MGs on Track

HOLD THOSE HORSES

Photo: Dani Larson

Or alternatively, you can sit tight, mark time, bear with it or, as I will be doing, hang loose! Whichever style of waiting suits you best, the inevitable has come to pass, and

MGs on Track’s 2021 Calendar of events will be subject to a delayed start, so let our watchword be once more PATIENCE. The good news is that we have been able to secure a new Goodwood date in late April; hopefully the additional two months will allow some extra certainty around the Covid situation for many more of us and, even if the UK spring does not guarantee glorious sunshine, at least the rain will be warmer! The bad news is that our March Silverstone event has been cancelled by the circuit with no alternative date currently on offer, though this could change. As we rely on two partnering car clubs to make the event viable, it is clearly not the work of a moment to reinstate the event later in the year even if a date is offered, so this may be one that could shift into 2022. We do now have a date fixed for Blyton

Park in mid-August, so may now also be able to arrange an outing to Mallory Park plus schedule the popular North Weald Experience day. At the time of writing, MSV have yet to fully confirm the dates shown for Cadwell Park, Snetterton, Donington Park and Brands Hatch, although note that the provisional Snetterton date has now shifted slightly from that shown in previous Calendars. Basically, members are best to keep a regular watch on our website for updates and alterations and should ensure that they are registered to receive our newsletters. I do not care particularly for the term ‘bucket-list’ as it seems to admit to the possibility of eventual demise and reminds me that I am not immortal as I had once assumed, but I can still muster one or two hopes and wishes for the future as I am sure you do, too. So, if you have always harboured the ambition to drive your MG on a race circuit and have yet to scratch that itch, I say delay no longer and convert thought into deed! MGs on Track has long provided MG drivers with the chance to drive many of the UK’s best circuits safely and economically, and always in the company of like-minded enthusiasts. MGoT is a branch of the MG Car Club, organising track days on a not-for-profit basis, and run by a voluntary committee of MG drivers. Our events are truly non-competitive, with overtaking and track behaviour subject to an agreed etiquette, ensuring an enjoyable day for all participants, whatever their level of experience. All our cars come with a built-in sporting lineage so, if it reads MG on the label, any model will be perfect to get you out on track. A typical event will host a wide range of vehicle ages, encompassing MGAs, Bs, Midgets, Zeds, Fs and TFs, plus we are always happy to welcome cars of even earlier vintage and the latest models such as the MG3. No special preparation is needed to bring your car on track, the only real requirement being that it is generally roadworthy to an MOT standard and the recognition that items like brakes, steering and tyres will be subject to more stress than is likely in normal road driving. Drivers only need to be holders of a full road-car licence, and the only equipment required is a suitable helmet. We do hold a stock of helmets for rental, although these may not be available until later in the year for the obvious health reasons; the big motorsport equipment retailers usually list helmets specifically suited to track day use at reasonable prices, as well as the more expensive items to full racing spec. Similarly, we are not currently offering incar instruction from our ARDS qualified instructors but, again, we hope to resume this service before too long. Those of you who are not sure you that a full track day is for them, or who just want a fun day out, might like to consider our North Weald experience day when it becomes available. Held on the open expanse of an airfield with only one car moving at any given time, this is a completely risk-free opportunity to test your abilities at very modest cost, and without even the need for helmets. Hopefully sooner rather than later, we will be seeing all members both old and new back on track.