Brands Hatch MGOC National Event MG 2003
This year the MGOC were invited to combine forces with the csma (Civil Service Motoring Association) in order to stage our National Event at the famous Brands Hatch motor racing circuit. Resulting in a weekend’s motor racing combined with all the attractions of the csma’s Classic Festival plus a great gathering of MGs both classic and modern.
Last year the MGOC Club were invited to attend the Classic Festival and those of us who manned our exhibition unit were very impressed with the level of entertainment on offer. The huge variety of exhibitors and a full weekend’s racing provided a continuing spectacle, not to mention all the various commercial displays and demonstrations by the armed forces. So it was decided to collaborate with the csma’s Classic Festival for 2003. It was a bold step to combine the MGOC National Event with such a big Classic show but it certainly expanded the range of entertainment on offer.
Aerial shots of the circuit and the crowds at Brands Hatch
The Club were allocated a large MGOC pavilion which provided space for a special exhibition of over 30 MGs kindly brought to the show by Club members and members of the Early MG Society. There was enough room to stage a display of fine examples of the MG marque, from the Tigress, K3 and 18/80 right through to the very latest model on offer from MG Rover, the MG SV. Also housed were the Club stands from Travel, Insurance, Regalia and MGOC Spares.
On Display
Around the Pavilion a wide range of well known MG specialists set up their wares, Brown and Gammons were there and Malcolm Gammons was able to combine business with pleasure by racing and winning Class F with his MGF in the MGOC Championship. John Hoyle attended the event with his beautifully engineered front and rear MGB suspension conversion, also Andy Marsh of Maidstone Sportscars with his superbly prepared demonstration vehicle, quite literally half an MGB. Andy has constructed this car very cleverly to display the application of John Hoyle’s front and rear suspension set up and also the five speed gearbox conversion. The MGB is fully fitted and neatly trimmed and even drives. I had the unusual pleasure of a quick spin in it around the show site, my first experience of an MG single seater. The half an MGB is great fun and an provides excellent showcase for all the current modifications available and the skill of Andy’s team.
 Roger Parker was on hand to give technical advice |
 The long pavilion provided ample space for display |
 Jerry Targets MG 18/80 MkII |
 Le Mans Bentley Driver David Brabham was on hand to sign autographs |
 MG K3 1934 entered in the Mille Miglia and driven by Earl Howe with film crew in attendance |
 Peter Pimm’s magnificent MG SA a beautifully restored ex-Police car |
 Anthony Littlejohn’s 18/100 MKIII Tigress Motor Show Car built to compete in road racing |
 John Day was on hand to chat about the restoration of his Twin Cam Coupe ‘Ratty’ |
 Paul Chile with his rare MG TD MKII |
MG SV
A major highlight of the weekend for MG aficionados was the chance to see the new MG SV in a format very close to the production version. On Sunday we were also very fortunate to be joined by Giordarno Casarini chief engineer on the MG SV project, a distinguished engineer who has worked with such celebrated Italian super car makers as Maserati and Ferrari. Although on static display over the whole weekend in the MGOC pavilion, it was possible on the Sunday to take the SV out onto the track at Brands. Jonathan Kimber, who knows his way around the circuit, was given the task of conducting the SV with Giordano Casarini in the passenger seat through three laps. After the raucous noise and drama of the Euroboss (ex Formula 1 cars) and other race cars the SV made near silent progress as it swept through the bends. On the circuit the new MG supercar made its presence felt by the striking dynamics of its styling and effortless progress. Jonathan Kimber pronounced it extremely smooth to drive and says he can’t wait for a proper extended test.
 MG SV on track |
 Muscular rear end treatment of the SV |
 MG SV purposeful styling |
The SV on track was powered by a 320 bhp V8 engine and weighs in at around 1600 kgs which explains its effortless performance potential. Although over sixty orders have already been taken the fine details of the SV are still being resolved. In concept it is very much in the original MG tradition of the road going race car, very like the MG K3 and the Tigress that were its neighbours in the display tent. Building such road going race cars is very much in the pre-war MG tradition, a buyer can take delivery of an SV and drive away in a competent road or track car. The SV’s light-weight is attributed to its revolutionary carbon fibre bodywork which like the McLaren F1 combines amazing strength with light weight, ideal factors for ultimate performance.
 Brands Hatch makes an ideal backdrop for the SV’s race car styling |
 SV turning heads on its way to the track |
Fully supportive racing seats are fitted and the SV also has race harness seat belts that automatically adjust to the driver and passenger. When the door handle is first pulled the window automatically drops a few centimetres to clear the roof moulding because the body is so streamlined. The doors open wide and unlike so many other high performance road cars, access is very easy on the SV.
 Something completely different. A rolling showcase for MGB modification by Andy Marsh’s team at Maidstone Sportscars |
 Charity Auction at the MGOC Exhibition Unit |
 Our special thanks to Epsom MGOC who worked tirelessly to organize the MG parking |
Concours
Autoglym and MGOC Concours and Condition Awards
 Gordon Shadbolt wins the Late MGB GT Concours Trophy |
 Roche presents Martin Gothard with his Masters – Condition Trophy |
 Elaine Osborne a popular winner of the MGF Concours Trophy |
 Philip Bicknell – Trophy winner Early MGB & GT Concours |
Despite the damp and stormy weather condition the dedicated competitors arrived early on Sunday and prepared their cars to an incredible high standard. Their diligence resulted in a series of impressive wins from some familiar names and here are the results.
Autoglym Results:
May 18th- Classic Motoring Festival at Brands Hatch,
MGOC Concours/Condition:
Early MGB & GT, Concours (as per factory gates)
Philip Bicknell, 1970 MGB GT ‘CYU 142H’
Early MGB & GT, Condition (modified)
Colin Taylor, 1971 Roadster ‘ERX 167K’
Late MGB & GT, Concours
Gordon Shadbolt, 1976 MGB GT ‘PGC 104P’
Late MGB & GT, Condition
Geoff Powell, 1977 MGB Roadster ‘OBX 274R’
Early Midget, Condition
Glen Bishop, 1972 Midget ‘GBU 410K’
Late Midget, Concours
Ray Tydeman, 1976 Midget ‘MEL 262P’
Late Midget, Condition
Fiona Harden, 1977 Midget ‘NJJ 271R’
Metro/Maestro/Montego, Condition
Toni Keen, 1988 MG Maestro 2.0 EFI, ‘E122 JLY’
MGF, Concours
Elaine Osborne, 1999 MGF ‘WOF 51’
Premier Concours
John Heagren, 1947 MG TC ‘JKR 411’
Premier, Condition
Philip Jones, 1990 MG RV8 GT ‘3200 PJ’
Masters, Condition
Martin Gothard, 1979 MG Midget 1500 ‘YBN 224V’
Trophies presented by Roche Bentley, MGOC, and Paul Caller, Autoglym CEO
Autoglym Classic Concours 2003 Results:
CLASSICS GROUP – up to 1972:
Best in Class A
(All cars manufactured up to Dec 31st 1955)
1) Alastair Ross, 1933 MG L2 ‘XJ 9084’
2) David McBean, 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental ‘OYN 3’
Best in Class B
(Closed cars manufactured between Jan 1st 1956 – Dec 31st 1972)
1) Fred Skinner, 1970 Morris 1000 Trav. ‘RJH 206J’
2) Len Boulton, 1959 Jensen 541R ‘569 MRJ’
Best in Class C
(Open cars manufactured between Jan 1st 1956 – Dec 31st 1972)
1) Colin Taylor, 1971 MGB Roadster ‘ERX 167K’
CONTEMPORARY GROUP – 1973-2002
Best in Class D
(Closed cars manufactured between Jan 1st 1973 – Dec 31st 1990)
1) Gordon Shadbolt, 1976 MGB GT ‘PGC 104P’
2) David Ward, 1989 Porsche Carrera 3.2 ‘G653 MMR’
Best in Class E
(Open cars manufactured between Jan 1st 1973 – Dec 31st 1990)
1) Geoff Powell, 1977 MGB Roadster ‘OBX 264R’
2) Martin Gothard, 1979 Midget ‘YBN 224V’
Best in Class F
(Production cars manufactured from Jan 1st 1991 – 2002)
1) Elaine Osborne, 1999 MGF 1.8l ‘WOF 51’
Best in Club Class
1) Dave Brown, 1973 Triumph 2000 MK2 ‘SLE 853L’
2) Lesley Miles, 2002 MG TF 160 ‘GF02 XLM’
Best in Masterclass
Autoglym Concours Best of Show-
Alastair Ross, 1933 MG L2 ‘XJ 9084’
Prizes presented by Paul Caller, Autoglym Chief Executive