Brooklands MG Day
Sunday April 19th 1998 saw a huge collection of MGs of every age and type converge on the historic Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey for an MG Day. During its heyday in the twenties and thirties the Brooklands motor racing circuit played a vital role in the development of the British motor industry. The track provided a unique proving ground where new models could be developed and tested. Competition in motor sport pushed engines and transmissions to the limit and to achieve success at Brooklands was an important goal for any serious sports car manufacturer. MGs formed a major part of the racing scene at Brooklands and among the most celebrated successes of the marque was the in 1930 Double Twelve-hour race where the factory prepared M-Type Midgets took the team prize. A member of that successful MG crew was Robin Jackson, a distinguished Brooklands mechanical engineer whose memory was to be celebrated by the museum on this particular MG Day.
The Jackson shed area which was known affectionately in the thirties as the ‘Robinery’ was where he tuned and prepared many of the famous cars that competed at Brooklands including the 1100 c engine used by Goldie Gardener in his record breaking MG. The shed was laid out for the day with period tools on the bench and featured an MG Q-Type standing by with its bonnet open waiting for the attention of the master.
As the various MGs arrived they were consigned to their parking areas but the main attraction for many of those attending was the chance to take their MG up the formidable 1 in 4 Test Hill. This is a test of driving skill, determination and engine torque. During the morning this challenge was open to each arrival but after lunch the challenge of hill was reserved for the pre-1940 MGs. It is a stirring sight to watch these venerable pre war cars tackle the ascent with a mighty roar as they climb furiously leaving behind a waft of Castrol R. The undoubted star of the afternoon ascents was Peter Green in his K3 who stormed up the hill, time after time to the delight of the crowd and the amazement of the TV crew who had to leap aside when they were caught out by the rapidity of his progress.
Brooklands provides a perfect backdrop for such a richly nostalgic event, the sound of the live jazz band mingled with the rich burble and crackle of exhaust evokes a powerful impression of the early days of motor sport.
| C-Type Montlhery Midget climbing the hill competently |
 Q-Type makes spirited climb |
 Anthony Littlejohn’s 18/80 MKIII ascends Test Hill in great style |
 Modern MGs make the climb with very little drama |
 The pre- 40s MGs queue for Test Hill |
 Q-Type receives close inspection inside the Jackson Shed. |
 Enjoying a picnic with the famous banking in the background |
 Peter Green’s K3 Magnette outside the Jackson Shed or ‘Robinery’ |
 Dave Jarvis in his remakable unrestored P-Type |
 T -Types gather outside the clubhouse |