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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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Goodwood Charity Fund-Raising

17th March 2014

Goodwood Charity Parade Laps

During our recent Goodwood track day on Saturday 22nd February, we once again hosted the Chichester branch of the MGOC who arranged the lunchtime parade laps. The idea behind this is to raise funds for a local charity; participants give a donation to take part. This year we had 62 participants (including me as the tail end charlie, to make sure no-one was lost on the circuit!).

Well done to all MGoT members for kindly allowing their sessions to be slightly shortened to accommodate the parade laps. As a result of your generosity with your track time, we helped the MGOC raise £525 for the local charity, Stone Pillow.

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MGoT at Stoneleigh

3rd March 2014

MGoT @ Stoneleigh MG Spares Day

The team were at Stoneleigh on Sunday March 2nd flying the new MGoT sailflags. Sited out in the unheated cowsheds, it was a stern test and we took it in turns to run into the other halls and warm up!

Here are four of the Stoneleigh team; from left to right we have Doug Bond, Nigel Silman, Dave Pearce & Steve Brand. John Dignan was also helping out but managed to avoid being in the photos somehow.

On the right is a general view of our stand, for those of you who were not able to make it in person.

Many thanks to all of you who braved it into Hall 4 and came to talk to us, it was great to catch up with members old and new. We look forward to welcoming you "on track" with us in 2014!

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Safety Fast February Report

13th February 2014

MGs on Track invites EVERYBODY to try out a track day!

Words by Steve Brand and Dave Livingstone Photo by Nik Barret, Xtremesportsphotography

A question that is often asked, when we are at events such as MGLive, by those that are curious and have never experienced the thrill of driving their MG the way it was intended, is, ‘What are track days? So as we are about to embark on an exciting new season for 2014, I thought it would be a good opportunity to explain with the help of a little plagiarism of an excellent article written by our President, Dave Livingstone a few years ago.

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