MG ZT on Track Goodwood & Bedford Welcome the ‘Pretend’ MG
The day didn’t start well. I shut off the alarm clock and opened the curtains. Just my luck, it had rained overnight and the sky was littered with ominous black clouds. I thanked myself for the foresight to track down a suitable insurer because today was the day that I and my 8 month old ZT were going to do battle with the Goodwood race circuit.
I needn’t have worried. By the time I had made it to the track the sun was shining and I was pleased to see that the track had dried. But now a new sense of foreboding came over me as I viewed the cars that would be joining me out on track. It seemed that accompanying me on my first track day was to be a collection of Porsche GT3’s, a few Lotus’, a pair of TVR’s, a couple of Ferrari’s and the obligatory race-ready Caterham. Suddenly I realised that I had probably the worst power to weight ratio there. I noted the presence of some BMWs and Mercedes but a quick look at the boot badges quickly confirmed that my closest rivals were a TR6, a new Mini Cooper and a diesel BMW!
A bacon sandwich soon settled the butterflies in my stomach and everyone gathered for a briefing. A motley crew of a mix of people, I began to relax as I discovered I wasn’t the only track day virgin. After picking up a helmet it was time to get the ZT noise tested. Gunning the 2.5 V6 at 3/4 max revs brought the response “No problem, by far the lowest of the day!” At the time it seemed almost an insult.
Although I’d been out on circuit days before, this was my first time using my own car and also my first time around Goodwood. So, to help me get acquainted with the track, for my first outing, I decided to take one of the instructors out with me to show me the ropes. “I was hoping you’d ask for demo”, he said sliding himself into the passenger seat, “I heard they’ve quite sorted these cars now.” I replied that the handling was fantastic but that they could do with a bit more poke under the bonnet. “Well,” he said, “it certainly looks the part.” I had to agree. In the paddock lined up with the sleek and the sculpted, only the TVRs had presented themselves as anywhere near as aggressive.
We headed out into the first of our 4 sessions. We started quite slowly and smoothly as I learnt all the turning points and apexes. Although the braking points were marked and, under the instructor’s eye strictly adhered to, I could tell by the way I only had to feather the brakes to lose enough speed that I was going to be able to have some real fun out there.
Sure, enough as I went out for my second run, it very quickly became apparent that MG-Rover had really done their homework. The tyres warmed and each lap we took quicker and quicker while keeping a sharp eye on the mirrors for any of the more exotic machinery bearing down on us. There seemed to be no limit to how late I could leave the braking before turning in and as we found the limits on the corners, the car remained perfectly poised drifting beautifully and remaining totally stable no matter what was thrown at it. All of this was accompanied by the sound of the V6 in full song. It was intoxicating stuff and I returned with a huge smile and a very pale passenger.
The day went on with another 2 sessions in the afternoon and we were still steadily reducing our lap time. Many people came to view the car, lined up with all the exotic machinery, most commenting on the styling before questioning me as to whether it had suffered from the notorious Rover build quality or for statistics on the performance. It’s something I’ve got used to owning this car but to still get the attention when amongst such company gave me a warm feeling. I was happy to give the honest report that I’d had not one single problem in 20,000 miles and was a more than satisfied customer.
We finished the day on a high. The lap times had still steadily reduced and I was determined to make the most of the final session. I noted that we were steadily catching another car. As we came through the final set of corners, the red TVR’s outline became clear but it disappeared down the start straight under its huge horsepower advantage. As we rounded the first corner, a long sweeping right, I had to smile to myself as we slid past with all four Michelin tyres singing. While the TVR scrabbled for grip and twitched nervously we were not only able to carry more speed but had enough left to be able to adjust our line to pass. I then realised that despite the horsepower disadvantage, the ZT was more than able to hold its head high.
It was confirmed when I returned to the pits. One of the Porsche GT3 drivers, bedecked in full race suit and fully kitted out with rollbars and fire extinguishers was packing up to go home. He stopped and came over to me as I climbed out and pulled off my helmet. “Is that the first time you’ve had it out on the track”, he said enquiringly. “Yes”, I said, “I’ve been on track before but never taken my own car before.” “You should be proud”, he replied, “That, is one seriously composed car. Watching you through the corners was a delight. It seemed to be enjoying it as much as you were. ” He shook my hand before turning back to his car. “It’s nice to see that Rover have finally got it right,” he said, looking back at us.
We followed up our trip to Goodwood with a visit to the Bedford Autodrome with the Owners Club a few days later. Again the skies were grey as I left but the sun started to shine as I arrived in time for my bacon roll (is a bacon sandwich a requirement at all tracks?) and driver briefing. The rules and instruction were in line with those at Goodwood with explanations of flags, cones marking braking and turning zones, an explanation of the flags and strict instructions to only overtake on the straights. The company was far less imposing with a wonderful full spectrum of MGs from throughout the years in both road and competition form. We strapped on our helmets and were led for a few laps to learn the corners and racing line before being let loose on the track ourselves.
Compared to Goodwood, it was a far tighter and better surfaced track with much more run off. There was only really one corner where you could have done any damage to the car and marshalls were well stationed to flag and keep an eye out for any mishaps. One of the competition cars did manage to fall foul of the one corner in question but I think the pride was dented more than the wing and both driver and car will certainly live to fight another day. I didn’t need the huge presence of the ZT to enjoy the track. In many ways, I wished I had brought my Midget out for the day but the speed and dynamics of the ZT meant I left with a huge smile again. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I think everyone was sad to see the sun setting in the sky as evening drew closer. It made the perfect novice track day venue and should be recommended to all who want to open up their cars safely without the attentions of the boys in blue.
My MG Midget is a fantastic example that I have cherished for all of the 12 years I’ve owned it. Garaged and cosseted, it’s the archetypal Owners Club motor, pulled out when the sun shines. Since the ZT has been with me, I have watched the motoring press fall in love with the model, answered questions from admirers at every garage stop or car park, had cars & vans alongside me in the traffic gazing at the car from their windows and now, the admiration and respect of the members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club when out on track. From comments in this magazine, sometimes it still seems that many still can’t fall in love with my car the way everyone else seems to have. I find it truly sad that everyone seems to admire the car except for some of those that really should and each of my unreturned waves to MGs burbling in the other direction knocks that little bit more. The pointless question of whether it’s a real MG seems to continue but for me there is no debate, as despite being an entirely different car, it seems to find admirers, admittedly for different reasons, every bit as easily as the Midget does. On that sunny day in Goodwood, I have never been so proud to carry the octagon. MG is back with a vengeance and it’s something that we should all be proud of and embrace.