MGF Cup Winner Wins MGF

Action-packed, hard fought as ever, the last race of the MGF Cup Series at Silverstone.

Our last report on the MGF Cup Championship in the November issue of Enjoying MG saw Alastair Lyall perilously clinging to only a 2-point lead in the championship over James Rhodes snapping so closely at his heels. There is not only glory and silver cups to be had for the overall victor of the series, but a spangly new MGF VVC for the outright winner of the championship, so competition is naturally fierce. With only two races remaining this season, we now reveal who drove home first prize.

Thruxton : 13 September
The penultimate round of the MGF Cup proved to play a decisive role in the leader board when Rhodes stepped into second place on the podium while Lyall failed to finish. Ironically, Lyall was confident of extending his Championship lead at this circuit, his favourite track in Britain but fate dictated otherwise.

 
Eventual winner Kelly (No. 42) snapping at Rhodes’ bumper (No. 39) at Thruxton

After qualifying, in top four in-form drivers were not surprisingly in front on the grid. Suzi Hart-Banks, still on a high from her win at Castle Combe, stormed around in practice to take pole, with Kelly, Lyall and Rhodes just behind. Dramatic turns of events during the race saw Matt Kelly taking the chequered flag after a close duel with James Rhodes over the last few laps. Newcomer to the podium Nigel Reuben took third after an excellent and consistent drive.

Pole-girl Suzi was not best pleased after a first corner incident saw her malingering well down the field. “Somebody blatantly shoved me off” she stormed. “Maybe this is the only way they can beat me. I was a second faster that anyone else during qualifying which is unheard of in this series, and speaks for itself.” A more philosophical approach to his own misfortune, Alastair Lyall commented: “It was my own fault, I took myself out whilst trying to overtake Rhodes. I put two wheels on the grass, spun it and got hit by Loudoun, causing extensive damage to the front of the car. I continued, albeit midway down the pack, but there was no escape. Another shunt half-way through the race effectively ended the series for me. It’s looking bleak for the Championship now but anything can happen in the MGF Cup and it frequently does!”

The jubilant Kelly now has his sights fixed on Lyall’s second place, with Rhodes supremely confident of taking the Championship at Silverstone, the track at which he has yet to be beaten in his MGF.

Silverstone : 4 October
Rhodes’ confidence was well founded when he drove a tactical but safe race at Silverstone in order to take receipt of the new MGF VVC that awaited the MGF Cup Series winner.

Playing it safe at Silverstone, Rhodes’ cruises to 5th place at Silverstone

A jubilant James Rhodes receives the keys to his well-deserved Championship prize of an MGF VVC

Rhodes got off to a poor start from second on the grid, whilst Barry Benham sprinted off the line, closely followed by Lyall, Kelly and Loudoun. As the cars roared towards Copse four abreast, Rhodes, who only needed to finish 12th to win the series, made the decision to back off rather that risk everything at that first corner. “I was going to let Lyall and Kelly through and stay out of their way, but I let more than just those two by, about half the field in fact!” said a happy Rhodes after the race. “I was able to pick off a few places and then stay put and that was all I had to do to clinch the Championship.” He eventually finished fifth.

As Rhodes worked his way through the field to 6th, there was furious action further up the field as Lyall tried to ensure he stayed in the top two places, which is where he needed to be to win the series should Rhodes fail to finish in the top 12. “It was one of the best races we’ve had” said ever-the-gentleman Lyall. “I went out to win it but just could not get past Kelly and Loudoun. It’s been a great Championship. Hard work, but good clean fun – now we’ll just have to come back next year and win.”

The Silverstone race was snatched by Dave Loudoun, his first win of the Series but one well deserved, as he has been close on a number of occasions previously. He was followed over the line by local hero Northampton-driver Matt Kelly with Lyall in third. This meant that Alastair Lyall retained his second place in the Championship with Matt Kelly in third.

Voted a great new race series by spectators and drivers alike, this Championship has delivered all it promised – skill, thrills and fun!

Zoe Heritage
Photos: John Colley Photography