The MGF Cup seems to be delivering its promise of thrilling the crowds with action packed, hard fought racing. As the cars all match each other on power levels, it is all down to driver skill to see who takes the chequered flag. Now four rounds down the line out of the 12 scheduled races, we have seen the MGFs at Brands Hatch, Oulton and twice at Silverstone. Many members may well have seen Tiff Needell’s report on Top Gear featuring his eventful race at Silverstone when he made his debut in an MGF. The ‘behind the steering wheel’ viewpoint gave us spectators a good idea of how close MGF racing really is and how hard the drivers try.

The all-conquering Matt Kelly in triumphant mode

April 5th : Silverstone

The MGF Cup roared off to a thrilling start with James Rhodes, the 28 year old from Rushden in Northamptonshire, taking the top spot. Close on his heels in second place was Brian Heerey from Cheshire with Suzi Hart-Banks taking third; Piers Johnson and Dave Loudoun charged up behind the winning trio, all five finishing within 12 seconds of each other. These top five finishers dominated most of the 12 laps with Loudoun leading the pack before dropping back to fifth later in the race. Rhodes has been racing since 1982 when the won the British, Welsh and Midlands Kart and Super Kart Championship and has since competed with Formula Renault from ’90 to ’94. “It was a hard race but great fun” he commented. “I am delighted with the MG package – the right kit in the right places. I’ve never been able to compete on equal terms before. Now, with similar cars, I’ve got a chance to show what I can do” – which he so admirably did! Guest driver Tiff Needell finished sixth and seemed, on the whole, to enjoy the race. Qualifying on Saturday found Loudoun on pole at a very wet Silverstone; less than one second split the top nine drivers so a close race was always on the cards. Although the rain held on Sunday for the MGF Cup, conditions were still cold but this did not deter 10,500 fans turning out to watch the race. Fastest lap was Rhodes in a time of 1:39.228, averaging 81.70 mph.

April 26th : Brands Hatch

A dry and warm track resulted in another fast and furious contest for this round. Fighting all the way to the line, Matt Kelly from Northampton just snatched victory from James Rhodes who ended second after leading for much of the race. A triumphant Kelly commented: “Today’s temperature indicates that the tyres are under quite a bit of stress because it is not a light car. As the season goes on, mastering this aspect of the drive is going to be a key factor in winning races.” The race was not without adventure for some; Don Kettleborough spun on Lap 1 at Druids collecting John Cooper on the way. Happily both continued and finished 17th and 14th respectively. Lap 2 saw Dave Loudoun, so strong in the Silverstone race, spinning into the gravel and was unable to continue and Stephen Warburton hit the pit wall, creating an obstacle for the remainder of the race. Qualifying the day before also saw a dry track with James Rhodes taking pole. He also took fastest lap at an average of 82.55mph and maintains his lead in the Championship with 55 points after his first and second placings. Rob Mears and Alistair Lyall follow behind with 34 points each.

MGOC sponsored Terry Farman is going well at Brands Hatch

May 4th : Oulton Park

Dominating the race, and indeed the Series, was James Rhodes who led from the start and held it all the way to the flag. Steven Warburton and the consistent Alistair Lyall followed in his wheel tracks respectively. The first corner of the race proved exciting with Nigel Orange and John Cooper spinning onto the grass but both rejoined the race. The other incident was MGOC member Mick Mercer who was forced to retire following a shunt on Lap 3. Brands Hatch race winner Matt Kelly had to retire on Lap 3 also. “I expected the first laps to be tricky” said the euphoric Rhodes. “Coming from single seaters there’s an extra bit on the side of the car but basically I drive the MGF like I would a single seater and that seems to work.” He again took fastest lap at an average of 84.44mph.

May 17th : Silverstone

There is no stopping that boy Rhodes! This fourth race was again captured by him, leading from start to finish. However Alistair Lyall, always in the placings, stormed home in second place with Suzi Hart-Banks a close third. Suzi started the race just behind Rhodes and held her place until Lyall just managed to creep around her inside at Stowe. These two made it thrilling spectator viewing whilst Rhodes consistently built up his lead. Hart-Banks was full of admiration for her rival: “Lyall told me on Saturday the line he was going to take and I told him he was daft. He proved me wrong today and I’ve learnt a great lesson. My message to him is – keep teaching me and I’ll beat you!” Meanwhile Lyall is becoming more and more at home with his car and hopes to move up one place on the rostrum in the next round at Croft. Paul Stroud, marketing development manager for MG Cars said: “We are nearing the halfway stage of the championship now and the drivers are really beginning to push themselves and their cars to the limit. We’re seeing some tight, close racing which is great fun for spectators and drivers alike.” One hardly has to mention that Rhodes took the fastest lap, this time averaging 85.22mph. He just keeps on getting better!

Suzi Hart-Banks on her way to another third placing at Silverstone

May 24th : Croft

This fifth race of the series was dominated by young Matt Kelly from Northampton who won after leading from the first lap. James Rhodes, who has already won three of the MGF Cup series races had his chances of taking an even more commanding lead in the championship severely dented when he was shunted on lap two by third placed driver Alastair Lyall. Sadly James spun but managed to carry on until retiring on lap five. The incident resulted in a steward’s enquiry. Of the incident Lyall commented: “I was quicker than James (Rhodes) coming through the ‘S’ bends and into the final straight with Suzi (Hart-Banks) hot on my tail. By the end of the straight all three of us were side by side. Going into the first corner my steering kicked and I hit James. It was an accident and not intentional”. Lyall and Rhodes exchanged words but shook hands after the race.

On his second win of the series a jubilant Matt Kelly declared: “I wasn’t aware of what was happening behind me. My instruments on lap two indicated that the engine was overheating and every time I raced down the straight I could see Suzi winking at me in my rear view mirror. Suzi never managed to quite catch Kelly but came in second hotly pursued by Alistair Lyall.

Zoe Heritage

MGF Cup Leader Board after Five Rounds