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One More Ticked off the Track-Day Bucket List!

1st November 2014

One More Ticked off the Track-Day Bucket List!

In case you missed the MGoT article in the October Safety Fast! here it is again.

Words by Steve Brand & Stu Dickens

Photos by Derek Partridge www.inmotionimages.co.uk

Steve writes: The day finally arrived, the day many had been waiting for, the day MGs on Track visited Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit! Judging by the smiles on the drivers faces after going out on this superb track, you would have thought it was a free day at the local brewery… There was a full array of MGs, spread out over the full 2.5 mile GP circuit and when back in the pits, every driver appeared to be holding an exciting conversation on the ‘new found’ GP track. I think it will certainly be a circuit to visit again in 2015.

It was great to see our president and founder, Dave Livingstone on track, having travelled some 300 miles to be there along with one of our other founder members Stu Dickens. Stu now tells us about the circuit he has waited so long to try…!

Stu\'s account: It was a tough decision booking this Lotus on Track invitation day, double the price of a typical MGoT track-day and also midweek. I fought off the temptation to book for weeks and was only expecting to see a few diehards prepared to splash the cash, but once it was clear we would have more than a good showing of MG’s and would have a virtually full session I just could not resist it. The morning started bright, the forecast was ominous though, a dry morning but wet afternoon, still we were hopeful for a few dry sessions to feel our way around the unfamiliar GP section, I can honestly say for the first time in ages I was feeling a ‘little nervous’(well butterflies at least!) Sign on went smoothly, the cars prepped for the first session, a show of hands at the briefing identified those of us who hadn’t driven the GP circuit, it was the majority which made me feel a little easier, we would all be learning together. And so at 09:20 our first session began, as per usual behind the safety car for the first 3 laps to make sure we all had a feeling for the circuit before the wild horses were unleashed. First impressions at this steady pace was good, it was a long way around with lots of new challenges (corners) to get right. The safety car peeled in and we were released, picking up speed along the Brabham straight and diving into Paddock Hill Bend (one of the bends on my ‘dream’ circuit if I could make one), through the compression and up to Druids which is heavy on the wheel with the power steering off, then back on the juice to the Graham Hill left hander and onto Cooper. Now remember to turn LEFT at Surtees! This is a real tricky corner for the lower power (Sub 200hp MG’s), you need to keep your momentum up and carry speed onto the climb and straight going down to Pilgrims Drop but there is little run off on the right of Surtees and it would be so easy to overcook it here. Picking up speed you pass under the famous bridge down Hawthorn Hill and into the very fast Hawthorn Bend, braking hard for Westfield and then winding the power back on to negotiate Dingle Dell and the approach to a blind adverse camber Dingle Dell corner. A short spurt and down to 2nd for Stirlings bend and then the hammer down and you’re back onto the Indy circuit at Clearways and into the Clarke Curve before winding it up for the Brabham straight again.

What a circuit! Brands Hatch GP is right up there with the best. If you get the chance you really must drive this amazing GP circuit

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The Value of Instruction!

16th September 2014

The Value of Instruction!

If you have not yet joined MGoT at one of our track days and are still wondering if it is for you, then this letter from one of our first timers at Castle Combe last week shows the absolute value of an instruction session.Adrian writes to one of our intsructors on the day.

Words by Adrian Fryer

Dear Ben

My name is Adrian Fryer and you gave me instruction at the recent MGOT day at

Castle Combe (Blue MG TF car number 13). It was my first time at one of these events and I like to thank you for the excellent tuition and advice you gave me, it really did make the day so much better knowing what I should be doing instead of following other drivers and assuming that they are taking the right lines.

Your instruction to me was very clear and precise which allowed me to take in what you were saying and apply it to driving correctly around the track.

I have attached a photo which suggests I must have been your star pupil for the day because you seem to be loving what I doing so much you decided to blow me a kiss !

Once again thank you and I will have no hesitation recommending you to other novice and experienced drivers, hopefully when I do another track day I will be fortunate enough to have you as my instructor again, I will certainly make a request for you when I apply.

All the very best.
Regards
Adrian

Many thanks for taking the time to write to us, Adrian & thanks for letting us publish your letter. Love the picture & hope to see you again soon!

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MG90 - Another Great Weekend for MGoT

26th June 2014

MG90 - Another Great Weekend for MGoT

For those of you who were not able to make it to Silverstone for MG90, here are a couple of pics (taken by our very own Doug Bond) of the MGoT Stand this year with some of our trusty stand-manning team! The glorious weather always helps of course, but this year again we met a large number of MG-owners who were keen to join us at one of our track-days as well as loads of current members who popped by for a chat.

Thank you to everyone that came and spoke with us over the weekend, it was great to see you all.

Steve B\'s Very Nice Trophy!

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MGoT Newsletter - Castle Combe 2 & Donington

31st May 2014

MGoT Newsletter - Castle Combe 2 & Donington

You will hopefully all have received the latest MGoT Newsletter and you may have noticed a change of format as well. We are continually striving to improve the information sent out to members and we all hope you liked the improved format. In case anyone has not received this, a copy is shown below.

We would aslo like to remind members that booking for Castle Combe 2 and Donington Park opens at 8am on Monday 2nd June.

In this newsletter:

1. Castle Combe 2

2. Donington Park

3. Croft

3. 2014 Calendar Reminder

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A Unique Invitation

15th April 2014

A Unique Invitation

Steve Brand introduces our upcoming visit to Brands Hatch GP circuit in the April edition of Safety Fast, here is a sneak preview!

I have been very busy lately, desperately looking at my family tree and trying to claim some fame in having connections with Brands Hatch…Sadly, I can’t, although I wouldn’t tell you that! Despite the fact I get no special treatment at this world famous circuit, it is still one of my favourites. Having only ever driven the Indy circuit in my MG and once naughtily taking my 50c.c moped around the GP track back in the seventies after a Formula 2 race, you can imagine my delight when MGoT were given the opportunity to get on the full GP circuit in August 2014! This unique invitation was discussed at one of our committee meetings and recalling a conversation over dinner with the ‘V8 group’ at another track day, and their extreme enthusiasm to try out this fast and undulating circuit, the decision to go ahead was made. Many circuits around England are subject to noise levels and the opportunity to get on some of them can be quite difficult, however, one lucky chap has managed to do it…Read about his experience on the Brands Hatch GP circuit.

BRANDS HATCH GP CIRCUIT

Words by Dave Pearce, Chairman, MGoT

It is for the first time since MGs on Track have been in operation we have the fantastic opportunity to drive the full GP circuit at Brands Hatch on August 14th. We at MGoT regularly run a track day on the Silverstone GP circuit and this is one of our most popular events with 86 cars running in two separate sessions. The GP circuit at Brands Hatch is just as exciting and although it is no longer used by the Formula 1 fraternity, those of you who (like me) are long in the tooth will remember the days when the British GP alternated between Silverstone and Brands. Our annual December track day is on the shorter Brands Hatch Indy circuit, it is a very exciting place to be and all those who have driven it will have fond memories of Paddock Hill bend (blind right hander, dropping steeply downwards with the apex out of sight as you approach it!) and the tight hairpin at Druids. If you look at the circuit map, you will see how much bigger the full GP circuit is, at a total of 2.5 miles long. The first part of the track as you turn left off the Indy circuit after Surtees corner is very quick and although it is more or less straight there is a sharp dip at Pilgrim’s Drop where the track goes under the road bridge. As you approach the bridge it appears at eye level and I found myself ducking each time I went under it! A slight rise takes you to the right hand Hawthorn Bend and a short straight to Westfield which is a fast right hander. Another drop down through Dingle Dell and up again, curving to the right, until Dingle Dell corner is reached. It is then a short run to the left hand Stirling’s corner and a long fast run down to Clearways where you re- join the Indy circuit. In the dry, the GP section is very quick but the day I did it in my MG SVR it was extremely wet and with my limited driving skills, 460 bhp with no traction control I have to admit that I tip-toed round rather gingerly! We are hoping that our day on 14th August this year will bring rather more clement weather…

The day is being organised by our friends at Lotus on Track (L.O.T) and is split into 3 sessions of 20 minutes each. We will have a dedicated session provided we can get 35 to 40 people booking; otherwise we may backfill with some of the more compatible Lotus cars. The following weekend is the Lotus Festival so there will be a lot of interesting race cars around the paddock. Let’s fill our paddock with MGs at the track day!

To join us at Brands Hatch GP, simply click HERE.

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