We had 23 entries. It was good to welcome Kieron Hayes and John Fletcher who were making their race debuts in Class A and to welcome Trevor Dixon and Ashley Barnes back to the action.

It was also good to see Ian Deaves and Malcolm Hill around the Paddock. Ian is planning to race again in 2012. Malcolm is enjoying life but predictably misses the racing action.

Congratulations go to Peter Higton for two outright and Class F wins and to Jody Bowcott for two Class Z wins. I had two wins in Class A.

The Wayside Star Drive trophies went to Trevor who practiced out of session in Chris Flooks’s car and drove from the back of the grid to 13th and 3rd in Class A and to Simon Kendrick who had two good races and set the Class F lap record.

New lap records were established by Will Sharpe in Class Z, Simon Kendrick in Class F and me in Class A. There were no Class B entries.

Class Z

Some of you may have wondered why Junior Bhambra’s ZS was running in the Invitation Class. The reason for this was that Junior wanted to run a non-standard big valve head and his car therefore didn’t comply with the Class Z Regulations and regrettably he had no choice but to change his entry and run the car in the Invitation Class

It was tough on the rest of the Class Z drivers as it resulted in only four cars in that Class and they were therefore running on reduced points but we simply cannot allow cars that we know don’t comply with the Class Regulations to run in that Class.

We have 10 cars registered in Class Z and it was a bit disappointing to have to so few cars entered for what was always a popular and well supported meeting. Will Sharpe and me are working hard to muster some more entries for Class Z and I’m sure things will pick up during the course of this season and into 2012.

Croft and Oulton

For most of us, these meeting do involve long Friday night journeys but they are two of the very best circuits we go to and I really hope you will all do your level best to enter these races.

 

 

Points Tables

Mark Baker continues to do a sterling job compiling our points tables, these are now posted here. The official points tables are those as posted on the BARC website, we do cross reference both sets of points tables but please let me know if you find any discrepancies.

 

Awards Dinner

Another gentle reminder that the Awards Dinner will take place at the usual venue just outside Cambridge on Saturday 19th November, please put this date in your diary. More information and a booking form will be sent out next month.

 

 

See you at Croft,

 

Jim

______________________________________________________________

NEWSLETTER

8th August 2011

 

Dear Competitor,

The financial climate is biting hard into race entry levels and just 17 cars made the trip down the M4 for our annual visit to Pembrey.

It was good to see Philip Espinasse making his race debut in the ex-Mark Witherington MGBGT. Philip had something of a baptism of fire but thanks to the efforts of his enthusiastic team and other  MGOC drivers, the car was on the grid for race 2. Thanks also go to Nigel Thorne for his help and advice and for getting the car re-scrutineered.

 

The meeting started with sufficient entries for in Classes A, F and Z for full points to be awarded but sadly this changed with a couple of retirements and Classes F and Z ended up on reduced points as Brian Butler and Junior Bhambra didn’t make either race due to accident and engine problems.

 

Congratulations go to Will Sharpe and Jody Bowcott for a win apiece in Class Z and to Peter Higton and Huds Johal who each had two wins in Classes F and Z. I also took two wins in Class A.

 

It was particularly satisfying to see Jody and Peter take their first ever outright race wins. Well done guys and welcome to what is still a pretty excusive club.

No new lap records were set.

Driver Profiles

I sent out the attached information sheet a couple of months ago so we could add some details to our Championship website. A good number of you completed and sent the forms back and your information and a photo can now be seen on the drivers profiles. I’d be grateful if those of you who didn’t return the form earlier this year could take the time to fill in the attached form and return it to Julie at MGOC alternativley email editor@mgoc-championship.co.uk your completed form.

Cars for Sale

The For Sale list is looking very thin at the moment. If any of you know of any cars that may be for sale could you please let me know and we’ll get them added to the list.

Snetterton

We are again supporting the 24 Hour Citroen 2CV race and both of our races will be held on the Saturday. There isn’t a great deal of time between Practice and each race, the race timetable can be seen on the BARC website www.barc.net and follow the link to Competitions.

We usually get good grids for Snetterton races. This meeting will see the race debut in Class A of John Fletcher who, at 16 years and 3 months will be by some way our youngest ever driver. Ashley Barnes (Midget) and Trevor Dixon (MGB) are also planning to return to Class A.

 

This will be the first time we’ve raced on the new Snetterton 200 circuit layout so new lap records will be established in all four Classes.

 

Points Tables

There are some errors in the table currently shown on the BARC website, I’m sure these will be corrected soon. Click here to see the correct points table.

 

I look forward to seeing you all at Snetterton for what should be a really good meeting.

 

_____________________________

NEWSLETTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th July 2011  

 

Dear Competitor,

 

The MG Car Club has rightly become the premier meeting of our season and whilst the planned entry of 37 cars dropped to 34 after a few late withdrawals it was still an excellent entry. I know that several of you worked really hard to be there and I’d like to thank you all for your tremendous support.

 

Congratulations go to Martin Wills, Will Sharpe, Lee Sullivan and Huds Johal for their wins. New lap records were established by Will in Class Z, Martin in Class B, Huds in Class B and me in Class A.

 

It was great to see Lee Sullivan back out with us in Mark Halsall’s ZR and Darren Leonard making a welcome return in the ex-Paul Naish ZS120.

 

Team Golhar continued their tremendous support with Nick racing his ZR and a Maestro, Huds taking two good Class B wins, Junior having some fun in Class Z and Jag Golhar making his race debut in a Maestro.

 

The only down side was that there were a lot of DNF’s in Class A. The Arena GP circuit is very fast and the B’s and Midgets were in top gear all the way from the old Woodcote round to the new Arena complex. It’s a wonderful challenge but it does put the cars under a lot of stress.

 

I have to say a special well done to Doug Cole who drove superbly to deservedly win the MGCC Trophy race in what was a very high class field of ZR190’s. Not bad for an old MGOC racer.

 

Flag Signals

 

I watched the second of the F/Z races from the grandstand at Club corner, it was a great place to watch some very fast action. What I did see were four cars continuing to race flat out along Vale and through Club under waved red flags. Two of the cars very nearly collided on the exit of Club, the implications of that wouldn’t have gone down very well with the Clerk of the Course.

 

It’s bad enough ignoring a yellow flag but ignoring waved red flags is just about the biggest crime you can do on the circuit. It’s fortunate that Observers were a bit thin on the ground as the drivers concerned could well have had their licences suspended.

 

As I’ve said many times, to be a good racer you need to be aware of what’s going on around you at all times. Telling the Clerk of the Course that you didn’t see waved yellow or red flags is of little use, believe me I know as I’ve tried and failed several times over the past 30 years.

 

Seriously though, you really must keep your eyes open or run the risk of a very significant penalty.

 

Pembrey

This may seem to be at the other end of the spectrum to the Arena GP circuit but it’s always a cracking meeting on what is a very challenging little circuit. I didn’t go to Pembrey for years but now wouldn’t miss it.  The race timetable is on the BARC website, see you there.

 

There’s a distinct lack of decent accommodation near the circuit I can recommend the Three Rivers Hotel but you will need to book it quickly as it’s very popular.

 

A Date for Your Diary

The Awards Dinner will take place at the usual venue on the A14 near Cambridge on Saturday 19th November.

_____________________________

NEWSLETTER

26th May 2011

 

Dear Competitor,

 

I’m sure you’re all now aware that BARC have cancelled the Snetterton meeting on 4/5th June. I was on holiday in US when I got a text from Dale Wells informing me of this and in a subsequent phone conversation he explained the reasons for the cancellation.

 

The programme for the meeting included two 6 hour endurance races with MGOC as the only supporting races. The endurance races were for, what we might reasonably call, Club level racers including Mazda MX5, TVR and Caterhams etc. By16th May BARC had received entries (the entry fee was almost £2,000) from just two cars for the endurance races, there was little chance of them getting any late entries and they had little choice but to cancel the entire meeting.

 

Three weeks before the meeting they had received 14 entries from MGOC competitors and we were reasonably expecting a grid of at least 25 cars. Dale Wells has told me that MGOC entries were as solid as ever and genuinely regrets the impact the cancellation had had on MGOC racers.

 

I’m frankly astonished that a club with the track record and vast experience of BARC could ever believe that, in the current economic climate, Club level drivers would support two 6 hour non-Championship races. As a result of this bizarre meeting, BARC have incurred cancellation costs in the region of £25,000. It’s just crazy.

 

The cancelled races will not be rescheduled and the 2011 season will therefore be consist of 15 rounds not the scheduled 17.

 

Spa Francorchamps

For those of you suffering from race withdrawal symptoms I’d remind you of the opportunity to in CSCC at their Spa meeting on June. All MGOC cars can have at least one race (30 minute Practice and 60 minute race for one or two drivers) for £495. Class A cars can do another race for another £195.

 

To race at Spa you must have a minimum of a National A grade license, National B licenses are not acceptable.

 

There are some additional scrutineering conditions over and above UK requirements that you must satisfy to race at Spa but these are not insurmountable.

 

If anyone is interested in racing on the best circuit in the world (lap times for my MGB around 3 mins 15 secs) please call or email me and I’ll give you the relevant information.

 

MGCC Silverstone

Our next races will be at the Silverstone Live meeting on 25/26th June. This really is the biggest meeting in our annual calendar and are rare opportunity to race on the full 3.2 mile Arena GP circuit.  I have personally paid a very significant sum of money up front to secure our races on this programme and need 34 cars to break even.

 

I really hope you will all make every effort to be at this superb meeting. I will email the entry form and timetable out to all those drivers whose email addresses I have. You can of course enter on-line at www.mgcc.co.uk

 

I look forward to seeing you all at Silverstone.

 

Jim

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

NEWSLETTER

 

8th May 2011

 

A quick update after this weekend’s meeting at Silverstone as I’m off on holiday tomorrow returning 26th May.

 

It was a weekend of very mixed weather. The Saturday race was held on a drying track after torrential morning rain and the Sunday race was held on a dry track on what was a windy day.

 

Congratulations go to Paul Clackett for two excellent outright wins and to Paul Eales, Peter Higton and Sam Smith for their Class wins.

 

The Wayside “Star Drive” trophies were awarded to Clack and Sam for some excellent performances.

 

No new lap records were set.

 

Points Tables

After a number of errors in the post-Brands points tables, I hope BARC have come to terms with the new poiints structure including one point for pole position in each Class in the Qualifying session.

 

Mark Baker has kindly agreed to continue doing his own version of the points standings after every race, the BARC tables are the official championship version but Mark’s version is really useful and always correct.

 

New Drivers

I met up with three potential new drivers at Silverstone, all are building cars and hope to be out with us later in the season. I know of one new driver who is looking for a race ready ZR160, if you know of one please drop me an email to baynam@btinternet.com

 

Mark Witherington has sold his BGT,  the new driver plans to do selected MGOC races this season.

 

Driver Profiles

We sent out a Driver Profile sheet to all 42 registered drivers a couple of weeks ago. So far, we’ve had 15 returned. I’ve attached another copy, If you haven’t already done so, please fill it in and return it to Julie at MGOC offices.

 

Snetterton

The races on 4/5th June will be held on the new 200 circuit. I’ve driven it and there are significant changes to the corner leading onto the Revett Straight and the Russell Chicane. It will be a new challenge and new lap records will be set.

 

 

I look forward to seeing you all at Snetterton in a few weeks.

 

_______________________________________________________________

NEWSLETTER 

 

17th April 2010

 

Dear Competitor,

 

It was good to see you all at Brands last weekend. We managed a grid of 26 cars and whilst this was down on last year it was still a very good turn out and, once again, we put on a really good show. I know that several of you had to burn the midnight oil to be there and I’m really grateful for your support.

 

Congratulations go to Martin Wills, Peter Higton, Will Sharpe, Junior Bhambra and Kevin Broadley for the wins. It was particularly pleasing to see Peter and Kevin get their first ever Class wins, well done.

 

The only new lap record was in Class F where, in Race 1, Martin took a tenth off Stuart Plotnek’s 2009 record.

 

It was good to welcome Brian Butler to the Championship in the ex-Peter Higton MGF. Brian had a great day and put in a very impressive debut drive. Three prospective new drivers came to Brands to see what it’s all about, they were all really impressed with the help and advice given by the established rivers. Well done, this is the best way to get new drivers aboard.

 

Wayside Adhesives

As you know, Will has kindly taken over the associate sponsorship from Oselli. Will’s enthusiasm and new ideas will move the Championship forward. It’s going to be an exciting year.

 

MG Car Club Silverstone

Some of you may have noticed that the entry form shows our Classes A and B racing in with the MGCC MGF’s and Z’s. This is incorrect. It will be exactly as last year ie. our Class F and Z will race with MGCC F’s and Z’s and our Class A and B will race with the MGCC Metro’s.

 

Race Timetables

The timetables for forthcoming BARC meetings are shown on the BARC website.

The timetables for meetings later in the season will be added later.

 

A few of our long standing regular drivers have moved on to other Championships. I’d like to thank these guys for their enthusiasm and support over the years and wish them well in their new ventures. It goes without saying that we we’ll be very happy to see them out with us at any time in the future.

 

I was disappointed to hear some drivers saying that our race programme has too many meetings. We have 19 races over 10 meetings which is the same as we had in 2010.  If anyone has any thoughts, comments, concerns, or views about what we do or how we do it then please let me know and we’ll talk it through with the other drivers.  In my last Newsletter I did ask if anyone would like to become directly involved with the running of the Championship but, as in past years, the silence was deafening.

 

I don’t really like “committees” but if anyone would like to take on a semi-formal role of Class representative and then please speak to me at a circuit or email me.  I really do thrive on feedback and whilst I can’t say that we’ll take on board every suggestion I can assure that everything will be properly considered.

 

Remember, it’s not my Championship – it’s yours. I simply do what I can to make things happen in a sensible and positive manner.

 

 

I look forward to seeing you all at Silverstone in a few weeks.

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 NEWSLETTER   

The premier event for all followers of competitive motor sport is the Autosport Show held every January at the NEC. This years show was bigger than ever and the ever popular MGOC Racing Championship was well represented with the superb MG ZR160 of Jody Bowcott being displayed on the BARC stand.

 

 

 

Jody has successfully rallied MG’s for a number of years but returned to the circuits in 2010 and after some early successes his season came to a premature end with a major engine failure at Mallory Park in August. Since then, he has been working hard with Kidderminster based specialists West Midlands Motorsport to get the car in tip top condition for the opening round of the 2011 season at Brands Hatch in April.

 

The MGOC Championship was formed in 1981 specifically to cater for drivers who want to experience the thrill of racing “standard production” specification MG’s of all types. The 31st year of the Championship looks like being as competitive and well supported as ever, click here for the 2011 race dates.

 

 

If you want to join the action and be part of one of the longest standing MG Championships why not venture out to your local race circuit and watch the action. The drivers are all keen and enthusiastic to meet fellow MG owners to show off their cars and will happily answer your questions.

 

If you want any further information about the Championship or how to join in as a spectator or a competitor, click here to contact us or call the MGOC on 01954 231125.

 


 

Dear Competitor,

 

The 2011 Regs have been sent out to all registered competitors. To register for the 2011 Championship you must fill in and send the form at the back of the Regs and return it, with the necessary payment, to MGOC.

 

I’ve had a number of positive enquiries from potential new drivers, lets hope they turn in to positive registrations. Several drivers who haven’t raced for a while are also planning to return in 2011.

 

I would take this opportunity welcome Brian Butler to the Championship. Brian has bought Peter Higton’s spare MGF and is a looking forward to joining us as a Novice driver..

 

Autosport Show

As you know, we had Jody Bowcott’s ZR160 on the BARC stand at the NEC in January. I know how time consuming it is to prepare a car and get it to and from NEC and I’d like to say a very big thank you to Jody and his guys for their considerable efforts, the car looked absolutely superb and received many compliments. I shared the attendance with Julie and Pat and, believe me, it gets pretty tiring standing there for four days answering questions and trying to press gang drivers into the Championship. We had a number of enquiries but we’ll have to see whether they turn into positive registrations.

 

Championship Co-ordinator

This will be my 32nd year of racing and my 20th year in the Co-ordinators role.  I have no intention of hanging up my helmet for a good while yet but it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to properly fulfil the dual role of driver and Co-ordinator at a race meeting and I’d really like to find a willing volunteer to assist me in the organisers role with a view to taking over at an appropriate time.

 

The Co-ordinators role is pretty straightforward and, for most of the time, is interesting and rewarding. The only qualifications are an interest in learning how motor-sport works and the ability to write 800 word “ready to print” race reports, sort out photographs for the MGOC magazine. I should make the point that when “Phil the Bill” retired from the role in 1991 I didn’t satisfy any of these requirements, it’s something you simply grow into !!.

 

Race Numbers

In line with standard MGOC policy, drivers will retain the race number they had in 2010. There may be some opportunity to change your number but this will only happen if that number is available or if the driver who already has it is prepared to release it.

 

Any driver who hasn’t formally registered for the 2011 Championship by Monday 28th February runs the risk of their 2010 number being allocated to someone else so please get your forms in to MGOC as soon as possible.

 

Test Day

As in previous years, Classic Sports Car Club have invited MGOC drivers to join their Test Day on the new Snetterton 300 circuit on Thursday 31stMarch, .a booking form is attached. They have agreed to accept entries from MGOC members at the CSCC Member rate of £ for the day as long as the booking is made on the attached form.  Don’t wait until the last minute as bookings are apparently coming in fast from drivers who want to try out the new circuit layout.

 

Please note that you must be in possession of a 2011 MSA Race licence to join in this day.

 

 Ray Downes

Those of you who were at the Awards Dinner will recall that Peter Higton was the inaugural winner of the new Ray Downes trophy in the memory of our Technical Advisor and great friend. With the invaluable help of Henry Sharpe and Kelvin Fagan we took a group photo with the intention of getting it framed and presented to Ray’s wife Mary. I’ve finally managed to get this sorted and I have to say that it looks superb, I will post a photograph of it on the Championship website. I plan to go and see Mary over the next few weeks and present her with what is a lovely memento of Ray.

 

  

With the new season only 8 weeks away I hope your pre-season preparation is going to plan. My car is still on the trailer after my last race at Snetterton in September.

 



9th January 2011

 

Dear Competitor,

 

After some pressure from me and other Championship Reps, BARC have revised the original dates for the second half of the season. The full race programme for 2011 as follows:

 

Rounds 1 and 2: 9/10th April Brands Hatch Indy Circuit
Rounds 3 and 4: 7/8th Ma y  Silverstone National Circuit
Rounds 5 and 6: 4/5th June Snetterton
Rounds 7 and 8: 25/26th June  Silverstone Arena Circuit
Rounds 9 and 10: 30/31st July  Pembrey
Rounds 11 and 12: 27/28th August Snetterton
Rounds 13 and 14: 10/11thSeptember Croft
Rounds 15 and 16: 24th September  Oulton Park
Round   17: 9th October:  Mallory
     

 

It’s very disappointing not to have Thruxton meeting but, as most of you ware aware, they can only race at Thruxton on 13 days every season. With most of these days taken by BTCC, F3, Superbikes and other big boys racing there simply aren’t enough dates to accommodate every Championship. We’ve had a very good run there in recent years but have sadly missed out this year.

 

2011 Regs

As usual, we are still waiting for these to be approved by MSA. As soon as they have been approved they will be sent out to all registered comp[editors and posted on the Championship website.

 

Test Day

As usual, MGOC competitors are invited to join in the Classic and Sports Car Club pre-season Test Day at Snetterton on 31st March. This is clearly a good opportunity to try out the new circuit layout prior to our Championship races there. More details on this event will follow in the New Year.

 

Autosport Show

This will take place at NEC over 13-16th January. The ZR160 of Jody Bowcott will be on the BARC stand, this has cost us a significant sum of money and I hope it will lead to some positive enquiries for next season. If you’re going to the show, please come along and say hello.

 

Cars for Sale

The current list is attached, if you know of any other cars for sale please call me on 07971 149505 or email to baynam@btinternet.com as I’d like to get them on the list in case any potential new drivers come knocking at my door.

 

Racing in Europe

It’s likely that we’ll be invited to join in a non-Championship race meeting at Spa this season. With this in mind you should all be aware that such races require a minimum of a National A licence. If you have a National B and fancy racing at the fabulous Spa circuit you will need some signatures in order to get a licence upgrade.

 

 

I would take this opportunity to thank you for your support this season and to wish you all a safe and successful 2011.